You would think that late August would be a quiet time in the beer industry, with everyone content to go to festivals and drink beer in the late summer sun, and for the most part you’d be right. Hell, the editor’s office is currently West Token Booth, CNE Midway ℅ Gerry the Carney.
You might ask, “what the hell are you doing, working at the CNE?”
Well, the simple fact of the matter is that it’s the closest I get to vacation. Instead of recommending beer to people online, I get to actually put it in their hands. This is a really important precept that we forgot during the pandemic: The best way to get people to buy beer is to actually get them to try it.
I know people frown on festivals, but the harvest festival and Oktoberfest season is the height of the year for beer sales. People working in beer have a tendency to say festivals are bro-y and that there is inevitably drunkenness on display. Those self same people then eschew festivals and complain their sales have dropped off.
Me, personally? I see a wide swath of people from diverse backgrounds coming down to the Exhibition from all across the GTA to enjoy themselves in the way that Canadians have been since 1879, which is just about the time when lager rolled out in Toronto. My great uncle Stan opened for Duke Ellington on the Bandshell back in the 40’s. It’s 145 years of tradition and with so much of Toronto now being condos with plaques, I’m happy to be there. Some of my friends from Brazil got sworn in as Canadians at the CNE the other day. You better believe they ended up with beer tokens.
You can’t know the stories of everyone you’re selling beer tokens to, but generally speaking, these are people who’ve decided to take some of their summer wages and to head out in search of a good time and some memories. Sometimes, when it’s slow, I’ll even recommend beverages for them to try. There’s a certain beatific light in the eyes of someone who’s just had their first sip of beer after having just spent 25 minutes walking through crowds over hot tarmac from the Bandshell. If that’s a problem, I’m happy to be part of the problem. Inevitably, someone’s going to throw up, but I blame the Deep Fried Pickle Oreos and Polar Express.
It’s an exciting time, and not just in the booth. Let’s see what’s happening around the province.
NEWS
The results of the World Beer Awards were announced last week, and it’s worth commenting on the fact that a number of Canadian breweries have been very successful. Village Brewery in Calgary has won a couple of Gold Medals and, unsurprisingly, Unibroue continues to be internationally recognized.
In Ontario, three breweries have won best in style. These include Mill Street for their Pineapple Lime Sour, Amsterdam for their Rauchbier, and Anderson for their Cream Ale. While I can’t speak for Mill Street, not having tried their sour, I can say that the latter two are excellent.
Amsterdam’s Rauchbier is a result of their careful iterative team-based design, and is usually released alongside their Sticke Alt in the period around Oktoberfest. There is plenty of it in stock at the Leaside location, and it’s definitely worth trying. The smoke is well balanced and the body is full and round. Quite good with ribs or brisket or that smoked OKA cheese.
Anderson may be the most underrated brewery in the province. Their Cream Ale is practically a California Common throwback rather than a Genesee clone, and therefore has a little malt backbone to it despite its ease in drinking. If you’re going to order from them, do yourself a favour and get some West Coast IPA too.
Ottawa Craft Beer Week is upon us! Are you in Eastern Ontario and looking for a place to happen? OCBW has a huge number of events taking place over the next week, and you can be a part of them. All you have to do is turn up with some disposable income and the willingness to have a nice time.
You could attend the launch party tonight at Spark Beer, or if you need a little more notice, you could head out tomorrow to the Whiprsnapr Summer Bash in Bells Corners. If you’re feeling studious, you could wait until Monday and head to Tooth & Nail in Hintonburg for Beer School with Matt Tweedy. There’s something for everyone!
Beertown has opened a location in Whitby! And they sent a press release! This means I get to copy and paste!
“The festivities began on Friday with a ceremonial ‘first pour’ event, bringing together several brewery owners, brewmasters, and staff from across Ontario to celebrate the newest location of the Charcoal Group’s popular restaurant brand.
The event was highlighted by the participation of multiple local and regional craft breweries, each bringing their unique flavors to the forefront. Jennifer Tamse, Director of Beer & Beverage at Charcoal Group of Restaurants, reflected on the significance of the occasion, saying, “One of my favorite things about Beertown Public House is the longstanding friendships we forge with our brewery partners. Bringing these breweries together for a ‘first pour’ to debut their fantastic beers in Whitby felt truly magical. As the newest members of the Whitby beer community, we are committed to ensuring every beer we pour is just as the brewmaster intended.”
I’m a big fan of Beertown. They’re doing more to keep craft beer going in the province of Ontario than just about anyone else at this point. Like I said up top, you gotta actually get the beer into people’s hands. Instagram doesn’t do that. It’s like Bob the Angry Flower once said, “I can’t drink possible beers. I need actual beers.”
EVENTS
We’ve updated the Calendar, and there are a huge number of events taking place over the next couple of weekends. The highlights are Great Lakes “Brewed For You Ontario” and Henderson Brewing’s RUSH DAY. Both are great, but only one features Canadian Prog Rock Legends.
You might even want to start thinking ahead to Oktoberfest events next month if you’re a Type A planner.
THE SIX PACK
DOMINION CITY RIVER HYMNAL
A simple hoppy beer. It’s bright and crisp and perfect for a sunny day. Brewed with Pilsner and hopped enthusiastically with Mosaic®, Simcoe® and Nelson Sauvin™. Why not try it out at their Rideau Canal-Side Beer Garden as part of Ottawa Craft Beer Week? Right next to the Armenian Embassy!
INDIE ALEHOUSE SASSY HAZY JUICY IPA
Not hazy and juicy enough for you? How about SASSY! Sprechen sie Sassy? Sassy is a juicy IPA that pours hazy with a luscious golden hue. With each sip, prepare to be transported to a tropical paradise, as the flavors of ripe tropical fruits, succulent berries, and zesty citrus dance across your palate.
FAIRWEATHER DOUBLY HIGH GRADE IPA
Not sassy enough? It seems there is no amount of hops that will satiate your lupulin lust. Your madcap thirst for bitterness will surely be the ruin of you. Well, it’s not my concern that you are literally rolling in resin. Fairweather High Grade Double IPA is packed with raw oats & sticky-icky, tropical hops.
THIRD MOON QUINTUPLE CONTINUOUS BLOOD QUINTUPLE IPA
Alright, fine. I wash my hands of your self destruction. You want the smoke? Step. Right. Up.
That’s right. Five. Five times the hops. They got more Galaxy in there than this universe and the next five contiguous realities combined. Bebo actually used all of the oats in existence for this beer, so that explains why your cupboards seem disorganized. He’s been out with his wheelbarrow, ransacking all of the earth’s pantries, gathering your Quaker Instant and snatching your steel cut. Has he gone too far? Yeah, probably, but you love it.
STOCKYARDS X SITW ESPRESSO SUNRISE
Did you know non-IPA styles of beer continue to exist?
Available now in limited quantities at both Something in the Water and Stockyards is Espresso Sunrise, a pale ale with a large supply of Cara Cara orange juice, and freshly brewed Night Shift espresso. Drop by in person for cans or draught, or order online for home delivery!
SONNEN HILL FLOWER TOWN
For my money, Callum is making some of the more interesting beer in Ontario. Why would you want tropical hops when you can have actual dandelion and chamomile? Flower Town is a blend of Saisons from between 2020 and 2023, ensuring lots of care and thought has gone into the brewing of this beer. You can order from Sonnen Hill directly or wait until they turn up at one of the many farmer’s markets at which they exhibit their beer.
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