Brewers Plate 2011 & Brewing With David Crombie

Brewers Plate team w/ Crombie & Bulut Jr.

Last Friday I found myself at Great Lakes Brewery where former Toronto Mayor, David Crombie, was about to help brew a Belgian Wit with a gentleman by the name of Nick, who's winning bid at last years Brewers Plate auction landed him the chance to brew a beer with "the happy warrior".

At 10:30am, after receiving his very own Great Lakes brew shirt, Crombie and Nick were helping Great Lakes owner Peter Bulut Jr. crush some malt to start the brew. Both men pitched in throughout the day, sparging, stirring, tasting; pretty much lending a hand throughout the entire process.

Crombie, who seemed amused with every step of the process, stated at the end of the day that in all his 75 years this was the most he's learnt about beer, and he had a great time doing it.

The Belgian Wit, which was named "Crombonickoo's Got The Wit", will be bottled for the two men to share and enjoy.

The brew day also provided Chris Lowry, the founder of the Brewers Plate, with the opportunity to share a few things with us about this year's event.