Openings and closings
There have been mercifully few closures taking place around the province of Ontario over the first month of 2024, and so far no openings to speak of either. If you’d like to keep track of that visually, you could always check out the Ontario Brewery Map.
Something In The Water’s Kingston location has its bottle shop open while renovations are underway, just in case you find yourself on Princess Street and in need of beer.
Concession Road Brewing has returned from vacation and reopened their brewery after a two week closure.
Steel Wheel Brewing in Brantford has reopened after taking a short January vacation.
Brimstone Brewing is scheduled to reopen from their renovation on the 26th of January, frankly the new ground level seating area is looking pretty sweet.
While closures have been few and far between, there are a number of breweries for sale currently within the province, many of them represented by Carve Real Estate. If you’ve ever considered owning a brewery, one of those might be the right fit for you!
Brewery Trends
Dry January and February are always hard, so it may be worth running down what seem to be the most popular types of taproom events across the province that draw people in with activities. If you’re looking for something to do on a weeknight and you’ve already caught up on season two of Reacher, why not consider going to your local taproom for:
Euchre: By a commanding margin the most common taproom event judging by brewery newsletters, and for good reason. It’s a convivial game for four, and if you can get a tournament together, that’s a good solid night of entertainment and conversation.
Stand Up Comedy: Alright, you’re not big on conversation and you want someone else to do the talking. Why not head out to a comedy night at the taproom? What’s the deal with taprooms? Do they run hot and cold? I can never get the temperature right!
Speed Dating: Ok, you don’t like observational comedy. What better way to confront your social anxiety than by attempting to meet your future partner in a round robin tournament of romance. Bonus points for explaining the story behind IPA unprompted!
Trivia: For those obsessives out there, trivia is a great option! You can spend the week building your team, making sure you review areas where you’re weak, coming up with a name, and you might still lose to a bunch of Zennials going by “Quiz Khalifa.”
Taylor Swift Based Shenanigans: I’ve seen Taylor Swift Karaoke, Taylor Swift Cover Bands, and Taylor Swift Trivia advertised as taproom events. Somehow, through osmosis, I know what Swag Surfin’ is and that Donna Kelce does it. So far there’s no Taylor Swift Euchre, but if she turns down a Bower, she’s going to write a new album about it.
Upcoming Events
January 27
Blood Brothers Over the Tap 2024
Local heroes and hazy beers from Quebec. You’ll want to move fast on this one.
January 28
Third Moon Brewing at Jane Bond 1:00 PM
It’s a Third Moon Tap Takeover at Jane Bond with Sidewalk bottle shop conveniently located across the street.
February 3
Collective Arts Sober Speakeasy, Saturdays until the end of February at the Toronto Taproom.
A subterranean speakeasy for the sober-curious at the Toronto Taproom. Saturdays!
Glenn Milchem of Blue Rodeo at Together We’re Bitter Co-Op
More like Lost Together We’re Bitter.
February 10
Collective Arts Sober Speakeasy, Saturdays until the end of February at the Toronto Taproom.
A subterranean speakeasy for the sober-curious at the Toronto Taproom. Saturdays!
Roundhouse Winter Craft Beer Festival 10:30 – 6:00
Please don’t throw a snowball at me! I’m holding a beer!
Terra Lightfoot @ Black Bellows
Breweries are the new venues, you know. And this should be excellent.
True History x Godspeed’s Double Release Party
Two Zoiglbiers being released at two locations on the same day! Lukr taps! Metal Jeff! ZOIGL!
February 16
Hamilton’s Food and Drink Fest
Try out Miski Brewing! They make beer from Quinoa! Also, try the Shaq burger!
February 17
Collective Arts Sober Speakeasy, Saturdays until the end of February at the Toronto Taproom.
A subterranean speakeasy for the sober-curious at the Toronto Taproom. Saturdays!
Hamilton’s Food and Drink Fest
Try out Miski Brewing! They make beer from Quinoa! Also, try the Shaq burger!
February 24
Collective Arts Sober Speakeasy, Saturdays until the end of February at the Toronto Taproom.
A subterranean speakeasy for the sober-curious at the Toronto Taproom. Saturdays!
Winter Warmup 2024 Beer and Cask Festival @ Henderson Brewing 11:00-5:00
Remember cask? It’s back! In winter!
March 1 & 2
Beerhurst @ Deerhurst
The best rhyming beer festival since … ever.
The Six Pack
In order to compile this newsletter, I signed up for every brewery newsletter I could find in the province of Ontario. This means I see a lot of new releases. Every two weeks, I’m going to pick the six pack that piques my interest. These are just things I think are neat. Your mileage may vary.
Described as a ripe, fruity IPA with notes of citrus, mango, and papaya, the draw for me is the fact that it’s made with 100% Ontario malted barley. I like the additional sweetness a freshly malted barley produces, and I think it would really complement that hop bill.
The Second Wedge Rice Rice Baby Light Lager
Made in collaboration with Chronicle Brewing, this isn’t a regular light lager. The light, crisp refreshment has some lemon/lime character thanks to Motueka and Lemondrop hops. Also, admit it, it had been at least three weeks since you last thought of Vanilla Ice.
Counterpoint Brewing Branching Out Sahti Inspired Saison
If you’re really serious about sustainability, you don’t let anything go to waste. This Sahti is strong to the Finnish because it upcycled the taproom Christmas Tree into delicious beer. Some breweries plant trees to achieve carbon neutrality. Not all of them plant one in their kettle.
Willibald Brewing Full Tilt Double IPA
This Double IPA w/ Nectaron, Citra & Freestyle Waimea is a collab with Sudden Death Brewing from Lubeck, Germany. In addition to the lads having a tilly on the label, I like the idea of knowing the precise terroir of the Waimea. It’s very precise, unlike a 3rd period donnybrook.
Daft Brewing Polish Champagne Piwo Grodziskie
A collaboration with Sawdust City, this Grodziskie is a 3.7% lager made with oak smoked wheat. It’s a style that almost never gets brewed, so if you’re looking for something a little different, it’s a great choice.
The Exchange Brewery Wee Wallop English Ale
For a moment in time when people are really interested in low alcohol beers, it’s odd that there aren’t more light English styles in circulation. It’s a 3% Golden Ale with Maris Otter barley and traditional English hops. It might scratch that pub going itch.
Got brewery news? Email jordan@thegrowler.ca to be included in the next edition of News and Notes.
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