Augusta's Winking Judge

Just some of the taps and David, a very knowledgeable bartender.

Jeff spent a good part of his afternoon at the Hamilton, Ont., bar, Augusta's Winking Judge and all the way home he couldn't stop raving about it.

While I was doing some holiday shopping with a friend, Jeff and a friend were at this pub. They had several beers, all of which Jeff was impressed with.

He started off with Church-Key's West Coast Pale Ale. "It tasted like it was using citra hops," Jeff said.

Then he had Grand River's Judge's Darkside - a mix of the Mill Race Mild and the Galt Knife lager. "I found it had a little bit of a sour taste to it, but it was good. Like, sour in a good way," he said. This bar is the only place you can get this beer.

Sawdust City's Lonepine IPA was next. This is a new brewery in Gravenhurst, Ont. - so new, their website is still a work in progress, so you'll want to check out their blog.

"It was piney, but I really liked it," he said.

He had Niagara College's Russian Imperial stout and said it was delicious.

He finished off with Amsterdam's Boneshaker. This was his summer go-to beer (when he could get it) but had never had it on tap. He only had half a pint because we had to get going, but it was worth it. He did say it tasted almost exactly like it does in the bottle.

His friend got the Rogue Dead Guy Ale and Jeff tried some, saying it was much better than he remembered. Our friend went out to buy some at the LCBO after trying it at the bar.

"It was awesome," Kevin said of the beer on tap. "Top five."

Jeff could not stop talking about the beers and the bar on the way home and is already planning his next trip down to the Hammer.