tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37173038725094414962024-02-22T06:29:00.717-08:00The Ontario Beer WidowUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger125125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3717303872509441496.post-78694053286693121142014-10-04T16:10:00.002-07:002014-10-04T17:01:59.536-07:00Oh god, I'm awful! Also, Craftoberfest was awesome!<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSdSV7iv49ke3Di_L7t-y5n5xDFimdNg78Cmf-jOkHbuUU4JOJTqfBC1_bmxtxIQrYELSBJPlBiCBA9casIdoyvrBrT75nnb8_LLjTCmUBn8lSnF0QXNbPtFQzoA9aVb1pV0MB8E5lTm5L/s1600/craftoberfest+side+launch.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSdSV7iv49ke3Di_L7t-y5n5xDFimdNg78Cmf-jOkHbuUU4JOJTqfBC1_bmxtxIQrYELSBJPlBiCBA9casIdoyvrBrT75nnb8_LLjTCmUBn8lSnF0QXNbPtFQzoA9aVb1pV0MB8E5lTm5L/s1600/craftoberfest+side+launch.JPG" height="292" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The ladies from Side Launch (right) serving up some beer at Craftoberfest.</td></tr>
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Was July really my last post? I geez, I am so sorry.<br />
<br />
Here's the problem, though - Jeff has been drinking a lot of home brew lately and not spending as much time or money at the liquor store. So asking him about something new he has tried becomes less and less frequent. (He makes a pretty great stout, FYI.)<br />
<br />
I should correct that - he regularly tries the new offerings from Royal City Brewing in Guelph, but if I wrote about that each time he tried one, this blog would only be about Royal City. Which they might not mind (Jeff generally likes everything he's tried from there).<br />
<br />
I will write about an event we went to last weekend - the launch of <a href="http://www.craftoberfest.ca/" target="_blank">Craftoberfest</a> in Kitchener.<br />
<br />
Jeff is lucky I'm a pretty awesome wife, because I am rather pregnant, but tagged along with him so he'd have a safe ride home (and he promised to feed me).<br />
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Not having a beer in my hand also meant I was free to take notes, which I did. We resorted to the ol' lightening bolt system - there is no real range, but on this particular night, three lightening bolts was a pretty OK beer, five was pretty darn good and anything above that was sensational.<br />
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There was a great group of breweries at <a href="http://www.imbibefooddrink.ca/" target="_blank">Imbibe</a> in Kitchener, and Jeff tried pretty much all of them (save for Steam Whistle, Waterloo Dark and <a href="http://www.wellingtonbrewery.ca/" target="_blank">Wellington</a> - he skipped Wellington only because he had the one-off they were featuring at home. It was Put Your Dukes Up, a beer Jeff has had and liked ... hey, I guess that would have been an OK blog post).<br />
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Moving on.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi64LMiuwU5cZkkkHnn7emlBd3GQnbnJcMMUTj_6FUo0xDeJ2M7T_6yNXOJ_Js2uTQChYyUOSc4lfsLitJhiANSEAJrylxzuK1k6SQ10ly3iTTwyeuNt3PrmH4rnBrfT_bGlda_OlZFuE0a/s1600/royalcity.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi64LMiuwU5cZkkkHnn7emlBd3GQnbnJcMMUTj_6FUo0xDeJ2M7T_6yNXOJ_Js2uTQChYyUOSc4lfsLitJhiANSEAJrylxzuK1k6SQ10ly3iTTwyeuNt3PrmH4rnBrfT_bGlda_OlZFuE0a/s1600/royalcity.JPG" height="297" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Royal City at Craftoberfest.</td></tr>
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Good-to-great beers from the evening included:<br />
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<a href="http://greatlakesbrewery.com/" target="_blank">Great Lakes</a>' Thrust! An IPA - Great Lakes wasn't actually at the event (which was disappointing) but they had sent a beer that was on tap at the bar.<br />
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<a href="http://www.innocente.ca/" target="_blank">Innocente</a>'s Guilty Conscious<br />
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<a href="http://www.royalcitybrew.ca/" target="_blank">Royal City</a>'s Harvest Ale - which had sweet potato and butternut squash<br />
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<a href="http://www.nickelbrook.com/" target="_blank">Nickel Brook</a>'s Ontario Wet Hop P.A. - which he noted was an improvement over the same beer made last year (the guy handing out the beer also agreed with that).<br />
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<a href="http://www.blockthreebrewing.com/" target="_blank">Block Three</a>'s Sawmill ESP<br />
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<a href="http://theflyingmonkeys.ca/" target="_blank">Flying Monkey</a>'s Division by Zero - this was an 11% imperial red. The other beer they had was their Antigravity light beer. "You can either pussyfoot or get slapped in the face," Jeff said of the selection. Of the Division by Zero, "It's a freakin' hammer."<br />
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<a href="http://www.spearheadbeer.com/" target="_blank">Spearhead</a>'s Belgian stout on raspberries - the raspberries were subdued<br />
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<a href="http://www.beaus.ca/" target="_blank">Beau</a>'s Mexican Spiced Ale<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEVR2M3BaQb4OsLcm8EOpyfMQZeOAE6oiAM5lAqvVzyv8QG3_DP9znPofRPn75QM0BF7Gfb0bZjhb3JtJ-Pxe2qfl_jz0VEBwO7DcNWImzJ-3YS1kYxLtjvoEygRqlzmWs3WkHpWTZkOyw/s1600/blocktree.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEVR2M3BaQb4OsLcm8EOpyfMQZeOAE6oiAM5lAqvVzyv8QG3_DP9znPofRPn75QM0BF7Gfb0bZjhb3JtJ-Pxe2qfl_jz0VEBwO7DcNWImzJ-3YS1kYxLtjvoEygRqlzmWs3WkHpWTZkOyw/s1600/blocktree.JPG" height="400" width="296" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Block Three</td></tr>
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Admittedly, there were a few he tried that he was not a fan of, but they were few and far between.<br />
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As well, <a href="http://www.sawdustcitybrewing.com/" target="_blank">Saw Dust City</a> had a drink called CLR (coconut lime refresher), which he was OK with and said it tasted like an "island-y drink." "It's pretty refreshing, so it lives up to the name."<br />
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The event itself was great. We've been itching to hit up Imbibe for a while, but making the drive to Kitchener hasn't been a priority. Now, I would say we'll go back again soon. It's a great place and the staff seemed pretty awesome.<br />
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The launch spilled into the neighbouring <a href="http://www.themuseum.ca/" target="_blank">The Museum</a>, which was also pretty cool. There was some live music and a few speeches.<br />
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But the best part about the event was celebrating craft beer. Because while KW is known for <a href="http://www.oktoberfest.ca/" target="_blank">Oktoberfest</a>, the event is sponsored by Molson's. This means craft breweries have been kept out of the halls and events at a festival meant to celebrate beer. Does that make any sense? Not really.<br />
<br />
Craftoberfest runs this year from Sept. 27 to Oct. 18. There are <a href="http://www.craftoberfest.ca/events" target="_blank">several events in and around the city and surrounding areas</a>. If you are in the area, I highly recommend checking out an event.<br />
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Craftoberfest is a great thing. Thank you to everyone who made it happen. I am looking forward to returning to some kind of event next year.<br />
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Oh yeah - cannot forget the nachos from the<a href="https://twitter.com/bre4dbaron" target="_blank"> Breadbaron</a>. Sooooo good!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC7krJuWuCeWJgznuw8s4me64qkEgfuJMrD5hdqk_5YDCsqJXT9cIOK1OqmjKhZNJ2FFLfAW_7m3MlfkyNF0Ixk8SlQp0EM4zUGNkcFpfQn4-wkIU1Si8wQlUhyphenhyphen6OC-1uyt5yesP-jPWEl/s1600/nachos.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC7krJuWuCeWJgznuw8s4me64qkEgfuJMrD5hdqk_5YDCsqJXT9cIOK1OqmjKhZNJ2FFLfAW_7m3MlfkyNF0Ixk8SlQp0EM4zUGNkcFpfQn4-wkIU1Si8wQlUhyphenhyphen6OC-1uyt5yesP-jPWEl/s1600/nachos.JPG" height="301" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Om nom nom nom.</td></tr>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3717303872509441496.post-89432768310949243582014-07-08T08:03:00.003-07:002014-07-08T08:03:56.789-07:00Royal City Brewing - a must stop<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipgbdT7fC3umoSq1MANXd_benz_h9MvXqo7uZ6n9-mlxxA8yVKA2L6De_nMwesPuXsaDvIrALk9YWTi7Esk5lPV7TUj6VMOOgApw3JQ5JHgmOuiXpgbnyP64MOPl7TYitSdVkOf-N7rzlN/s1600/BrFULF7CQAA4IG3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipgbdT7fC3umoSq1MANXd_benz_h9MvXqo7uZ6n9-mlxxA8yVKA2L6De_nMwesPuXsaDvIrALk9YWTi7Esk5lPV7TUj6VMOOgApw3JQ5JHgmOuiXpgbnyP64MOPl7TYitSdVkOf-N7rzlN/s1600/BrFULF7CQAA4IG3.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside Royal City Brewery, Guelph.</td></tr>
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If you are in the Guelph area, you must <i>must</i> MUST stop at the newest brewery - <a href="http://www.royalcitybrew.ca/" target="_blank">Royal City Brewing</a>.<br />
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You won't find this beer in the LCBO - it's only sold in growlers of different sizes in the store - but it is well worth the stop. And if you've already been, go again - every week it seems they have something new.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil-_-ho3dEQL4Bp9ZcvG0JWz_5SeJbNLYN1BWBpPEOE4A3rxMQMcvWhElZijMWKQTbZInZRRKXLwGe3gyFnZXXWskrjPszj-Vtb5zvwYRgRpX-QVO2WGIyXo5IfvVLkOiaIK3YmQik2kIo/s1600/BqG8RQNCEAA-5Oe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil-_-ho3dEQL4Bp9ZcvG0JWz_5SeJbNLYN1BWBpPEOE4A3rxMQMcvWhElZijMWKQTbZInZRRKXLwGe3gyFnZXXWskrjPszj-Vtb5zvwYRgRpX-QVO2WGIyXo5IfvVLkOiaIK3YmQik2kIo/s1600/BqG8RQNCEAA-5Oe.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I wasn't lying - the milk had to be moved.</td></tr>
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The brewery has only been open about a month, but the growlers have already become as common in our fridge as milk. (And if I'm being honest, sometimes, the milk has to get moved in order to accommodate the beer.)<br />
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Jeff has tried pretty much every beer - whether in store or by bringing it home - and I'm not sure there's a beer he hasn't liked.<br />
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I've only tried the evening stout, but it is by far one of the best stouts I have ever had. I'm not over-exaggerating here, either. It is so good. I cannot wait to have a whole growler of it to myself. I gave a growler to a co-worker to try and he agreed it was mighty tasty. I am eager to try the morning stout - which Jeff says he prefers to the evening stout (although, again, both are good).<br />
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Some of the fun things they've been trying over there: a lemon thyme beer, banana bread beer and an English sour.<br />
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There is also a rumour they're working on a one-off for <a href="http://bakerstreetstation.ca/" target="_blank">Baker Street Station</a> to go in their new Frosty Feature drinks.<br />
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Also, <a href="https://twitter.com/RoyalCityBrew" target="_blank">watch their Twitter feed</a> - it's got more info than their website (which is still a work in progress).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWI8sgHGxVxNArs_QDST15-OyXWUWS2xHz2t2pvlvgzKGpim9V9BniBCkG39VPe9oRJySwu99Sm7sclMQb6sgC572AfVIGyfCjDYLkLGYzNCE4MGZFPv5ChszqvVMXykfX1Mjki65NRto2/s1600/BrzspTjCcAEXesz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWI8sgHGxVxNArs_QDST15-OyXWUWS2xHz2t2pvlvgzKGpim9V9BniBCkG39VPe9oRJySwu99Sm7sclMQb6sgC572AfVIGyfCjDYLkLGYzNCE4MGZFPv5ChszqvVMXykfX1Mjki65NRto2/s1600/BrzspTjCcAEXesz.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">American Wheat - Jeff said it was great on a summer day.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTbwLjDDJmMQNuO4jia-QD9DrsmS3HlxdzZ_Km2_FzyZbOpr4J42jZvHCD_zH8GVX4cM0Gud6kBwUI_O5ucEiXLmrJKknzNLHYrov8sdet2_Pd9fQpLUR65vR9EyA-qnwcR1hV55ACsH-_/s1600/BqG8mnJCUAATiwh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTbwLjDDJmMQNuO4jia-QD9DrsmS3HlxdzZ_Km2_FzyZbOpr4J42jZvHCD_zH8GVX4cM0Gud6kBwUI_O5ucEiXLmrJKknzNLHYrov8sdet2_Pd9fQpLUR65vR9EyA-qnwcR1hV55ACsH-_/s1600/BqG8mnJCUAATiwh.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Columbus P.A., Evening Stout, Gateway IPA, Gordon Hill Hefe.</td></tr>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3717303872509441496.post-26493531893142090362014-05-30T07:30:00.000-07:002014-05-30T07:30:01.320-07:00Beer festival in King City<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicBMpE5JYEWnrp-KDYmB2EL6VDIsunpH0RAj8osh74P2skoQpj2pl7rxcx1pwu5dEEOrNiWnGWdZlh-B82rx_s1JnioT5YGq6cCh0CHQrKEkVpGzVVznWUQiQHrsNeRVjuHrrY5dGUw71G/s1600/king+city.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicBMpE5JYEWnrp-KDYmB2EL6VDIsunpH0RAj8osh74P2skoQpj2pl7rxcx1pwu5dEEOrNiWnGWdZlh-B82rx_s1JnioT5YGq6cCh0CHQrKEkVpGzVVznWUQiQHrsNeRVjuHrrY5dGUw71G/s1600/king+city.JPG" height="223" width="320" /></a></div>
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June 14 - if you don't have plans, maybe you'll want to go to <a href="http://www.kingcraftbeerandfood.com/beer-and-food.html" target="_blank">King City for a new craft beer and food truck festival</a>.<br />
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I'll be honest, those are two of my favourite things.<br />
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There are nine breweries listed as taking part.<br />
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The next day is Father's Day, so maybe take dad out a day early for some fun.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3717303872509441496.post-13836853074885473852014-05-28T17:17:00.000-07:002014-05-28T17:17:03.619-07:00Finally open - Innocente<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi51nnrvRB3VkUNdXzqYtM-iBCKuVaERDZ8UYEZV-DihBi_eq65uRa9CRYrpY7-a4GUL3kexjrzp78_nCof38zf2Vh7qauPbXE_CrJelR4g78LGiRvae_w98fRmxGsIniWawsJy7V5EhuX/s1600/IInnocente.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi51nnrvRB3VkUNdXzqYtM-iBCKuVaERDZ8UYEZV-DihBi_eq65uRa9CRYrpY7-a4GUL3kexjrzp78_nCof38zf2Vh7qauPbXE_CrJelR4g78LGiRvae_w98fRmxGsIniWawsJy7V5EhuX/s1600/IInnocente.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a>A couple of weeks ago, Jeff and I got a behind-the-scenes tour of <a href="http://www.innocente.ca/" target="_blank">Innocente Brewing</a> in Waterloo.<br />
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It was a very impressive brewery and owner/head brewer Steve seemed thrilled to fill us in on all of his plans.<br />
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Innocente is now open - Jeff went on Sunday to get a beer. While we've had samples before, these were the first official beers.<br />
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Jeff cracked a Conscience American IPA almost immediately and was a big fan of it.<br />
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"It was tasty, it was hoppy," Jeff told me tonight on the couch - I should have written down what he said when he had it. He was a pretty big fan.<br />
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If you're in the area, for sure stop by and say hi to the gang - they're really friendly and seem to love what they're doing.<br />
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Here are some behind the scene shots:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6oLIrCAa6G_YLAj0MfqxG0Dv7Xsvr9CpY16VoEsTyqgyonxo5zl8AIezwhsbkIln_ZnEmia7SnGGcDMpiUwzUvHZPzCHe4uXnwwQo9_66Ry4K0I15b8Gj5Qw0KmE3CyquaTxitXxkUxmU/s1600/tanks.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6oLIrCAa6G_YLAj0MfqxG0Dv7Xsvr9CpY16VoEsTyqgyonxo5zl8AIezwhsbkIln_ZnEmia7SnGGcDMpiUwzUvHZPzCHe4uXnwwQo9_66Ry4K0I15b8Gj5Qw0KmE3CyquaTxitXxkUxmU/s1600/tanks.JPG" height="243" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3717303872509441496.post-7446560428823287912014-03-01T15:00:00.000-08:002014-03-01T15:00:04.523-08:00Buffalo - the city beer is rebuilding<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3L_eY5l_3SATQWO8y8AxpU8YEYjB-fxdN7f410FXwEntIc5HSXd0DeA4yLiVMzkAcVNmUbYhgElCOcggTvB0FHQFzZlPzc7RzQDVTXJ5YspjElPXK58yae7cbWo6wd34OULmW9MyrEZt-/s1600/DSC_0078.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3L_eY5l_3SATQWO8y8AxpU8YEYjB-fxdN7f410FXwEntIc5HSXd0DeA4yLiVMzkAcVNmUbYhgElCOcggTvB0FHQFzZlPzc7RzQDVTXJ5YspjElPXK58yae7cbWo6wd34OULmW9MyrEZt-/s1600/DSC_0078.JPG" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pearl Street Grill and Brewery</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
OK, my headline might be slightly overstating the facts, but it's true that some major parts of Downtown Buffalo are being revamped thanks to one brewery operation in particular.<br />
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Last summer, Jeff and I went on vacation with our daughter to Buffalo and discovered a great brewery that is doing amazing things. The whole operation is now dubbed the <a href="http://buffalobrewerydistrict.com/" target="_blank">Buffalo Brewery District</a>, but I don't remember it being called that when we were there. Instead, we knew we were staying at the Lofts on Pearl (which were apartments that never sold, so they were purchased and turned into hotel rooms), which were also owned by the people who ran the Pearl Street Grill and Brewery next door.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiRydTPz8PgU66uKnkmffvG0SDtTyUng_uKuv-T2spk6rSdJJZgAnuqCyEA6Z5Rm6rOFzSc7iUiQ3mN9yEr73qj9ko3tvIGYaPnVGUJOQ07uT6fhCrfmqL_wVKJ0ONtTemhTWG4ATfkUYq/s1600/P8070040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiRydTPz8PgU66uKnkmffvG0SDtTyUng_uKuv-T2spk6rSdJJZgAnuqCyEA6Z5Rm6rOFzSc7iUiQ3mN9yEr73qj9ko3tvIGYaPnVGUJOQ07uT6fhCrfmqL_wVKJ0ONtTemhTWG4ATfkUYq/s1600/P8070040.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a>While it was a while ago and I really should have written this blog post ages ago, I can tell you Jeff and I spent quite a few meals at Pearl Street. It helped that by staying next door, we got a discount on food at the brew pub, but it was also because we weren't sure what else was around beyond the Subway sandwich shop up the street.<br />
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The staff were great, the food was tasty and the beer more than quenched our thirst. The back patio was a-mah-zing (to quote Penny from Happy Endings). It was several floors and hanging baskets teemed with petunias.<br />
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Jeff and I also visited beer mecca, a.k.a. <a href="http://www.premiergourmet.com/" target="_blank">Premier Gourmet</a>, where he was able to pick up a number of different craft beers. I think I could have left him in that store for the entire day - Jeff was a big fan of looking at the beers and selecting just the right ones (he had a limit, of course - he could only drink so much in the time we were there, and he could only bring so much home).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGtt64ZD5mN5AUvU6W_bcYPV-uXDw9vnmQmjaY0O9eD5-ct7xNfY38unG9Q0Wz4OW5-LzKjMe3yiwgr9UxBUWR4DlC26vQ0YY2HQihw4fil47hfWa91wF4a5GtRY98WMd75l5_RJf_xsJx/s1600/P8070032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGtt64ZD5mN5AUvU6W_bcYPV-uXDw9vnmQmjaY0O9eD5-ct7xNfY38unG9Q0Wz4OW5-LzKjMe3yiwgr9UxBUWR4DlC26vQ0YY2HQihw4fil47hfWa91wF4a5GtRY98WMd75l5_RJf_xsJx/s1600/P8070032.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Jeff was able to pick up some <a href="http://www.flyingbisonbrewing.com/" target="_blank">Flying Bison Brewery</a> beers - although because it was so long ago, I don't exactly remember his take on them (sorry), but I'm pretty sure they were decent.<br />
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We had plans to visit other breweries, but who knew travelling with a 9-month-old would mean we were stuck in our hotel room a lot while she napped? Yeah ... so our plans changed a little once we got there.<br />
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But on the last day, before heading back, we did stop at the <a href="http://www.buffalobrewpub.com/ordereze/home.aspx" target="_blank">Buffalo Brew Pub</a>. It was a welcoming spot that might have seemed a little plain, and the food was your typical family restaurant fare, but the service was outstanding and I think the beer was pretty good, too (Jeff only had a little because he was driving).<br />
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Buffalo might not seem like the typical vacation destination, but it's definitely worth visiting if you're a fan of beer (in fact, when we told friends we were going to Buffalo, a couple asked, "On purpose?" except for Jeff's home brewing friends - they knew exactly why we wanted to go to Buffalo - for the beer).<br />
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<a href="http://www.visitbuffaloniagara.com/food-and-dining/craft-beer/" target="_blank">Read more about the Buffalo beer scene</a>.<br />
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More photos:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxl8nbiNto3Ex5xZTa2MBKQRn8DxvvYL6KVSLpTO5pHWh8TKpbwHKPoLajXZT6nPgQCPX5baB6WPZYWb5HSKH98-m94bh1vOIGJHeDehvfYilyr9PnmoiNJe0CedLjXhmOuVLNpSXQuRti/s1600/DSC_0081.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxl8nbiNto3Ex5xZTa2MBKQRn8DxvvYL6KVSLpTO5pHWh8TKpbwHKPoLajXZT6nPgQCPX5baB6WPZYWb5HSKH98-m94bh1vOIGJHeDehvfYilyr9PnmoiNJe0CedLjXhmOuVLNpSXQuRti/s1600/DSC_0081.JPG" height="320" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Tap" art on the brewpub</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9LEEwg3w_LuDwMwz_wmPnlaOjMR2j7TJNhx1GmupH0CfuIwMS-7NSf8Annw6cNMexGXc2ftQ2EaswNSUTYOp2YxjyER-NgTSgprAvkTvMigqA-kXGWi-nLbV8Ezku69IcJWM5Z9Cw6iGA/s1600/P8060010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9LEEwg3w_LuDwMwz_wmPnlaOjMR2j7TJNhx1GmupH0CfuIwMS-7NSf8Annw6cNMexGXc2ftQ2EaswNSUTYOp2YxjyER-NgTSgprAvkTvMigqA-kXGWi-nLbV8Ezku69IcJWM5Z9Cw6iGA/s1600/P8060010.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mmmm, beer</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4m7Sxa9jeZ1IgiXvPUwn1nE-FYhIwKW7Z_AoVR84_AdoDVJDEAwK5TXGOiDh-7_IJ7jSUcGZyzJUXoAeDC5dq_FzRO2yB7RKIODRN4uLRAg9rvzG1owsebZoTnX5CLKcB17hjOQzNJ4O8/s1600/P8060012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4m7Sxa9jeZ1IgiXvPUwn1nE-FYhIwKW7Z_AoVR84_AdoDVJDEAwK5TXGOiDh-7_IJ7jSUcGZyzJUXoAeDC5dq_FzRO2yB7RKIODRN4uLRAg9rvzG1owsebZoTnX5CLKcB17hjOQzNJ4O8/s1600/P8060012.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The beers we had</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVmrvcE1SLB2z96J8nI8SMJ0yUUQZqvr3LDDFgDwqNqKD5ljDEI9chk1RHzIpYYHO04nAmHot_j9uHT2mvDm4_Qn4_rnot8w4_33AqY9KuSw6Q5V30GWinFcchMy8G3Xvjmw03ICTnc8LZ/s1600/P8070031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVmrvcE1SLB2z96J8nI8SMJ0yUUQZqvr3LDDFgDwqNqKD5ljDEI9chk1RHzIpYYHO04nAmHot_j9uHT2mvDm4_Qn4_rnot8w4_33AqY9KuSw6Q5V30GWinFcchMy8G3Xvjmw03ICTnc8LZ/s1600/P8070031.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just one aisle in Premier Gourmet</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3717303872509441496.post-44051562370058017212014-02-28T19:23:00.001-08:002014-02-28T19:23:02.940-08:00Getting excited for Guelph's newest brewery<a href="http://www.royalcitybrew.ca/" target="_blank">Royal City Brewing Co.</a> is set to open in April (next month! and it will be warmer) and we are super duper excited. Both Jeff and I have been following their progress on <a href="https://twitter.com/RoyalCityBrew" target="_blank">Twitter</a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Royal-City-Brewing-Company/174722339380489" target="_blank">Facebook</a>.<br />
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We haven't had a chance to try any beers yet, but the photo they posted today of their cool looking growlers/bottles has us excited for the grand opening!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSMbxo876Ip10v7XZAdYbHaqAQPZM8AO3bGPPIEWm7BsyiP6xYXbsnPYqYlQwt-jkqy6FRO1PQpnxJ4dKlvY28Xr5BIx9320kWm_lT8sPiDLLfxVd80gBS_HHo0nvSkdRMTXsbBYjMs5xX/s1600/BhkoNW7IgAAZO4v.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSMbxo876Ip10v7XZAdYbHaqAQPZM8AO3bGPPIEWm7BsyiP6xYXbsnPYqYlQwt-jkqy6FRO1PQpnxJ4dKlvY28Xr5BIx9320kWm_lT8sPiDLLfxVd80gBS_HHo0nvSkdRMTXsbBYjMs5xX/s1600/BhkoNW7IgAAZO4v.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo: Royal City Brewing Co. Twitter/Facebook</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3717303872509441496.post-450337749783033532014-02-27T08:49:00.007-08:002014-02-28T19:25:26.844-08:00Beer with ... bamboo?<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvqFA8FvLvj4baTrtz9CA7kchaEjApy3bGivhnx2aT_OOHdPNHlhvGgTgOQfhOE86uGj6esGLj5bBG3pYdXxvKL6kzqnLEW2eFAzaBGt-OubcMBksi2GLts-pITM-47rntrlAKQTKi9mIv/s1600/8554879.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvqFA8FvLvj4baTrtz9CA7kchaEjApy3bGivhnx2aT_OOHdPNHlhvGgTgOQfhOE86uGj6esGLj5bBG3pYdXxvKL6kzqnLEW2eFAzaBGt-OubcMBksi2GLts-pITM-47rntrlAKQTKi9mIv/s1600/8554879.jpg" height="320" width="137" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bamboo Beer Ltd.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Now I want to try this just to say I've tried it.<br />
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<a href="http://bamboobeer.ca/about-us.html" target="_blank">Bamboo Beer Ltd.</a>, claims its beer, made with bamboo, is "beer with benefits."<br />
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I believe it's out of Hamilton, Ont., but that is not explicitly stated on their website (three of the five restaurants that serve it are in the Hammer, while two are Toronto).<br />
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What do you guys think? Anyone had it?<br />
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I stumbled across it when I discovered the Twitter account for the new <a href="http://www.hamontbeerfest.com/" target="_blank">Hamilton Beer Festival</a>, Aug. 8-9. Bamboo is already listed under the beers section, so I guess if you don't get a chance to try it before summer, you can do it then!<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3717303872509441496.post-77254354512710106802014-02-02T11:31:00.001-08:002014-02-02T11:33:16.022-08:00Frost Quake vs. Yuletide Barley Wine<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDx5FhlDNfZtLhtcA1yvzw2f9b5mTRcD6VBBtnW2tpnRM6kKca7zg0dGTt41dLCGNGsFRhamPto3G5iBn-9gwcYg47TaPkC8PWvQMBOd5Q39aATA9JSoIRPxkEl8ATUoDCv0LMpTEvMA0o/s1600/frostquakeyultide.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDx5FhlDNfZtLhtcA1yvzw2f9b5mTRcD6VBBtnW2tpnRM6kKca7zg0dGTt41dLCGNGsFRhamPto3G5iBn-9gwcYg47TaPkC8PWvQMBOd5Q39aATA9JSoIRPxkEl8ATUoDCv0LMpTEvMA0o/s1600/frostquakeyultide.jpg" height="400" width="385" /></a></div>
Over the holidays, we were lucky enough to pick up two beers from <a href="http://www.wellingtonbrewery.ca/" target="_blank">Wellington Brewery</a> - the Yuletide Barley Wine and then, later, Frost Quake.<br />
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Jeff decided to try the two beers head-to-head.<br />
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While the barley wine was delicious, the Frost Quake definitely won the battle.<br />
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In fact, Jeff couldn't believe how much he preferred Frost Quake.<br />
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"Can't believe how well integrated the bourbon barrel is in Frost Quake. So smooth, not overpowering. Just delicious," he <a href="https://twitter.com/BNanza" target="_blank">said on Twitter</a> (he tweets about other beer-related things, so feel free to follow him).<br />
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Jeff even went on to say: "Best beer I've had in some time."<br />
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I also was fully prepared to steal all of Jeff's Frost Quake, but he wouldn't let me.<br />
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I'd also like to add, I love how Wellington is working with local artists for their labels - so very cool.<br />
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Side note: There are rumours of a craft beer festival coming to Guelph's Old Quebec Street downtown. <a href="http://www.imbibefooddrink.ca/" target="_blank">Imbibe Food & Drink</a> apparently has the details, but they aren't giving them up just yet.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3717303872509441496.post-64253302610225072272013-10-08T19:03:00.000-07:002013-10-08T19:03:00.526-07:00Block Three<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwdaFUlIHagUBotC5BvO4-v-J1X0tDkiJGZ3kroE8e6zIcZSe0Y5_aQ1m3P0R_02xc7s_dG90SXm6Y6B_J98vrxiXbNXmnkZEzfoBT3ldBp9v2frZv41cKrLojYjdIQ-TtNYv2QLzKkrFI/s1600/IMG_20130831_163017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwdaFUlIHagUBotC5BvO4-v-J1X0tDkiJGZ3kroE8e6zIcZSe0Y5_aQ1m3P0R_02xc7s_dG90SXm6Y6B_J98vrxiXbNXmnkZEzfoBT3ldBp9v2frZv41cKrLojYjdIQ-TtNYv2QLzKkrFI/s400/IMG_20130831_163017.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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There's a new brewery in St. Jacobs called <a href="http://www.blockthreebrewing.ca/" target="_blank">Block Three</a> and, well, it's pretty fantastic.<br />
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Admittedly, I've only had one beer there, the King Street Saison. It was quite tasty. I am eager to try the Sugar Bush Brown.<br />
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But, here is the problem (and I hate to say there is a problem). They keep running out of beer!<br />
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They do make things in small batches, which is part of the problem. They're in a tourist town and there's lots of interest in craft beer, so it's not a surprise people are checking them out.<br />
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I can't wait for them to expand so they don't run out anymore!<br />
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Still, if you're in St. Jacobs, you'll want to stop by (if they're open) and pick up a little something (if you can).Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3717303872509441496.post-18919311752643025982013-10-05T04:00:00.000-07:002013-10-05T04:00:04.324-07:00Mill Street's new beer hall<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVlaoC_8yFUq38QPngoYnfCu2A9uG5Ks0ritVt9ZdFQu_w2yZVKw3Yvo5kcBEjmyX6FJi2CdtNizzfsPVVi7eKnaYaq3WyJBy_cIzsv_VRfes9YIiQM8HNZ6i8efu5scfvMBAoRwS1v0TJ/s1600/P8240080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVlaoC_8yFUq38QPngoYnfCu2A9uG5Ks0ritVt9ZdFQu_w2yZVKw3Yvo5kcBEjmyX6FJi2CdtNizzfsPVVi7eKnaYaq3WyJBy_cIzsv_VRfes9YIiQM8HNZ6i8efu5scfvMBAoRwS1v0TJ/s400/P8240080.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Jeff and I met up with some friends at <a href="http://millstreetbrewery.com/" target="_blank">Mill Street's</a> new beer hall in the <a href="http://www.thedistillerydistrict.com/" target="_blank">Distillery District</a> in Toronto.<br />
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It was meh.<br />
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The food was still the same, the beer the usual Mill Street offerings.<br />
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I ordered the coffee porter bierschnaps, knowing full well what I was trying, but the waiter was a bit condescending, asking if I really knew what I was ordering.<br />
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When it arrived, I'll admit it, it was strong. Too strong for me. I remembered Jeff talking about schnapps in Germany and how it was delicious and smooth. I thought this would be similar.<br />
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Now, Jeff also likes Scotch, which I do not, so perhaps our opinions of "delicious and smooth" differ wildly.<br />
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But after Jeff tried it, even he said it wasn't even close to anything he'd had in Germany. He did, however, purchase a bottle of the Tankhouse bierschnaps, which has been in our freezer ever since.<br />
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(He saw me blogging so he went to try some. He said it wasn't as "offensive" as the coffee porter one I had, but it still "smells like dirty tequila ... the smell is just bad. Why would you ever drink this instead of scotch?" Then as he finished it, he said, "Blech, yeah, that's not good." So, not a homerun.)<br />
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If you like Mill Street, you'll probably enjoy the new beer hall (which is attached to their regular restaurant). And you'll probably try the bierschnaps because, hey, it's new and different and you should at least try it for yourself.<br />
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But for us, I think Mill Street will be an OK place to meet up with people if we happen to be at the Distillery District, but there are so many other places to get wonderful beer in Toronto, we won't make a trip specifically to go to Mill Street. And if we're there, we'll probably try to eat elsewhere.<br />
<br />
BTW, if you haven't read it, <a href="http://www.thestar.com/life/restaurants/2013/06/21/mill_street_brewerys_beer_hall_gets_little_right.html" target="_blank">check out this Toronto Star review</a> of the beer hall (spoiler: it's not favourable). But Jeff tells me I should point out they have made some changes since that review.<br />
<br />
BTW #2 - the new Mill Street website is awful.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj0C419gyGcLXemzFqjxTf995CJ27dLI8dbJD3u4IBWahyvuetulQjIrIJmMYuoNPCApXqioB5f4716TkxeGFKslAWkS115hSpbuHX1LGtJxwM5sb02nMXBM2ZdPYKI5I9WEbGunfU63gH/s1600/P8240079.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj0C419gyGcLXemzFqjxTf995CJ27dLI8dbJD3u4IBWahyvuetulQjIrIJmMYuoNPCApXqioB5f4716TkxeGFKslAWkS115hSpbuHX1LGtJxwM5sb02nMXBM2ZdPYKI5I9WEbGunfU63gH/s400/P8240079.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3717303872509441496.post-65646477655870797532013-10-03T17:14:00.000-07:002013-10-03T17:14:37.090-07:00Atlantic Bar Harbor Real Ale<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibcwjAoSpWemY218PgCb53dBLfAM72HZ3RHX2p2qA5B2HAPHyZ3X9L6KBJuasicOBXdq848q8e1kILTvy2TblIZWOorVuBPdbHywQhPhUBWIKkAxQJtQz2ipvNMtzH8THMgN2wJTE_brb6/s1600/PA030092.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibcwjAoSpWemY218PgCb53dBLfAM72HZ3RHX2p2qA5B2HAPHyZ3X9L6KBJuasicOBXdq848q8e1kILTvy2TblIZWOorVuBPdbHywQhPhUBWIKkAxQJtQz2ipvNMtzH8THMgN2wJTE_brb6/s400/PA030092.JPG" width="273" /></a></div>
My <a href="http://infieldfly.ca/" target="_blank">co-worker and friend Chris</a> was recently on his honeymoon in Maine and when he returned, he brought back some <a href="http://www.atlanticbrewing.com/" target="_blank">Atlantic Bar Harbor Real Ale</a>. And because I have given him a beer once or twice, he brought a bottle in for me.<br />
<br />
At the risk of sounding like a teenager, "O.M.G."<br />
<br />
This beer is fantastic. I really liked it. I said to Jeff that it was like having a pop - it was smooth and just great flavours. (Jeff said it was like a "wobbly pop.")<br />
<br />
The brewery says this was their first beer in 1991 and they wanted to make it smooth and easy-drinking. Check.<br />
<br />
They say there are nice caramel tones. Check.<br />
<br />
They say they wanted a balance of hops and malt. Check.<br />
<br />
This is a beer that, if I saw it on a draft list, I wouldn't even think - I'd just order it. I'd love to have this beer again! (I'm also itching to try their Cole Porter!)<br />
<br />
Thanks, Chris!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3717303872509441496.post-88394295135887227702013-07-19T05:36:00.000-07:002013-07-19T05:36:00.408-07:00He's gone and done it - Jeff is brewing at home<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhFhBjaIHKRcxDpe-bbIVTt-6f4WqmeRSzgkZttbmns-6itsVpcHs2kIBtdUkF53_v0vgV1KvUID4i2acvOkdaHOU1g4RV6nje606948bND_64PNRHnD8cfQceoP1-7Qe1hXk4iAIS6rJg/s1600/1077733_10153031974930571_1137496277_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhFhBjaIHKRcxDpe-bbIVTt-6f4WqmeRSzgkZttbmns-6itsVpcHs2kIBtdUkF53_v0vgV1KvUID4i2acvOkdaHOU1g4RV6nje606948bND_64PNRHnD8cfQceoP1-7Qe1hXk4iAIS6rJg/s400/1077733_10153031974930571_1137496277_o.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17.99715805053711px; text-align: left;">Most work I've ever done for 9 beers."</span></td></tr>
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<div class="tr_bq">
On Wednesday night, Jeff bottled his first batch of home brew. Here's his take on the experience.</div>
<br />
<blockquote>
I've been meaning to start home brewing for some time. I’ve acquired various things for my home brewery – grain mill, mash tun, some burners – but I had yet to pull the trigger on actually brewing. Kate took away my excuses by buying me an all-grain home brew kit from Brooklyn Brew Shop. The kit promises to contain pretty much everything you need to make a 1 gallon batch in your kitchen. It was the last push I needed to get me to take the plunge. </blockquote>
<blockquote>
So after work, I came home and decided to start brewing in my kitchen.<br />I made sure to sanitize everything before I got started with the included sanitizer.<br />The problems started when it came time to sparge my mash. The kit had suggested that 1 pot would be fine, and a kitchen fine mesh strainer would be okay. I realized ahead of time, more than one pot was a necessity. I didn’t realize how inadequate a simple kitchen strainer was though. </blockquote>
<blockquote>
As I poured my grain and wort into my second pot with the strainer over top of it, I quickly overfilled the strainer. It was filled as high as it was deep. It was like a sphere of wet grain. Grain was spilling into the wort and I still had more grain left to dump.<br />I realized that this wasn’t going to work so I went downstairs to grab my mash tun – which was unassembled and completely oversized for a 1 gallon batch. I quickly put it together and got ready to rinse it out. Unfortunately I didn’t see that I had neglected to plug one of the outlets. So when I went to rinse, water went all over the floor. </blockquote>
<blockquote>
Fixed that and then transferred over (the now cooling for 20 minutes) grain. I poured in my wort and my sparge water. I went to open the effluent valve and nothing came out. Great. Stuck sparge. I closed back up the effluent valve and hoped that it was only the fitting on the exit side of the valve that was clogged. I removed that and reopened the valve. Out comes my wort. </blockquote>
<blockquote>
I noticed though as the wort was coming out of my mash tun, a lot more than zero grain was coming with it. So on the second pass, I used that kitchen strainer as a secondary filter on the wort. That seemed to work alright. </blockquote>
<blockquote>
Now it was on to the boil. The kit instructions had suggested a 6 qt pot to do the boil. I thought that was on the small side and was going to use an 8 qt pot. However once it started getting up to boil, I realized that the pot was not going to prevent boil over. I quickly found an even bigger pot and transferred the wort to there – now to get it back to boil. </blockquote>
<blockquote>
I’m guessing the cooling between the mash cook and the sparge isn’t going to help the beer and neither is the transfer between vessels during the boil. </blockquote>
<blockquote>
The hopping went down without issue. Finally, something was working. </blockquote>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghZvNiSyYpB5mEohl4NhRGgePwoEwOTLsG7b08HtiyQpbvWdqEwrMZ-bdB2chigtGaZTDp08arhjKu2wO_YS7Eru5O4pI0EiTHBmxtu2-Ojxq5gbJDw-kJmo3Y4538Ma59ofQdVczczfhX/s1600/920979_10153005233915571_1712322333_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghZvNiSyYpB5mEohl4NhRGgePwoEwOTLsG7b08HtiyQpbvWdqEwrMZ-bdB2chigtGaZTDp08arhjKu2wO_YS7Eru5O4pI0EiTHBmxtu2-Ojxq5gbJDw-kJmo3Y4538Ma59ofQdVczczfhX/s320/920979_10153005233915571_1712322333_o.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17.99715805053711px; text-align: left;">He built an immersion wort chiller.</span></td></tr>
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<blockquote>
The cold break after the boil though was a different story. I had a cooler full of ice to drop the boil pot into and hoped that would cool it quickly enough (would have been nice to have an immersion chiller). I went to add some water to the cooler to improve the heat transfer from the kettle and somehow that caused the plug on the cooler to open and now more water was on the floor. Cleaned that up and went back to chilling my wort. It wasn’t an ideal setup by any means – and it took almost 20 minutes to drop to under 70F. </blockquote>
<blockquote>
The big step was filling my fermenter. I had Kate help at this point because I knew juggling the carboy, the funnel, the strainer and the pot of soon-to-be-beer would be too much. Kate handled the funnel, strainer and carboy. I took the pot. I completely underestimated how much sludge from the hops would come pouring out. It quickly clogged the strainer and then the wort was spilling on to the floor. Huge mess. It leaves floors very sticky. After that it was just a matter of pitching my yeast and aerating the beer with some shakes of the carboy. </blockquote>
<blockquote>
Now the beer is sitting in my basement. Hopefully it’s cold enough – but not too cold. Hopefully it’s dark enough. Hopefully everything was properly sanitized. Hopefully the yeast is active and has plenty of sugars to eat. I guess I’ll find out soon enough if I made drinkable beer, or a gallon of drain pour. </blockquote>
<blockquote>
Still, it was fun. And I think I learned a lot of lessons for the next time.</blockquote>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3717303872509441496.post-72729989839754203852013-07-17T17:29:00.000-07:002013-07-17T17:29:47.061-07:00Mad and Noisy Brewing's Hops and Bolts India Pale Lager<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihSvqbG_104ET506M7mItAEwMrFZGxar50EwRoCMBDnyW-FeIYxtxcbeBsX7UfMx7PK0YD42c0yAl6lNn-fU3Szk1FPjxEUB_0I1lEvwDQv7omyZzKnndibYb8zJg6LebS93ZMwpoQXLPn/s1600/IMG_20130711_174014_470.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihSvqbG_104ET506M7mItAEwMrFZGxar50EwRoCMBDnyW-FeIYxtxcbeBsX7UfMx7PK0YD42c0yAl6lNn-fU3Szk1FPjxEUB_0I1lEvwDQv7omyZzKnndibYb8zJg6LebS93ZMwpoQXLPn/s400/IMG_20130711_174014_470.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
Part of <a href="http://www.creemoresprings.com/en/Our%20Beers/Hops%20and%20Bolts.aspx" target="_blank">Creemore Springs' Craft Beer Exploration</a>, Mad and Noisy Brewing's Hops and Bolts India Pale Lager is described as a Czech twist on an English IPA.<br />
<br />
Jeff said it poured a nice copper colour with a decent head that sticks around - leaving a 1 cm head until the end of the pint.<br />
<br />
"The smell is definitely citrusy, but there's something else there as well - like, white wine<' Jeff said.<br />
<br />
The hops are a different taste - there's almost more herbal hop notes, "I guess to reflect the lager side of things?"<br />
<br />
There's bitterness and the finish is dry, "almost too astringent. It's interesting, but in an evening, I'd probably only have the one."Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3717303872509441496.post-6576271351872234142013-07-01T17:51:00.001-07:002013-07-01T17:51:46.281-07:00Shawinigan Handshake<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQNiSnbCQ2RoejbAPuP17jooeqXal0v_FJauiS6PMO-BBCIGWTo_kUkEz7h6Ck_gqbVB_Hboazj9AwOmSPbN6aDJCzqLh604kL8p_qrnJpvdyaXSkuwG9e7SMn8iT2hluNlWwasa74xL4g/s1600/P6280045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQNiSnbCQ2RoejbAPuP17jooeqXal0v_FJauiS6PMO-BBCIGWTo_kUkEz7h6Ck_gqbVB_Hboazj9AwOmSPbN6aDJCzqLh604kL8p_qrnJpvdyaXSkuwG9e7SMn8iT2hluNlWwasa74xL4g/s400/P6280045.JPG" width="238" /></a>Happy Canada Day, everyone!<br />
<br />
Hopefully you're all enjoying a fantastic craft beer to celebrate. We were at a BBQ yesterday and I enjoyed a <a href="http://grandriverbrewing.com/" target="_blank">Grand River</a> Tailset ginger ale, myself. So good.<br />
<br />
Jeff was a sweetheart and bought me a beer recently because he knew I'd like the name.<br />
<br />
Quebec brewery <a href="http://www.troududiable.com/" target="_blank">Le Trou du Diable</a> has given us the Shawinigan Handshake - a wheat beer with former prime minister Jean Chretien on the label.<br />
<br />
Jeff knows I've always liked Chretien. I can't really explain why, but I liked that he didn't take shit from anybody - <a href="http://www.ctvnews.ca/shawinigan-handshake-victim-not-laughing-at-gag-1.535403" target="_blank">including protesters</a>.<br />
<br />
The beer apparently got approval from Chretien himself (another reason to like him, even if you're not a Liberal), although the label on the <a href="http://www.troududiable.com/spip.php?article392" target="_blank">brewer's website</a> has him choking Don Cherry. The label I got has him choking the devil (perhaps to bring more attention to the brewery - which translates to the Devil's Hole).<br />
<br />
Isaac Tremblay, co-owner of the brewery, told the <a href="http://www.thestar.com/sports/hockey/2012/04/13/jean_chretien_applies_shawinigan_handshake_to_don_cherry_on_beer_label.html" target="_blank">Toronto Star</a> it's not a political label.<br />
<br />
"It's about having a great person from Shawinigan who always kept Shawinigan in his heart," Tremblay said. "Jean Chretien is also a person with a keen sense of humour and a person that is very fun to have a beer with."<br />
<br />
Now, as for the beer - it unfortunately was not for me. I like my beers malty and this one was a touch too hoppy for me. That said - Jeff was a big fan of it and ended up drinking it. He said it tasted "like a Quebec beer," and he really liked it.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3717303872509441496.post-59943822968178254562013-06-27T05:37:00.000-07:002013-06-27T05:37:00.686-07:00Black Oak 10 Bitter Years<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAO1dAQzv1zd9hu5Fzq6xZ75xfYRYnF0KLK5c7DX7Xk_bTiQGGMWjpfNesLeLkuG88Xpra2QYlqlqupMEppPk4E4-q4yN2egYfrXL2m4myN-SeEbOzmy09jZRf2HJNb7iKzhF17LjlcHcb/s1600/blackoak.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAO1dAQzv1zd9hu5Fzq6xZ75xfYRYnF0KLK5c7DX7Xk_bTiQGGMWjpfNesLeLkuG88Xpra2QYlqlqupMEppPk4E4-q4yN2egYfrXL2m4myN-SeEbOzmy09jZRf2HJNb7iKzhF17LjlcHcb/s400/blackoak.jpg" width="217" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black Oak 10 Bitter Years Imperial IPA<br />8% abv.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
On a few trips into Toronto, Jeff and I would stop at the Black Oak brewery to grab some beers and Jeff really liked the 10 Bitter Years Imperial IPA. But it's been a while.<br />
<br />
"I haven't had this in a couple of years," Jeff said after cracking open a new bottle. "I was excited to see if it was as good as I remembered when I heard it was coming to the LCBO.<br />
<br />
"It still has that punchy citrus hops in the smell with a hint of sweetness. The taste is great, tonnes of pine and citrus hops. The bitterness is in balance with the caramel sweetness of the malt," Jeff said.<br />
<br />
"I think it's incredibly drinkable and it's my favourite from Black Oak."Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3717303872509441496.post-5287825355297456492013-06-25T17:31:00.000-07:002013-06-25T17:53:45.796-07:00Taste Real - small, but good<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizjZOzA09_DLuBtYZDo2jYQ4jCMzMkRWiq-civ3_YmGvsdTSMK4a2J4fhOEZ1o3CLVrQIoO71_UBHicRkiKQcyVbN0da-HNSpErhnS9O_3H0M3A5PyAPn6NAIWcBSiyfe0Pp6SI23E-rg4/s1600/P6230023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /><img border="0" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizjZOzA09_DLuBtYZDo2jYQ4jCMzMkRWiq-civ3_YmGvsdTSMK4a2J4fhOEZ1o3CLVrQIoO71_UBHicRkiKQcyVbN0da-HNSpErhnS9O_3H0M3A5PyAPn6NAIWcBSiyfe0Pp6SI23E-rg4/s400/P6230023.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
Jeff and I took our 9-month-old out to <a href="http://www.ignatiusguelph.ca/" target="_blank">Ignatius Jesuit Centre</a> on the weekend for the <a href="http://www.guelphwellingtonlocalfood.ca/taste-real" target="_blank">Taste Real</a> festival, which highlights local food. This year, they had beer! (Perhaps no coincidence, this was the first year we've gone to the Taste Real festival).<br />
<br />
There were supposed to be five breweries, but only four showed up: <a href="http://www.spearheadbeer.com/" target="_blank">Spearhead</a>, <a href="http://grandriverbrewing.com/" target="_blank">Grand River</a>, <a href="http://fmbrewery.com/" target="_blank">F&M</a> and <a href="http://www.wellingtonbrewery.ca/" target="_blank">Wellington</a>. (Neustadt, where were you guys? You were on the list!)<br />
<br />
I got the three sample bracelet, Jeff got the seven sample one and away we went. My first stop was actually at <a href="http://www.spirittreecider.com/" target="_blank">Spirit Tree Cidery</a> from Caledon. While not a beer, I must say, these folks make a mighty fine cider. Jeff had the pub-style one and I had the Apelager. It was so good.<br />
<br />
"This could be dangerous," I said to Jeff.<br />
<br />
"Not likely. It's only 3%," he told me.<br />
<br />
Oh well - it was still very tasty and didn't at all taste like there was even 3% alcohol in it.<br />
<br />
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<br />
We popped over to Wellington where they had their collaboration brew with F&M, Happy Pappy. It was made, not surprisingly, for Father's Day. It's a golden ale and while I've not always been a fan of Wellington's one-offs, this collaboration was really quite good. I liked it a lot, Jeff said it was "OK." He would have preferred it if the beer had been colder (the keg was in the sun and it was hot on Sunday).<br />
<br />
It wasn't overly hoppy (perhaps why I liked it), but as Jeff said, "there wasn't nothing there."<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBUqskt588ubKASut05n09U5qHXsWTDCAbXsJ51FviWWt9OTf1SRpt3ujYGfr0CxOfQ1YCtMoiEMmmy471XTF3pLihh-FY2wmE3LduhbPaR_RSSkzzEsPADGxs-VTocJwmI88CAo5RMBft/s1600/P6230018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBUqskt588ubKASut05n09U5qHXsWTDCAbXsJ51FviWWt9OTf1SRpt3ujYGfr0CxOfQ1YCtMoiEMmmy471XTF3pLihh-FY2wmE3LduhbPaR_RSSkzzEsPADGxs-VTocJwmI88CAo5RMBft/s200/P6230018.JPG" width="162" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happy Pappy</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfbu3tRtpx0Q1x7kTzrMLxDRcM4dC-i7Xny0FG3g7OusdRbrufg0_6E3Oc21GuTY265ccFHF6pbOmtixxjvRAjpXtUY4lYKShZFRXottcbQQ3CCJ6R1Nx4kf6ECm2wfR10jlnBva9WgZIQ/s1600/P6230017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfbu3tRtpx0Q1x7kTzrMLxDRcM4dC-i7Xny0FG3g7OusdRbrufg0_6E3Oc21GuTY265ccFHF6pbOmtixxjvRAjpXtUY4lYKShZFRXottcbQQ3CCJ6R1Nx4kf6ECm2wfR10jlnBva9WgZIQ/s320/P6230017.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tara getting me my Happy Pappy.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
My third and final sample was from Grand River - they had a ginger ale. I really liked the Tailset Ginger Ale - definitely something I could see myself drinking on a patio, and it was particularly nice on a hot day. The guys said they used Verner's ginger ale as inspiration, rather than the sweeter Canada Dry.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0IUMNvzniXgbQuxYilvLbYGHQ7wx455Zn5EziG9wKRXgU_UcTiSK4fdcvIHenWwp_C0oHXsoGowJ3aSAoTbzWSwhC0dwYnQ8Xe6QG1iqUl31R9yUN-fpW74bitsX1yfbad3XU6x-L2HOB/s1600/P6230020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0IUMNvzniXgbQuxYilvLbYGHQ7wx455Zn5EziG9wKRXgU_UcTiSK4fdcvIHenWwp_C0oHXsoGowJ3aSAoTbzWSwhC0dwYnQ8Xe6QG1iqUl31R9yUN-fpW74bitsX1yfbad3XU6x-L2HOB/s320/P6230020.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Jeff also had the Irish Red Ale (yes, IRA) and he really liked it, saying there was a nice roastiness to it.</div>
<br />
Jeff also made a stop at Spearhead to try their Moroccan Brown Ale. He wasn't super keen on the beer, but again, wondered if maybe it just wasn't served in the right conditions.<br />
<br />
I was happy to see our local breweries out and I was also happy to see they had different beers than the usual ones. Hopefully next year this event can grow even more (at least the beer part).Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3717303872509441496.post-55831584035642656782013-06-19T06:25:00.000-07:002013-06-19T06:25:00.038-07:00Wellington Shangri-La IPA<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisYh_x2bbeslwS5yg2AI4UvvpLz6PvWEi0QMJMVVHEkTJnrUfXiutxNrp6xkE1u2y8nEDICg9tFcQSTopYok53wlWG_4lcecyABbwRo1SqiZtL6PlRjr4EDD0faoKOa0YtnGA51k0F3gGc/s1600/wellington.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisYh_x2bbeslwS5yg2AI4UvvpLz6PvWEi0QMJMVVHEkTJnrUfXiutxNrp6xkE1u2y8nEDICg9tFcQSTopYok53wlWG_4lcecyABbwRo1SqiZtL6PlRjr4EDD0faoKOa0YtnGA51k0F3gGc/s400/wellington.jpg" width="350" /></a></div>
Having not tried this beer, my reaction is: Cool label! (The label was designed by local illustrator <a href="http://www.michaelbyers.ca/" target="_blank">Michael Byers</a>.)<br />
<br />
Another <a href="http://www.wellingtonbrewery.ca/" target="_blank">Wellington</a> one-off (gotta say, we love that this local brewery is constantly trying new things!), Shangri-La IPA is an American-style India Pale Ale.<br />
<br />
When Jeff poured it from the can, he said there wasn't much head.<br />
<br />
"I get some tropical fruit, pine and floral/grass scents. The hop taste is there, but it's more muted than I would like - I was hoping for much juiciness. It finishes nicely with the malt balancing the bitterness, but still allowing the hops to linger," he said.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3717303872509441496.post-76049385809072419752013-06-17T04:30:00.000-07:002013-06-17T04:30:02.242-07:00Mikkeller The Canadian Dream<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_woiVWA1p0PmF3sAFSxp7y3ibs-tYW6vz-ATwt2S96pxTuREflhKDj4BseivzpxikpyNnnr99gttvCNwEL_aLceFneXs9rnLniyQ9h9Bj5P0gH3vaS_EPG7GT9qI5yXt2UkzFISqm29jD/s1600/mikkeller.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_woiVWA1p0PmF3sAFSxp7y3ibs-tYW6vz-ATwt2S96pxTuREflhKDj4BseivzpxikpyNnnr99gttvCNwEL_aLceFneXs9rnLniyQ9h9Bj5P0gH3vaS_EPG7GT9qI5yXt2UkzFISqm29jD/s400/mikkeller.jpg" width="250" /></a></div>
When Jeff has to travel to Denmark for work, he will search out a <a href="http://mikkeller.dk/" target="_blank">Mikkeller</a> beer. So when The Canadian Dream arrived in the LCBO, he had to get it.<br />
<br />
(OK, let's be honest, it's a new-to-the-LCBO craft beer - he would have gotten it if it wasn't Mikkeller ...)<br />
<br />
The pilsener is renamed depending on what country it's in - in Denmark it's the Danish Dream, in the U.S., it's the American Dream. Whether the recipe varies, we're not sure.<br />
<br />
The LCBO says it's 5.5% abv., Beer Advocate says it's 4.6%.<br />
<br />
"The smell and taste have a lot more in common with an American IPA than a Czech pilsener. It's super hop forward and I get more pine and citrus as opposed to grassy and spicy hops," Jeff said.<br />
<br />
"It's not bad - but I much prefer Mikkeller's Draft Bear Imperial Pilsener. Unfortunately, I've never found it outside of Denmark."Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3717303872509441496.post-88259776651757374982013-06-16T04:00:00.000-07:002013-06-16T04:00:05.994-07:00Our leader bee<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI3NLmTDPwP2nY0utN1KQNRwonv37Y7x368EOTKyJlWome-cLE4cWN9Tta8NY4uSLAPnI3nCpnC8XZrMvOJE3KkvdMT8wIcVj6SQbxf5uWBqPJfeyTatx_1f8nxHSOKKvhSqZCRTb1mk6v/s1600/DSC_0033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI3NLmTDPwP2nY0utN1KQNRwonv37Y7x368EOTKyJlWome-cLE4cWN9Tta8NY4uSLAPnI3nCpnC8XZrMvOJE3KkvdMT8wIcVj6SQbxf5uWBqPJfeyTatx_1f8nxHSOKKvhSqZCRTb1mk6v/s640/DSC_0033.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
The above photo is of Jeff, his sister Alison and their dad, Rick. It was taken at an Ale Trail at the Woolwich Arms in Guelph a couple of years ago.<br />
<br />
Rick died suddenly in April.<br />
<br />
While a loss is never easy, this one was particularly difficult because no one saw it coming, and we're still not really sure what happened.<br />
<br />
This year is Jeff's first Father's Day as a dad himself, but it will be a bitter sweet day given he won't get to celebrate with his own dad.<br />
<br />
Rick loved the Ale Trail, in part because I think it gave him a way to connect with his son. He and I also tended to get quite drunk at these events, which was also fun.<br />
<br />
We'll be thinking of our Leader Bee today.<br />
<br />
We hope when you have a beer today, you'll have some fond memories of your own father to reflect on. And if you could, say a little cheers to Rick.<br />
<br />
Happy Father's Day, and happy start to Ontario Craft Brewing Week.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3717303872509441496.post-91918946045675261352013-06-12T16:24:00.004-07:002013-06-12T16:24:46.564-07:00Goose Island Sofie Belgian-Style Farmhouse Ale<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjphimGxowJiCvb9_g8QzKmbeCRLKMGUd0M_QmmIKGZk-u0_8x4Q-JyswO5OhTkr2W8AQargh5Q5rvqL6v1zgKAugaXCPDFxPmGt2duIffW0cs5ZnG-Nhe4_V7VrS0Yaxjf_SvvYdTBkvto/s1600/GooseIsland.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjphimGxowJiCvb9_g8QzKmbeCRLKMGUd0M_QmmIKGZk-u0_8x4Q-JyswO5OhTkr2W8AQargh5Q5rvqL6v1zgKAugaXCPDFxPmGt2duIffW0cs5ZnG-Nhe4_V7VrS0Yaxjf_SvvYdTBkvto/s400/GooseIsland.jpg" width="235" /></a></div>
When Jeff and I went to Chicago a few years ago, we stopped into <a href="http://www.gooseisland.com/" target="_blank">Goose Island</a> one evening and really enjoyed the selection of beers they had on tap. They were clearly a brewery that enjoyed experimenting.<br />
<br />
So Jeff was happy to see the Sofie Belgian-Style Farmhouse Ale in the LCBO recently.<br />
<br />
"It pours a nice straw colour. The smell is fairly typical for the style: Banana, lemon and clove, and pepper. For flavours, I get honey along with grass, as well as some of the same flavours that were in the aroma," he said.<br />
<br />
He said there's also some "alcohol burn" even though the beer is only 6.5% abv., "but it's not overly distracting."<br />
<br />
"It's a really great beer overall," he said.<br />
<br />
"They suggest it can be cellared for up to three years. I have one bottle left and I'll try to age it for a while - but I don't think I'll be able to hold out for three years."<br />
<br />
It's nice to know this brewery is still producing good, craft beer, considering it was purchased in 2011 by Anheuser-Busch. Andrew Goeler, Goose Island's CEO as of Jan. 1, told <a href="http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20130504/ISSUE01/305049963/how-goose-island-held-on-to-its-craft-beer-cred" target="_blank">Crain's Chicago Business</a> their parent company is "letting us do our own thing ... I'm not getting directives."<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh66vG0K18yfrURgXkILtUHUmJYnymo5sf_s21B3Uf24a_HA1Tq71JRaVUlYlvb9CHnaoqy93WLXYJOXO3GTrCd1oD55ha2Kw-yD-lOTgpxnZXkD1fNUfdm11uZjBFA9sM_cznx_EiO_Q4d/s1600/DSC_0194.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh66vG0K18yfrURgXkILtUHUmJYnymo5sf_s21B3Uf24a_HA1Tq71JRaVUlYlvb9CHnaoqy93WLXYJOXO3GTrCd1oD55ha2Kw-yD-lOTgpxnZXkD1fNUfdm11uZjBFA9sM_cznx_EiO_Q4d/s400/DSC_0194.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Goose Island brewpub sign.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI82LuB2Z1MwNy5MBd5UI5WwuA2F8SaH_X8_GweX1G6sGODjt12cMR1No07BqfSnArAXXIDpQJS0r2RwxyvAIUjPBtW2YLuMape03qhAFGErdCtMmvLq9cakKzST7N-ZCVhf6Mi6RMWzSq/s1600/DSC_0195.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI82LuB2Z1MwNy5MBd5UI5WwuA2F8SaH_X8_GweX1G6sGODjt12cMR1No07BqfSnArAXXIDpQJS0r2RwxyvAIUjPBtW2YLuMape03qhAFGErdCtMmvLq9cakKzST7N-ZCVhf6Mi6RMWzSq/s640/DSC_0195.JPG" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mmmmmm.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3717303872509441496.post-22870487800492767082013-06-05T18:34:00.001-07:002013-06-05T18:34:27.228-07:00Alexander Keith's Cascade Hop Ale<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSsxaTBHDPfFjL-9XUd443-GuU-4f8xXyjUmVm_ND3jcHmqOEQdZohEfvDChzp8-Se71xJc0lAyMbEz03tMcqTY6-a7rkUW-jraZgxTQfFxeQrIopiV_3FXrIxxoxUd1wsspyI6tomqnfG/s1600/keiths.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSsxaTBHDPfFjL-9XUd443-GuU-4f8xXyjUmVm_ND3jcHmqOEQdZohEfvDChzp8-Se71xJc0lAyMbEz03tMcqTY6-a7rkUW-jraZgxTQfFxeQrIopiV_3FXrIxxoxUd1wsspyI6tomqnfG/s320/keiths.jpg" width="287" /></a></div>
Jeff really should trust his gut instincts.<br />
<br />
"When I heard <a href="http://keiths.ca/" target="_blank">Alexander Keith's</a> was trying to make a hop-forward beer, I was ready to hate it," he said.<br />
<br />
But he was "surprised" when he cracked open the can and got a "whiff of cascade hops."<br />
<br />
"But that quickly faded to wet cardboard," Jeff said.<br />
<br />
"There's no hop juiciness to this at all. There's some caramel that then leads to a bitterish finish. It's watery, although less offensive than their standard IPA.<br />
<br />
"Buying this only proves you're a glutton for punishment."<br />
<br />
He noted he's heard Keith's Hallertauer Hop Ale offering "is better ... marginally."Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3717303872509441496.post-90943932349062694332013-05-23T14:00:00.000-07:002013-05-23T14:00:06.377-07:00Beau's Beaver River I.P.Eh?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJRBl00E0rnvGAEFQ_cB8eMrhU83cJb4uUCM7lVUeXt-ibGshTaaP532VcuVGrJgxpAGyca9b1Re-JpyOHe7WlNby6o9jTIubuzE5o5m9quvrDK1mXNOFMKejN6N0cNB0hpm3Snm2NsKQi/s1600/beaus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJRBl00E0rnvGAEFQ_cB8eMrhU83cJb4uUCM7lVUeXt-ibGshTaaP532VcuVGrJgxpAGyca9b1Re-JpyOHe7WlNby6o9jTIubuzE5o5m9quvrDK1mXNOFMKejN6N0cNB0hpm3Snm2NsKQi/s400/beaus.jpg" width="253" /></a></div>
Jeff has liked some other recent offerings from <a href="http://www.beaus.ca/its-a-beer-world-after-all" target="_blank">Beau's</a>, but the Beaver River I.P.Eh? More like, "Meh."<br />
<br />
"A little disappointed with this one," he said. "While the copper colour and big rocky head looked great, there's not much of an aroma to speak of. On an American IPA, I expect a hoppy nose and what I get with this is a mild sweetness.<br />
<br />
"Tastewise, there's a good caramel in there, but only some subdued citrus flavour - too bad. There's some bitterness but it's not overpowering - doesn't seem like 60 IBUs.<br />
<br />
"I think the beer is just poorly labelled - it drinks rather well, but I don't think of a big, aggressive American IPA. I think it works better as a pale ale or APA, in spite of the higher IBUs."Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3717303872509441496.post-74032508774489524442013-05-20T13:50:00.000-07:002013-05-20T13:50:00.603-07:00Bellwoods Farmhouse Saison<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM87WCwSCpYAesRjhMin2iScR-YScjG3dpoDKH3qS-mSX945_CT9E7VHqX3-tKN81WbPhd2GiZCvsBA7GIPpHalPvKr7BtGIGXzXXbO_xDinDqBd6UA3afUJ6CNHRiTFkZNqCuda4f81gv/s1600/bellwoods.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM87WCwSCpYAesRjhMin2iScR-YScjG3dpoDKH3qS-mSX945_CT9E7VHqX3-tKN81WbPhd2GiZCvsBA7GIPpHalPvKr7BtGIGXzXXbO_xDinDqBd6UA3afUJ6CNHRiTFkZNqCuda4f81gv/s400/bellwoods.jpg" width="215" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bellwoods Farmhouse Saison</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Jeff bought two <a href="http://bellwoodsbrewery.com/" target="_blank">Bellwoods</a> Farmhouse Saison so he could keep one in the cold cellar and he got to enjoy one the other night.<br />
<br />
"Pours a hazy straw colour with a fluffy head that lingers. There's an aroma of mild banana, pepper, clove and grains. In the taste I get the lemon in addition to the smells. There's a nice sweetness balanced with a little sour note and bitterness," he said.<br />
<br />
"Really refreshing, lively carbonated and delicious," he said.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3717303872509441496.post-48892067624720854842013-05-18T13:32:00.002-07:002013-05-18T13:32:41.748-07:00Kensington Watermelon Wheat<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3g-fCNjRDAH9B9w1Af1CzpTrjetlp_-g1sySHViJZnQWZ2EtuBqxSkyX0FVSy9sGIxHLEmuh9Dvc05RC4aPxwdLp_DHGxlNKmcQhKmttrvEu0Y7s8HsWqvFUsxf8WHWqdR2tyx_D5dBR1/s1600/watermelonwheat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3g-fCNjRDAH9B9w1Af1CzpTrjetlp_-g1sySHViJZnQWZ2EtuBqxSkyX0FVSy9sGIxHLEmuh9Dvc05RC4aPxwdLp_DHGxlNKmcQhKmttrvEu0Y7s8HsWqvFUsxf8WHWqdR2tyx_D5dBR1/s400/watermelonwheat.jpg" width="275" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fruit Stand Watermelon Wheat, Kensington Brewing Company<br />4.5 abv., 13 IBUs</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
What's a long weekend without beer? No fun, that's what.<br />
<br />
We had some people over for a BBQ last night and I dove into my summer go-to beer, a six-pack of <a href="http://mcauslan.com/" target="_blank">McAuslan's</a> Apricot Wheat. It's always a great summer beer, in my opinion.<br />
<br />
But when I saw <a href="http://www.bakerstreetstation.ca/" target="_blank">Baker Street Station</a> in Guelph post a photo of their current line up of beers on Facebook, and there was a Watermelon Wheat beer from <a href="http://www.kensingtonbrewingcompany.com/" target="_blank">Kensington Brewing Co.</a> on there, I told Jeff I was taking him to lunch!<br />
<br />
I really liked this beer - it definitely had a watermelon flavour, but it wasn't overpowering in any way. It was just there and it was nice. I could see myself drinking this beer on the patio for hours.<br />
<br />
Jeff agreed.<br />
<br />
He noted the beer had a "big foamy head and tons of carbonation. Wheat and some lemon aroma. Tastewise, things are pretty mild. The watermelon is restrained - in my opinion a good thing - and the sweetness isn't overpower," he said. "A great summer patio beer."<br />
<br />
I couldn't agree more. I hope everyone is able to at least get outside with a good beer this weekend and relax for a bit.<br />
<br />
Cheers to Queen Victoria!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3717303872509441496.post-91699921408030600902013-05-14T13:21:00.000-07:002013-05-14T13:21:00.043-07:00Church-Key Holy Smoke Peat Smoked Scotch Ale<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYRN6gDXgvMbgtqSdi0yMPOaMLtLSVhAEVQbZ9onIFDemurtypezf-uDFkujduXABkrHqf9NqpM8TNFlkOdYt55oAop1IiLBD-AYaFKo4tuNuQSYV2hL9m4RsvQpKVdJ01xeyf2v-NJyg2/s1600/IMG_20130411_194435_904.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYRN6gDXgvMbgtqSdi0yMPOaMLtLSVhAEVQbZ9onIFDemurtypezf-uDFkujduXABkrHqf9NqpM8TNFlkOdYt55oAop1IiLBD-AYaFKo4tuNuQSYV2hL9m4RsvQpKVdJ01xeyf2v-NJyg2/s400/IMG_20130411_194435_904.jpg" width="245" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Church-Key Holy Smoke<br />6.2 abv.<br /> </td></tr>
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When Jeff had this as his <a href="http://theontariobeerwidow.blogspot.ca/2012/06/church-key-holy-smoke.html" target="_blank">first smoked beer</a> at the <a href="http://www.beerfestival.ca/" target="_blank">Toronto Festival of Beer</a> (he <a href="http://theontariobeerwidow.blogspot.ca/2011/08/toronto-beer-festival-beer.html" target="_blank">gave it three lightening bolts</a>) and then again at the <a href="http://www.woolwicharrow.ca/" target="_blank">Wooly</a> on tap, all he could think of was smoked sausages.<br />
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Now, this beer is available in the LCBO and it's definitely unique.<br />
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"So if this is your first smoked beer, prepare yourself for something different," he said of <a href="http://www.churchkeybrewing.com/" target="_blank">Church-Key</a>'s Holy Smoke Peat Smoked Scotch Ale.<br />
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"Peat smoke is definitely present in the aroma. It's a little more muted in taste, where it gives way to roasted grain. I also get some brinyness - sounds weird, but somehow works nicely."<br />
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He added, "I think this works better with a meal than as a sessionable beer - like with smoked salmon or old cheddar."Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0