The 8th Annual Golden Tap Awards

The 8th annual Golden Tap Awards were handed out on Saturday night at Toronto's beerbistro before a large group of brewery and licensee representatives... and passionate craft beer drinkers.

The GTAs, as the are affectionately known, are hosted by Cass Enright of Bar Towel fame and are meant to celebrate the best in the Ontario beer industry; recognizing breweries, pubs, and the people dedicated to growing and building the industry.

I sit on the panel that determines the Editor's Circle awards and it was a pleasure to come up with the four winners this year. It keeps getting harder and harder to come up with our list as the beer landscape in Ontario continues to evolve. There is so much going on now, so many individuals out there working to take the industry to the next level and festival's continue to emerge in this province that focus on providing quality experiences in intimate settings.

Congratulations to all the winners!

Best Microbrewery in Ontario:
Beau’s All-Natural Brewing Company

Best Brewery for Cask-Conditioned Ale in Ontario (presented in partnership with CASK!):
Granite Brewery

Best Bar for Draught Beer Selection in Ontario:
C’est What

Best Bar for Bottled Beer Selection in Ontario:
Bar Volo

Best Brewpub or Tied House in Ontario:
Granite Brewery

Best Bar for Cask Ale in Ontario (presented in partnership with CASK!):
Bar Volo

Best Regularly-Produced Beer in Ontario:
Beau’s Lug-Tread Lagered Ale

Best Seasonal or Specialty Beer in Ontario:
Black Oak Ten Bitter Years

Best Cask Ale in Ontario (presented in partnership with CASK!):
Granite Hopping Mad

Editor’s Circle Award: Great Lakes Caskapalooza
Editor’s Circle Award: Drinkvine
Editor’s Circle Award: Milos Kral & Chancey Smith’s
Editor’s Circle Award: Brian Morin & beerbistro
Best Beer of the Festival: Church Key Black IPA