The Growler Ontario • Volume 2 Issue 1 • Spring 2019

PUBLISHER

Gail Nugent gnugent@thegrowler.ca

EDITOR

David Ort david@thegrowler.ca

CONTRIBUTING EDITOR

Crystal Luxmore

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Jordan Du

Kristina Mameli

Jordan St. John

PRODUCTION & DESIGN MANAGER

Tara Ra q tara@thegrowler.ca

PHOTOGRAPHY

David Ort

COVER ILLUSTRATION

Marcus Hynes

SOCIAL MEDIA

David Ort

ADVERTISING

Krysta Frederick krysta@thegrowler.ca

DISTRIBUTION

Craig Sweetman (Newsstand)

Debbie Tang (Direct) orders@thegrowler.ca

SUBSCRIPTIONS on.thegrowler.ca/subscribe

© e Growler 2019

No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without the written permission of the publisher. Every e ort is made to avoid errors and omissions. If you notice an error, please accept our apologies and notify us.

Published by Glacier Media Group thegrowler.ca @thegrowleron

Breweries by Region

28 51 46 58 62 76 86 95 108 117

T ORONTO

NORT H & E AST GTA

HA M ILTON , B RANT & W EST GTA

N IAGARA

CENTRAL W EST & T RI - CITIES

S OUTHWEST & W IN D SOR

K AWART H AS & NORT HUM BERLAN D // K INGSTON & PE C

E ASTERN ONTARIO & O TTAWA

MUSKOKA & L AKE S I MCOE // COLLINGWOO D, B RU CE & MANITOULIN

N ORT H ERN & NO RT H WEST O NTARIO

Editor’s Note

Speaking seasonally, this issue really does straddle two very di erent parts of the year. When you read this, it’s equally likely that we’ll be digging out from under a February blizzard or on the dock getting set to mark Queen Victoria’s 200th birthday. Either way, I hope you have a favourite craft beer close by.

We here at e Growler are all about solving problems—and Ontario’s retail alcohol system is de nitely problematic. Luckily, many craft breweries are nding a way to send their beer directly to you (pg. 6), the drinking public.

In the same theme of really big changes, legal marijuana has been a topic of conversation in many brewery taprooms (and boardrooms). We dig into the question of how the two industries will compete or collaborate (pg. 9).

Before summer starts let’s head to Niagara (pg. 18) to see one of the hotbeds of new brewery development in the province. And you’ll nd a ton more in our features section!

Having covered all those bases I must apologize. I’ve committed a minor editorial sin. I’ve buried the lede.

e truly exciting news is that e Growler now covers the entire province. From Vankleek Hill to Walkerville to Blyth to Port Colborne and all the way up to Kenora, our brewery directory encompasses all of Ontario.

From here out, we’ll grow as Ontario craft beer grows. anks so much for your support!

G ROWLER-APPROVE

Keep an eye out for our 10 favourite beers this spring!

Brewery Details

GROWLER FILLS

BOTTLES / CANS KEGS

TASTING ROO M

ON- SITE KITCHEN OR F OOD TRU CK

TOURS

D OG-FRIEN D LY

G LUTEN - FREE B OOZE OPTIONS

Suggested Glassware

STANGE

Kolsch Alt Gose

PILSNER

Lager

Pilsner

Witbier

N ONI C P INT

Pale ale

Stout and porter

Most ales, actually

WEIZEN

Hefeweizen

Weizenbock

American wheat

TULIP

Saison

Double IPA

Strong ales

GOBLET

Dubbel

Belgian strong

Tripel

SNIFTER

Barley wine

Quad

Anything funky

Row, row, row your beer

by David Ort

“ Tasty beer, but I can only have a half-pint of it.” “What's everyone drinking for National IPA Day?” “We're right in the middle of triple imperial stout season.” “ e horse blanket from the brett really slaps you in the face.”

e craft beer industry often props itself up on a wooden leg of insu erable pretense, doesn’t it? And craft beer sometimes needs to attract attention with an eye patch and parrot on its shoulder.

at’s ne. Everyone needs the occasional pirate movie—they entertain.

But what about the rowboat beers? ese are the ones that get you from work to bed; distract the mind from the leftover turkey meatloaf that’s for dinner; and make an afternoon of fence-building with your oddball neighbour tolerable.

ey also don’t change themselves for the sake of marketing. ey don’t come in fancy bottles. And they de nitely aren’t new “takes on an IPA”.

Obviously, nding these beers is an itch that I’ve needed to scratch for quite a while now. Organised by style, here are my favourite rowboat beers.

Extra-special bitter (or ESB) might be the most precariously balanced of the English styles. ey are stronger in every dimension than a mild or an

ordinary bitter and don’t put any of the elements in the coxswain’s seat the way an IPA, porter or vintage ale do. Most of all, they do great on cask.

Collingwood makes Kingpost, Beau’s has one and Nickel Brook strikes an Equilibrium. All are ne examples at the LCBO. Further a eld, try Bob’s Best by Grain & Grit, Muddy York’s Major Small or Rurban’s New Johnstown’s Best Bitter.

Helles has replaced pilsner as my favourite lager style. It always takes at least three sips to gure out which way a good helles leans, and as many as three pints to discover its subtleties.

You probably don’t need me to tell you about Gaslight by Muddy York or Trainspotter by Junction or the one Wellington makes. But dig deeper with People’s Pint’s Helles Island, Checkmate by Grey Matter and Cannonball from Left Field.

Dortmunder is another German lager style that places the accent on balance, but with a bit stronger malt than helles. Beau’s has one in their Farm Table series, Market makes Beswick and, of course, there is Otsukaresama by Godspeed. Let’s have more of these, please!

Finally, grisette is the everyman of the saison family tree. Hell, the name even comes from the colour of dust-covered Belgian coal miners. How unromantic is that?

Not many of this low-octane Belgian style make it to the LCBO but Great Lakes, Fairweather, Town and Kensington all have versions in their back catalogue that I’d love to see more of.

As you enjoy your search for your own all-season beer, stay away from the shoals of trendiness and let me know what treasures you nd. j

by Jordan Du

In 2019, ordering beer online direct from the brewery and having it delivered to your doorstep seems commonplace. It wasn’t always that way. e future is now, but we’ll have to cast back eight years to understand how far we’ve come.

As with so many beer-tales in Ontario, it begins with Beau’s All Natural Brewing. ough often associated with Ottawa, Beau’s is actually a good 100 kilometres east of Canada’s capital, in picturesque Vankleek Hill. More direct access to the Ottawa market seemed like an important opportunity. So, in 2011, Beau’s teamed up with a local charity, Operation Come Home (OCH),

to create a beer home-delivery service: Buy Your Beau’s Online (BYBO).

e beer would be delivered directly, for a fee, to your home and delivery sta are members of OCH’s youth employment initiative. e $8 delivery charge goes to Operation Come Home to fund their full range of programmes.

“BYBO serves a vital connection to the brewery for many of our fans who can’t make it all the way to Vankleek Hill,” says Beau’s CEO Steve Beauchesne, “It’s a real triple win: Our customers get our beer more conveniently, our brewery gets additional sales and homeless youth get a chance to earn a paycheque, build their resume and hopefully nd a way o the streets.”

As Beauchesne notes, on paper it was a winwin-win. However, issues with the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) meant that the operation was almost stopped before it began. While beer delivery services were allowed to buy beer from the LCBO or e Beer Store, they couldn’t from breweries. As so rarely happens,

With a small (but loyal) home market in Vankleek Hill, Steve Beauchesne saw the BYBO service as an important means of getting beer to the larger market, an hour away, in Ottawa.

Ontario craft breweries are doing an end-run around our jammedup beer retail system to send their product directly to consumers

$105 $105 mail-order beer

legislation was quickly changed, breweries were included as licensees and BYBO has been running successfully ever since.

Here in Ottawa, Brew Donkey launched in 2013 when they spotted a business opportunity. e company would serve as a delivery service for all local breweries and would even collect empty growlers. At their height, they had over 200 beers, from 25 local breweries, listed on their web site. At that time, many local breweries were not available at the LCBO or e Beer Store, and so Brew Donkey was the most convenient way to sample and support local beer.

Brew Donkey owner Brad Campeau notes another advantage to his model: “In 2013, the laws around shipping alcohol were such that Canada Post did not allow it and only private couriers were willing to do it.”

But as the rules changed, his home delivery model was no longer sustainable. “In mid-2016 the LCBO began their online ordering and shipping,” explains Campeau. “ is was made possible through changing the rules around Canada Post. is also resulted in craft breweries being able to ship direct to homes a ordably and legally.”

Due to these changes, Campeau shuttered the delivery service. And since then his company has very successfully shifted focus to brewery tours in the Ottawa area.

Since deliveries can come by mail, consumers have much greater access to Ontario craft beer. Conversely, breweries now have access to consumers in markets they couldn’t reach before.

Dominion City Brewing, nestled in Ottawa’s Beacon Hill neighbourhood, is a prime example of a brewery taking advantage of home delivery. At press time their eight online o erings ranged from the popular Sunsplit NEIPA to the new Avian Principality American brown ale.

“We launched our online beer shop in September 2017,” says co-founder Josh McJannett, “ is was something we wanted to do because extending our taproom o ering to beer lovers across Ontario supports our vision to sell the freshest, most exciting and delicious beer we can make as directly as possible. We sell only a tiny portion of our beer through o -site retail channels and have no ambition to be listed at the LCBO.”

In the “Amazon age” it’s not surprising that people are having craft beer delivered to their front stoop. “We've seen weekly orders grow from a handful to consistently being in the dozens,” says McJannett, “Last month we announced $10 at rate shipping for orders over $40 and we've seen a big jump as the cost of having our beer delivered to your door has become even more a ordable for people.”

Moose Factory, on the southern tip of James Bay, is the furthest a Dominion City order has gone. From Beacon Hill to Kanata, west of Ottawa, Small Pony Barrel Works is another brewery taking advantage of mail-direct sales. ey are Ontario’s only all barrel-aged sour beer brewery. Even within craft beer, these niche beers have a limited market, so direct access to the consumer has been essential for brewer-owner Sean McVeigh.

“While we may only see a fraction of the customers a conventional brewery sees in a week, we also aren’t sharing the overall craft beer drinking crowd as broadly with other breweries. at is to say that if someone likes sour beer, there may only be a small number of breweries to choose from, and they may not be nearby,” says McVeigh. “So, for us, beer mail is a way to still be accessible to that niche group of sour lovers, since there isn’t a sour beer brewery in every suburb in Ontario.”

Interestingly, McVeigh has gone beyond using the online tool simply for sales and also uses it to interact with fellow sour fans. “My online store has also become an invaluable way for me to interact with my beer club,

BYBO serves a vital connection to the brewery for many of our fans who can’t make it all the way to Vankleek Hill.

— Steve Beauchesne, Beau's All Natural Brewing

743 km

Ottawa Moose factory

The farthest distance Dominion city Brewing Company has shipped its beer via Canada post.

who can reserve bottles for pickup later in the year, or consolidate orders in the future and ship them out,” says McVeigh “So we’re not just using it as a mail-order portal.”

McVeigh credits Half Hours on Earth Brewery for blazing the “sour beer in the mail trail” that he’s now following. e small batch brewery is located roughly 200 kilometres west of Toronto in Seaforth and produces farmhouse and lambicstyle beers. Focusing on top-notch niche styles meant thinking outside the box and the progressive brewery looked to shipping immediately.

Kyle Teichert, co-owner, explains: “We started working on our business plan in 2013, and home delivery was actually the main part of the plan. ere weren’t many sour/farmhouse beers available at the time in Ontario, and given our location, we initially thought shipping would be the only way to get our beer out there. It had crossed our mind to not have a retail store at all, only days available to pick up an order.”

Taking their lead from wineries, who have been mailing directly to consumers for years, they were pioneers in bringing beer into the online-ordering age and took full advantage of Canada Post’s changes. “Shipping beer across the province cer-

tainly helped spread the word of our brewery,” says Teichert. “It also led to quite a few emails, almost weekly, from other breweries with questions about going online.”

And beyond getting beer out of Seaforth, the owners of HHoE can also now order beer from the many breweries that have joined them in the future: “Over two years later, it’s great that there are now so many breweries online in Ontario. De nitely makes it easier for us to get a variety of beer to Seaforth!”

We reached Canada Post and they said: “Canada Post delivers alcohol in many Canadian provinces. As you are aware, Canada Post is not the regulator. ere are strict guidelines that we must follow when it comes to the delivery of controlled products, such as alcohol. Shippers are responsible to ensure these items are properly prepared and meet applicable requirements for mailing.”

Exciting times! Beer mailed directly to your home. But there are still restrictions, for instance beer cannot be shipped across provincial borders. So while it’s hard to nd excitement in Canada Post’s statement, beer nerds across Ontario have been getting excited about Bellwoods Brewery’s newly launched online store.

Bellwoods’ Joey Seaman explains that the online shop has been a longtime goal for the business, “It can be a challenging sales environment in Ontario for most breweries, so having the option of an online bottle shop is a great way to nally get beer to those who can’t make it to our brewery on a regular basis,” says Seaman. “We also love the fact that we’re able to continue dealing directly with people who want our beer. is has been a big part of Bellwoods from the beginning and we really don’t want that to change.”

e beer world has a long history of unchanging rules and regulations, by those low standards, these changes have actually moved relatively quickly. From Beau’s launching BYBO to more than a dozen Ontario breweries with online stores, we’ve come a long way in a few years.

So, crack open a parcel and raise a pint to the joy of online shopping for beer. j

From pale ales like Cat Lady and Jutsu to their barrel-aged favourites like Donkey Venom and 3 Minutes to Midnight the Bellwoods store is delivering beer joy across Ontario.

It had crossed our mind to not have a retail store at all, only days available to pickup an order.

— Kyle Teichert, Half Hours on Earth Brewery

joint venture joint venture

by Crystal Luxmore

Since rst-year university, about 20 of my girlfriends have gathered for our annual Girls Christmas Party. is regular a air has been going strong for 18 years. We’re not girls anymore, we’re 40-something moms, but other than that, little has changed. e party is always lled with gifts, bubbly, beer, a few joints and riotous laughter. But this year something was di erent, I brought cannabis edibles, in the form of gummie bears, to the party.

According to experts, consuming cannabis via low-dose edibles, pills or beverages will eventually replace part of the alcohol that some of us drink. Right now though, with bud, oils or pre-rolled joints the only legal option for buying cannabis in Canada, consumption habits have yet to shift.

Christopher Shepard, Senior Editor at Beer Marketer’s Insights, Craft Beer Analytics says in the short term, legalization of cannabis has had zero impact on craft beer consumption. In fact, in US states where cannabis has been legalized,

craft beer consumption has remained the same as before legalization, whereas it has declined slightly in states where cannabis is still illegal.

“However, a lot of companies have spent a lot of money guring out how to change the classic pitfall of the edible—where you feel nothing at rst but the e ect is very strong two hours later,” says Shepard. ere are technologies that will make drinking a cannabis-infused, non-alcoholic beer a lot like the e ects of drinking alcohol—where you feel the psychoactive kick earlier, but a very mild buzz, and by the time you’re nished sipping three or four beers, you’re high. “Once companies master that technology, it makes the replaceability of beer with cannabis far more likely,” says Shepard.

Before that happens though, social stigmas around cannabis need to fall away, and knowledge gaps about the complicated plant need to be lled, says Jessica Lukas, vice president of consumer insights at BDS Analytics, a Colorado-based market research rm that tracks sales in the cannabis industry.

How craft beer and legal cannabis are more likely to collaborate than compete for Ontario consumers

Looking at our holiday party, she’s right. e handful of women who tried my gummies and chocolate were the same women who I’ve always shared joints with at parties since high school. But fast-forward to October, when edibles are legalized, and things might be di erent. Picking up a few legal, non-alcoholic cannabis beverages at the store will likely feel safer to most non-cannabis users than eating a gummie from your veteran stoner friend at a party.

Experts predict a drop in “smokeable” ower (sticky, green bud) once edibles come on to the scene. Ontarians will be able to buy everything from a de-alcoholized craft beer from one of their favourite breweries, to fair-trade chocolate bars, to topical creams for pain relief. In the short term though, they’ll still be consuming the cannabis at home. “ ere’s not really a bar or restaurant equivalent for ordering cannabis over a drink because no on-premise consumption license exists yet,” says Shepard.

But as more Canadians try these new products, the competition for their “entertainment dollar” will grow ercer. Which is why breweries, big and

small, are looking at creating a line of cannabis-infused beverages. It’s highly unlikely that the government will ever legalize an alcoholic cannabis beverage, so breweries are exploring ways to de-alcoholize their products and replace the ethanol buzz with a plant-based one.

Last year some of the biggest breweries in the world shared news about partnerships or acquisitions of cannabis brands. In August, Molson Coors Canada announced a joint venture with Quebec-based e Hydropothecary Corporation to develop non-alcoholic, cannabis-infused beverages. And in December, Anheuser-Busch InBev, the world’s biggest brewing conglomerate, said that it is partnering with Canada's Tilray to research non-alcoholic beverages containing THC and CBD.

Ontario’s craft breweries are also considering the possibilities of cannabis-infused, non-alcoholic beers. Beau’s All Natural Brewing Company in Vankleek Hill is eyeing the opportunity and looking for a certi ed organic cannabis producer. In October, Ace Hill beer, one of the most popular brands for Toronto millennials parterned with B.C. based Flowr to launch a line of pre-rolled joints under a sister company called Ace Valley. Both companies are hoping Ace Hill’s brand equity will attract consumers to the Ace Valley brand.

Plus, a number of breweries, including Whitby’s Brock Street Brewing, Toronto’s Lost Craft Beer, and Brantford’s Bell City Brewing Company have announced partnerships with Province Brands, a company which has a licensed facility to produce cannabis-based, non-alcoholic beverages. e idea is that Province Brands will brew the beer on site using their patented technology, but it will be sold and marketed under the craft breweries’ brand.

So why are so many brewers hopping on the cannabis train? Well, cannabis and beer have a lot in common. Marijuana and hops are cousins and the plants contain the same essential oils (or terpenes)

A lot of companies have spent a lot of money guring out how to change the classic pitfall of the edible—where you feel nothing at rst but the e ect is very strong two hours later.

—Christopher Shepard, Beer Marketers Insights

October is the legalization for THC-packing, cannabis-infused products, including edibles like gummies and also non-alcoholic, marijuana-infused craft beer. Stock photo.

so their aromas and avours are similar. Moreover, they have a common fan base. BDS Analytics reports that 72 per cent of cannabis users drink alcohol—and of those slightly more are choosing beer over wine or spirits: 63 per cent of cannabis users drink beer, versus 52 per cent who drink wine, and 58 per cent who drink spirits.

“ e vast majority of cannabis consumers consume alcohol, and they’re more likely to consume alcohol than non-cannabis consumers,” Lukas said. “ ese people are already your consumers.”

“To be clinical about it, people are going to spend their entertainment budget on alcohol or other intoxicants like THC,” says Dennis Marijan, co-owner of Bell City Brewing Company. “So there’s only so much “throat share” to go around, and when you add cannabis into that mix, how much money are people going to spend per week on their own entertainment, which includes dinner, alcohol and now this new category: cannabis?”

Marijan predicts the consumption of beer will drop by 5 to 10 per cent thanks to the introduction of edibles. “Whether it’s in a drink or cookie format, when edibles become reality next October there’s going to be an impact to the industry.”

So what exactly will a cannabis beer look like? Bell City doesn’t plan to de-alcoholize any of their regular beers, instead, they’re making a new product that can show o the plant’s aromatic terpenes. And Marijan thinks that cannabis connoisseurs, just like craft beer nerds, will crave a variety of di erent beverages. “Potheads know that there are many di erent strains with di erent e ects — you can use one and feel relaxed, and another will help you feel creative.”

It’s possible that cannabis beers will follow craft beer’s lead—brewing various non-alcoholic beverages with their own unique strains of cannabis, mix of terpenes, and avour pro les.

ere are still many unknowns for consumers including: where will cannabis beers retail and what, if any, kind of branding will be allowed on the can.

When cannabis beers do come onto the market in October, there’s little doubt they’ll be popular. When Bell City announced their partnership with Province Brands, they had 60,000 visitors to their website, many asking where they could buy it.

But next winter, will non-alcoholic cannabis-infused beverages become a new staple at holiday parties? We’ll just have to wait and see. j

Potheads know that there are many di erent strains with di erent e ects—you can use one and feel relaxed, and another will help you feel creative.

—Dennis Marijan, Bell City Brewing Company

Brewer

THE EXPERIMENTERS EDITION

by David Ort

ere are a few brewers in Ontario who can claim celebrity status, at least amongst a niche group of hardcore fans.

By contrast, Mark Murphy of Left Field Brewery and Jason Tremblay of Shacklands Brewery, are experimenters. ey’re both co-heads of their own award-winning breweries. ose breweries might show some ash at times, but these guys are more likely to be quietly out of the limelight, cultivating a yeast culture or balancing the books.

Tremblay and Murphy were kind enough to get together with me for a conversation at e Only on the Danforth. We talked about everything from contract brewing to dogs in brewery taprooms. Here’s what they had to say.

GROWLER: You both lead brewing teams. What’s your day-to-day like now? How is it di erent than when you opened?

TREMBLAY: For me, I still need to get in rst. If we’re brewing that day I measure out the brewing salts and acid. Take that o [our brewer] Kalev’s plate. at rst hour in the morning is magic for productivity.

MURPHY: I guess I’ve gone from doing everything to speci cs. We have a ve-person brewery team that I lead.

GROWLER: Are you optimistic about the chances for beer-retail reform?

MURPHY: ere’s been no better time since we’ve been in the industry, just with the way the laws are being reviewed and considered. We’ve been members of the OCB since our founding. At rst, it was just a good way to get information. I think the new president, Scott Simmons, has a lot better handle on things.

MARK MURPHY

GROWLER: You guys both grew breweries from a contract stage. Brewers point to contract breweries these day as a concern. Is that valid?

MURPHY: On the contract subject, I don’t know if their goal when [the current large-size contract brewers] set out was to build a brewery or if they had a speci c timeline. Because some are getting on in their years and they’re seemingly not making any progress. I think that’s why some people might call them marketing companies. ere’s no end in sight. What’s the actual goal?

TREMBLAY: To demonstrate that you can build a marketing machine?

GROWLER: Is the LCBO getting easier to sell in?

Brewer

TREMBLAY: Except for the odd keg for the growler programme, we don’t really deal with the LCBO. But we’re going to have to eventually. It’s a weird world for the small player to navigate.

MURPHY: It’s good in the start because their mandate is to support Ontario producers. at rst SKU is almost guaranteed. And that’s why you see so many contract brewers at the LCBO. Getting the second one or the seasonals is where the headaches come in.

GROWLER: What’s the bright light on the horizon?

TREMBLAY: What I’d like is independent craft beer stores that can drive to a brewery and pick up 24 of something they like. I’ve heard the idea oated that independent breweries could open a retailer like the Beer Store. Even if we could partner with three or four other breweries to open a retail store that would be so wicked. A lot of independent breweries are specializing. We rock in the farmhouse beers.

JASON TREMBLAY

MURPHY: My bright line is to have a remote taproom, where we don’t have to brew on site, and we can have retail to go. Mandie and I celebrated our 10th wedding anniversary in San Diego and LA. San Diego is full of remote taprooms, no brewing on site and you can buy beer to go. It’s just an extension of your brand. People love your beer.

GROWLER: You both have family- and dog-friendly breweries. How did that come about?

TREMBLAY: We just sort of lucked into being a brewery that is dog-friendly. People who go out to breweries with dogs are good. I love dogs.

MURPHY: Our standard answer is “if they’re on a leash and good with other dogs, bring them in.” But what actually happens...

TREMBLAY: When I was at Left Field we wandered down and my wife looked over and it basically looked like a playgroup.

MURPHY: Absolutely. ere used to be this group on Facebook called Left Field With Babies. We didn’t create it, they just used to coordinate it and come on ursdays at 1.

It’s good in the start because their mandate is to support Ontario producers. at rst SKU is almost guaranteed.

—Mark Murphy

ABOVE: For their fourth anniversary, Left Field brewed an extra-dry saison and added El Dorado and Summer hops.

RIGHT: Shacklands are the masters of brett in Ontario and a rare brewery with a strong committment to bottle conditioning their beers.

TREMBLAY: It absolutely makes sense for us to have local history nights and showcase posters for events. It works for us but it’s not for everyone.

MURPHY: It’s not something we sought out, it just sort of happened. When we opened I said to Mandie, “I’m sure we’ll get men saying to their wives, ‘oh just heading out for a walk with the dog.’” But I’m sure Black Oak doesn’t have the same dogs and strollers because they’re in an industrial park.

GROWLER: What’s the one beer that made you say, “I can’t believe people didn’t latch onto that”?

MURPHY: Our best beer to sell the worst, we called it Grandstand. It was a hoppy wheat and people just couldn’t wrap their head around wheat and hops. Sawdust has Golden Beach and it started as a pale wheat and then it’s a wheat IPA and now I think it’s just an IPA.

TREMBLAY: For us, it was probably our rst Christmas spiced Belgian ale we brewed with Ren Navarro, Krampus. Feedback in the tasting room: Glorious. Bottle run we did sold out slightly before Christmas but we were never able to sell it to licensees. ey would have the sample and say, “man, that’s really good! It’s not like anything else currently available.” And then they order a straight-up standard saison from us. We ew through it in the tasting room, we just never convinced licensees to pick it up.

MURPHY: Eephus is a whole other thing for me. It will sell to its potential but not everyone wants a brown ale.

GROWLER: What should people be excited about at Left Field and Shacklands in February?

TREMBLAY: February, we’ve got the brut saison coming up. And we say “brut” but going the extra few points to 100% attenuation...does it really matter? Towards the end of February we’re going to release a batch of Rasbretty Bates, which is a raspberry and bretty beer. I gure if we’re going to be slow I’m just going to make brett beers all year. I think we’re trying to scale back our focus to two or three beers instead of seven.

MURPHY: February is our anniversary month because our rst ever brew (contract-brewing wise) was Feb 14.

TREMBLAY: at’s so romantic.

MURPHY: We’ve always had an anniversary beer in February. It’s always been a saison. French saison, dry-hopped saison. I pushed for something else so we’re brewing a mimosa brut IPA.j

A lot of independent breweries are specializing. We rock in the farmhouse beers.

—Jason Tremblay

IN WI NDS OR ES SEX

Windsor and Essex County have a longstanding connection to malted barley and the wonderful things that can be made with it. When the U.S. went dry for Prohibition that meant sending top-quality Canadian whisky across the border. Now that Ontario has an insatiable thirst for craft beer, it means satisfying that demand with some of the best brews in the province.

e free Barrels, Bottles and Brews passport is your guide to nding the best in the area. With 10 breweries and two distilleries, it’s easy to nd something on the BBB passport for everyone!

e long list of noteworthy waypoints goes from Craftheads Brewing in Downtown Windsor to Walkerville Brewery in its historic home to Sandwich Brewing on the west side and e Grove Brew House out in Kingsville.

J.P. Wiser’s and Wolfhead anchor the distilled side for those who want something a little more spirited.

STAY ON TARGET

Get your ticket stamped at 8 of 12 participating stops and you can redeem it for one of our swanky Barrels Bottles & Brews beer koozie and 3-in-1 bottle/can/cork opener.

TAKE YOUR BEER EXPERIENCE TO NEW HEIGHTS WITH THE VIP FLIGHT LOG

For $25, the upgraded VIP ight log gives you the chance to keep notes as you sample through half-price or free tastings.

Anyone who manages to score a stamp from all 12 locations quali es for a Barrels Bottles & Brews bar mat.

Come for a visit, stay for a drink! j

by Kristina Mameli

Ever had a beer that was just, well… o ? When good beer goes bad, it can feel like a tragedy. O - avours are a scourge that a ects every style, and without sensory training, it can be di cult to nd the words to adequately describe why you’re blubbering into your pint.

Being able to recognize and diagnose common o - avours is extremely important for brewers and craft connoisseurs (read: “beer nerds”) alike. Sensory training is training—or perhaps, retraining—your palate and other senses to critically evaluate beer, recognize certain avours and pinpoint what may have caused these aws.

Unfortunately, the best way to learn is to experience these avours for yourself…but, dear reader, I wouldn’t subject you to that! So, here’s an abbreviated cheat sheet with the technical jargon toned way down. Hopefully, it’ll improve your homebrew and have you sounding like a Cicerone in no time.

ACETALDEHYDE

Tastes/Smells Like: Green or rotten apples, or, oddly enough, freshly cut pumpkin; not to be confused with “pumpkin spice” which, in my opinion, also has no place in beer.

Likely Culprit: Acetaldehyde is naturally produced by yeast during fermentation. Over time, the chemical is converted into ethanol alcohol. is process can take longer in higher alcohol beers or if not enough yeast has been used. So, if you taste green apples in your beer, it’s probably best to give the poor yeast a little more time to work its magic.

ALCOHOLIC

Tastes/Smells Like: Overpowering alcohol, paint thinner (yum!) or acetone (think nail polish remover). is is one will put hair on your chest!

Likely Culprit: Fusel alcohols; basically things with names that sound like they are what gasoline is comprised of. ese alcohols are caused by fermentation occurring at too high of a temperature.

ASTRINGENT

Tastes/Smells Like: Sucking on a teabag, essentially. If astringency is present, you get a dry kind of puckering mouthfeel and may taste tannins just as you would from the teabag. Go ahead, try. I’ll wait.

Likely Culprit: Astringency has a variety of causes including tannins found on the husks of grain or skins of fruit steeping for too long, as well as over-hopping for the size of the batch.

CHLOROPHENOL

Smells/Tastes Like: Plastic or iodine (medicine).

Likely Culprit: Chlorinated water or sanitizer. It may seem crazy, but using tap water to brew or rinse equipment can negatively in uence the avour of beer. Filtered water is king.

DIACETYL

Tastes/Smells Like: Butter, rancid butter or butterscotch complete with a slick mouthfeel. If this is what they meant by “Butterbeer” in Harry Potter, then childhood me is seriously disappointed.

Likely Culprit: Yeast (hot tip: it’s always the yeast). Diacetyl is naturally produced by all yeast during fermentation and is then reabsorbed. If not, it’s likely the result of weak or mutated yeast or a

fermentation temperature that is too low for the particular strain of yeast.

DIMETHYL SULFIDE (DMS)

Tastes/Smells Like: Cooked vegetables, especially corn, cabbage, tomato and sometimes even shellsh; none of which you want in your beer.

Likely Culprit: Under-boiling or infection. DMS is essentially a by-product of the malting process and is created whenever wort is heated. It typically evaporates when that wort is boiled.

ESTERY/FRUITY

Tastes/Smells Like: Fruit, especially banana, pear, strawberry, raspberry, and grapefruit.

Likely Culprit: is one is a bit tricky. Esters are naturally produced by yeast during fermentation. Sometimes those lovely naturally occurring fruit avours are even supposed to be there, such as in a hefeweizen—but in a pilsner? Not so much.

GRASSY

Tastes/Smells Like: Exactly as it sounds: like freshly cut grass, or musty straw.

Likely Culprit: Moldy ingredients are usually at fault here. Always be sure to check for freshness before brewing!

METALLIC

Tastes/Smells Like: Iron, pennies or blood—you’ll feel this one on your teeth.

Likely Culprit: is is caused by beer or ingredients coming into contact with unprocessed metals, or in packaging via bottle caps or kegs.

OXIDIZATION

Tastes/Smells Like: Stale, wet cardboard, sherry, pineapple, decaying vegetables.

Likely Culprit: Before sensory training I never once thought, “I wonder what wet cardboard tastes like?” Now it haunts my dreams. Oxidization occurs when too much oxygen has been introduced to the beer, especially while the wort is still warm or after fermentation is complete. It can also occur from too much headspace in bottles.

SKUNKY

Tastes/Smells Like: Skunk, burned rubber or cat musk.

Likely Culprit: Light. Beer skunks when hops are exposed to light from certain parts of the spectrum. ( at’s why brown glass is popular for beer bottles.) Science, science, science, this reaction creates mercaptan—literally the same chemical skunks secrete when they spray.

SULFUR / HYDROGEN SULFIDE

Tastes/Smells Like: Sulfur, rotten eggs, raw sewage or a beautiful combination thereof.

Likely Culprit: is chemical is naturally produced by all yeast during fermentation. CO2 carries most of it away during conditioning or lagering.

SWEET

Tastes/Smells Like: Overly sweet or sugary; sweet wort; cloyingly sweet.

Likely Culprit: e yeast clocked out early. What did I say? It’s always the yeast.

Graingrapes in the land of

by David Ort

There are a few things that obscure how obvious Niagara-on-the-Lake is as a beer destination.

Especially near the water, it’s stately and preserved as if a historical society has a universal veto on everyone’s choice of front door colour and tree selection for their yard. ere aren’t any grocery stores (more or less) let alone beer gardens.

You’re probably thinking that the location in wine country is also a strike against it. But that's where the case begins to turn.

e proximity to wineries means that breweries here have closer access to barrels, talent and ingredients. ey also need to make beer to satisfy a clientele with dozens of drink options pulling them in multiple directions.

at’s why I say: Soak in the surroundings, pull up to one of the excellent tasting bars and maybe even try a glass of wine. Niagara is one of the best beer spots within a short drive for a lot of Ontarians.

Bench

Not strictly in Niagara-on-the-Lake proper but we’re getting closer. is is where a great deal of investment has built one of the most impressive new breweries in Ontario. e Beamsville location also means plenty of nods in the direction of the grapevine.

Ball’s Falls (4.5% ABV), as a session IPA, leads o ights with its clean balance and way more tropical citrus notes than you’d expect at that ABV.

Dig into the Foundry series with complex options like Bewilder Brett IPA (4.9% ABV) that balances summer stone fruit aromas with a clean, brett-enhanced nish.

Folklore (6.8% ABV) is an especially lovely dark sour aged on cherries from nearby Twenty Valley farms. If possible try it beside the version, with the same name, made with cab franc skins. e Grove series also shines a spotlight on sours with a single hop variety added at the dry-hopping stage.

Niagara-on-the-Lake is a hub for an expanding network of craft breweries in Ontario’s wine country

Niagara College TEaching Brewery

If there’s one place to taste the future of Ontario craft beer, this is it. It serves as the lab for students in the brewmaster programme at the college.

eir English-style pale ale, Butler’s Bitter (4.4% ABV) has a ton of well-deserved medals. And the Beer 101 series is a great primer on beer styles that

are both the basis for innovation and delicious in their own right. For instance, Beer 101 Bock (7% ABV) is perfect for chasing away spring chills.

Oast house

e brewery in the unmissable, red barn on the road into town has paired Belgian-leaning core beers with a willingness to experiment and bring seasonal fruit into their recipes. ey’ve greatly expanded around the original front room and are now worth a stop just to nd out what’s new upstairs in the Hayloft or out back on the patio.

From the originals, the Biere de Garde (7% ABV) is my favourite for the combination of raisin, dark fruit and treacle plus its strong cellar potential. In their Rural Route series, both the Strawberry Rhubarb Ale (4.8% ABV) and Oak-aged Peach Hefeweizen (5% ABV) are very good showcases for top-notch Niagara produce.

If you’re there in March, they might be brewing the very good Sweet ’n’ Sowr Biere de Mars (5.5% ABV).

Silversmith, with their cozy, former-church atmosphere and sessionable beer options, is just a few minutes up the road.

TOP: Bench Brewery makes a remarkably wide range of beers, so a tasting ight is an ideal place to start. e food—like slow-roasted brisket and scallop ceviche—is also unusually good.

BOTTOM: Downstairs at e Exchange serves as a tasting bar with their rotational ights. (Look for one-o s on summer weekends.) Upstairs, you’ll nd events like weekly trivia.

Weekends before summer starts are the best times to take in the quaint ambiance minus the hordes of tourist season. Cross the street diagonally from the Prince of Wales to get your craft beer tour started at e Exchange.

The Exchange

We’re now right downtown for the craft brewery that was named after a telephone hub. Many of the beers made by Sam Maxbauer's team use barrels and mixed fermentation to show beer avours at their most complex.

Peppercorn Rye Saison (6.9% ABV) is a soft-drinking farmhouse beer that adds peach notes to the title ingredients. Equally, Oud Bruin (7.4% ABV) is one of Ontario's best takes on this darker sour style that’s part of beef carbonnade.

eir Foreign Extra Stout (7.2% ABV) is a dark coal colour with a creamy mouthfeel and dessert-like notes of cocoa and vanilla but a roasted, slightly bitter nish for balance.

Where else to visit

Everyone will tell you that if you're on Niagara Stone Road, visiting Oast House and Silversmith, a walk across the street to e Pie Plate is mandatory. All of their creations are pretty dynamite, but the small-size versions are my favourite because they let groups smaller than a hockey team try a variety of the avours like unexpected grape pie or the iconic peach.

No matter what the weather is like, Niaga-

ra-on-the-Lake is a town that demands a stroll. Whether you’re visiting during a cold snap or in to catch a show at the Shaw Festival in August, e Olde Angel Inn is the place to seek comfort.

At 230 years it is the oldest inn in Ontario and does the whole traditional English pub thing with vigour. Classic pub fare goes well with the most varied beer list on the main strip.

We’re a beer crowd, I know, but on a trip to Niagara visiting a winery or two won't hurt you. Michael Di Caro, the editor for Vitis, our soon-tolaunch sister magazine about Ontario wine, helped out with a few tips for nearby stops.

We both really dig the wines coming out of Big Head, especially the Raw line they make by fermenting juice in concrete tanks. Stratus spans the range for their niche, high-end Red and White blends to the good-value Weather Report series. Pillitteri (very close to Oast and Silversmith) are very strong in the icewine department and continue to push boundaries.

Di Caro also pointed us to wineries like Rosewood (and I’ll add Flat Rock) who are bringing our two worlds closer together through collaboration with Ontario craft breweries.

If that seems a lot to plan (see our listings on pg. 58 for more), you can opt for an organized tour. ese range from bike-based ones (pedal responsibly, please) to climate-controlled vans. Niagara Craft Brewery Tours is the leader in the area. j

Getting to NOTL

Driving is a solid option, which opens up the possibility of stopping in Hamilton, for their great beer scene, on the way. e GO bus also goes to NOTL and more train options open up once summer starts. Also, Toronto to Niagara-on-the-Lake is almost exactly 100 miles by bike—anyone up for the challenge?

Where to Stay

NOTL accommodations come in various degrees of quaint. e Oban Inn has it in historical spades, the Prince of Wales is more fancy-quaint, 124 on Queen adds a strongly modern vibe and the Pillar and Post does it in the familiar sense. Especially in the o season, groups should investigate renting one of the many houses that are up for grabs on sites like AirBnB or VRBO.

TOP: NOTL’s favourite English-style pub is an immersive experience for those looking for a bit of historical Canadiana with their pint of craft beer.

A beer K every table

Toronto is a city that wears its Caribbean in uence on its sleeve. Not only do we have one of the largest street festivals in North America in the form of Caribana, but you can buy a spiced beef patty at just about every subway station. Although there are pockets of the city that display more in uence from this wave of 1960s immigration, restaurants sell roti, jerk chicken, and doubles in nearly every neighbourhood.

For all that these foods are familiar, even comfortable, it has taken a certain amount of time to get to this point. In acclimatizing to Ontario, there’s the loss of some of the speci c identity. Patties, for example, are Jamaican. Not Trinidadian. Not Bahamian. Jamaican. It would be like asking for poutine in Saskatchewan; you’re in the right region, but it’s not the same thing.

One of the most exciting brewpub menus in Toronto deals with this problem in a highly speci c way. Laylow Brewery is notable not only for being the smallest brewery in the city of Toronto, but also for its hip hop soundtrack and changing ambiance. As a room, it’s as likely to take on a lounge feel as it is to clear the tables for dancing.

e addition of Adisa Glasgow’s Young Animal catering brand to the property has resulted in something absolutely unique.

While the catering business has been in operation since 2015, Glasgow had been running it as a side hustle doing pop-up events while working full time at Bar Hop’s original King Street location, which saw some menu additions featuring his in uence. Although he had been slated to join Laylow when they opened in 2016, it didn’t work out initially. “ ey were looking for something a little di erent and I didn’t want to lose my business, so the deal was if I’m going to come here, I have to bring my business inside here,” he says. “ ey don’t have to worry about kitchen payroll, so it works out well for them.”

e result has had an e ect not only on the vibe of the room but on the beer menu, too.

Consider Lightworks, a witbier that has replaced curacao orange peel and coriander with a distinctly Trinidadian avouring: sorrel. Hibiscus in beer is not unheard of but the blend of cinnamon, clove, and ginger makes for an intriguing harmony when combined with similarly spicy Belgian yeast notes. An invention of brewer Colin Weadick, it’s a clever nod to the bolder avours that inhabit the menu.

Glasgow’s resume includes time spent in ne dining in both French and Italian spots during his time in British Columbia. And it is for this reason that the menu features aesthetic touches

by Jordan St. John

How craft beer is pairing with the amazing variety of global cuisines in Ontario.

from the ne dining world. It might be di cult to nd an Oxtail Crepe or a Goat Wellington in any other context but this. While the techniques are borrowed, the avours are from southern Trinidad; a fact displayed prominently on the website menu that goes as far as listing the neighbourhoods that in uenced each dish. “I want people to learn a little bit more about Trinidad,” Glasgow explains. “Nobody knows about San Fernando or Oropouche or Fyzabad or La Romaine. I want them to think about it like Kingston or Montego Bay.

ere’s a bunch of di erent things going on there.”

With staples like pholourie (pronounced “ llery” rather than “foolery”), callaloo and doubles, the menu is vegan-friendly, but it’s not a concession to the market. “I like food that’s born of necessity. It was about cooking stu that nobody wanted to eat but had to taste good...It’s not vegetarian, it’s just what we eat. Just food that happens to have no meat on it,” he says.

Doubles, the most popular menu item to date, are especially labour intensive. All of the components are made in house; curried chickpeas, mango

ABOVE: From his signature stewed oxtail wrapped in a coconut-milk crepe (TOP), to pepper shrimp served on top of doubles (MIDDLE), to the curry goat wellington (BOTTOM) Adisa Glasgow strikes a three-way balance. He's melding Trinidadian avours, French technique and matching all to Laylow’s beer menu. Supplied photos.

I like food that’s born of necessity. It was about cooking stu that nobody wanted to eat but had to taste good.

—Adisa Glasgow

chutney, tamarind sauce, pickled cucumber. “In Trinidad, there would be way less chickpeas on it, because you eat that thing in two to three minutes. Obviously, because it’s Toronto, you need a little more joie de vivre, but in Trinidad it’s handed to you on a piece of wax paper and you eat it right there, throw the paper in the garbage, and go about your business. It’s also a breakfast food. People start setting up their carts at ve a.m.”

e saucier version served at Laylow really requires a knife and fork approach.

at said, the spice and fruit components are a natural when it comes to craft beer, especially with hop varieties that feature tropical fruit. Ten years ago notes of mango and tamarind would not have been prominent in your glass, but with hazy IPAs it’s possible to paint from a wider palette. Even the stout, Black on Both Sides, has a dry, fruity middle that meets the tamarind head on.

In a rare instance where Glasgow uses the beer on the menu, the stout is a key component of an ice cream served with pone, a cassava and pumpkin

cake. “Cooking with beer sounds dope, whereas it’s not as cool as you might think it is. Cooking with beer is more of a novelty than anything else, but cooking food that pairs well with beer is a di erent story,” he says.

In a di erent context (uptown Waterloo) Loloan Lobby Bar strives to deliver a similar transportive experience that takes diners to a very speci c place. Loloan adds stunning ambiance to the mix.

eir sommelier, Jake Richards describes the food as “South East Asian inspired with a traditional French twist... a rollercoaster ride for your palate.”

Paul Boehmer, also owner of Bhima’s Warung, created both restaurants to experience the food he ate while traveling and living in those places. Richards says: “All I can say about Paul is that he is our captain on the Pirate Ship we call Loloan.”

“ e people who frequent us and dig cool one-o beers come here now expecting to nd something new since the last time they were in,” Richards says to a question about customers’ to try new pairings where both the food and beer have avour. “Fortunately, the breweries always have something up their sleeves to surprise us with.”

Hopefully the success of Laylow X Young Animal and Loloan will have an in uence on Ontario’s craft beer scene; the idea that the menu can be experience- and personality-driven rather than o ering a standard range of pub grub.

Whether it’s the initial vibe of the bar that you notice, or the uniquely avoured beer, or a menu that borrows in uences from a culinary career that has had di erent focuses, the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. In a province with dozens of breweries and one of the most diverse arrays of cuisine from all over the world, it only makes sense that this type of alchemy should come together to create vibrant, exciting menus more frequently in the future. j

Cooking with beer is more of a novelty than anything else, but cooking food that pairs well with beer is a di erent story.

—Adisa Glasgow

ABOVE: With tempura scallion and green curry sauce on the lamb wellington (TOP) to ribs served on Bangkok-style drunken noodles (BOTTOM) Loloan matches Southeast Asian avours with upscale atmosphere. Supplied photos.

To the

BEER GROUND

A new year brings a crop of fresh-faced breweries to Ontario. From

Victoria

B EAR D F REE B REWING

Peterborough (winter 2019) e story broke on Twitter last month that this Peterborough brewery was closing, at least temporarily, to retool. After some controversy they removed their Facebook page, but Canadian Beer News (CBN) reports that one of the three founding partners hopes to re-open the business soon.

CASSEL B REWERY

Casselman (spring 2019) Small-town favourite Microbrasserie Cassel has set April 1 as the target date to open in their new location. ey're staying in Casselman but will have a roomier taproom for their rotating selection of beer.

EVERGREEN CRAFT A LES

Ottawa (winter 2019) Chris Samuel's nano-brewery is making the jump from his garage on Evergreen Drive to its own space in Kanata later this year. Check out the brewery's new YouTube channel to see what it's like to set up a brewery from blank space to eventually brewing beer on their indie-sized system.

G ATEWAY CITY B REWERY

North Bay (winter 2019) One of Northern Ontario’s newest breweries opened just in time to see out 2018 and ring in the new year. Stop in to their taproom at 600-612 Gormanville Rd., Unit 206 to try one of their two launch beers—also available to-go in cans. @gatewaycitybrewery

G OO D LOT FAR M STEA D B REWING

Caledon (winter 2019) Formerly focused on their organic hop operation, then a farm brewery, Goodlot now has an on-site bottle shop on their property in Caledon. e doors are open in the afternoon from Friday to Sunday at 18825 Shaws Creek Rd. @goodlot.beer

HERALD HAUS B REWING

Stratford (winter 2018) After a long (and probably quite arduous) construction phase, downtown Stratford has a new brewery complete with bottle shop and taproom. eir diverse range of styles and historic location in the former home of the Stratford Herald are two more reasons to visit one of Ontario’s prettiest towns. @heraldhausbrewing

HOGSBA CK B REWING

Ottawa We don’t often report on contract brewers but this is a big one. Sadly, after eight years, Hogsback shut down late last autumn. ey drew attention for the Aporkalypse Now oatmeal bacon stout, an appearance on Dragon’s Den and their early adoption of cans.

KI CHESIPPI B EER CO .

Bells Corners, Nepean (April 2019) One of Ottawa’s oldest craft breweries is moving a little bit further out of town this spring. e much larger space will let Kichesippi add to their beer programme. If all goes according to plan, you’ll nd them at 2265 Robertson Rd., Nepean by April 1. @kichesippibeer

S PA CEC RAFT B REWERY

Sudbury (winter 2019) Another big opening in the North is this sci- themed brewery in the Nickel City. Canadian Beer News reports that they are starting with two house beers (plus guest taps for beer from other craft breweries) and hope to grow to seven home selections and seven from alien breweries, so to speak. Find them at 854 Notre Dame Ave. @spcrft

What’d we miss? Send tips on new brewery openings to david@thegrowler.ca. j

now until

Day is the prime time to sidle up to a tasting-room bar and nd out what’s new.

BY CHEF TONIA WILSON

Beef Tenderloin with B é arnaise A ï oli paired

with Sawdust City Hali’s Comet

Having written one myself, I de nitely have a soft spot for cookbooks that pair beer with their recipes. Chef Tonia Wilson published Beer at my Table: Recipes, Beer Styles & Food Pairings as a guide to 35 di erent beer styles and dishes to go with them. In her intro to this recipe, Wilson says, “ e béarnaise aïoli, with its herbaceous and zippy personality, adds avour support to the mild-tasting tenderloin, while its silky texture works wonderfully with the meat.”

As a beef cut with a lighter touch, tenderloin is Wilson’s pick for spring. It also works wonderfully

for brunch on a certain big day in May. Sawdust City Brewing, in Gravenhurst, makes several beers that stand out for being amongst the best in their style for Ontario. In the book, Wilson pairs the dish with Henderson’s Best. As an alternative, I think the grapefruit notes in Hali’s Comet plays nicely with the aïoli's tarragon. —David Ort

INgredients

• 750 g beef tenderloin, trimmed

• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

• 2 tbsp vegetable or olive oil

• 2/3 cup unsalted butter

• 1/4 cup coarsely chopped tarragon stalks

• 1/4 cup plus 1 tsp white wine vinegar, divided

• 1 large shallot, peeled and finely diced

• 2 egg yolks

• 1 tsp dijon mustard

• 2 tsp finely chopped tarragon leaves

• Lemon slices and tarragon sprigs for garnish

directions

1. Preheat the oven to 400 F.

2. Season the beef generously with salt and pepper. In a large oven-proof skillet, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Sear the beef on all sides until it is dark golden, about 5 minutes per side.

3. Transfer the skillet to the oven and roast until a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the beef registers 130 F for medium-rare, about 15 minutes.

4. While the beef is cooking, in a small saucepan over low heat, warm the butter just until melted, then set aside.

5. In a second small saucepan, combine the tarragon stalks, 1/4 cup white wine vinegar and shallot. Simmer over medium-low heat until the vinegar is reduced to 1 tablespoonful. Strain the vinegar into a blender, discarding solids.

TOP: Pick a beer that can stand up to a avourful sauce. Sawdust City’s dry-hopped amber has hop notes that do that, plus a malt base to complement the meat. Supplied photo.

LEFT: If you’re going to serve beef tenderloin, it makes sense to go all-out with the presentation. Having something, like fries, to dip in any extra sauce also helps. Supplied photo.

6. Add the remaining vinegar, egg yolks, mustard and 1/2 tsp salt to the blender. Pulse until smooth. With the machine running on low speed, slowly drizzle in the melted butter. Pour slowly until the mixture begins to thicken, then continue to slowly drizzle in the butter until it is all incorporated. Scrape the sauce into a small bowl, stir in the chopped tarragon leaves and season with pepper to taste. Set aside until ready to serve. (If not serving right away, cover and refrigerate for up to 3 days.)

7. When the beef is ready, let it rest for 5 minutes before slicing. Garnish with lemon slices and tarragon and serve with the béarnaise aïoli, fries and a green salad. j

GREAT LAKES BREWERY

30 Queen Elizabeth Blvd., Etobicoke | GreatLakesBeer.com

SUN-WED 11AM-6PM ^ THU-SAT 10AM-9PM

EST. 1987

Increasingly, GLB is lling their taproom with community-focused events. For instance, Wednesdays bring their workshop series—from beer tasting to painting—and Fridays feature the Live at 5 events with live music, beer releases and food from the Wavy Wall Kitchen.

CANUCK

Year-round: B,L,LC,TBS

A local leader in the APA style, Canuck balances tropical citrus, pine and a smooth body.

OVER MY DAD BODY PILSNER

Seasonal: B,L

A malty-sweet opening follows into fresh grass and lemon with a crisp nish. Cheers, Morty!

Year-round: B,L,LC

Plenty of hops lend tropical aromas and just the right bitterness to go with the malty body.

Year-round: B,L,LC

Hops-wise, the heaviest hitter in the GLB rotation. Tropical fruit, a strongly bitter nish.

Brewed for you, Ontario!

GLB takes enormous pride in the fact that 99.999% of all our beer produced in Etobicoke remains here in the province. With a commitment to freshness, keeping our beer local ensures we can carefully monitor each can, case and keg.

IND I E AL E H O USE

B REW ING C O.

2876 Dundas St. W. | IndieAleHouse.com

SUN-THU 12-11PM ^ FRI-SAT 12PM-12AM

EST. 2012

eir barrel-aging programme continues to grow with Je Broeders aiming to release the equivalent of 100,000 bottles of it this year. You’ll nd some of their beers online. Behind the bar, they also have a ne selection of bottled o erings including a wide choice of rare lambics and hard-to- nd American craft beers.

INSTIGATOR IPA

WEST COA ST-STYLE IPA

Year-round: B,L

ABV I BU 6.5%88

An ode to craft beer trailblazers, this IPA is full of citrus and ends on a cleanly bitter note.

BREAKFAST PORTER PORTER

Year-round: B

ABV I BU 7.2%20

Made with oats, it shows co ee and chocolate and is slightly sweet, all for breakfast. In winter the sun’s always below the yardarm, right?

ST CRISPIN’S MILD

ENG LISH-STYLE D A RK MILD A LE

Seasonal: B,L

ABV I BU 3.5%N/A

An easy-drinking mild, with distinctive English hops and the proper malt balance.

BROKEN HIPSTER

BEL GIA N WIT

Year-round: B,L

ABV I BU 5%20

e pairing of sweet orange and ginger notes keep this wit sharp. A popular all-year option.

SHADOW CHASER SESSION I PA

Seasonal: B

ABV I BU 5.5%45

is citrus-heavy session IPA is dank and juicy. It features a one-two of citra and Idaho 7 hops.

GLORY AND CONSEQUENCES

BEL GIA N-STYLE DUBBEL

Year-round: B,L

ABV I BU 8.5%N/A

Raisin, plum and other dark fruit notes help support the sweet background for this dubbel.

It’s not about defiance or making a big statement.

It’s not about what you listen to, what you eat or what you wear.

It’s about being who you are, no matter what’s happening around you.

We all live Indie.

Oh, it IS about really great beer. 2876

EASTBOUND B REW ING CO .

700 Queen St. E. | EastboundBeer.com

TUE-SUN 11-12AM ^ MON 1-9PM

EST. 2017

Lots on the special-events calendar with Feastbound, their East Coast kitchen party on Feb. 28 and their 2nd anniversary Apr 27-28.

Year-round: B,L

ABV I BU 5.2%N/A

Flavourful, crisp with honey malt notes and light, aromatic hops. Great intro to craft beer!

Year-round: B,L

ABV I BU 4.4%N/A

Golden promise malt combines with mosaic as the singles in this juicy, tropical IPA.

JUNCTION CRAFT

BREWING

150 Symes Rd. | JunctionCraft.com

WED 4-9PM ^ THU-SAT 11AM-11PM ^ SUN 11AM-7PM

EST. 2011

JCB is an entertaining place to visit (especially on live-wrestling night), but they’ll soon have an online store for in-between-visits beer.

TRAINSPOTTER

HELLES

Year-round: B,L,LC,TBS

ABV IBU 5%18

Cold-conditioning gives this light and bright Munich-style lager balance and smoothness.

GHOST TRAIN IPA

AMERICAN-STYLE IPA

Seasonal: B,L

ABV IBU 6.8%56

is Hoppercar series IPA gets grapefruit and citrus aromas from summit and cascade hops.

AMSTERDAM BREWING CO.

45 Esandar Dr.; 87 Laird Dr.; 245 Queens Quay W. | AmsterdamBeer.com

AVLING BREWERY

1042 Queen St. E. | Avling.ca

While we’re outside of patio season—a.k.a. prime Queens Quay weather—pay the uptown locations a visit to nd out what’s new from one of Toronto’s most established breweries. SPACE INVADER

AMERICAN-STYLE IPA Year-round:

In a former A&P, this 5,000-square-foot brewery will eventually also have a restaurant and rooftop garden. eir opening was delayed while they waited for brewing equipment.

BANDIT BREWERY

2125 Dundas St. W. | BanditBrewery.ca

BATCH

75 Victoria St. | BatchToronto.com

Bandit is using the respite from patio season (they have one of the best) to expand their capacity. Look for even more variety in 2019.

ORAGE

DOUBLE IPA

Year-round: B,L

ELEMENTS

BARREL-AGED BLENDED SOUR

For big games this season, this downtown brewpub draws in crowds. Look for Creemore mainstays plus on-site brews.

PALE ALE

AMERICAN-STYLE PALE ALE

Year-round: B

Small-batch: B Year-round: B

BELLWOODS BREWERY

124 Ossington Ave., 20 Ha s Rd. BellwoodsBrewery.com

BIG ROCK BREWERY (LIBERTY COMMONS)

42 Liberty St., 1589 e Queensway LibertyCommons.ca

eir new online bottle shop was met with wide celebration. No surprise given that Bellwoods still get lineups for special releases.

BLACK CREEK HISTORIC BREWERY

1000 Murray Ross Pkwy. | BlackCreek.ca

Liberty Villagers have their own Big Rock outpost with unique beers. O&B runs the food side of the operation, including wood- red smoked meats.

BLACK LAB BREWING

818 Eastern Ave. | BlackLab.beer

Jump back two centuries with this recreation at Black Creek Pioneer Village and drink ales as they were made in the days when Ontario was a frontier for a edgling country.

RIFLEMAN’S

Since opening late last year, Billy and Anne Madden’s brewery has become the new hotspot for east-siders with a dog and a penchant for craft beer.

CORNERSTONE BL A CK LAGER

B

BLACK OAK BREWING CO.

75 Horner Ave. | BlackOakBeer.com

BLOOD BROTHERS BREWING

165 Geary Ave. | BloodBrothersBrewing.com

It’s shaping up to be a big year for this mainstay of the Ontario craft beer community. Black Oak turns 20 in 2019!

BRUNSWICK BIERWORKS

25 Curity Ave. | BrunswickBierworks.com

Lots on the release schedule including: Paradise Lost in a blackberry gin, pear, chai spice version and Captain Howdy BBA stout with hazelnut and coconut.

NARCOS SATANICOS

TEQUILA BARREL AGED SAISON W/CITRUS

BURDOCK BREWERY

1184 Bloor St. W. | BurdockTO.com

A world-class brewing team help a range of brands, both Canadian and international, brew their product. Friendly space for sampling the range. Limited hours.

e masters of walking the line between beer and wine. eir on-site music hall features an eclectic mix of acts throughout the week.

TUESDAY SAISON

BE

POURING FROM A FULL GROWLER

EVE R WONDE R HOW TO P OU R A PERF E CT PINT F RO M A FU LL A ND HE AVY GROWL ER ? Impress you r f r ie nds wi th t his spi ff y si ng l e hande d p o ur in g tech ni qu e...

INSERT INDEX FINGER IN HANDLE

RAISE ELBOW TO TILT BOTTLE INTO POURING POSITION

POUR LIKE A PRO! DON’T SPILL

COMMON GOOD BEER CO.

475 Ellesmere Rd. | CommonGoodBeer.com

FOLLY BREWING

928 College St. | FollyBrewing.com

Scarborough’s only brewery switches hats between making their own beer and acting as a contract-brewing hub for many recognizable brands. Both are available on site.

SOCIABLE

GODSPEED BREWERY

242 Coxwell Ave. | GodspeedBrewery.com

e brewery led by John Jenkinson continues to impress with farmhouse styles, sometimes from barrels and sometimes with fruit.

BECOMING ONE BLENDED

GOOSE ISLAND BREWHOUSE

70 e

| GooseIsland.com

e end of winter and the start of spring is the perfect time to stop into this Coxwell Ave. brewery with its own restaurant.

IRORI PEATED SCOTCH ALE

A Toronto outpost for a Chicago icon serves a deep list of made-on-site beers to go with the special releases from head o ce.

TANDEM JUMP

DOUBLE IPA

GRANITE BREWERY

245 Eglinton Ave. E. | GraniteBrewery.ca

HALO BREWERY

247 Wallace Ave. | HaloBrewery.com

A special stout for the day is just one more reason that this midtown brewpub will be one of the more enjoyable places to be on Mar. 17.

HENDERSON BREWING CO.

128A Sterling Rd. | HendersonBrewing.com

For Halo’s third anniversary in May expect to see special releases for beers that have been in barrel for 6+ months plus an anniversary beer, Ten Eighty.

KENSINGTON BREWING CO.

299 Augusta Ave. KensingtonBrewingCompany.com

Look for their Ides of... release on the 15th of every month. In February it’s a special collab with the winner of the Henderson Cup for homebrewers.

As spring approaches, Kensington Market is the perfect part of Toronto for reconnecting with our vibrant culinary scene and this is the market’s perfect watering hole. CONVERGENCE

LEFT FIELD BREWERY

36 Wagsta Dr. | LeftFieldBrewery.ca

LOT 30 BREWERS

303 Lansdowne Ave. | Lot30Brewers.com

February is anniversary month for the folks at Left Field. at means the annual release of the their hyper-popular anniversary brew.

LASER SHOW

IMPERIAL NEW ENGLAND-STYLE IPA

Year-round: B,L,LC

BANG-BANG DRY-HOPPED SOUR

eir small-scale system keeps Lot 30 nimble and able to put out hyper-seasonal beers in styles you won’t nd at larger breweries.

SIA PORTER PORTER

B

LOUIS CIFER BREW WORKS

417 Danforth Ave. LouisCiferBrewWorks.com

Brewpub meets bar at this Danforth favourite. e lively room attracts groups of locals with a mix of house-made brews and favourites from other local craft breweries.

COCONUT LEMONGRASS THAI-PA

IPA WITH FRUIT

Year-round: B,L,LC

SASKATOON

Small-batch: B

One-o : B

MILL ST. BREW PUB

21 Tank House Ln. | MillStreetBrewery.com

IRISH DRY STOUT

News came late in 2018 that Joel Manning, a recognizable pillar of the brewing community is retiring after 32 years. Cheers, Joel!

COBBLESTONE

IRISH-STYLE DRY STOUT

B

Year-round: B,L,LC,TBS

WEST

IPA

COAST

AMERICAN-STYLE IPA

Year-round: B,L,LC,TBS

TORONTO TORONTO

TORONTO TORONTO

MUDDY YORK BREWING CO.

22 Cran eld Rd. | MuddyYorkBrewing.com

NORTHERN MAVERICK BREWING CO.

115 Bathurst St. | NorthernMaverick.ca

Online sales mean you can polish up on their beer and decide what you want to try when at their 4th anniversary party on March 9.

e all-star team has turned this brewery near the foot of Bathurst into a go-to spot for events, food and especially their beer.

PEOPLE’S PINT BREWING CO.

90 Cawthra Ave. | PeoplesPint.com

RADICAL ROAD BREWING CO.

1177 Queen St. E. | RadicalRoadBrew.com

Head to the Junction on March 23 for their rst anniversary party. While you’re there, encourage the guys to get the patio open as soon as possible.

HELLES ISLAND

RR marked their 2nd anniversary late last year. Also, they’ve con rmed that they’ll be putting on another annual Radical Road Show craft beer and music series this summer.

RAINHARD BREWING CO.

100 Symes Rd. | RainhardBrewing.com

RORSCHACH BREWING CO.

1001 Eastern Ave. | RorschachBrewing.com

Stop in on Friday for their food truck popups and watch for special events to continue complementing the most hop-forward beer programme in the Aleyards.

SWEETBACK’S

SAULTER STREET BREWERY

1-31 Saulter St. | SaulterStreetBrewery.com

If the connection between fruit and tart IPAs is your sweeetspot, Rorschach is the brewery for you. Visiting the Eastern Ave. taproom is the best approach given the rotating list.

HEDONISM SOUR IPA W/RASPBERRIES

SHACKLANDS BREWING CO.

101-100 Symes Rd. | Shacklands.com

e poster child for an endearingly small-scale take on brewing. Look out for their o -thewall events including the sort-of-monthly trivia nights.

PARADISE FOUND TROPICAL DARK ALE

e brewery that Jason Tremblay and Dave Watts co-own is the best way to experience the lovely in uences brett and bottle-conditioning can have on beer. SAISON DAVENPORT

THE SIX BREWING CO.

777 Dundas St. W. | eSixBrewingCo.com

STEAM WHISTLE

255 Bremner Blvd. | SteamWhistle.ca

Whether by taxi, bike, transit or on foot, this is one of the easiest breweries to get to and feels right at home in the creative and youthful Trin-Bellwoods neighbourhood.

HOPSTER

is spring, Steam Whistle will open a German-style beer hall in their recognizable downtown brewery in the Roundhouse.

VEGANDALE BREWERY

VON BUGLE BREWING

249 Evans Ave. | VonBugle.ca

is controversy courting Parkdale brewery wears its philosophy on its sleeve and in its logo. Beer brewed by Duggan’s, their downstairs neighbours on Queen West.

MORALLY SUPERIOR IPA

AMERICAN-STYLE IPA

Year-round: B

B

To Steam Whistle as Frasier was to Cheers, Von Bugle continues the make-one-beer-well mantra, this time with a dark lager.

VON BUGLE

1346 Queen St. W., | VegandaleBrewery.com Tag

Year-round: B,L

BOWMANVILLE BOWMANVILLE

CHRONICLE BREWING CO.

422 Lake Rd., unit 3 | ChronicleBeer.com

MANANTLER CRAFT BREWING CO.

182 Wellington St., unit 18 | Manantler.com

ey’ve become a popular Bowmanville hangout largely for the beer, but the Mario Kart tournaments also don’t hurt. Beer lineup is diverse and rotates frequently.

HEROS HANDBAG ENGLISH-STYLE MILD ALE

e Bowmanville brewery with a knack for design celebrated four years in business from Feb. 21 - 24. Surprise events and beer releases are in the works.

GOLDEN AXE BLONDE ALE

Year-round: B Availability: B

MARKHAM NEWMARKET

ROUGE RIVER BREWING CO.

8-50 Bullock Dr. | RougeRiverBrewery.com

ARCH BREWING CO.

4-11 Pony Dr. | ArchBrewing.ca

e bottle shop has both cans and bottles in a range of styles and avours including fruitadn hop-forward options. Taproom events range from jazz nights to open mic.

HOLY

TRINITY

Year-round:

e vibe in their taproom, including the popular live music, suits a brewery with a Dinner Jacket IPA featuring a“lumberjack formal” plaid-adorned can.

FLIP FLOP PORTER

Year-round: B

CHESTERFIELD KÖLSCH

B,L,LC,TBS

MARKET BREWING CO.

4-17775 Leslie St. | MarketBrewingCo.com

OSHAWA BREWING COMPANY

875 Wilson Rd. S., Unit 1

Facebook.com/OshawaBrewingCompany

Live music on Fridays and Saturdays is the entertainment highlight for this north-ofToronto brewery.

e only brewery in Oshawa, just open for less than a full year, puts out a focussed lineup of straightforward brews.

COUNTY DURHAM BREWING CO.

1885 Clements Rd.

OLD FLAME BREWING CO.

If you spot their ales on cask at your local, that’s what you should order. Straightforward and complex. No on-site bottle shop or taproom.

135 Perry St. | OldFlameBrewingCo.ca RED

Coming up on ve years in business, Old Flame has build a local following. One of the only Ontario breweries to package beer in a proper-pint-sized can.

VIENNA LAGER

THE SECOND WEDGE BREWING CO.

14 Victoria St. | eSecondWedge.ca

LAKE WILCOX BREWING CO.

3-1033 Edgeley Blvd.

LakeWilcoxBrewing.com

ey’ve promised that the “ rst hint of a warm breeze” is all it will take to reopen their beer garden for the season. Check the website for details on Springtide Music Festival 2019.

Lake Wilcox took home two gold medals at the 2018 Ontario Brewing Awards, for Mad Quacker and their co ee stout. Follow their social for info about events in the taproom.

MAGNOTTA BREWERY

271 Chrislea Rd. | MagnottaBrewery.com

e Vaughan stalwart has a longstanding connection to wine country (beyond also making wine) that includes their own strain of hops grown in Vineland.

DOUBLE DROOLING DOG

IPA

BLACK IPA

B,L,TBS

TRUE NORTH INUKSHUK IPA

B,L,LC,TBS

5 PADDLES BREWING CO.

#3-1390 Hopkins St. | 5PaddlesBrewing.ca

BROCK STREET BREWING CO.

1501 Hopkins St. | BrockStBrewing.com

One of Durham’s most successful craft breweries, 5 Paddles runs two side-by-side brew systems. at setup gives them the exibility to brew a style for every palate. HOME

LITTLE BEASTS BREWING CO.

2075 Forbes St. | LittleBeastsBrewing.com

Construction delays have held up the new location opening, but the signs are up and the move is on. Watch their social for when they’ve opened up the doors on Brock Street.

TOWN BREWERY

1632 Charles St. | TownBrewery.ca

Erin Broadfoot and John Henley’s brewery o ers the rare combination of a family-friend space and a complex and deep beer selection.

PINION AMERICAN-STYLE PALE ALE

A frequently changing beer list and a willingness to experiment help this Whitby brewery stay on top of trends.

WHITBY WHITBY

N ICKE L BR OO K

BREW ING C O.

864 Drury Ln. | NickelBrook.com

SUN-TUES 11AM-6PM ^ WED-SAT 11AM-9PM

EST. 2005

Find new Funk Lab releases in the bottle shop, plus artisan cheese and charcuterie in the taproom. Closed Mon. & Tue. until late March.

WICKED AWESOME NEW ENGLA ND-STYLE I PA

Year-round: B,L,LC,TBS

ABV I BU 6.5%64

Juicy, hazy and dank come immediately to mind. A proven winner from the Mystery Pack runo .

UNCERTAINTY PRINCIPLE S ERIES OF BA RREL SO U RS W ITH FR U IT

One-o : B

ABV I BU N/AN/A

No. 2 spent 2 years in barrel and then 4 weeks on cherries. Can’t wait to see what’s next!

BELL CITY BREWING CO.

51 Woodyatt Dr., unit 9

BellCityBrewing.com

MASH PADDLE BREWING CO.

111 Sherwood Dr., unit 3A

MashPaddleBrewing.com

Since their partnership with Province Brands was announced, it’s looked like Bell City will be on the cutting edge of cannabis-infused beers when they’re legalized later this year.

EUREKA

Entirely family-owned and operated by self-declared beer geeks. A rotating selection of releases lls the lively taproom with locals.

CITRANATTI

STEEL WHEEL BREWERY

105 Powerline Rd. | SteelWheel.ca

PEPPERWOOD BREWERY

1455 Lakeshore Rd. | Pepperwood.on.ca

Located on an existing hop farm in Brant County that belongs to Harold Kuret and Cindy Blair. Taproom is in a fully-renovated 1890s farmhouse with a patio.

EAST

PALE ALE AMERICAN-STYLE PALE

e house beers at the Burlington bistro are designed to complement classic fare like haddock and frites and curried lamb shank.

CREAM ALE CREAM ALE

MONKEY BROWN ALE

B

B

CALEDON CALEDON

BADLANDS BREWING COMPANY

13926 Chinguacousy Rd. BadlandsBrewing.ca

CALEDON HILLS BREWING COMPANY

CaledonHillsBrewing.ca

Apparently, the bottle shop opening for this Caledon brewery is imminent. Keep an eye on their social media for details.

e outside-the-city brewery with a woodpecker for a logo. ey focus on selling tall cans and kegs for events.

BOHEMIAN

CALEDON CALEDON

GOODLOT FARMSTEAD BREWING CO.

18825 Shaws Creek Rd. | GoodLot.beer

SONNEN HILL BREWERY

20683 Heart Lake Rd. | SonnenHill.com

An organic hop farm since 2010, they now make beer with 100% Ontario hops from local farms in support of the #BrewON campaign. Malted grain is local, too.

GOODLOT

is brewery, a short drive outside of Toronto, is brewing for some of the best bars and hopes to add on-site sales soon as well as attending festivals this summer.

EXTRA HELL MIXED-CULTURE BEER

SHAWN & ED BREWING CO.

65 Hatt St. | LagerShed.com

FURNACE ROOM BREWERY

1 Elgin St. | FurnaceRoomBrewery.com

Lagershed beers are sessionable lagers in three varieties. e Barrelshed range represents the brewery’s connection to wine and are all aged in pinot noir barrels from Flat Rock Cellars.

CLIFFORD BREWING CO.

1-398 Nash Rd. N. | Cli ordBrewing.com

Conveniently right next to the Georgetown GO station the lineup includes a glutenreduced take on the kölsch style.

WWW.CANADAKEGS.COM

PAKTECH CAN CARRIERS IN STOCK!

From champion homebrewer to producer of some of Ontario’s consistently solid beers, Brad Cli ord has come into his own at his eponymous Hamilton brewery.

PAKTECH CAN CARRIERS

WITH CANS BECOMING THE PACKAGING STANDARD OF THE INDUSTRY, OUR PAKTECH CAN CARRIERS ARE AN ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY AND EASY TO USE PACKAGING OPTION. MADE FROM 100% CANADIAN POST CONSUMER WASTE. 1 BOX MINIMUM ORDER!

SOLD BY THE BOX OR PALLET:

• ALWAYS IN STOCK IN 8 DIFFERENT COLOURS

• SHIPS FROM OUR DELTA BC WAREHOUSE OR OAKVILLE, ON WAREHOUSE

• 4, 6, 8 AND 12 PACKS AS WELL AS CROWLER CAN 3 PACKS AND, SLIM/SLEEK CAN 4 PACKS – IN STOCK

COLLECTIVE ARTS BREWING

207 Burlington St. E. | CollectiveArtsBrewing.com

FAIRWEATHER BREWING CO.

1-5 O eld Rd. | FairweatherBrewing.com

Get set for another Liquid Art Festival on June 14 and 15 put on by Collective Arts. ey’re calling it ”a creative collision of music, art and beer”. IPA 9

GRAIN & GRIT BEER CO.

11 Ewen Rd. | GrainAndGritBeer.com

If all goes to plan they’ll have an online bottle shop up and running this month. And next month Fairweather celebrates its second anniversary.

WILD VANESSA

TA RT BRETT SAISON

W ITH HIB ISC U S & M EYER L EMON

LATE LUNCH

SOU R DO UBLE I PA W/ LEMON, VA NILL A & G IN G ER

Seasonal: B,L One-o : B,L

MERIT BREWING

107 James St. N. | MeritBrewing.ca

e two beers listed below, plus a Belgian-style wheat ale called La La Lovely, were all part of a triple-release day for the brewery this January.

PLAY THING

OA TME A L STO U T W/ CHAI One-o : B One-o : B

May 11 will mark two years for Merit. Watch their social for details on festivities, including what promises to be another can’t-miss Common Ground beer dinner.

UNWRITTEN

CHA I M ILK S

ORANGE SNAIL BREWERS

1-32 Steeles Ave. E. | OrangeSnailBrewers.ca

ALL OR NOTHING BREWHOUSE

1156 Speers Rd. | AllOrNothing.beer

Family-owned and operated in Milton, this neighbourhood brewery has eight beers on tap. ey make a wide range of English-leaning beer under the tagline “blissfully ignorant ales”.

Late 2018 brought an announcement that they were closing the Oakville location and moving to 439 Ritson Rd. S. in Oshawa. Watch their social for when this opens early this year. MASALA

CAMERON’S BREWING

1165 Invicta Dr. | CameronsBrewing.com

OLD CREDIT

| OldCreditBrewing.com

From clean, sessionable lagers to a very excellent barley wine, this is one of Ontario’s most exible breweries. Lots in the LCBO, but the taproom is worth a visit.

Founded by the Listas in 1994, Old Credit is now one of the oldest in Ontario. ey make a focused lineup of straightforward styles. PALE

BENCH BREWING CO.

3991 King St. | BenchBrewing.com

KAME & KETTLE BEER WORKS

25 Pelham Town Square | KameAndKettle.ca

e wine ethos is strong here—including beer aged on grape skins and others mixed wine. Aptly complemented by clean pale ales and a strong taproom food menu.

e Niagara-area brewery boasts a huge taplist. e brewery’s name is a play on a double-entendre around the region’s geological formation. Rock jokes are the best. MIDNIGHT

NIAGARA BREWING CO.

4915-A Clifton Hill

NiagaraBrewingCompany.com

NIAGARA COLLEGE TEACHING BREWERY

135 Taylor Rd. | NCTeachingBrewery.ca

An oasis in a desert of tourist traps and souvenir shops, this is the place to stop in for an approachable beer when you’re in the Falls.

Stop at the bottle shop, just o the QEW, for a few selections from the Beer 101 series. is is the easiest way to try product from Ontario’s brewmasters in training.

VIENNA

NIAGARA OAST HOUSE BREWERS

2017 Niagara Stone Rd. OastHouseBrewers.com

SILVERSMITH BREWING CO.

1523 Niagara Stone Rd. SilversmithBrewing.com

PALE

THE EXCHANGE BREWERY

7 Queen St. | ExchangeBrewery.com

BREAKWALL BREWING CO.

46 Clarence St. | BreakwallBrewery.com

e anchor of NOTL’s main strip is doing another edition of their popular Sourpalooza Festival. Look for early bird tickets to go on sale when the weather warms up.

& FLANDERS

RED

B,L,LC

A full menu of pub fare is served at the on-site restaurant that contributes another good reason to make it down to southern Niagara.

9 O’CLOCK WHISTLE

Small-batch:

WALNUT

Small-batch:

B,L

LOCK STREET BREWING CO.

104-15 Lock St. | LockStreet.ca

BRIMSTONE BREWING CO.

209 Ridge Road N. | BrimstoneBrewing.ca

Let’s collectively cross our ngers for sunny weather for when their biergarten opens in May. See the event page on their website for a schedule of upcoming gigs.

Brimstone takes its religious decor from its home in a modern church, called e Sanctuary Centre for the Arts in Ridgeway, Ont.

SINISTER

THE MERCHANT ALE HOUSE

98 St. Paul St. | MerchantAleHouse.com

Look for well-made pub fare and a deep bottle list to complement their house beers. You’ll also nd those brews in their new bottle shop. DANKFRUIT

AMERICAN-STYLE IPA

B

B

CAMBRIDGE CAMBRIDGE

BARNCAT ARTISAN ALES

1600 Industrial Rd., Unit B5

BarncatAles.com

GRAND RIVER BREWING

295 Ainslie St. | GrandRiverBrewing.com

A small brewery in Cambridge with a deft hand for making hop-forward IPAs and an advanced barrel programme. Check their social for latest realease news.

MOTHER NIGHT

BARREL-AGED IMPERIAL STOUT

CAMBRIDGE

DOUBLE THE JUICE

After the new owners took over the beers have stayed under the same names and styles. Only time will tell if the execution has remained solid.

BEAM ME UP SCOTCH ALE

B

JACKASS BREWING

100 Sheldon Dr., Unit 36 | JackassBrewing.ca

NORTH WORKS BREWING

CO.

46 Sta ord Ct. Unit b | NorthWorksBrewing.com

is Cambridge brewery is owned by two brothers making the wide range of beer styles they love to drink. Selection rotates frequently.

SUNKISS JUICY IPA NEW ENGLAND-STYLE IPA

Find their IPA-dominated list (plus a handful of other complementary styles) at a few Cambridge bars and in their taproom.

RED BEARD IRISH RED ALE

B

MOSAIC SMASH

B,L

THE EXCHANGER BLACK IPA

B

RHYTHM & BREWS BREWING CO.

1000 Bishop St. N., Unit 10 RhythmAndBrews.ca

ABE ERB

151 Charles St. W., Kitchener 15 King St. S., Waterloo | AbeErb.com

e best part about a brewery that’s also a music venue is the rare combination of good beer and good music in one place.

ey’re now a trio of breweries. Abe Erb at the Mill opened in January at 143 Northumberland St. in Ayr. Like the upcoming fourth location, in Guelph, it has on-site co ee.

DESCENDANTS BEER & BEVERAGE CO.

319 Victoria St. N. | DescendantsBeer.com

RED CIRCLE BREWING CO.

137 Glasgow St., Unit 385 RedCircleBrewing.ca

A familiar brewer in the Waterloo Region. Look for them to put on one of the area’s better St. Patrick’s Day parties.

Housed in the innovative Catalyst 137, the brewpub ts right in with digitally interactive tables, an upscale menu and a solid lineup of avour-forward beers.

AMERICAN-STYLE IPA

KITCHENER K ITCHENER

SHORT FINGER BREWING CO.

20 Hurst Ave. | ShortFingerBrewing.com

TOGETHER WE’RE BITTER CO-OPERATIVE

300 Mill Street, Unit 1 | Brewing.coop

ey’ve grown progressively over three and a half years, but Short Finger now has a taproom above their homebrew shop.

SOUR BELIEVER SPA

AMERIC A N-STYLE P ALE ALE

Seasonal: B

KITCHENER

WATERLOO BREWING

400 Bingemans Centre Dr. WaterlooBrewing.com

Year-round: B,L

Known to locals as just “TWB” and the best spot to grab a growler. It’s a legit co-op with a community focus. Only special releases go into cans or bottles here.

WOBBLY WHEEL AMERIC A N-STYLE I PA

News came late last year of a huge, $9.6-million expansion for this veteran of Ontario’s craft beer industry.

WATERLOO IPA E NGLISH-STYLE I PA

Year-round: B,L,LC,TBS

Year-round: B,L,LC,TBS

BITTE SCHÖN BRAUHAUS

68 Huron St. | BitteSchonBrauhaus.com

BLOCK THREE BREWING

1430 King St. N., Unit 2 Block reeBrewing.Ca

At just 1,000 sq feet this is one of the smallest breweries in Ontario. If you can’t get to New Hamburg, their hefeweizen is also at several LCBO locations, mainly in SW Ontario.

HURON ST.

Right in the core of St. Jacobs, this is the oldest operating microbrewery in the Kitchener Waterloo region. Kevin Freer runs one of the area’s top barrel programmes here.

KING ST SAISON SAISON

WATERLOO WOODSTOCK

INNOCENTE BREWING CO.

283 North eld Dr. E., unit 8 | Innocente.ca

UPPER THAMES BREWING CO.

225 Bysham Park Dr., unit 9 | Upper amesBrewing.ca

Friday is the day to stop into this Waterlooarea taproom for some brewed-on-site cask ale. Follow # rkinfriday for the latest selection.

ey have a second location opening in Woodstock soon. It’s a brewpub with an openconcept brewing facility as well as counterservice light pub fare.

DUSK TO

NEW HAMBURG ST. JACOBS

CO WBE LL BREWING

40035 Blyth Rd. | CowbellBrewing.com

SUN-THU 11AM-9PM ^ FRI-SAT 11AM-11PM

EST. 2016

Stephen Rich brews a deep catalogue of styles for the world’s rst closed-loop brewery. e restaurant ups their road trip worthiness. eir beer is now available for home delivery through their website.

ABSENT LANDLORD

Year-round: B,L,LC,TBS

A touch of copper (colour and avour) stretch this beyond most kölsches. Crisp and refreshing.

SHINDIG

Year-round: B,L,LC,TBS

is light and refreshing lager features bready malts and a crisp nish. Great with food.

Year-round: B,L,LC,TBS

Lots of avour for the ABV with citrus zest, lime, pineapple and pine. Very easy drinking.

Year-round: B,L,LC

Named for a local character and his trained bear, it punches with weighty doses of lime and lychee.

G row Your Community

rough their Greener Pastures Community Fund, Cowbell Brewing Co. contributes 5¢ from the sale of every pint and can, starting with the very rst can of beer sold in May 2016, to support the four children’s hospitals across Ontario.

Cowbell Online delivers to your door. Delicious Cowbell Beer, cool Cowbell Gear, and custom merch from local and Canadian suppliers.

“Now everyone can stay connected to Cowbell, from anywhere in Ontario. We are thrilled to deliver across the province, bringing Cowbell home to every community,” says Kathryn Peach, Manager, Cowbell General Store.

WE LL I NG T ON B REWERY

950 Woodlawn Rd. W. | WellingtonBrewery.ca

MON-SUN 11AM-7PM

EST. 1985

Wellington will host a collaborative brew day for a special beer to be served at Queen of Craft’s event series starting Mar. 1 at the brewery.

IPA

Year-round: B,L,LC,TBS

ABV I BU 6.8%58

In the East Coast-style, this hazy IPA has tropical grapefruit and peach notes with a citrus nish.

Year-round: B,L,TBS

ABV I BU 6.6%20

Eagerly awaited every year, this seasonal release brings chocolate cake and a silky mouthfeel.

BAYFIELD BAYFIELD

BAD APPLE BREWING CO.

73463 ON-21 | BadAppleBrewingCo.com

RIVER ROAD BREWING AND HOPS

35549 Bay eld River Rd. RiverRoadBrewing.com

Find Bad Apple surrounded by apple orchards in lovely Huron County. (And their beer in their online store.)

BANNOCKBURN 1314 SCOTCH ALE

On May 11, you’ll nd River Road at the annual Bay eld Beer, Food and Wine Festival in the Bay eld arena.

ELORA BREWING CO.

107 Geddes St. | EloraBrewingCompany.ca

FORMOSA SPRINGS BREWERY

1120 Bruce Rd., Unit 12 FormosaBrewery.ca

e second iteration of their Brewer’s Feast is set for Feb. 28 with a British theme for the food and beer. On April 13, Jenn Grant will be performing at the brewery. ELORA BOREALIS AMERICAN-STYLE

is brewing operation with a historic connection was bought from Brick and reopened. ey do particularly well in the lighter lager categories at beer competitions.

FORMOSA SPRINGS DRAFT LAGER

SQUARE BREW

430 Parsons Crt. | SquareBrewCo.com

BROTHERS BREWING CO.

15 Wyndham St. N. BrothersBrewingCompany.ca

German and American styles share the beer focus for this small-sized brewery in Goderich. Plenty of nearby sightseeing after you’re done at the taproom.

SQUARE ONE PILSNER

FOG DAY! AMERIC A N-STYLE P ALE

e 9th annual Guelph & Area Independent & New Music & Arts Festival is happening across the street on Mar 8 - 10 and you’ll nd Brothers beer there.

SERENITY NOW SAISON

FIXED GEAR BREWING CO.

20 Alma St. S. | FixedGearBrewing.com

ROYAL CITY BREWING CO.

199 Victoria Rd. S. | RoyalCityBrew.ca

e new brewery is set up in a former garage in Guelph’s Junction neighbourhood and earns extra points for having a personalized Airstream on site.

BREAKAWAY

IPA

AMERIC A N-STYLE I PA

B

PELOTON PILSNER PILSNER

B

is Guelph brewery has joined the onlinebottle-shop club as part of an entirely revamped website. Get set for their 5th anniversary in June.

TART ATTACK

DRY- HO PP ED K ETTLE SOUR

B,L,LC

MACLEAN’S ALES

52 14th Ave. | MacLeansAles.ca

GREY MATTER BEER CO.

726 Queen St. | GreyMatterBeer.com

Charles MacLean trained in London and has been turning out great brews since he helped open Wellington in 1985. He’s since become one of Ontario’s best-known brewers.

ARMCHAIR SCOTCH ALE

Seasonal: B,L,LC,TBS

MACLEAN’S

Four core beers stay on tap all year and share the spotlight with a mix of one-o s. eir event space overlooks the beautiful Kincardine marina and lighthouse.

RISE OF THE ROBOTS LAGER

Year-round: B,L,LC,TBS

Seasonal: B

NEUSTADT SPRINGS BREWERY

456 Jacob St. | NeustadtSprings.com

OF CIVILIZATION

Year-round: B,L

HOCKLEY VALLEY

25 Centennial Rd. | HockleyBeer.ca

e building went up in 1859 and that makes it the rst spring-fed brewery in Canada. e awards case of the current brewery includes several international prizes.

THE

Year-round: B,L

Year-round: B,L,LC,TBS

eir three-pack at the LCBO has always been one of the better ways to taste the di erences in the darker end of the ale register.

HOCKLEY DARK ENGLISH-STYLE BROWN ALE

Year-round: B,L,LC,TBS

HOCKLEY

Year-round: B,L,LC,TBS

SEAFORTH SHAKESPEARE

HALF HOURS ON EARTH BREWERY

151 Main St. S. | HalfHoursOnEarth.com

SHAKESPEARE BREWING CO.

2178 Line 34 | ShakespeareBrewingCompany.ca

As of the end of March, HHoE will have been sending their lovely, eclectic beer across the province for three years.

FUNK LAND

OAK-AGED BIERE DE COUPAGE (BLENDED FARMHOUSE SOUR ALE)

All of the beers made at this modest-sized operation outside of Stratford are made exclusively with Ontario-grown hops.

BLACK SWAN BREWING CO.

144 Downie St. | BlackSwanBrewing.ca

HERALD HAUS BREWING CO.

21 Market Pl. | @HeraldHaus

You probably didn’t realize that Feb. 1 is International Gruit Day. Black Swan is helping remind us of how lovely these unhopped ales can be with Rocky Mountain(b)eer.

ROCKY MOUNTAIN(B)

After a bit of a lengthy construction process, Herald Haus is now open. e downtown brewery takes up residence in the former home of the local newspaper.

H2 GOLDEN ALE GOLDEN ALE

DINGMAN DARK MUNICH-STYLE DUNKEL

JOBSITE BREWING CO.

45 Cambria St. | JobsiteBrewing.ca

STRATFORD BREWING CO.

Facebook.com/StratfordBrewing

With the founders history in construction, the brewery’s name and location were designed to highlight craftsmanship. Good news: eir beer is paired with wood- red pizza.

A longtime xture in Ontario’s most famous theatre town. No on-site taproom but they are in the LCBO and on tap in the area and elsewhere in the province.

STONE HOUSE BREWING CO.

76050 Parr Line | StoneHouseBrewing.ca

e focus is lagers for this quaint brewery in rural Huron County. e beer programme is overseen by a German-trained brewer.

CZECH

FRANK BREWING CO.

12000

Brew was also part of the late-2015 brewery boom in the Windsor area and celebrated their fourth anniversary in December. Drop by on Saturdays for acoustic sets in the taproom. OLD

December 2018 marked four years in operation for Tecumseh’s combination brewery, sports bar and pizza restaurant.

CHAPTER TWO BREWING CO.

2345 Edna St. |

e Edna Street brewery is lead by Ciceronecerti ed brewer Michael Beaudoin and boasts a surprisingly sophisticated hotdog menu.

CRAFT HEADS BREWING CO.

89 University Ave. W. | CraftHeads.ca

MOTOR CRAFT ALES

888 Erie St. E. | isIsMotor.com

February 22 - 23 is the four-year-anniversary party at this downtown Windsor brewery. ey’ll have 36 taps going (plus 2 casks) and a variety of live music from disco to hip hop.

ey really have the car theme dialled in at this Windsor favourite. With a brewpub named Motorburger the food menu should be obvious.

WINDSOR WINDSOR

SANDWICH BREWING CO.

3230 Sandwich St. | @SandwichBrewing

WALKERVILLE

525 Argyle Rd. | WalkervilleBrewery.com

Sandwich turned one late in 2018. Signs are positive for their mission to reinvigorate their historic space in Windsor.

Keep an eye on Walkerville for the latest release in their Heritage Series of beers meant to recognize recipes from Windsor’s brewing past.

SONS OF KENT BREWING CO.

27 Adelaide St. S. | SonsOfKent.com

BAYSIDE BREWING CO.

970 Ross Lane | BaysideBrewing.com

Four friends founded this 20-tap brewery in downtown Chatham’s iconic movie theater. Deliveries made in a ’77 El Camino Classic.

8 TRACK XPA EXTRA PALE ALE

ZEPHYR DRY-HOPPED SOUR

Year-round: B,L,LC

CONCESSION ROAD BREWING CO.

17 Talbot St. E., unit 4

ConcessionRoadBrew.com

B,L,LC

Based out of a little, laid-back shing village, they create beers that go well with the village’s easy-going vibes. A large patio looks out on to Rondeau Bay and they’re close to the beach.

RAMBLIN ROAD BREWERY

2970 Swimming Pool Rd. | RamblinRoad.ca

At this community hub in Jarvis, the rst Friday of every month is live comedy night and the last Friday serves as community jam night.

John Picard runs his brewery farm in Norfolk County. e crop selection on this going concern includes a hop garden and they make Picard’s fresh kettle chips on site. COUNTRY

JARVIS LA SALETTE

ANDERSON CRAFT ALES

1030 Elias St. | AndersonCraftAles.ca

DUNDAS & SONS BREWING

400 Adelaide St. N. | DundasAndSons.com

Every couple months they release a di erent barrel-aged take on a base of saison with grape must. Holidays 2018 sees a very limited number of 2017 Holiday Belgians released.

e goal at this new brewery is to put a new beer out every week and put a di erent live act on stage every week in their taproom.

THE BLACK NIGHT BLACK IPA

B One-o : B

FORKED RIVER BREWING CO.

45 Paci c Crt., Unit 4 ForkedRiverBrewing.com

As one of the rst craft competitors in Labatt’s hometown they know what it’s like to be an underdog. Continually getting unusual beers into the LCBO.

FLANDERS RED SOUR FLEMISH RED ALE

LONDON BREWING

521 Burbrook Pl. | LondonBrewing.ca

POWERHOUSE BREWING CO.

100 Kellogg Ln. | PowerhouseBrewery.beer

ey call themselves a plough-to-pint brewery because of the spotlight given to locally-grown, organic malts. Friday is free-concert night with food on site.

LONDON NATURAL LAGER

MUNICH-STYLE HELLES

is newly opened brewery is working towards adding a taproom to their operation this spring. Until then, you’ll nd them at several LCBO locations.

HOMECOMING

STORM STAYED BREWING CO.

169 Wharncli e Rd. S., unit 8 StormStayed.com

TOBOGGAN BREWING CO.

585 Richmond St. | TobogganBrewing.com

Justin Belanger, one of the owners, brings East Coast hospitality from his native PEI as well as the name. e kitchen serves house-cured meats, fermented vegetables, and BBQ.

MOONSHADOW BERLINER WEISSE Year-round: B,L

e restaurant and biergarten patio have helped establish this relative newcomer as a popular xture in London.

B

B

LONDON LONDON

STONEPICKER

7143 Forest Rd. | StonepickerBrewing.com

REFINED FOOL BREWING CO.

1326 London Rd., 137 Davis St. | Re nedFool.com

An on-farm brewery near Forest, Ont. with a deep lineup of beers the partners developed over several years of homebrewing together. STONEPICKER 21

From eology on Tap to Burger Bingo to board game tournaments, this Sarnia mainstay has a lock on eclectic taproom events.

ILLITERATE LIBRARIANS

AMERICAN-STYLE IPA

Year-round: B,L,LC

CHARLOTTEVILLE BREWING CO.

1207 Charlotteville West Quarter Line Rd. CharlottevilleBrewingCompany.ca

An estate craft brewery located on a family farm, housed in two old barns. One was built in the 1860s and the other in 1913. e barns were disassembled and moved here.

LOCAL 519

AMERICAN-STYLE PALE ALE

Year-round: B,L,LC,TBS

NEW LIMBURG BREWERY

2353 Nixon Rd. | NewLimburg.com

e rst day of spring, Mar. 21, bring a combination karaoke and open mic night plus a performance by Trout Lily to this brewery in a former schoolhouse.

WIT WITBIER

TROLL TOLL CREAM ALE BELGIAN

RAILWAY CITY BREWING CO.

130 Edward St. | RailwayCityBrewing.com

9 Front St. W. | RustyWrench.ca

Submit your entries to their Platform Homebrew Competition for judging on National Homebrew Day.

DEAD

BLACK

Local and ethical sourcing is the focus for this small-town brewery. e kitchen also features beer ingredients across the menu. As they say, their “beers range from mild to wild.”

AMBER ALE DARK AMBER Year-round: B,L Year-round: B LEFT HANDED SPANNER WEST COAST-STYLE IPA IBU ABV 24 5% IBU ABV 64 6.1%

STRATHROY BREWING CO.

NATTERJACK BREWING CO.

25292 Talbot Line | NatterjackBrewing.ca

is small-town brewery has an independent streak and a historical bent. It’s particularly focussed on the history of the War of 1812.

IPA NATTERJACK TOAD

Year-round:

B

IBU ABV 50 9.7%

1678 County Road 38 ChurchKeyBrewing.com

Founded in 2000 the brewery is situated in an 1878 Methodist Church on the outskirts of Campbellford, Ontario. ey’re known widely as smoked-beer specialists.

Owner-brewer Rick Bailey was inspired to take his homebrewing to the professional level after watching the success of upstart 5 Paddles Brewing Co. Brewers helping brewers.

Cobourg’s rst craft brewery is marking ve years in the beer business with an anniversary extravaganza on April 27.

PIE EYED MONK BREWERY

8 Cambridge St. N.

PieEyedMonkBrewery.com

THE OLDE STONE BREWING CO.

380 George St. N. | OldeStone.ca

All the beer for Lindsay’s own brewpub is made in-house on their seven-barrel system. Find them in the historic C.L. Baker Building.

DIRTY

A tight rotation of house-made beers, generally in styles from the British Isles, power the drinks menu at Peterborough’s downtown pub.

PUBLICAN HOUSE BREWERY

300 Charlotte St. | PublicanHouse.com

SMITHAVENS BREWING COMPANY

687 Rye St., Unit 6 | SmithavensBrewing.ca

Starting in January they had a year-round light lager as part of their lineup. Mark June 14-15 in your calendars for the 5th annual Kawarthas Craft Beer Festival.

PADDLER’S

Year-round:

German styles, especially wheats, predominate here. Popups like Ellie’s Taste of Texas get the taproom guests well fed.

MACKINNON BROTHERS BREWING

1915 County Road 22 MackinnonBrewing.com

SIGNAL BREWING COMPANY

86-87 River Rd. | Signal.beer

Ivan and Daniel added a farm-based brewery to the land their family has been cultivating for over two centuries. Note the new operating hours for their bottle shop.

CROSSCUT

is brewery raises a glass to its local history by brewing beer in the historical distillery district that was once a big enough employer to have the whole town named after them.

GANANOQUE GLENORA

GANANOQUE BREWING COMPANY

9 King St. E. | GanBeer.com

LAKE ON THE MOUNTAIN BREWERY

11369 Loyalist Pkwy. LakeOn eMountainBrewCo.com

e location makes this a popular spot for visitors to the 1,000 Islands and a bustling schedule of live music keeps the taproom full of local regulars, as well.

NAUGHTY OTTER PALE LAGER

Appropriately for the area, this brewery is connected to a resort. Some of the hops used are grown on the property.

CREAM ALE CREAM ALE

KING’S TOWN BEER CO.

675 Arlington Park Pl., Unit 3

KingsTownBeerCo.ca

KINGSTON BREWING COMPANY

34 Clarence St. | KingstonBrewing.ca

Approachable and sessionable are the names of the game for Kingston’s west side brewery. Look out for their growler card that o ers the 11th ll for free.

A mainstay brewpub in downtown Kingston has been making their own beer for several years. Food menu leans to pub favourites.

DRAGON’S

RIVERHEAD BREWING CO.

631 Fortune Cres. | RiverheadBrewing.com

SPEARHEAD BREWING

675 Development Dr. | SpearheadBeer.com

e Kingston Tied House o ers four mainstays brews plus an extensive menu and are, surely, the only brewery with a dedicated mascot— Brewster the beer-loving Sasquatch.

TROPICAL IPA

IPA

ese guys really take the special events in the taproom seriously. Everything from open-mic storytelling to an in-brewery escape room.

STONE CITY ALES

275 Princess St. | StoneCityAles.com

NAPANEE BEER COMPANY

450 Milligan Lane | NapaneeBeer.ca

If you’re into fruited sours, this is your spot in Kingston. As well as shipping across Ontario, their bottle shop also takes reservations for free local delivery and in-store pickup.

In 2017 the brewery won New Brewery of the Year at the Ontario Brewing Awards. Many of their special releases are snapped up quickly from their brewery store.

KINGSTON

555 BREWING CO.

124 Picton Main St. | 555Beer.com

BARLEY DAYS BREWERY

13730 Loyalist Parkway

BarleyDaysBrewery.com

Drew Wollenberg’s beer and pizza from the wood- red oven draw visitors to the “Triple Nickel” on Picton Main Street in PEC.

FOOTPRINT AMERICAN-STYLE IPA

B

LONG BLACK COFFEE BLACK IPA

ey’ve back away from the brief experiment with the buck-a-beer programme and are refocused on their core lineup.

HARVEST GOLD ENGLISH-STYLE

B

PARSONS BREWING CO.

876 County Road 49 | ParsonsBrewing.com

PRINCE EDDY’S BREWING CO.

13 Macsteven Dr. | PrinceEddys.com

Escaping to PEC’s wine country? Parsons has become the must-visit in the County, especially for complex beer styles.

FULL

SEND

SMOOTHIE IPA MILKSHAKE IPA

In addition to a taproom, tasting bar and brewery, Prince Eddy’s also o ers a 1959 Chevy Suburban delivery vehicle and a beach volleyball court.

CHIN DROPPER BLONDE ALE

B,L

HAZE BRIGADE NEW ENGLAND-STYLE

WILDCARD BREWING CO.

38 Gotha St. | WildcardBrewCo.com

MIDTOWN BREWING CO.

266 Wellington Main St. MidtownBrewingCompany.com

e Trenton brewery isn’t afraid to experiment with styles and ingredients. Stop in at their bottle shop or they’ll send their creative creations to you through the mail.

Midtown brings the upscale brewpub concept to PEC’s most charming town. ey sponsor charity shinny and are an apres-ski hot spot.

Seasonal:

B

IBU ABV 40 11% IBU ABV 30 4.8%

WESTPORT BREWING CO.

41B Main St. WestportBrewingCompany.ca

e charming community known for its boating culture along the Rideau Canal system welcomed its rst brewery in the fall of 2018. Will be a must for those dropping anchor.

LAKESIDE

Year-round: B DRY IRISH STOUT STOUT IBU ABV 22 5.1%

B IBU ABV N/A 4.8% IBU ABV 26 5%

WOLFE ISLAND SPRING CRAFT BREWERY

1570 County Road 96 | WolfeIsland.beer

B BEAVER POND TRAIL BROWN IBU ABV N/A 4.5%

B OUT FOR A SIP BLONDE ALE

AMBER LAGER Year-round: B,LC,TBS Year-round:

IBU ABV N/A 5% IBU ABV N/A 4.5% 94

B EA U’ S A LL NATURA L BREWIN G CO .

10 Terry Fox Dr. | Beaus.ca

MON-SUN 10AM-6PM

EST. 2006

In the National Capital Region for St. Patrick’s Day? Check out stpatricksparty.ca for the Beau’s take on green-coloured revelry.

ALTBIER AMBER L A GERED A LE

Seasonal: B,L,LC

In some ways an amped-up version of Lugtread with more intense maltiness and hop presence.

PAPER CHASE

One-o : B,L,LC

Locally foraged birch bark and aging on roasted birchwood contribute a one-two punch.

B IRCHWOOD ALE

ABV IB U 4.7%40

ABV IB U 5.6%27

ALMONTE

CROOKED MILE BREWERY

453 Ottawa St., Unit 3 | CrookedMile.ca

ASHTON BREWING COMPANY

113 Old Mill Rd. AshtonBrewingCompany.com

A small batch brewery that focuses on British ale styles. ey serve snacks and guests are welcome to bring their own food to the taproom in Almonte.

e Hodgins family has a decades-long association with running a pub in the area. Lorne Hart makes the beer for their authentic British-style pub.

CALABOGIE CARLETON PLACE

CALABOGIE BREWING CO.

12612 Lanark Rd. | CalabogieBrewingCo.ca

BRAUMEISTER BREWING CO.

19 Moore St. | Braumeister.ca

A fan favourite at festivals across Ontario. Even if you can’t make it Eastern Ontario, you’re likely to see Calabogie at lots of craft beer events closer to you.

FRONT PORCH

In their rst year, they’ve picked four German styles, with clean interpretations as their specialty. ey’re building a fanbase with those keen on straight-ahead brews. ROUTE

STALWART BREWING CO.

10 High St. | StalwartBrewing.ca

CASSEL BREWERY

715C Principale Rue | CasselBrewery.ca

One of the best bootstrap stories in beer. From kitchen-based brewery, called Stockpot Ales, to now drawing folks into downtown Carleton Place for three years. THRILLER

April 1 is the target date for the opening of their new brewpub. It will feature a roomier space for lineup of beer and food o erings.

CORNWALL EMBRUN

RURBAN BREWING

412 Cumberland St. | RurbanBrewing.ca

ÉTIENNE BRÜLÉ BREWERY

893 Notre-Dame St. | EtienneBrule.ca

Combining the hard-to-pronounce words of rural and urban, Rurban encapsulates their hometown of Cornwall. Keep an eye on their social accounts for special events.

VIENNA CALLING

e brewery is perfectly located in a former rehall in the small Franco-community of Embrun. Like their namesake, the brewery explores new styles and ingredients.

TUQUE DE BROUE

189 Bay St. | TuqueDeBroue.ca

One of two breweries in Embrun, the “Tuque” is a well-poured beer’s head, which seals in all the best aromas and e ervescence, to the bene t of the drinker.

HUMBLE BEGINNINGS BREWING CO.

25 orold Ln. HumbleBeginningsBrewing.ca

WINDMILL BREWERY

5 Newport Dr. | WindmillBrewery.ca

A quaint and sun- lled space is what Humble Beginnings o ers as a refuge from the weather. New things coming for this rookie brewery.

A family-run brewery operated by Sean and Amanda Lucey, with a focus on approachable, easy-drinking styles.

1838 PILSNER

CARTWRIGHT SPRINGS BREWERY

239 Deer Run Rd. | CSBeer.ca

SQUARE TIMBER BREWING CO.

800 Woito Station Rd. | SquareTimber.com

Andre Rieux’s Pakenham paradise is worth the drive - his enthusiastic tours are coupled with inventive brews and innovative brewery technologies.

SPRUCE TIP IPA

AMERICAN-STYLE IPA

Recently collaborated with local bakery Wilkies to make two spent-grain breads made the byproduct of their Pembroke Pils.

PEMBROKE PILS

BOHEMIAN-STYLE

PERTH BREWERY

121 Du erin St. | PerthBrewery.ca

4 DEGREES

275

A family operation that has a strong local fan base in Perth. eir beers also make it into bars and restaurants across Eastern Ontario. BONFIRE

When the community mall faltered, this Smiths Falls brewery stepped up and moved into the space, helping bring new life to the town’s centre.

LIVIN’ NORTH OF 7 HELLES-STYLE LAGER

HALCYON BARREL HOUSE

10 Terry Fox Dr. | Halcyon.beer

May 25 marks the second anniversary for one of Ontario’s most innovative breweries with some of the province’s top sour options. ECHO

SMALL PONY BARREL WORKS

101 Schneider Rd. SmallPonyBarrelWorks.com

BIG RIG BREWERY

103 Schneider Rd. | BigRigBrewery.com

Brew Doneky’s Western Libations Express stops in here on Feb 24 as part of a three-brewery tour. is is the only brewery in Canada whose output is 100% barrel-aged sours.

HALF

To their Ottawa area locations, they’ve their own hop yard at the Phillips Farm in Manotick, ON. e plan is to put 100% of the crop of specialty hops into their beers.

STRAY DOG BREWING CO.

501 Lacolle Way, Unit 4 | StrayDogBrewing.ca

BEYOND THE PALE BREWING

250 City Centre Ave., Bay 108 BTPShop.ca

Located in a suburban industrial park, the brewery has become a community hub for Orleans. Regular events include stand-up comedy, live music and burlesques shows.

THIS ONE

Launching a special saison on March 8 for International Women’s Day; pro ts to charity. ey also have a new kitchen—complete with smoker—as part of ongoing expansion plans.

BICYCLE CRAFT BREWERY

850 Industrial Ave., Unit 12 BicycleCraftBrewery.ca

BROADHEAD BREWING CO.

81 Auriga Dr. | BroadheadBeer.com

e brewery is well-named, as the bicycle represents owners Laura & Fariborz’s vision for their business—simple, traditional, and down to earth.

is Ottawa favourite is on tap at many ner pubs across the province. It’s worth visiting their production location for an even wider view of their beer selection.

CLOCKTOWER BREWPUB

575 Bank St. | Clocktower.ca

DOMINION CITY BREWING CO.

5510 Canotek Rd., Unit 15 | DominionCity.ca

In business for over two decades, Clocktower is the senior statesman of Ottawa craft beer. ey have six locations, Rideau is the newest, in addition to their HQ in the Glebe.

e pride of Beacon Hill, these Canadianaloving hosers brew some of the best hazy IPAs in the country. e team is committed to supporting their community.

37

With various spaces in the one building, Flora Hall is suited for lots of di erent occasions. Conveniently located, just o Bank Street, near some of Ottawa’s most interesting restaurants.

is Byward Market standby makes great beer but also focuses on food (including from their smoker) and events in their York St space.

NITA BEER CO.

190 Colonnade Rd., Unit 17 | NitaBeer.com

OVERFLOW BREWING CO.

2477 Kaladar Ave. | Over owBeer.com

February 9 was Nita’s big anniversary party featuring live music, food by Shorty’s Sandwiches and the re-release of Chauncey, their English-style IPA.

PERFECTUM

RIDGE ROCK BREWING CO.

421 Donald B. Munro Dr. RidgeRockBrewCo.ca

eir freshly opened taproom is home for their truly impressive commitment to live music and acting as a community clubhouse.

REARVIEW

Carp’s easy-going brewpub features a focused food menu to go with their equally tight lineup of beers. Sundays are open mic night.

AMERICAN PALE ALE

AMERICAN PALE ALE

B

LANDLOCKED AMERICAN-STYLE IPA

3 Irving Ave. | ToothAndNailBeer.com From

BLONDE BLONDE ALE

B

VIMY BREWING COMPANY

145 Loretta Ave. N., Unit 1

VimyBrewing.ca

WALLER STREET BREWING

14 Waller St. | WallerSt.ca

e Sirko brothers travelled the world with the Navy, discovering new beers and avours in their travels. eir brewery celebrates Canada and its accomplishments.

is brewery in the basement of a heritage building takes fundraising seriously. Under their Flights for Hope programme, you get 5 X 4 oz. samples for $12e and $2 goes to charity.

WHIPRSNAPR BREWING CO.

14 Bexley Pl. | WhiprsnaprBrewingCo.com

COVERED BRIDGE BREWING

119 Iber Rd., Unit 6 CoveredBridgeBrewing.com

e taproom and bottle shop at Whiprsnapr has become a community hub for the Bells Corners neighbourhood. Outside food is welcome.

INUKSHUK CANADIAN IPA AMERICAN-STYLE IPA

Look for ice cream, made with their beer, in the bottle shop as a complement to their deep and varied bottle and can list.

SAW DU S T C I TY B REWI NG CO.

397 Muskoka Rd. N. | SawdustCityBrewing.com

MON-FRI 12PM-11PM ^ SAT-SUN 11AM-11PM

EST. 2011

A new beer released every week as part of 52 Pick Up theme. eir award-winning Funkfest returns in June. Retail store 9-11 daily.

CORIOLIS EFFECT

Year-round: B,L,LC

is collab with the team at Bar Hop is a trad take on Berliner weisse made with Ontario lacto.

52 PICK UP

GOLDEN BEACH

Year-round: B,L,LC,TBS

Wait out the weeks until summer with this bright pale ale full of lemon and cut-grass notes.

Use promo code GROWLER for free shipping on orders $50+. (offer available until May 31, 2019)

To celebrate 5 years of brewing in Gravenhurst we're releasing 52 beers in 2019—one every single week.

Don't miss a release! Shop our online store or visit the brewery, open 7 days a week. sawdustcitybrewing.com

BANCROFT BREWING CO.

4 Hastings St. N. | BancroftBrewing.ca

BARNSTORMER BREWING & DISTILLING CO.

3-384 Yonge St. | BarnstormerBrewing.com

Small-batch brewery with a dedication to local. eir beer is made from mineral-rich water at their location on the Canadian Shield.

PROSPECTOR’S

e plan is to open a new production facility this spring, including a taproom and retail store. Monday is the day to visit for discounted growler lls on core beers.

FLYING MONKEYS CRAFT

BREWERY

107 Dunlop St. E. | FlyingMonkeys.ca

REDLINE

8 & 9-431 Bayview Dr. |

Barrie’s newest brewery has joined the growing list of Ontario breweries with an online store. ere you’ll nd several selections from their auto-themed range. SPARKLEPUFF

One of the most established craft breweries in Ontario, they’ve become quite the ambassador for the province—their beer is exported to 22 di erent countries.

MUSKOKA BREWERY

1964 Muskoka Beach Rd. | MuskokaBrewery.com

LAKE OF BAYS BREWING CO.

117-2681 Muskoka District Rd. | LakeOfBaysBrewing.ca

eir recently expanded space means more community events like Hullabaloo on Feb 16. Also a great place to check out their new-everymonth Moonlight Kettle series.

BLACK RASPBERRY THUNDER MILKSHAKE IPA

NORSE BREWERY

11 Ritchie Dr. | NorseBrewery.com

Longtime cottage-country brewery now with two locations. In 2018, they added the Huntsville Brewhouse at 59 Main St. E. eir home base is in Baysville.

HALIBURTON HIGHLANDS BREWING

1067 Garden Gate Drive | HaliburtonHighlandsBrewing.ca

is Parry Sound brewery has a tight lineup of beers in straightforward styles. ey sell online for those not in their neck of the woods.

DARK ALE DARK ALE

GOLDEN ALE GOLDEN

In the middle of 300 beautiful acres at the Abbey Gardens they host outdoor activities all year. Food o erings will expand this summer on the patio.

HONEY BROWN ALE

AMERICAN-STYLE BROWN ALE W/HONEY

Year-round: B,LC

COFFEE PORTER PORTER W/HOUSEROASTED COFFEE

Year-round: B,L,TBS

MINDEN HILLS PARRY SOUND

BOSHKUNG BREWING CO.

9201 ON-118 | BoshkungBrewing.com

TRESTLE BREWING CO.

9 Great North Rd. | TrestleBrewing.com

is year will see a brewery added to their Water Street location. at means more beer for patrons of the handsome, cottage-country spot.

CAMPFIRE RYE SMOKED RYE ALE

A pleasant combination of craft beer, paired food and a stunning view of the CPR bridge where the Seguin River ows into Parry Sound harbour.

BRAG LOAD

IMPERIAL STOUT W/ COFFEE AND VANILLA

SOUTH RIVER TORRANCE

HIGHLANDER BREW CO.

309B Hwy. 124 | HighlanderBrewCo.com

CLEAR LAKE BREWING CO. 4651 Southwood Rd. | ClearLakeBrewing.co

Turning the big 1-0 this year, they picked up OBA medals, including for their porter and British-style pale ale. Online ordering available to bring South River to you.

SCOTTISH ALE

SCOTTISH ALE

In the heart of cottage country—and with the branding to match—this Mukoka newcomer focuses on brewing classic craft styles.

SESSION ALE

AMERICAN-STYLE PALE ALE

Downhill pale ale, their agship, was Chris Freeman’s nal project beer when he was a student in the inaugural brewing class at Niagara College.

COLLINGWOOD COLLINGWOOD

NORTHWINDS BREWHOUSE

499 First St. | NorthwindsBrewery.com

SIDE LAUNCH BREWING CO.

1-200 Mountain Rd. | SideLaunchBrewing.com

A must-visit in Collingwood with a strong emphasis on food as well as the beer. A skicountry favourite since they opened in 2014.

ROOSTER

COLLINGWOOD

THORNBURY VILLAGE CIDERY

& BREWHOUSE

90 King St E. | ornburyCraft.com

Homebase for Michael Hancock, one of the pillars of the Ontario craft beer community. ey won brewery-of-the-year honours from the CBAs in 2016.

MOUNTAIN

Pop into the taproom, a short drive from the ski hill, for an après-ski ight of beer, cider or wine. It’s been a few years since the rebrand, but you might know them as King.

BLUE MOUNTAIN LIGHT LAGER

PICKUP NO 26 PILSNER

4.8%25 L ADDER RUN

Crafted with Vienna malt and noble hops. The palate is smooth and creamy and finishes with an amazing toffee-malt flavour, and nice, dry crispness.

SPLIT RAIL BREWING CO

MANITOULIN BREWING CO.

43 Manitowaning Rd | ManitoulinBrewing.co

KILANNAN BREWING CO.

103015 Grey Rd. 18 | KilannanBrewing.ca

Started by three friends with a passion for representing North Ontario through their beer. Full selection in their online store.

BRIDAL VEIL

AMERICAN-STYLE PALE ALE

Year-round: B,L,LC

SWING BRIDGE BLONDE ALE

Year-round: B,L,LC

Owner Spencer Wareham, who got his brewing training in Germany and Chicago, is one of Ontario’s youngest brewery owners at 25.

ALTBIER ALTBIER

Yea-round: B,L,LC

KÖLSCH KÖLSCH

Year-round: B,L,LC

OUTLAW BREW CO.

196 High St. | OutlawBrewCo.com

TOBERMORY BREWING CO.

28 Bay St. | TobermoryBrewingCo.ca

eir historic home, on the shore of Lake Huron, was the Southampton Hotel in a former life. Strong pillar of the community.

21 LAGERED ALE

AMERICAN-STYLE LIGHT LAGER

Year-round: B,L,LC,TBS

B,L,LC

A prime location o ers a harbour view in Tobermory. eir restaurant balances the beer focus with upscale dining options.

BRUCE TRAIL BLONDE ALE

FATHOM FIVE PORTER

Year-round: B,L

Year-round: B,L

LAKE OF THE WOODS BREWING CO.

350 2nd St. S. | lowbrewco.com

SUN-WED 11AM-11PM ^ THU 11AM-12AM ^ FRI-SAT 11AM-1AM

EST. 2013

Ontario’s northernmost brewery is named for the source of an essential ingredient: their water. A pillar of the community, they’ve supported everything from a new arts centre to tree planting.

Year-round: B,L,LC

A balanced lagered ale whose subtlety quali es it as an all-year-round session beer.

Year-round: B,L,LC,TBS

Strong fan favourite with balance and blueberry-patch aroma. Hides alcohol well.

Year-round: B,L,TBS

e roasty caramel notes are obvious from the get-go. Malt leaning with a slightly dry nish.

Year-round: B,L,LC,TBS

A malt-heavy take on the style with toasted bread and biscuit notes leading to a sweet close.

What Makes our Beer Unique?

Brewing beer on the shores of Lake of the Woods was no accident. Its water is perfect for brewing beer, and since beer is over 90% water, it’s a pretty darn important ingredient. e low mineral content and softness of Lake of the Woods water is one of the things that makes our beer stand out in a crowd of many.

FORGOTTEN LAKE BLUEBERRY ALE

SULTANA GOLD AMERICAN-STYLE BLONDE ALE

BIG WATER BREWING CO.

123 McIntyre St. W. Facebook.com/BigWaterBrewing

GATEWAY CITY BREWERY

600-612 Gormanville Rd., Unit 206 GatewayCity.ca

A small-batch brewery in downtown North Bay, Big Water aims to put their spin on a range of classic craft beer styles.

NEW

ONTARIO BREWING CO.

1881 Cassells St. | NewOntarioBrewing.com

A shiny, new brewery with four core beers. Glasses and ights in the taproom also feature pilot batches and seasonal beers are on the short-term horizon.

NORTHERN SUPERIOR BREWING CO.

50 Pim St. | NorthernSuperior.org

e popular local in North Bay has both year-round standbys and a rotating selection of seasonal brews. Most of them have cheeky names like Clothing Optional Session IPA.

ey wear the historical connections to Dorran’s Northern Breweries and the long track record of brewing in e Soo on their sleeve.

OUTSPOKEN BREWING

350 Queen St. E. | OutspokenBrewing.com

SPACECRAFT BREWERY

854

|

e Soo has a long history of brewing, but OutSpoken was the rst modern craft brewery to launch there. Look for a new pale ale brewed with locally grown hops.

Sudbury’s newest brewery cuts their intergalactic theme with a balance between hop-forward beers and a brewpub menu.

STACK BREWING

1350 Kelly Lake Rd. | StackBrewing.ca

If all goes to plan, March will bring a second location for this stalwart—a brewpub. Look for a full food menu including smoked meat and dishes prepared with beer ingredients.

DAWSON TRAIL CRAFT BREWERY

905 Copper Cres. | DawsonTrailCraftBrewery.com

SLEEPING GIANT BREWING CO.

712 Macdonell St. | SleepingGiantBrewing.ca

eir name is a historical ode to the settlers’ route to the prairies. In pioneer spirit, they brew all of their output on an oversized homebrew system.

BORDER RUN

ALE

is under Bay mainstay has one of the longest tap lists serving their popular (especially on weekends) brewery. Plus an equally deep fridge in the bottle shop.

BAE’S HAZE

AMERICAN-STYLE IPA

TIMMINS TIMMINS

COMPASS BREWING

20-1300 Riverside Dr. | CompassBrewing.com

FULL BEARD BREWING CO.

219 Wilson Ave. | FullBeardBrewing.com

is Timmins brewery lls their eye-catching cans with a wide range of styles and their taproom with everything from live music to beer-pairing dinners.

Eclectic events in their space include terrariummaking and yoga classes. Currently seeking investors for their plans to expand to Ottawa.

One-o : B Year-round: B

MR.