Welcome to Toronto Mr. Kissmeyer: Danish Beer Dinner

It took me a couple of days to recover from Wednesday's Danish Beer Dinner that was held at beerbistro; a dinner to celebrate two diverse Danish breweries: Norrebro Bryghus and Mikkeller. Eight courses of beautifully rich and flavourful food matched wonderfully with eight strong beers from the two respective breweries, over five hours, had both my head and stomach in a whirlwind.

After the dinner, on the streetcar making my way home, I thought how hard it would be to write a wrap-up post of the dinner here on the blog. How could I possibly capture the creativity of the food, the outstanding qualities of the beer, and the atmosphere, in a manner that would really justify what I had just taken part in? Let me just start off by saying that beerbistro Chef/Owner, Brian Morin, and his talented culinary wizards in the kitchen, pulled off another coup, proving once again that beerbistro is at the top of the class.

Just like the Dogfish Head dinner, I attended a little early to have a drink at the bar and I was lucky enough to share a lengthy conversation with Norrebro Bryghus' Anders Kissmeyer, the night's main attraction. Kissmeyer is the face of Norrebro Bryghus, a brewery created on an idea back in the late 90's. Kissmeyer worked as a master brewer and chemist for a company you might have heard of: Carlsberg, and after spending 16 years working for the multi-national brewery, Kissmeyer, inspired by the US craft brewing industry, started working on a business plan to open a craft brewery in Copenhagen. Backed with the money of a friend, Kissmeyer led an enthusiastic team in opening the brewery and attached restaurant (he mentioned that they don't call them brew pubs in Denmark) in Copenhagen's Norrebro region in 2003. They have since opened a second brewery to handle the increased demand.

Back to the bar. Kissmeyer had just arrived with the Roland and Russell Import Agency team, fresh from a trip to Mill Street Brew Pub, and decided on a King Pilsner to start things off. After introductions were made and a couple sips were had we got into talking about some Ontario beer. "From what I've sampled here yesterday and today, I've gotta say, Ontario brewers are doing a mighty fine job," stated Kissmeyer before going on about how great King Pilsner is. Interesting coming from a man who has new beers springing up at the original brewery almost daily, of all styles and flavours.

The event got started just minutes past 7:00pm when the master of ceremony and noted beer writer, Stephen Beaumont, took the mic and welcomed all in attendance. Beaumont highlighted what we were in store for, described the menu and explained how the matchings were chosen, provided some educational information on the blossoming craft brewing industry in Denmark, and introduced the crowd to Kissmeyer.

Before the first round of food and beer was set on the table, Kissmeyer spoke at length about the brewery, a little about his background, and promised us that the beers we would be tasting would take us well into the night. As he was wrapping up, the first samples were brought to the table - Mikkeller Warrior Single Hop IPA that Beaumont spoke on. With that the dinner was officially on the go.

As for the pairings, well, I liked them all. I really enjoyed the Smoked Cod with Norrebro's Skargaards Porter. It was an incredible match. The Rabbit terrine with Norrebro's Paske bock (get it - rabbit, bock - easter..) was really nice too. The bock was delicious. Not sticky or cloying, nice and malty, subtle, yet complex. All the beers were outstanding and incredible on their own. As I mentioned, my head was a little hazy in the morning, and I lay blame on the beers, as not one was under 6.0%.

The attendance was great, a sold out crowd for the $120 ticket dinner, and everyone seemed very interested in listening to Kissmeyer speak, straining to hear his voice over the chatter from the front bar area of the restaurant (which was still open to the public). Mike Shatzel, owner of Cole's Restaurant (Bar), the popular spot in Buffalo for a large selection of terrific draught and bottled beer from Belgium and American craft breweries, came with three friends (including Buffalo Beer Blogger, Mike) to take part in his first beer dinner and he expressed his enjoyment at the end of the night. "This was an amazing time. Great beers, amazing food, and very organized. I was very happy I came."

There were also a number of individuals who work in the Ontario brewing industry present, along with members of the Danish Consulate, members of the media, importers, and a good showing of craft beer supporters. "I was at the Dogfish dinner, and the Brooklyn dinner, and they were both unbelievable, but the beers that we had tonight, in my opinion, were the best to date," stated Cameron's Brewing Co. sales representative, Jon Graham. "The pairings were bang on, but the beer, on it's own, was terrific. The Old Odense Ale was/is out of this world."

Many others thought the same about the Old Odense. I thought it was the best and most interesting beer of the night. Using five different herbs, and other ingredients during a collaboration with Dogfish Head owner, Sam Caligone, Kissmeyer wanted to create a whole new style, yet take it back to a style that was around hundreds of years ago. "I love this beer," stated Kissmeyer after the dinner, "it is certainly one of my favourites."

My night ended after completing a 45 minute interview with Kissmeyer, and it was interesting to see all the ticket buyers coming up to him on their way out just to thank him for a wonderful night. He shook everyone's hand, thanked everyone for coming out, and handled all the attention like a pro. It was the perfect way to end a perfect night.

Kudo's go out to Vlado and Liliana of the Roland and Russell team, Brian Morin and his team at beerbistro, Stephen Beaumont who was a great MC, and finally, Kissmeyer himself. A terrific beer dinner well worth the price tag.


The menu
Round 1: Mikkeller's Warrior Single Hop IPA - Horse Tartare w/ Potato & Leek Soup
Round 2: Norrebro's Skargaards Porter - Smoked Cod w/ horseradish creme fraiche
Round 3: Norrebro's Paske Bock - Rabbit Terrine
Round 4: Mikkeller's Jackie Brown - Roasted duck breast & fois gras
Round 5: Norrebro's Old Odense Ale - Matane Shrimp & greens
Round 6: Norrebro's La Granja Stout - Beef & Bornholm potatoes
Round 7: Mikkeller's Stone Alesmith - Danish Blue Cheese
Round 8: Mikkeller's Beer Geek Brunch Weasel - Poached Pear w/ almonds & ganache (beer ice cream)
Round 9: Mikkels Monster

*Look for the entire interview with Kissmeyer in the summer issue of TAPS.

Beer as an Embodiment of Canada: Guest Writer, Rob Symes

So, in a previous post Troy mentioned that I had been granted Canadian citizenship. I’ve been thinking a lot about what it means to now be a Canadian, and how I would define being Canadian. Citizenship documents talk about the responsibilities of citizenship – in essence the values and beliefs that we should all have as Canadians – and this provides some help, but it sure is hard thinking as a downtown Toronto dweller about what I have in common with my cattle rearing uncle in the Ottawa Valley. We’re a diverse people, and we can’t be placed into clean niches (other than that we’re nice… ‘nice’ is a word I hear a lot when people talk about Canadians). Naturally my mind wandered and I began thinking about what Canadian beer is, and how could I define the brewing industry of my new homeland. Just as I found it hard to generalise about what it meant to be Canadian, I also found it hard to generalise about Canadian beer; there are a lot of general common threads, but also striking differences. I then started thinking at a provincial and territorial level… what beer most represents the different parts of our glorious land? Here’s my best answer…

Ontario: My home province runs the gamut from heavy industry to pastoral farming, and is also home to some of the biggest (but no best) brewers in Canada. The common denominator is lager, but I’m not about to push Lakeport or Molson Ex anytime soon. Instead, Grand River’s Town Hall Lager should please everyone with its well-crafted clean profile of biscuit malt and citric bitterness. It’s a good honest working man’s beer.

Quebec: The beautiful province seems to be making a career out of Belgian-style ales, which reflect the cosmopolitan, patio culture of Montreal and the fortified grandeur of Quebec City. Unibroue’s Fin du Monde, with its corked and caged bottle and glorious label depicting Quebec would be equally at home in either situation.

British Columbia: BC produces some of the hoppiest beers in Canada, either because they neighbour hop-crazy Washington state, or because hop vines are cousins of the marijuana plant. Tree’s Hophead IPA seems perfect for both explanations.
Alberta: Oil, so it has to be a stout. Handily, Calgary’s Wild Rose produces the excellently named Alberta Crude, which by all accounts looks like the real deal, and is well worth fuelling up on.

Saskatchewan: I’m thinking grain… lots of grain, so perhaps a beer with a nice solid malt body. Paddock Wood produces an excellent pilsener by the name of Czech Mate which has just that, with an abundant prairie grassiness to boot.
Manitoba: Like Saskatchewan I think of Manitoba as a producer of grain, so a wheat beer would do the trick. How about Half Pint’s Holy Spirit, the last in a trinity of excellently adventurous prairie brews?

Nova Scotia: Garrison’s Tall Ship Amber reminds us of Nova Scotia’s proud seafaring history (if you need another reminder check out a dime). I also like how the brewery’s name conjures up images of Citadel Hill guarding over one of the world’s finest natural harbours.


New Brunswick: Its always stormy in the Maritimes. Whenever I turn the Weather Network on it seems that either a foot of snow is being deposited on the provinces or a hurricane is bearing down on them. A beer to warm the soul on a nasty winter’s night is Baltic Storm, a seasonal available at the Pump House Brewery.
Newfoundland and Labrador: In this province, The Rock is not a wrestler, and its certainly not a disappointing Michael Bay film. Eric’s Red from Quidi Vidi appeals to the Viking heritage evoked by L’Anse aux Meadows.

PEI: Tiny PEI will always be associated with Anne of Green Gables and Bud the Spud (I should get additional Canada points for that Stomping Tom reference). Gahan House is the only brewery on the island linked to the rest of us by a bloody big bridge, so in honour of the Confederation Bridge and the men who made Canada a country, I’ll select Sir John A’s Honey Wheat Ale.

Yukon: Without a doubt Yukon Brewing’s Lead Dog Ale, with its label of a husky and warming body not only embodies the rugged heart of the north, but also provides welcome warmth in cold climes.

*Neither the Northwest Territories nor Nunavut (with a combined population of 74,000) currently have any breweries. Its too bad because an eisbock would be a perfect representative. The beer is frozen and the ice layer skimmed off leaving a super-concentrated warming brew which would be ideal to take the edge off the chill.

Agree or disagree? Leave a comment with your thoughts.

Happy Birthday Mr. Alan

Happy Birthday wishes go out to Alan, the creator of A Good Beer Blog. Alan, who has been blogging about beer for a number of years, turns a young 46 today, which he will no doubt celebrate by cracking the top of some delicious beer.

Happy Birthday Alan!

Keith's Brewed in BC?

I woke up this morning and read this story from the Halifax Metro. It seems Nova Scotia will now be sharing brewing duties with British Columbia for Alexander Keith IPA, which does not sit well with some Halifax residents.

Keith's, which is owned by Oland, who are owned by Labatt, who is owned by AmBev/A-B, have stated that they can't keep up with demand so they will be assigning some production to their BC brewery in Creston.

As some of you readers may know, I used to work for Labatt's many years ago in Halifax, and even then I always wondered how they could produce all the Keith's in the Oland Brewery?

Click here for story, or read below.

Alexander Keith's to open second brewery in B.C.

PAUL MCLEOD

METRO HALIFAX

April 16, 2009 12:50 a.mThose who like it, buy it a lot.

So much so that Alexander Keith’s, a beer closely tied to Nova Scotia, will now be brewed in British Columbia as well.

Labatt Breweries announced yesterday that Keith’s is doing so well it will begin brewing the beer in Creston, B.C. to service markets west of Ontario.

“The brand became the No. 1 draft brand in Ontario. It’s the No. 1 specialty beer in Canada,” said Richard Musson, the vice-president of marketing for Labatt.

“As we looked forward five years we’d see the brand getting bigger and bigger and bigger. And you start to say, 'well does it make sense to transport beer from one side of the continent to the other?'”

The change means the Halifax brewery will make less Keith’s, but more Budweiser and Bud Light for the Quebec market. There will be an overall drop in Halifax production by four per cent but no jobs will be affected in either brewery.

Labatt said Keith’s will only be sold after a rigorous quality control process to ensure it tastes exactly the same. Keith’s brew master Graham Kendall will go to Creston to teach the brewing recipe and process.

Musson said the beer will still be an ambassador of Nova Scotia.

“Everyone always knows Guinness is Irish, although a lot of it doesn’t actually come from Ireland,” Musson said.

“We’re never going to take the Nova Scotia out of Keith’s. Without Nova Scotia this brand wouldn’t be so successful.”

Musson said that one in four beers drank in Nova Scotia is a Keith’s product. Market shares are confidential, but NSLC spokesman Rick Perkins called Keith’s “by far the largest beer” with a “quite huge” market share.

“It’s just a dominant brand, and you see that by the footprint it’s given in our stores,” he said.

Raise a Pint for a New Canadian

Just want to give a shout out to Rob Symes, a great guy who has contributed to this blog on a couple of occasions with plans to write some more. Rob just got word that he passed the Canadian citizenship exam he took recently, and he is going to become a Canadian Citizen next Thursday.

"On Thursday I'll wake up and grab my poutine breakfast, before stopping by Tim's for a double double. I'll talk hockey with the mountie at the ceremony and celebrate by listening to the whole Celine Dion back catalogue. Gotta fit in, you know?"

Now, Rob's wondering what he should drink to celebrate the big day? Any suggestions?

Congratulations Rob!

Black Oak Grand Opening - Saturday Night

Black Oak Brewery President, Ken Woods (pictured) and Brew Master, Adrian Popowycz, along with the rest of the Black Oak Brewery staff, are getting ready to host their grand opening party at their new Etobicoke location. This Saturday, between 4pm and midnight, join the private party out at the brewery to welcome the group to the area. There will be some special whiskey barrel aged beers available for sampling, along with a cask of Hop Bomb.

This must be an exciting time for the Black Oak team as getting the brewery to where it is now has taken a little longer than originally planned. I visited the new location back in November, and I mentioned in the blog post that followed that they should have been up and running since Christmas, so having a grand opening now must be bittersweet.

I plan on attending, and I think you should too. And being able to board a bus to get to and from the party safely, for free, is an added bonus and a generous gesture from Black Oak.

The Black Oak Brewing Company is finally having a Grand Opening

You are invited to attend a private event at the new brewery.
Be a Black Oak Brewing Best Friend Forever (BOBBFF)
On Saturday April 18, from 4:00 pm - Midnite

(note: early people will forced to help set up & clean up and then wait last in line for beer)

No Need to RSVP, Just show up.

Location: 75 Horner Ave, Unit #1 Etobicoke, M8Z 4X5
Just south of Evans Ave

Note: Our Retail Store Will be Closed for the Event.

Special Whiskey Barrel Aged Nut Brown and Double Chocolate Cherry Stout will be available in casks. Also Hop Bomb Cask Pale Ale will be available. In addition our regular draft beer will also be available. Soft Drinks will be available.

Live Music will be provided by local bands. For your enjoyment we will be serving some comfort food off the BBQ as well as chili from Local 4's own Nancy.

We have chartered the Magic Bus Company to pick up at the following Locations & Times:
Victory Cafe: 3:30
Volo: 4:30
C'est What?: 5:30

The bus will pick up and then drop at the brewery and then go to the next pick up location. If you miss the bus then you're on your own for getting to the brewery.

This Bus will also be doing runs to the Islington Subway starting at 10:00 pm, then at 11:00pm and the final bus will depart for the subway at midnite. We will also have taxis available at the door after 10:00pm.

To ensure everyone enjoys themselves and gets home safely, no Excessive consumption will be allowed. Guests abusing this privilege will be sent home.

Drinking and Driving will Not Be Permitted!!

Mikkeller Warrior Single IPA

I've never had a Danish India Pale Ale before, and due to curiosity I didn't want to read any information about the bottle of Mikkeller Warrior IPA that I had in front of me. Are Danish IPA's more European in nature, or are they modeled on the American version? From the stories I've heard, and from the articles I've read, I'm guessing (before I pop the cap) that this bottle of IPA would be more hop forward (American) then the traditional IPA's found on the other side of the ocean. And it helps knowing that the Warrior hop strand is of the American variety.

Off goes the top and the beer flows into the glass from the pink labelled bottle. What a beautiful head. Three good inches of the delicate white oxygen fighter look lovely atop the orangey, hazy, unfiltered IPA. The nose is a hop bouquet, very citrusy and zesty, with some floral notes, and a nice touch of toasted biscuity malts working together with a hint of sweet caramel, helping to strike a nice balance. I'm also picking up some barnyard like aroma's, something like rain soaked fence posts (I grew up on a farm). Very inviting and interesting indeed. The first drink supplied a nice Warrior hop wallop that immediately awoke my sleeping taste buds, providing them with the taste of a citrusy punch - think tangerine and lemon. The bitterness is up front, but fades off into a solid and lingering sweet aftertaste, coying me to have another drink. The highly carbonated, medium bodied IPA is nice and crisp, yet it leaves a stickiness on the tongue which has me smacking my lips for minutes after the bottle is done. I like it. I could drink more of this. I like how the hop (warrior - hence its name) stands out in both the aroma and taste, but also how it plays nicely with the malts and the carbonation to create an easy drinking, subtle American IPA.

The Warrior Single Hop IPA will be one of the 9 beers being served tomorrow at the Danish Beer Dinner at beerbistro, hosted by the Roland and Russell Import Agency. The latest word is that there are very few tickets available, so if you are sitting on the fence, now is the time to give beerbistro a call and get a pair today.

Mikkeller Warrior Single Hop IPA
Brewed De Proef Brouwerij, Lochristi-Hijfte, Belgium
American Style IPA
Bottle: 33cl
Alcohol: 6.9%

Volo IPA Cask Challenge Round 2 - May 23rd/24th

After hosting a successful Round 1, Volo has announced the dates for the 2nd Round of Ontario's first ever IPA Cask Challenge.

Come out on Saturday May 23rd, and Sunday May 24th, and to participate in the blind tasting. Due to two ties during the first round, there will now be ten firkins available for judging. The doors will open at 12:00pm, and like round 1, there will be no admission fee. Samples can be purchased in either 1/4, 1/2, or full pint size.

Beers Moving On:
Granite Hopping Mad
Publican House Square Nail
Grand River Plowman's
Durham County Hop Head
Mike Duggan Number 9
Magnotta West Coast
Heritage Sgt. Major
Mill St. IPA
Mill St. Tankhouse
Durham Hop Addict

*And if you are wondering who is making these wicked Volo IPA Cask Challenge posters - it's Tomas Morana.

German Beer Tasting at Castro's Lounge

Castro's Lounge has announced the theme for their next tasting: The Germans Are Coming - Bocks, Maibocks, Doppelbocks, Urbocks and more.

The tasting will be taking place on Sunday April 19th at 3pm, and individuals are invited to participate in an interactive and fun session with host Chris Schryer. The $30 ticket gets you 8 healthy sample sized glasses plus an assortment of light snacks, and Schryer will discuss the history of the German brewing culture, provide some style guidelines, and share some tasting notes.

Reserve a spot by emailing Castro's at castroslounge@hotmail.com, or by calling 416.699.8272. Or you can drop by 2116 Queen St East. in person, have a pint or two, and register.

Great Lakes Vice-President Discusses Green Tea Ale

For those of us who have the day off, check into ThatChannel.com today at 1pm - 1:30pm to watch a live interview with Toronto's Great Lakes Brewery Vice-President, Peter Bulut Jr., on the latest installment of Liquid Lunch.

The program, hosted by Hugh Reilly, is the flagship show for ThatChannel.com (a leader in online television), and Bulut is there to discuss the brewery's newest seasonal, Green Tea Ale, amongst other Great Lakes Brewery stories.

Click here to watch, or listen to the video.

The Local Pub: Toronto, ON

My fiancee has been locked away in our apartment for the last couple of days preparing for her final exams, which means I have to find things to do to keep myself occupied, so to the pub it was.

Saturday was a beautiful day to hop on a streetcar and head off to an unknown destinations, hoping a good pub would greet me upon my arrival. To the best of my recollection, I had never set foot on a Dundas streetcar since moving to Toronto, so once I got to Dundas Square, the decision was an easy one.

As I was checking out the sites from my window seat, a thought occurred to me: Why not track down The Local Pub on Roncesvalles Avenue and have a pint of locally crafted beer? I had been to the Local on one other occasion, but it was for business, so that didn't count. And besides, it was a big snow storm that night and I couldn't exactly remember how I got there.

The streetcar went through little China, by the ROM, and through little Portugal, and 40 minutes later we finally arrived to a part of Toronto I had never seen in the daylight before.

It was a only a short walk south on Roncesvalles to get me to the front door, which is great if I was to stay late into the night. I love the pubs that are situated close to public transit. The facade of the Local Pub looks like a house from a fairy tale; cozy, small, quaint, and inviting. There is a large over-hanging sign signaling pedestrians towards the pub and the two large windows on either side of the front door allow passerby's to gaze in and see what's taking place inside.

I am greeted at the front door by Heather, a long time employee of the Local who apologizes for not being ready for opening. It is 4:15pm and the pub was supposed to open at 4pm, but usually Saturdays see the doors open closer to 4:30pm. Not to worry, she ushers me to the bar where she allows me to wait for a pint. Pretty soon people start filing in, taking up multiple tables and ordering drinks. It would appear that the local residents of the area are aware of the opening times and are eager to start their Saturday evening at, well, their local.

I glanced towards the taps to see the draught line-up; all local craft breweries with the exception of Guinness and Magners, and I let Heather pick one for me. She grabs me a pint of Cameron's Auburn Ale, which is poured into the appropriate Cameron's glass (good start) with a nice protection of thick foam that gives way to a nice lacing (clean glass - fresh beer + 2). So what else is on tap? Local Lager (produced by Great Lakes for the pub), Great Lakes Devil's Pale Ale 666, Great Lakes Green Tea Ale, Stratford Pilsner, Wellington County & Wellington Pale Ale, F&M Stonehammer Dark, Cameron's Cream (and Auburn), Amsterdam's KLB Raspberry Wheat, Amsterdam Blonde, Guinness, and Magners. With tax, at $7.75 a pint, the price is a little steep, but it was gladly paid as the beer was top notch.

As I mentioned, the place is filling up and it's yet to hit 5pm. Heather mentions to another customer that it is normally busier than this at this time, but she anticipates things are going to pick up soon, once the sun starts to set. The crowd that is present is pretty diverse. Some young artist looking types are off in one corner by the front windows, while a couple of elderly ladies hold up the bar with a couple of drinks. Heather says that the Local's atmosphere, along with their dedication to serving beer from craft breweries, attracts customers from all age brackets and is home to numerous regulars.

The front area of the pub hosts 8 tables, 4 on each side that is separated by a vacant walk way towards the bar. All tables come with bench seating and comfortable looking kitchen tables chairs straight from the 1970's. The bar is situated in the middle of the room, on the right side, and separates the front from the back, where there are more tables (booths) that are in front of the makeshift stage. The right side of the pub features an exposed brick wall and is lined with local art that is for sale. The left side also features art, but also some beer signage from local breweries. There is some artifacts hanging on the walls too, like the musical instruments and some funky art deco pieces. There are also strings of Christmas lights stretching from the front entrance to the very back, providing a little more light in the dimly lit pub. I like the size, 69 person capacity. Not to big, not to small.

The 'L' shaped bar is nicely sized and accommodates 10 bar stools for patrons to sit on. Behind the bar are a number of shelves lined with spirits, wine, and empty beer bottles, which are all clean and gleaning. There are a couple of low lying light fixtures hanging above that offer a glimmer of light, but the bar is kept bright by the use of tea lights. The bar is my favourite place to sit when I'm visiting a new pub for the first time, and I find the Local's pub a very friendly place to be, and I feel very comfortable here.

Music, well, by 5:15pm there is a three man instrumental band playing some Blue Grass (Kit Gut) music with a cello, banjo, fiddle, and guitar. I love it. Music is a big thing at the Local as musicians entertain 6 nights a week, and there is never any cover charge. Friday nights feature the 'war of the ipods' where the bar staff face off, playing music from their ipods. There is also no tv present in the place, which as you know, I like. And when there is no music, customers can entertain themselves by playing any number of board games that the Local have on hand for heated contests. Games in the pub, I think I've only seen this in three other Toronto establishments (if you know others, please let me know).

The Local Pub is a terrific place in the west end of Toronto that has been filling pint glasses for four years now. It seems to jump all over the place in terms of category - modern pub, traditional, or Canadiana, yet they got it right when they named it the Local, which is what it is all about. As I throw my glasses on and head back out into the sun, I think to myself - I wish that this was a pub closer to home.

The Local Pub
396 Roncesvalles Avenue
Toronto, ON
www.thelocalpub.ca
Open seven days a week: 4pm - 2am

Brewers Plate Menu Announced

The menu for next Friday's Brewers Plate has been announced here, and thanks to Greg Clow- here, and it sounds friggin amazing. Local food, local beer, highly talented and skilled chefs, all together in a beautiful room on a Friday night - I can't wait.

Check out the official website to order your tickets.


Here is the menu:
From the Kitchen of Brad Long, Veritas
Cameron's Auburn Ale Poached Erie White Bass on Spruce Tip Crepe
Local Lake Erie White Bass from Diana’s Seafood Delight in Toronto
Cameron’s Auburn Ale from Cameron’s in Oakville, Ontario
Pickled Spruce Tips from Forbes Wild Foods in Toronto, Ontario

From the Kitchen of Karen Vaz, Rebel House
Smoked Elk Sausage Ragout with Dark Ale and Leeks; served with Herbed Potato Gnocchi
The sausage is from SmokeKing in Meaford, Ontario
The potatoes are from Shelburne, Ontario
Vegetables will be supplied by Sanci's Produce
Paired with Mill Street

From the Kitchen of Jamie Kennedy, Jamie Kennedy Event Catering
Potato and Apple Doughnut with Fine Pork Fricassee: This is a yeast raised doughnut made with potato and apple. The fine pork fricassee is like a stew made with pork and onions and red peppers and cream and cider and reduced apple cider.
The pork is from Fred Demartines from Perth Pork Products in Sebringville, Ontario
The potatoes are from Markus of Klondyke Farms in Dashwood, Ontario
The apples are from Lincoln Line Orchards, Smithville, Ontario
Paired with Steam Whistle

From the Kitchen of Marc Breton, Gladstone Hotel (vegetarian selection)
Welsh Rarebit: Savoury bite size snacks combining Great Lakes Brewery Devil’s Pale Ale and Monforte sheep milk Cheddar with a hit of Kozlik Dijon mustard served on a toasted St. John’s Bakery Red Fife bread.
Devil’s Pale Ale from Great Lakes Brewery in Toronto
Sheep’s milk cheddar produced by Ruth Klahsen at Monforte Dairy in Millbank, Ontario
Kozlik’s Dijon mustard made by Anton Kozlik in Toronto and distributed by 100km Foods
St.John’s Bakery whole wheat bread baked on Broadview Ave. in Toronto with heritage Red Fife wheat grown by Patricia Hastings near Madoc, Ontario

From the Kitchen of Brook Kavanagh, La Palette
Everspring Farms Muscovy Duck 2 Ways: Leg Confit Croquette and Seared Breast with Maple-Parsnip Preserve and Pickled Brussel Sprout.
Duck is from Everspring Farms, Ilderton, Ontario
Parsnips from Pfennings Organic, just outside Baden, Ontario
Brussel sprouts from Sosnicki Organics located in Waterford, Ontario
Paired with Wellington

From the Kitchen of Mark Cutrara, Cowbell
Legendary Beef Tartare: made from Dingo Farms Red Angus Beef and served on a crostini made from bread Cowbell bakes in-house.
Dingo Farms is located in Bradford, Ontario
Bread from Cowbell, Toronto, Ontario
Paired with Black Oak

With these dishes you can enjoy these fine craft beers: Black Oak, Cameron’s, Great Lakes, Mill Street, Steam Whistle and Wellington.

Appetizer restaurants include Oyster Boy, Buddha Dog, Hart House and Magic Oven with bar snacks from Daily Apple.

Dessert Artisans include LPK’s Culinary Groove, Ninutik Maple Sugar, and the Ontario Cheese Society with chocolates from Kakayo and Chocoland

Other wonderful beverage providers include The County Cider Company, Henry of Pelham, Arthur’s Fresh Company, Merchants of Green Coffee and Oikos Teas.

Another Ontario Craft Brewery On the Move

The St. Catherine's Standard is reporting that the Niagara's Best Beer Co. is set to make a move this summer.

Niagara Falls will be home to the region's two microbreweries, following a decision by a St. Catharines brewery to relocate there.
Niagara's Best Beer at 75 St. Paul St. is moving this summer to the former Niagara Brewing Co. (owned by Moosehead) facility on Lundy's Lane.

The new location will feature a brewery restaurant and because of the added capacity, there are plans to increase the number of brands. Right now all the brewery produces are a Best Blonde and a Best Lager, both generic in their own right.

The article provided me with some new information, information I had no idea about. Niagara's Best Beer was launched in 2005 by two former Labatt executives, Kent and Kristy Kraemers, who appear to be out of the picture. The article states that the Kraemers are no longer involved in the business and that the company is now a corporation, as said by business manager, Lou Stranges. It appears that even with the changes the brewery is still part of the Ontario Craft Brewers (OCB) as they are still listed on the OCB website which was recently updated to include Steelback.

No word on a proposed date for the move. Here's hoping that this new change will see more adventurous beer being produced for on-site consumption.

CRAP - Craftbrewers Recycled Art Project

Stephen Beaumont has beat me to it with his post on CRAP over on his WorldofBeer site, but I have to post on this new local endeavour regardless.

George Eagleson, the spirited head brewer at the F&M Brewery in Guelph, showcased some artwork he assembled from recycled brewing equipment at his annual Georgopoolza festival back in January (auctioned for charity), and has since created an online shopping site for individuals to purchase a variety of those items.

You see Eagleson, along with partner Hanna Senitt (who also sells other homey items under the name bananaknits), are two passionate people when it comes to the environment. Recycling means a lot to them, and working in a brewery Eagleson noticed many things were being tossed out that could still serve a purpose in some capacity. This passion has inspired the pair to turn used materials from around the brewery into wallets (malt bags), pen and desk organizers (brewing hoses), and market bags (spent malt bags), that will be sold under the handle CRAP, short for Craftbrewers Recycled Art Project. "We take stuff that would be CRAP and turn it into stuff that is not CRAP," stated Eagleson.

Their art speaks for itself. It is durable, very reasonably priced, and friendly for the environment. It would be nice to see some these projects in the retail stores of other local Ontario breweries.

But one of the coolest things about this project is that anyone living in Guelph who purchases an item will pay no shipping fee. In fact, the item will be delivered personally via bicycle.

Brewing Hose Desk Organizer: $20.00

Each organizer is numbered and signed by the artist

Malt Bag Wallets: $10.00

"Normally the malt bag get chucked out. However, Not anymore. Re-cycle...re-love...re-use........What oh what is the correct term????" Eagleson

Head over to their site to check out the items or to place an order - http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6849330

IPA Cask Challenge Round 1 Results

Ok, the results have been tabulated and round two of Volo's IPA Cask Challenge has been determined. Here they are for your viewing pleasure.

BEERS MOVING ON:

Division 1

• Durham Hop Head vs. Mike Duggan Number 9 - the winner will take on Grand River Plowman's
• Granite Hopping Mad vs. Publican House Square Nail - winner to take on Mill St. Tankhouse

Division 2

• Magnotta West Coast vs. Heritage Sgt. Major
• Mill St. IPA vs. Durham Hop Addict

OVERALL TOP SCORED CASKS
1.DURHAM HOP ADDICT IPA
2.*DURHAM HOP HEAD IPA
3.*MIKE DUGGAN NUMBER 9 IPA
4.SCOTCH IRISH SGT. MAJOR IPA
5.*GRANITE HOPPING MAD PA
6.*PUBLICAN HOUSE SQUARE NAIL PA

*Durham Hop Head IPA and Mike Duggan Number 9 IPA was a draw, as was Granite Hopping Mad and Publican House Square Nail Pale Ale. Therefore, all four casks will advance.
* If there was less than a point difference in score between beers it was considered a draw

JUDGES TOP SCORED CASKS
1.DURHAM HOP ADDICT IPA
2.DURHAM HOP HEAD IPA
3.MIKE DUGGAN NUMBER 9 IPA
4.SCOTCH IRISH SGT. MAJOR IPA
5.PUBLICAN HOUSE SQUARE NAIL PA
6.GRANITE HOPPING MAD PA

PEOPLES TOP SCORED CASKS
1.DURHAM HOP ADDICT IPA
2.CAMERON’S HOPBURN PA
3.GRANITE HOPPING MAD PA
4.MIKE DUGGAN NUMBER 9 IPA
5.MILL ST. IPA
6.BLACK OAK HOP BOMB PA

ROUND 2: The date will be determined by the end of the week, most brewers have confirmed. Will be sometime in May.

This round will consist of 10 casks, and the tasting will be completely blind. The names of the beers will be disclosed the following day.

Beers will be served in 1/4, 1/2 and Full Pints. More details to follow.