TAPS: Winter '09 Issue

The winter issue of TAPS: Canada's Beer Magazine was released one week before Christmas and again, like the previous two issues, has over 90 pages full of beer related information from coast-to-coast, with a couple of international stories mixed in for good measure.

Here is a sneek peek into what you'll find in the magazine, although there is a lot more inside the 98 pages, including regional beer news, beer reviews by our Tasting Panel, a profile of the the Scotland's oldest brewery, Belhaven, beer and food articles, and much more.

Greg Clow: Clow's series of Beer Styles 101 has taken a glimpse into Stouts, Witbier, Barley Wines, Porter, and Weissbier over numerous issues and this winter issue features a good read on IPA's.

Stephen Beaumont: In his My Shout Column, Beaumont takes a look back at 2009 and picks some winners for his self-styled achievement awards.

Craig Pinhey: Takes a look at the White and Lime beer trends, explains that "Dark" is not a taste, and discusses the love of local hops in Atlantic Canada.

Bill White: For his Ask the Brewmaster column, White takes readers through the entire brewing process and talks about food pairings in another article.

Mirella Amato: Busy as ever, Amato profiles the Bierbrier brewery in Montreal, provides highlights of the first ever Mondial de la Biere in Strasbourg, France, interviewed Ray Daniels, and she took a close look into the Quebec beer scene.

James Burla: 11 Alberta breweries got together in October at the Grizzly Paw brewery in Canmore, AB to brew a beer together for charity, and Burla was there to document the special day. He also wrote about the beers from Alley Kat brewery in Edmonton.

Connie Proteau: Proteau pays a visit to the Whistler Brewing Company in Whistler, BC and Tree Brewing in Kelowna, BC.

Kristina Santone: Santone reviewed three books: Cheers! An Intemperate History of Beer in Canada - Beer Lover's Britain - World's Best Beers.

Cary Hyodo: Took a trip to Transylvania, tasted the local beers, visited the local breweries and pubs, profiled and took some great photo's.

Sam Corbeil: Beer and Clothing in Las Munich. Corbeil and a bunch of friends traveled to Munich to soak up (literally) Oktoberfest....and he survived to write about his experience.

Eric Ecclestone: Shared his Scotch Ale recipe in his Homebrewing column.

Chuck Cook: Cook was at the Great American Beer Festival in Denver, Colorado and he shares his views with readers.

The Tasting Panel featured the following beers: Salt Spring Porter from Gulf Island Brewery, Dark 266 Lager from Cameron's Brewery, Alberta Crude Oatmeal Stout from Wild Rose, Russian Gun Imperial Stout from Grand River Brewing, Gin Lane Barley Wine from the Granite Brewery (Toronto location), and Ol' Fog Burner Barley Wine from Garrison Brewing.

And I wrote a little story on the Black Oak Brewing Company and their 10 year anniversary, interviewed Beer Wars movie producer Anat Baron, and put together a small last minute gift guide for TAPS readers.

TAPS is available at select Chapters/Indigo nation-wide and at many independent book and magazine retail outlets from coast-to-coast. Subscriptions for the magazine can be purchased by visiting the TAPS website (www.tapsmagazine.com) or by calling 416-536-9100. On-line digital versions of the magazine can also be purchased for the low yearly price of $12. Click here for more details.