SAMPLERS
THIRSTY FOR CANADIAN CULTURE? QUENCH IT WITH THESE UNIQUE OFFERINGS By Chris Ryall
Canada’s diverse landscape spawns a treasure trove of travel experiences and an unusual, but flavourful, mix of local ingredients, from lobster shells and lentils to wild mushrooms. Innovative brewers and distillers have tapped into them to create distinctly Canadian craft brews and spirits. Enjoy a taste of Canadiana with these tasty highlights. C R U S TA C E A N E L AT I O N A L E – S A LT B O X B R E W I N G C O . Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia
© O'DWYER DISTILLERY
Lobster’s influence permeates daily life along Mahone Bay and the South Shore coastline, and that includes quaffing a Crustacean Elation Ale at Saltbox Brewing Co. Lobster brine and toasted lobster shells are added into the mash. What comes out is a refreshing light beer with a hint of saltiness. This year, Saltbox will be using lobster caught by the Nellie Row, Canada’s first all-female lobster crew. Lobster beer is brewed seasonally and people can’t wait to get their claws on it.
RADOUNE GIN – O'DWYER DISTILLERY
© SALTBOX BREWING CO.
Gaspé, Quebec
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Explorer Jacques Cartier erected a cross in Gaspé in 1534 and it became known as the “Birthplace of Canada.” The Gaspé Peninsula, home to four national parks including Forillon National Park, is a nature lover’s playground with mountains, salmon-rich rivers and verdant forests. In these forests, four kinds of wild mushrooms (chanterelles, yellowfoot chanterelles, honey mushrooms and matsutake) are hand-picked to provide a rich, earthy flavour with notes of pine and juniper for O'Dwyer Distillery’s Radoune Gin. This gin may be the only ‘tonic’ you need.
