Black Creek Brews Fest: Sept 6/7

The following is a press release from the folks organizing the 2nd annual Black Creek Brews Fest held at Black Creek Pioneer Village. I was not able to attend last year but I heard many positives things about this event and from what is mentioned in the press release, it promises to be fun again this year. I also have some VIP tickets to give away, so stay tuned for contest details.

* FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE *

Black Creek Brews Fest Celebrating a Great Ontario Tradition
Craft Breweries and Beer Experts Coming to Pioneer Village September 6-7

Toronto: August 27, 2008 … Black Creek Pioneer Village, Toronto’s premier living history museum, will present the second annual Black Creek Brews Fest on the weekend of September 6 and 7, 2008. Some of Ontario's best micro-brewers will join experts in beer and beer history, and Pioneer Village staff, for a celebration of our rich brewing history and the craft breweries who continue the tradition today. Visitors will be able to meet the brewers, sample their wares, and learn about beer varieties and the art of brewing in a relaxed, family-friendly setting, with food, games, and great live music.

Internationally renowned beer writer Stephen Beaumont will introduce and host a lunch on Saturday, September 6, featuring three courses, each paired with a different beer. Julia Rogers will introduce beer and cheese pairing, using local cheeses and selected Ontario craft beers. Roger Mittag, Canada's "professor of beer" will take visitors on a walking tour through the village as he explains the making of beer. Mirella Amato will lead tutored tastings and the Canadian Brewerianist Society will exhibit beer memorabilia, along with many other programs and events.

"Craft beer is beer on a human scale," said Joel Manning, brewmaster at Mill St. Brewery, who will be at the Brews Fest on Sunday. "Craft beer is hand-made by real people and it has nuances and character that beer from the big breweries does not."

In total nine craft breweries will be at the Brews Fest: Black Oak Brewery, Cameron's Brewing, Great Lakes Brewery, Magnotta Brewery, Mill St. Brewery, Neustadt Brewery, Scotch Irish Brewery, Steam Whistle Brewery, and the Trafalgar Brewing Company. They will be bringing with them a broad selection of locally brewed beers for sampling to enjoy with food at the festival.

"The Black Creek Brews Fest is a wonderful opportunity for people to learn about Ontario's rich brewing history," said Steve Peters, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario. "Today's craft brewers are continuing a proud tradition and the Brews Fest at Black Creek Pioneer Village is an opportunity for people to discover some refreshing and fantastic local beers; and to meet the people who brew them right in our backyard." Peters has been a member of the Canadian Brewerianist Society for 25 years.

"This festival is important for the GTA because it puts beer into a cultural and family context," said Stephen Beaumont, author of two editions of The Great Canadian Beer Guide. "You can bring the kids and have fun learning about beer, not just the taste, but the cultural and historical aspects as well. The Brews Fest is a chance to discover beer as the noble beverage it is, rather than the party drink you see in TV commercials."

Throughout the weekend, visitors will be able to enjoy live music performed by Tanglefoot, the Skydiggers, Freshwater Trade, and the Creaking Tree String Quartet. In addition historian Ian Bell will offer a workshop on “Songs of Drunkenness and Temperance.”

The Black Creek Brews Fest will take place from 11:00 am – 4:30 pm on Saturday, September 6 and Sunday, September 7, 2008 at Black Creek Pioneer Village. Admission includes full access to Pioneer Village. Lunch with Stephen Beaumont on Saturday, September 6, is by reservation at (416) 667-6295. Food, beverages, and beer sample tokens can be purchased inside the venue.

Black Creek Pioneer Village is located at 1000 Murray Ross Parkway, Toronto (one block east of Jane St., south off Steeles Avenue, right next to York University). General admission to Black Creek Pioneer Village is $13 for adults, $12 for seniors and students, and $9 for children 5-14. For more information, please visit www.brewsfest.com.

About Black Creek Pioneer Village
Black Creek Pioneer Village is Toronto’s premier outdoor living history museum. Visitors can explore 40 heritage homes, shops and buildings restored to re-create an 1860s Ontario village. Historic interpreters in period dress demonstrate how villagers lived, worked and played. The Village hosts learning programs and special events that highlight local heritage and culture. The tranquil setting, rural landscapes, heritage gardens and period farm animal breeds make Black Creek Pioneer Village the perfect place to break out of the modern world and journey into the past. Located in north Toronto, Black Creek Pioneer Village is owned and operated by Toronto and Region Conservation (TRCA). For more information please visit www.blackcreek.ca.