It’s great to see that the Wild Things Festival is making a return for a second year. That means another opportunity to try some of the funkiest beers and ciders from around Ontario, plus natural wines from all over the world.
The festival is put on by Crystal Luxmore (the Growler’s contributing editor), Tara Luxmore (the other half of the Beer Sisters) and Erica Campbell (co-founder of the Society of Beer Drinking Ladies).
The qualification for a beer to make it into Wild Things is that it must be made with wild or indigenous yeast. It some cases, this means spontaneous fermentation, like with Limberlost from Sawdust City.
You’ll see three cornerstone breweries pouring, plus there will be a rare-bottle sampling station. This is the event for you if funky, experimental beers are your thing.
New for 2019, Nicole Campbell and Krysta Oben of the Grape Witches have put together a curated selection of funky, natural wines from around the world for sampling.
And, of course, there will be food to go with all of that drink. The edible offerings will be prepared by the very popular ProvisionsTO operation.
What are the key details?
- When: June 2, noon – 7 p.m. (plus a tutored tasting, for special ticket holders, starting at 11 a.m.)
- Where: Junction Craft Brewery (a.k.a. The Destructor) at 150 Symes Rd.
- How much: Tickets are $35.
- What’s included: Entry, a tasting glass, three drink tickets.
Find your tickets online here and keep an eye on their Facebook and Instagram pages for updates.
This is the direction Ontario beer festivals should be moving — specializing in a niche, collaborating outside of beer, and giving us the opportunity to taste what we can’t get at the LCBO.
