Ontario Craft Brewers Welcome New Members
The Ontario Craft Brewers - an association of small and mid-sized breweries from all across the province - have recently increased their ranks from 24 to 31 members. The 7 newest additions are: Beau's A new brewery based in VanKleek Hill (near Ottawa). Their first beer, Lug Tread Ale, is a [...]
Jon Filson on Black Jack Lager
As a sidebar to his article on beer competitions in today's Toronto Star, beer writer Jon Filson gives some thoughts on Great Lakes Brewing Black Jack Lager, the winner of a bronze medal at last month's World Beer Cup. As part of his review, he makes a point of tackling some [...]
The Bar Towel Taster’s Taps: May 23rd
I am happy to announce the newest Bar Towel event, which is taking place on Tuesday, May 23rd in partnership with C'est What. This event ties to CW's Spring Beer Festival on Friday the 26th. The Bar Towel "Taster's Taps" will be an exclusive advance tasting event preceeding this year's C'est [...]
Bar Towel On The Road: Portugal
Newly added to the Beer Reports section of the site is Bar Towel On The Road: Portugal, a beer travel report from guest writer Duncan Rowland. Consider this just a taste of what's to come from the Bar Towel in coming months.
Jon Filson on Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA
In this week's installment of his Suck It Back column, Jon Filson gives us a write-up on Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA - currently one of Ontario's most desirable beers, if this thread on the Bar Towel Forum is any indication. In fact, it looks like Jon took some cues from [...]
Toast: Canadian Cancer Society Fundraiser
The Central Toronto Unit of the Canadian Cancer Society is proud to present its sixth annual Spring fundraiser, Toast, on Thursday, May 4, 2006 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. This spectacular affair will be held, in the heart of downtown Toronto, at the fashionable Distillery Historic District, The Stone Distillery [...]
Vendors Day at Premier Gourmet
As part of their 10th anniversary celebrations, the fine food & drink shop Premier Gourmet (3465 Delaware Ave., Buffalo, NY) will be holding a special Vendors Day on Saturday, April 29th. A wide range of the store's food and drink suppliers will be on hand to serve up samples, including brewers [...]
World Beer Cup Medals for Ontario Breweries
The results of the World Beer Cup 2006 competition were announced this week, and several Ontario breweries won some of the hardware: American-Style Premium Lager Silver: Formosa Genuine Draft, Brick Brewing Co Ltd., Waterloo, Canada American-Style Amber Lager Bronze: Walkerville Lager, Walkerville Brewing Co., Windsor, Canada American-Style Dark Lager Bronze: Black [...]
Nickel Brook Apple Lager
Burlington's Better Bitters Brewing will be releasing their newest beer, Nickel Brook Apple Lager, in early May. This is the fourth beer from this small brewery, whose Nickel Brook line already features an Ale, a Lager and a Light Lager. The Ale is currently available at select LCBO outlets, and all [...]
New at C’est What for April
In their April e-newsletter, C'est What (67 Front St. E., Toronto) let's us know that they have added some new beers to their tap list. Available now are Scotch Irish Black Irish Porter (which will be followed by Corporal Punishment), Heritage Traditional Dark, Durham Hop Addict, and a dry-hopped cask version [...]
Jon Filson on Mill St. Tankhouse Ale
In this week's installment of his Suck It Back column, Jon Filson eschews his original assignment of recommending a Mexican beer to accompany the Mexican food recipes printed alongside his piece, and instead recommends a fine local beer - Mill St. Tankhouse Ale. While this may seem strange to those who [...]
Cynthia David says “Cheers to Beer”
In a feature article distributed by Canadian Press and headlined Cheers to Beer, Toronto food writer Cynthia David gives a quick primer for beer neophytes and talks about the increasing popularity of beer and food pairings. The article also features a "Beer 101" side bar that lists several recommended beer websites [...]
Joseph Bloor Brewery
In the April/May 2006 edition of the Great Lakes Brewing News, Robert Hughey reports on the impending launch of Joseph Bloor Brewery. Founded by marketer Ralph Smith - who was inspired by reading about a brewery founded in 1830 by early Torontonian Joseph Bloor in the area now known as Rosedale [...]
Scotch Irish Vanilla Bean Porter at Volo
Perry at Scotch Irish has done a special one-off cask Vanilla Bean version of his Black Irish Plain Porter. It was dropped off at Volo yesterday, and should be tapped this weekend. He also dropped off some of the original Black Irish which will be available soon as well. Discuss this [...]
Scotch Irish Brewing sold to Heritage Brewing
The following is an announcement from Perry Mason of Scotch Irish Brewing: Scotch Irish Brewing has entered into an agreement to sell its brands and equity to Heritage Brewing of Carleton Place. The complexities and stresses, physical, emotional and financial, became too much for me to handle on my own. I [...]
Granite Brewers’ Banquet – Saturday June 3
From the Granite Brewery's April Newsletter: Brewers' Banquet - Saturday June 3, 2006 There are a still a few details to be worked out but you will want to mark your calendar for this one. The focus of the night will be real ale and great food. We will offer several [...]
Jon Filson on King Pilsbock
With all of the excitement regarding his extensive article on the state of Ontario's microbrewing scene in last Wednesday's Toronto Star, we completely missed Jon Filson's mini-review of King Pilsbock, where he wrote the following: ...think dry, crisp, with a maltier, strong, sweet, toastiness coming on and you've got the concept. [...]
Volo Spring Cask Situation
The fine folks at Volo (587 Yonge St.) are holding a sequel of sorts to last fall's extremely successful Cask Ale Festival, although as they note on their website, this will be a smaller and more casual affair: Volo Spring Cask Situation - May 27-29 - "Its not a festival, it's [...]
Southern Tier Jah-va at Volo
Another new addition to the beer menu at Volo - Southern Tier Jah-va Imperial Coffee Stout. This well-reviewed stout checks in at 11% alcohol and is available now in 650 ml bottles.
C’est What Spring Festival of Small Breweries
C'est What's 2nd annual Spring Festival of Small Breweries will be taking place on Friday, May 26th. Expect the usual fine selection of Ontario craft brews to be available for $1 per sample.