People’s Pint opens in the Junction

People's Pint is pouring beer from twelve taps this weekend.
People’s Pint is pouring beer from twelve taps this weekend. Image: David Ort

Up-and-coming, new craft breweries often buy their equipment secondhand from their more established forerunners. People’s Pint took a more whole-hog approach and have taken over the space Junction left when they decamped to Symes Road.

People’s Pint is run by Peter Caira and Doug Appeldoorn, two Torontonians with a longtime attachment to the homebrewing community. The brewery has grown out of a homebrewing collective that was founded in 2015.

Peter Caira and Doug Appeldoorn are the two homebrewers turned brewery owners behind People's Pint.
Peter Caira and Doug Appeldoorn are the two homebrewers turned brewery owners behind People’s Pint. Image: David Ort

They’re keeping that collaborative ethos alive. Six of the beers on the opening-weekend list were created as collaborative efforts or by a guest brewer.

One of them, the Wild Rooster saison (a collaboration with Reverence Barrel Works), was one of my favourites when I stopped in as opening weekend was getting underway. The Helles Island American lager was equally delicious and will come in handy if and when the weather finally warms up.

People's Pint is joining the quickly expanding list of breweries who package their beer in crowlers.
People’s Pint is joining the quickly expanding list of breweries who package their beer in crowlers. Image: David Ort

You know the giant, one-litre cans you probably associate with Eastbound Brewing in Riverside (or US craft breweries)? Well, they’re called “crowlers” and are about to have a moment.

I’ve heard from at least three other Toronto breweries who plan to offer them this summer. People’s Pint will join that list next week, once the hubbub from their grand opening simmers down.

The opening weekend list at People's Pint.
The opening weekend list at People’s Pint. Image: David Ort
No on-site kitchen means no food programme, but that does come with some side benefits.
No on-site kitchen means no food programme, but that does come with some side benefits. Image: David Ort

For my money, mid-afternoon on Saturday is the time to stop by. That’s when the team from Young Animal will be serving the food that many Junction-ites will recognize from chef Adisa Glasgow’s time at 3030.

People’s Pint Brewing Company, 90 Cawthra Ave., @PeoplesPintTO

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