Hop City Canning Barking Squirrel

These new cans are pretty damn good looking. We all know that nice packaging helps sell beer, and now that Hop City has their flagship, Barking Squirrel, in cans at the LCBO, I suspect they'll see a good turnout at the cashier.

As you can see in the image to the right, the cans are all black with the cool image of the squirrel eyeing up a fresh hop cone. The white text bounces off the can and everything is nice and clean, easy to read.

Looks will get you to buy it once, but the product inside the can is what will determine whether you purchase more. Hop City has done a good job with this beer, producing an easy drinking amber lager that works for both serious beer enthusiasts' and new beer drinkers alike.

I first mentioned Hop City back in November of 2009 and reading that old post reminds me that Hop City has already been around for two years now, as of yesterday (October 5th).

The Barking Squirrel is now available in select LCBO's (267773) and is starting to appear on the online database. $2.65 per can. 2010 silver medalist at the Canadian Brewing Awards.

King Brewery Looking For Brewing Help

Beer Barons Inc., the parent company of the King Brewery in Nobelton, ON, are currently seeking some brewing help to start immediately.

From Beer Barons:
"If you have an interest in entering the brewing industry, this is your chance to work directly under the supervision of the Brew Master at King Brewery. We’re currently seeking full time Brewers/General Labour. Please send your resume to jolene.hennigar@beerbarons.com.”

Video - The Iron Brewer & Long, Dark Voyage To Uranise

Organized by the Master Brewers Association of the America's, District Ontario, and run by Cheshire Valley's Paul Dickey, the Iron Brewer, now in it's second year, took place on Friday at the Black Oak Brewing Company in Etobicoke, ON.

The premise of the Iron Brewer is simple. Participating brewers are given some brewing ingredients and are told to go away and brew something in 30 days for the contest, using only the provided material. What they brew is left up to their discretion and as the video below shows, Sam Corbeil of Sawdust City Brewing brewed an Imperial Stout with an interesting name.

A beer produced by James Yii-Jen Tien of Muskoka Brewery was crowned the champion at the end of the day after the judges tasted all the products on hand.

Ken Woods (Black Oak), Jamie Mistry (Amsterdam Brewery), Luke Pestl (Bellwoods Brewery), Jon Downing and Kevin Sommerville (Niagara College Teaching Brewery) and Paul Dickey (Cheshire) all all interviewed in the video.



Iron Brewer 2011 from DMJHodge on Vimeo.

1st Annual Hastings County Beer Festival

Jed Corbeil and Curt Dunlop, the affable publicans of the Griffin Gastropub in Bracebridge, ON and the founders of Session 99 and Muskoka Craft Beer Festivals, are taking their show on the road.

On Saturday October 15th, during two separate tasting sessions, the two men will bring Hastings County their first every beer festival when they crash the village of Stirling - Hastings County Beer Festival.

There will be many Ontario craft beers available to sample, along with Prince Edward County Wines and Ciders, educational cheese tastings, music and much more. Check out their website for more information - www.hastingsbeerfestival.ca

Session 1 - 12pm-3pm
Session 2 - 5pm-8pm
$40 includes tax, food & 10 beer tickets!

Hastings County Museum of Agricultural Heritage
437 Front Street West
Stirling, Ontario

Video - Muskoka Brewery Mad Tom IPA Print Ad

Here's a cool little video from Muskoka Brewery about the making of their Mad Tom IPA print ad.


Mad Tom Advertisment from Muskoka Brewery on Vimeo.

Beau's Oktoberfest - Speaker Series

Speaker Series Topics

Voulez Vous Brassée Avec Moi, Ce Soir: Collaborative Beer Making
Anders Kissmeyer has been travelling the globe, brewing collaboratively with some of the foremost brewers of our time. Talking about the process of collaborating with other brewmasters, he will share the stories he’s collected, talk about brewing eccentricities and quirks in different countries and describe the possibilities and challenges faced in being a gypsy brewer, sharing someone else’s brewery.

When? Fri 5pm & Sun 5pm Details $10, includes 4 x 4oz beer samples.

Lagered Ales, The Reinheitsgebot, Martin Luther and Smokin' Banana Peels: A (Very) Condensed Social History of Brewing in Germany
Stephen Beaumont has travelled Germany from Berlin to Bavaria, drinking beer all the way, and used his experiences to pen the German chapter of the soon-to-be-released World Atlas of Beer. Join him as he shares his thoughts and memories, adding snippets of German brewing history along the way, some of which will actually be true! Oh, and there will be beer, too.

When? Fri 4pm & Sat 3pm Details $10, includes 4 x 4oz beer samples.

Warm & Flat - Some Guys are into That: Cask Beer
Like many mature beer markets, the British beer market is declining, but traditional Cask-conditioned and Premium Bottled Ale is bucking the trend big style. Brewer and Author Alex Barlow talks through the nature of Cask beer and its growing appeal in the UK and abroad.

When? Fri 2pm & Sun 4pm Details $10, includes 4 x 4oz beer samples.

A Brewer, a Somelier and a Wheel of Cheese Roll into a Bar
Brewer and author Alex Barlow, Cheesemaker Andrew Laliberte and Sommelier Jamie Drummond have a candid chat about the phenomenon of pairing beer with cheese. Alex and Andrew will present 4 pairings and Jamie will give his take as a wine expert on the pairings. Can beer and cheese pass the muster? Come find out for yourself and let your tastebuds judge, too!

When? Fri 6pm, Sat 2pm & Sun 2pm Details $10, includes 4 x 4oz beer samples... and cheese!

Les Biéres du Quebec (Bilingual)
Details to be announced...

Sharing the Stage: Indie Music & Indie Beer
If every craft brewery is half staffed by musicians, why is it the beer is often horrible at music festivals and live venues? This panel discussion will be moderated by Steve Beauchesne - co-founder of Beau’s (and old school punk rocker), Stephen Beaumont - world renowned beer author (and former columnist for Maximum Rock and Roll), Wayne Petti - lead singer of Cuff the Duke (and craft beer enthusiast) and Andrew Bartle - brewer at Amsterdam (and drummer of the Natural Shocks). The group will discuss the many similarities between independent brewing and indie music, share some of their own stories from the music and beer world and talk about the challenges faced in bringing these two star-crossed lovers together.

When? Sat 4pm Details $10, includes 4 x 4oz beer samples.

Cheers! Skaal! Santé! The Worldwide Craft Beer Movement
Join Danish brewer Anders Kissmeyer, British brewer and author Alex Barlow and brewer Stephane Ostiguy from Dieu de Ciel as they discuss upcoming trends and exciting happenings in the world of beer. These three have travelled and brewed in all corners of the planet and will share their experiences and talk about what is about to come in craft brewing.

When? Sat 5pm Details $10, includes 4 x 4oz beer samples.

Meet the Beau's Brew Team
Join Master Brewer Matthew O’Hara and his brewers as they describe the Beau’s philosophy and answer questions relating to the crafting of deliciousness.

When? Sun 3pm Details $10, includes 4 x 4oz beer samples.

Ontario Craft Beer
Details to be announced...


Speaker Bio's

Alex Barlow - www.allbeer.co.uk
Alex was brought up in Chester, North West England and in Zambia, Africa. His passion for beer started with his first job, as cellar-man at his local pub. With over 25 years experience, he’s a qualified Master Brewer, International Beer Judge, Beer Sommelier and author of the ALL BEER Guide, winner of four International awards including ‘Worlds Best Beer Book’

Alex’s mission is to change people’s perceptions about beer, to get more people, especially women, drinking a wider range of beers on more occasions. He believes beer’s superior spectrum of flavours make it the ideal partner for food, yet beer is rarely matched with food in its natural home – the pub, let alone for fine dining. He wants to change that.

Stephen Beaumont - www.worldofbeer.com
Stephen Beaumont has the job everyone wants, travelling the globe in search of the next great beer, spirit or cocktail. When he does set his feet in one place for a while, he can usually be found writing about his tasting adventures in books or magazine articles, blogging them on the web at worldofbeer.com, or talking at tutored tastings, drinks festivals and beer- or spirits-themed dinners.

Stephen is the author of six books, including The beerbistro Cookbook, which he co-wrote with Chef Brian Morin. His next project is The World Atlas of Beer, which he is co-authoring with British writer Tim Webb, scheduled for publication in 2012.

Beau's will be making a donation to the MS Society of Canada on behalf of Stephen Beaumont in lieu of a speaking fee for his appearance.

Jamie Drummond
Jamie Drummond is a Canadian sommelier, wine consultant, and writer who acts as Senior Editor and Director of Programs for Toronto not-for-profit Good Food Revolution. Drummond has served as a wine judge for Intervin, BioVino, Ontario Wine Awards, Royal Agricultural Winter Fair. He also occasionally DJ's in Toronto as DJ Non Doctor.







Cass Enright - www.bartowel.com
Cass Enright is the president of Ontario's premier beer resource The Bar Towel, and host of the Golden Tap Awards. He is also the founder of Free Our Beer and the Brewery Market.

Anders Kissmeyer

Born in Århus, Denmark, Anders holds MSc’s in brewing (Scandinavian School of Brewing 1984) and Chemical Engineering (Danish Technical University 1983). After a 16 year carreer in Quality Management and international brewing at Carlsberg, Anders left Carlsberg in 2001 to start work on establishing a Danish craft brewery heavily inspired by the US craft brewing scene. This project resulted in Nørrebro Bryghus, where Anders was first the CEO, later Brewery Director until February 2010. Nørrebro Bryghus (www.noerrebrobryghus.dk) was in 2010 rated as the 38th best brewery in the world by ’ratebeer.com’, and in 2010 it won 2 Gold and one Silver at the World Beer Cup, making it the most succesfull European brewery in the competition.

Since then, Anders is in charge of his own brewing, consulting and communications company, Kissmeyer Beer & Brewing. Anders is the current Technical Editor of the Scandinavian Brewer’s Review, and he has served on the Council of the EBC, is a board member in the Danish Brewer’s Association, teaches at the Scandinavian School of Brewing, and judges both national and international beer competitions, incl. the World Beer Cup, GABF, BIIA the IBC Japan and the Mondial de la Biére. In August 2011 Anders was awarded as the best still active Master Brewer graduated from the Scandinavian School of Brewing by nomination from his peers.

Beau's Oktoberfest - List of Beers Available

What you'll find in your Stein during Beau's Oktoberfest in Vankleek Hill, ON: Sept 30-Oct 2

7 Different Beau's Brews on Offer...

• Lug•Tread Lagered Ale
• Night•Märzen Oktoberfest Lager
• 5 New Wild Oats Series Beers
• Smokin' Banana Peel (Maple Smoked Hefeweizen)
• Two Weeks Notice (German Porter)
• Weiss O'Lantern (Pumpkinweiss)
• Dr. Jekyll (Lug•Tread Night•Marzen Blend)
• Mr. Hyde (Roggenbier meets RyePA)

Lug•Tread
Lagered Ale • 5.2% alc./vol
LUG•TREAD LAGERED ALE is our award winning, flagship beer. Golden-hued, crisp and finely balanced, LUG•TREAD is a tribute to the classic beer of Cologne, Germany. LUG•TREAD is top fermented (like an ale) and then cold aged (like a lager) for a lengthy period. This imparts light ale notes that are complemented by a lager-like crispness. LUG•TREAD displays interwoven malt and hop flavours, subtle fruit flavours and a crisp, lingering finish.

Night•Märzen
Oktoberfest Lager • 5.5% alc./vol.
Märzen is the traditional Oktoberfest style of beer. Our only regularly produced lager, this rich malty beer uses just the right amount of noble hops to balance the Munich malts and features an ultra clean finish to complete the package. Like all our beer, NIGHT•MÄRZEN is brewed with local springwater, organic malts and organic hops.

5 New Wild Oats Series Beers
Matt O'Hara, Beau’s Master Brewer, and his team of Brewers (Chris, Kevin & Brad) have been hard at work formulating new and ridiculously tasty beers for OKTOBERFEST 2011. They are...

Smokin' Banana Peel - Hefeweizen
WILD OATS SERIES NO. 11
That classic Hefeweizen character with an intense banana aroma, but with an added smokiness from malts that were home-smoked at the brewery with maple wood (Canadian maple at that, too!). Simply put, banana pancakes with bacon.

Two Weeks Notice - German Porter • 6.0% alc./vol.
WILD OATS SERIES NO. 12
A very rare style that was originally created as a competitor to the popular London porter. So, what makes it a German porter? Why it's been brewed with lager yeast of course! The roasted barley provides chocolate flavours and the malt sweetness is complimented by a finely balanced bitterness.

Weiss O'Lantern - Pumpkinweiss
WILD OATS SERIES NO. 13
Orange hued with a tall creamy head, Weiss O' Lantern is a white beer brewed with pumpkin. Pumpkin citrus fruit and spice flavours shine through it's full, wheat body. The finish is lively, zippy and darn refreshing.

Dr. Jekyll - Lug•Tread - Night•Märzen Blend • 5.2% alc./vol.
WILD OATS SERIES NO. 14
Am I a kolsch or a marzen? A little bit of both I say, -
what's that? Mr. Hyde rapping at my door methinks.... The delicately malty, slightly fruity character of Lug•Tread dances lockstep with the more intensely bready, biscuity backbone of Night•Märzen, while taming some of its hop intensity. This blend is a perennial favorite around the brewery.

Mr. Hyde - Roggenbier meets RyePA • 7.0% alc./vol.
WILD OATS SERIES NO. 15
A tribute to the Roggenbiers of Germany, but done with with a North American twist. Deep copper in colour, Mr. Hyde is a rye beer that has been hopped aggressively in the American vein. However, it utilizes German hops to provide bitterness, flavour and aroma, while the rye malt provides an additional spiciness.

barVolo's Cask Days
SPONSORED BY...

OKTOBERFEST is excited to have our friends from barVolo's back to do a special edition of Cask Days again this year. A beer festival inside a beer festival, Cask Days will feature special one-off cask ales from craft breweries across Canada.

This Year's Participating Breweries Include...
Amsterdam Brewery (Toronto, On)
Barley Days Brewery (Prince Edward County, On)
Beau’s All Natural Brewing Co. (Vankleek Hill, On)
Black Oak Brewing Co. (Toronto, On)
Brasserie Benelux (Montreal, Qc)
Brasserie Dieu Du Ciel! (St-Jerome, Qc)
Cameron’s (Oakville, On)
Church-Key Brewing Co. (Cambellford, On)
Clock Tower Brew Pub (Ottawa, On)
Durham Brewing (Pickering, On)
F&M Brewery (Guelph, On)
Flying Monkeys (Barrie, On)
Grand River Brewing (Cambridge, On)
Granite Brewery (Toronto, On)
Great Lakes Brewery (Toronto, On)
Hopfenstark (L’Assomption, Qc)
House Ales Nano-Brewery Project (Toronto, On)
Kensington Brewing (Toronto, On)
Lake of Bays Brewing (Baysville, On)
Le Trou Du Diable (Shawinigan, Qc)
Mill St. Brewery (Toronto, On)
Neustadt Springs Brewery (Neustadt, On)
Nickelbrook (Burlington, On)
Publican House Brewery (Peterborough, On)
Wellington Brewery (Guelph, On)

For more info on all the other cool stuff that barVolo and Cask Days do, check out their websites!

Additional Details:
$10 for 4 sample coupons and a souvenir sample glass (additional coupons avail for $2 a ticket)

2011 Toronto Beer Week Launch!

COME JOIN US!!

Kicking off the 2nd annual Toronto Beer Week with a Party
Join Us On Friday September 16th At The Amsterdam Brewery

September 12, 2011 (Toronto, ON) - The last party of the summer is set to begin. On Friday September 16th the 2nd annual Toronto Beer Week will hit the city with events at 50 of Hogtown’s finest establishments. We’d like to kick off the week early, which is why the first official cask will be tapped at the Amsterdam Brewing Company (21 Bathurst Street) at 12pm on Friday, which will be followed up with a number of unique Amsterdam offerings.

Last year’s launch was conducted by Steve Peters, the outgoing Speaker of Legislative Assembly of Ontario at the Mill Street Brewpub. While we’re keeping the same theme, we’re moving a little to the west and kicking things off at Amsterdam, who have been serving up great brews to the local market since 1985. Amsterdam epitomise the bright future of our local craft beer scene, having introduced a wide array of different styles in the past few years, as well as instituting a barrel-aging program for select creations. For the launch, the Amsterdam brew team have prepared a number of special one-off beers that display the full-range of flavours possible in the world’s favourite beverage. The Toronto Beer Week team will also have TBW t-shirts on site and will be handing out tickets to the Premium Beer Experience to lucky individuals! Complimentary snacks will also be available.

This should be a great photo opportunity as well as the ideal place to learn more about the week, and why we’re witnessing extraordinary growth as citizens join the craft beer revolution. We will discuss planned events, sample from fine beer, and answer any questions you may have. A number of brewers, licensees and brewery representatives will be attending, as well as members of the Toronto Beer Week Board. We hope to see you there!

To find out more information about events taking place during TBW, or to see the full list of 2011 participants, please visit our website at www.torontobeerweek.com. Follow us on Twitter @torontobeerweek and Like us on Facebook.

About Toronto Beer Week
Toronto Beer Week runs from September 16th-24th and celebrates great craft beer, the places that make it, and the establishments who serve it. Our inaugural 2010 week, saw hundreds of events at bars and restaurants across the city, and we’ve built on that success to add an additional weekend as well as more participating locations in 2011. A TBW event may be a five-course meal paired with different beers, it may be a selection of special “get it here or it’s gone brews”, or it might be a pub-crawl across some of our city’s finest watering holes. The diversity of events at Toronto Beer Week reflects the diversity of our craft beer culture, and our aim is to provide great and memorable experiences.

For further information contact:
Troy Burtch: troy@torontobeerweek.com - 647.400.7051
Robert Symes: rob@torontobeerweek.com

2011 Canadian Brewing Award Winners

2011 Canadian Brewing Award Winners

North American Style Lager
Gold: Moosehead Lager, Moosehead Breweries Ltd.
Silver: Carling Lager, Molson Coors Canada
Bronze: Red Baron Lager, Brick Brewing Co. (ON)

North American Style Premium Lager
Gold: Muskoka Craft Lager, Muskoka Brewery (ON)
Silver: Great Western Pilsner, Great Western Brewing Co. (SK)
Bronze: Brewhouse Pilsner, Great Western Brewing Co. (SK)

European Style Lager (Pilsner)
Gold: Creemore Traditional Pilsner, Creemore Springs Brewery (ON)
Silver: Rickard’s Blonde, Molson Coors Canada
Bronze: Overboard Imperial Pilsner, Lighthouse Brewing Co. (BC)

North American Style Amber Lager
Gold: King Vienna Lager, King Brewery (ON)
Silver: Buzz Beer, Cool Beer Brewery (ON)
Bronze: Thirsty Beaver Amber Ale, Tree Brewing Co. (BC)

North American Style Dark Lager
Gold: King Dark Lager, King Brewery (ON)
Silver: Hermann’s Dark Lager, Vancouver Island Brewery (BC)
Bronze: Brewmaster’s Black Lager, Okanagan Spring Brewery (BC)

Light (Calorie-Reduced) Lager
Gold: Carling Light, Molson Coors Canada
Silver: Moosehead Light, Moosehead Breweries Ltd.
Bronze: Molson Canadian 67, Molson Coors Canada

Bock – Traditional German Style
Gold: Hermannator Ice Bock, Vancouver Island Brewery (BC)
Silver: Navigator Doppelbock, Lighthouse Brewing Co. (BC)
Bronze: Captivator Doppelbock, Tree Brewing Co. (BC)

Kellerbier
Gold: Creemore Kellerbier, Creemore Springs Brewery (ON)
Silver: Helles, Microbrasserie Hopfenstark (QC)
Bronze: Howe Sound Lager, Howe Sound Brewing Co. (BC)

Porter
Gold: Coffee Porter, Mill Street Brewery (ON)
Silver: La Gaspesienne No. 13, Microbrasserie Pit Caribou (QC)
Bronze: Muskoka Dark Ale, Muskoka Brewery (ON)

Strong Porter (Baltic)
Gold: Grand Baltic Porter, Garrison Brewing Co. (NS)
Silver: Porter, Okanagan Spring Brewery (BC)

Cream Ale
Gold: Northumberland Ale, Church Key Brewing (ON)
Silver: Original 16, Great Western Brewing Co. (SK)
Bronze: Sleeman Cream Ale, Sleeman Breweries

Kolsch
Gold: High County Kolsch, Mt. Begbie Brewing Co. (BC)
Silver: Harvest Moon Organic Hemp Ale, Nelson Brewing Co. (BC)
Bronze: Analog 78, Phillips Brewing Co. (BC)

North American Style Amber/Red Ale
Gold: Sea Dog Amber Ale, Vancouver Island Brewery (BC)
Silver: Yukon Red Amber, Yukon Brewing Co. (YT)
Bronze: La Bringue, Acadie-Broue Inc. (NB)

North American Style Blonde/Golden Ale
Gold: Red Cap, Brick Brewing Co. (ON)
Silver: Moosehead Pale Ale, Moosehead Breweries Ltd.
Bronze: Garibaldi Honey Pale Ale, Howe Sound Brewing Co. (BC)

Brown Ale
Gold: Brown Ale, Mill Street Brewery (ON)
Silver: Nut Brown, Amsterdam Brewing Co. (ON)
Bronze: Bytown Brown Ale, Clocktower Brewpub (ON)

Scotch Ale
Gold: St. Ambroise Scotch Ale, McAuslan Brewing Inc. (QC)
Silver: Scotch Ale, Swans Buckerfields Brewery (BC)
Bronze: Wellington Iron Duke, Wellington Brewery. (ON)

English Style Pale Ale (Bitter)
Gold: Best Bitter, Picaroon’s Traditional Ales (NB)
Silver: Baldwin and Cooper Best Bitter, Howe Sound Brewing Co. (BC)
Bronze: Pandora Pale Ale, Swans Buckerfields Brewery (BC)

North American Style Pale Ale (Bitter)
Gold: Crazy Canuck Pale Ale, Great Lakes Brewery (ON)
Silver: Miami Weiss, Great Lakes Brewery (ON)
Bronze: East Side Bitter, R&B Brewing Co. (BC)

Wheat Beer – Belgian Style White/Wit
Gold: Belgian Wit, Granville Island Brewing Co. (BC)
Silver: Oranje Weiss, Amsterdam Brewing Co. (ON)
Bronze: Blanche de Chambly, Unibroue (QC)

Wheat Beer – German Style Hefeweizen
Gold: Hill’s Special Wheat, Yaletown Brewing Co. (BC)
Silver: Summer Weiss, Muskoka Brewery (ON)
Bronze: True North Wunder Weisse, Magnotta Brewery (ON)

Wheat Beer – North American Style
Gold: Sir John A Honey Wheat, Gahan Brewery (PEI)
Silver: Grasshopper Wheat, Big Rock Brewery (AB)
Bronze: Dooryard Summer Ale, Picaroon’s Traditional Ales (NB)

Belgian Style Abbey Ale
Gold: Dominus Vobiscum Hibernus, Microbrasserie Charlevoix (QC)
Silver: Dominus Vobiscum Triple, Microbrasserie Charlevoix (QC)
Bronze: Noire de Chambly, Unibroue (QC)

Belgian Style Strong Specialty Ale
Gold: Don de Dieu, Unibroue (QC)
Silver: Trois Pistoles, Unibroue (QC)
Bronze: Quatre-Centieme, Unibroue (QC)

English Style Barley Wine
Gold: Thor’s Hammer, Central City Brewing Co. (BC)
Silver: St. Ambroise Vintage Ale, McAuslan Brewing Inc. (QC)
Bronze: Woolly Bugger, Howe Sound Brewing Co. (BC)

American Style Barley Wine
Gold: Frappabord, Microbrasserie du Lac Saint-Jean (QC)
Silver: Unicorn Ale, Great Lakes Brewery (ON)
Bronze: Ol’ Fog Burner, Garrison Brewing Co. (NS)

Stout
Gold: Timber Hog Stout, Picaroon’s Traditional Ales (NB)
Silver: Diamond Head Oatmeal Stout, Howe Sound Brewing Co. (BC)
Bronze: St. Ambroise Oatmeal Stout, McAuslan Brewing Inc. (QC)

Imperial Stout
Gold: Tartan Tsar Russian Imperial Stout, Bushwakker Brewing Co. (SK)
Silver: Dude Where's My Czar?, Great Lakes Brewery (ON)
Bronze: Stout Imperiale, Microbrasserie La Chouape (QC)

English Style India Pale Ale
Gold: Beaver River, Beau’s All Natural Brewing Co. (ON)
Silver: Hoppelganger IPA, R&B Brewing Co. (BC)
Bronze: Yippee IPA, Picaroon’s Traditional Ales (NB)

American Style India Pale Ale
Gold: Fat Tug IPA, Driftwood Brewing Co. (BC)
Silver: Mad Tom IPA, Muskoka Brewery (ON)
Bronze: Citra IPA, Dead Frog Brewery (BC)

Imperial India Pale Ale
Gold: Ten Bitter Years, Black Oak Brewing Co. (ON)
Silver: Red Racer Imperial, Central City Brewing Co. (BC)
Bronze: Hop Head Double IPA, Tree Brewing Co. (BC)

French and Belgian Style Saison
Gold: No Chance With Miranda, Great Lakes Brewery (ON)
Silver: Saison Station 55, Microbrasserie Hopfenstark (QC)
Bronze: Nit Wit, Garrison Brewing Co. (NS)

Special Honey/Maple Lager or Ale
Gold: Sap Sucker Maple Porter, Fernie Brewing Co. (BC)
Silver: Cypress Honey Lager, Granville Island Brewing Co. (BC)
Bronze: Royal York Stinger, Mill Street Brewery (ON)

Fruit Beer
Gold: Pepper Lime Lager, Dead Frog Brewery (BC)
Silver: St. Ambroise Raspberry Ale, McAuslan Brewing Inc. (QC)
Bronze: Ginger Beer, Granville Island Brewing Co. (BC)

Fruit Wheat Beer
Gold: Framboise, Amsterdam Brewing Co. (ON)
Silver: Ephemere Pommes, Unibroue (QC)
Bronze: Thai Wheat, Pump House Brewery Ltd. (NB)

Pumpkin Beer
Gold: St. Ambroise Pumpkin Ale, McAuslan Brewing Inc. (QC)
Silver: Pumpkineater Imperial Pumpkin Ale, Howe Sound Brewing Co. (BC)
Bronze: Highballer Pumpkin Ale, Grand River Brewing Co. (ON)

Wood and Barrel Aged Beer
Gold: Serendipity #3, Tree Brewing Co. (BC)
Silver: American Whisky Barrel, Cameron’s Brewing Co. (ON)
Bronze: Winter Ale Barrel-Aged, Great Lakes Brewery (ON)

Wood and Barrel Aged Strong Beer
Gold: Buteuse Brassin Special, Microbrasserie Le Trou Du Diable (QC)
Silver: Singularity Russian Imperial Stout, Driftwood Brewing Co. (BC)
Bronze: Ol' Fog Burner (Glenora Barrel-Aged), Garrison Brewing Co. (NS)

Wood and Barrel Aged Sour Beer
Gold: Dulcis Succubus, Microbrasserie Le Trou Du Diable (QC)
Silver: Yaletown Oud Bruin, Yaletown Brewing Co. (BC)

Experimental Beer
Gold: Cache-a-epices, Microbrasserie du Lac Saint-Jean (QC)
Silver: Megadestroyer Imperial Licorice Stout, Howe Sound Brewing Co. (BC)
Bronze: 666, Le Saint-Bock Brasserie Artisanale (QC)


Beer of the Year – Fat Tug IPA, Driftwood Brewing Co. (BC)

Brewery of the Year – Picaroon’s Traditional Ales (NB)

Sitting Down For A Beer - Posting To Resume Shortly

Life has gotten the better of me lately. Longer work hours (organizing the Canadian Brewing Awards, which were the largest to date), writing material and interviewing individuals for the Fall Issue of TAPS The Beer Magazine, and down to the wire preparation for the 2nd annual Toronto Beer Week (it's all taking place at the same bloody time) have unfortunately stole most of my free time, thus hindering my ability to post on a more frequent basis. And there has been a lot going on. But there is much more to come. It's exciting out here in the Canadian beer industry; very exciting. 

I will get back to posting on here on a regular basis, but in the meantime, please do visit the other beer blogs from across Canada that I have listed in the CDN Beer Directory. Everyone is doing such a great job sharing beer news from coast to coast to coast!

Until next time, keep your glass tipped in the right direction! ... and visit the Toronto Beer Week website to see what's going on in Toronto between September 16-24th.

Cheers,

Troy

 

Homebrewing Demonstration Day At Brew Time (Sept 18th) - Hamilton, ON

I received the following press release this morning from a group of Hamilton, ON homebrewers who will be holding a brewing demonstration in September. The event is open to anyone willing to learn about the joys of brewing your own beer.


August 19, 2011: Brew Time, in cooperation with a group of Hamilton brewers (known to themselves as HOZERs), invite you to spend a day learning about homebrewing on September 18th, 2011 at 1638 Upper James St. (just South of Rymal Rd.). This group of homebrewers will be demonstrating a range of homebrewing techniques and equipment from single-vessel systems through larger 3-vessel breweries. The group consists of novice homebrewers through ex-professional brewers.

"Homebrewers are proud of our craft, and usually take any opportunity we can get to show it off." explained Jason Stranak, one of the event organizers. "We hope to attract members of the public with an interest in craft beer, homebrewing or anyone who enjoys tasting hand-crafted full-flavoured beer."

Victor VanBeek of Brew Time has been generous in hosting this event, and will be participating in the homebrewing session. The Brew Time store will be open, selling the ingredients and equipment needed to start brewing and providing tours and explanations of their brewing equipment and process.

Date: Sunday, 18.September 2011
Time: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
Location: Brew Time, 1638 Upper James St., Hamilton (just South of Rymal Rd.)

For further information, media may contact:
Jason Stranak, HOZERs, 905-393-7900
jason.stranak@gmail.com

The HOZERs are a group of amateur brewers in the Hamilton area, and their name is an acronym standing for Hamilton Ontario Zymurgy Enthusiast Ring. Zymurgy refers to the biochemical processes involved in fermentation.

Toronto Beer Week 2011 HomeBrew Competition - PRIZES

From the folks at Toronto Beer Week

Toronto Beer Week's HomeBrew Competition is truly extraordinary and unconventional in terms of the relaxed rules that we apply to encourage entries, how we judge the beers and for the prize lineup that we will be offering to winning brewers this year-- thanks to the generous support of our sponsors, participating craft breweries and key industry suppliers.

Although some details are still being finalized, and the prize categories will ultimately be tailored to respond to the categories of beers that do well in the first round of judging, here's what we can tell you:

• Spearhead Brewing Company, as "Official Sponsor" of the TBW Home Brew Contest is offering a "best of show" prize to the brewer who has submitted a beer that is, in the opinion of the judges, truly exceptional.

The prize that Spearhead is offering consists of an opportunity to be special VIP guests of Spearhead Brewing Company at the 2012 Craft Brewers Conference in San Diego, including CBC registration, transportation and hotel accommodation. The winning brewer will also be offered an opportunity to be Spearhead's guest at their brewing site during a brew day.

• The Amsterdam Brewing Company, brewer of last year's best of show, Teichert Smoked Porter, is again offering to brew and release one of the winning beer categories with the winning brewer.

• Beau's All Natural Brewing Company is joining the contest this year and is offering to brew an organic version of one of the winning beer categories with the winning brewer at their brewery in Vankleek Hill, and release the beer.

• The Granite Brewery released the winning Beer from the Southern Ontario Brewers "Plan it at the Granite" Contest during last year's Toronto Beer Week. This year the Granite will be offering to brew one of the winning ale categories with the winning brewer. The brewer will have the opportunity to join Ron Keefe during the brew session as "Brewer for the Day" .

• Great Lakes Brewery is offering the opportunity to brew one of the winning beer categories with the winning brewer their pilot system. Great Lakes will release the winning beer as part of their illustrious Project "X" series.

• We are also planning to offer additional prizes from participating breweries, such as gift certificates, gift packs, swag, goodies from Bob Latimer at Beer Wine and Filter, gift certificates from Randy at Canadian Homebrew Supplies in Brampton, offerings from TAPS The Beer Magazine, and other prizes that we will offer at random to brewers of high placing beers! Just one caveat though: Aside from Spearhead's Best of Show Prize trip to the Craft Brewers Conference, transportation and out-of-pocket expenses incurred in attending a participating brewery for a guest brew day are the responsibility of the winning brewer.

We don't know of any other Home Brew Contests that can match TBW's Home Brew Contest awesome prize lineup that will be available to the winning brewers. So brewers, fire up your kettles and give us your best!


The deadline for receipt of entries is Friday September 9th at 9pm!


ENTRY FORM


CONTEST RULES

Event - Made In Creemore Locavore Lunch: Aug 28th

Every year the Creemore Springs Brewery throws a big one-day street party in the village of Creemore called the Cooper Kettle Festival. It will once again take place this year on Saturday August 27th, but the brewery will be extending their festivities into Sunday with their first ever Made in Creemore Locavore Lunch.

Featuring a number of highly recognizable Chefs from local Ontario establishments, the lunch will get underway at 2pm at the Mad River Park and tickets are $150 per person. All the Chefs will be using local ingredients from local suppliers and growers and every course will be paired with different Creemore brands. (see list of Chefs in poster below)

A portion of the proceeds will support the Canadian Chefs Congress and the Eager Beaver Scholarship Project, both of which reinforce the passion and integrity of Canadian Food Culture.

Click here for more information or to purchase tickets.

I was lucky enough to attend a lunch the brewery hosted a number of years ago that included meals prepared by Michael Stadtlander and his son, and it was simply amazing. Seeing the list of the talented Chefs who will be in Creemore on the 28th makes my mouth water.

Move The Family Back Home - Beau's Documentary

I received an email earlier today from Travis Boisvenue, a freelance writer and a Senior Producer with a company called MediaStyle, who wanted to share a short 8 minute mini-documentary he put together on Beau's All Natural Brewing Co. in Vankleek Hill, ON.

Beau's co-founder Steve Beauchesne sat down for an interview with Boisvenue for the video and he openly discusses the history of the brewery, talks about working with ALL of his family, building a brand in a small market, and how important it is to him to support local businesses.

Creative Director, Jordan Bamforth, is also interviewed and he discusses how he developed the strong Beau's logo, integrating the community identity while tying in the family values that the brewery holds so dear.  (Bamforth just won a very  big award for the packaging for Beau's 4-Pack in the Applied Arts magazine - Category: Wine/Beer/Spirits - Single)

Check out Travis' website for more of his work at www.travisboisvenue.ca


Move the Family Back Home from Travis Boisvenue on Vimeo.

Canada's Only Teaching Brewery & Start-Up Put All Of Canada In One Glass

*upfront disclosure - I am employed with TAPS Media (parent company of TAPS The Beer Magazine and the Canadian Brewing Awards)*

The following is a press release from TAPS Media, Niagara College Teaching Brewery and the Sawdust City Brewing Co.

August 15, 2012 – Toronto, ON: TAPS Media, parent company of TAPS The Beer Magazine is pleased to announce the release of the first collaboration brew between the Niagara College Teaching Brewery and Sawdust City Brewing Co - Great Weiss North

Brewed on July 27th, Great Weiss North is an All-Canadian brew in every sense of the word. Made with an ingredient from every province and territory in the country, it is a unique beer that was designed to showcase all that Canada has to offer. The idea was the brainchild of Sawdust City Brewing Co., Brew Master Sam Corbeil, the beer itself was designed and made by Jon Downing Brew Master and professor at the Niagara College and a team of his first year students from the College’s Brew Master and Brewery Operations Management course.

Along with an array of malts, supplied by Canada Malting, and home grown organic Ontario hops, the beer also features a variety of interesting ingredients such as Birch Syrup from the Yukon and teas from the North West Territories and Nunavut.

The beer will be released Friday, August 19th at this year’s Canadian National Exhibition and will only be available at the CNE’s Craft Beer Garden. A first for the CNE, the Craft Beer Garden is headed up by Jed Corbeil and Curt Dunlop, proprietors of the Griffin Gastropub of Bracebridge, ON and the brains behind the Muskoka and Session Craft Beer Festivals.

Along with Sawdust City and Niagara College, the CNE’s Craft Beer Garden will have 10 other Ontario Craft Brewers on hand to sample their wares and educate people on the wonderful world of craft beer.

For additional information about Great Weiss North, Sawdust City Brewing Co, or Niagara College, please contact Sam Corbeil or visit sawdustcitybrewing.com

For additional information about Great Weiss North, Sawdust City Brewing Co, or Niagara College,
please contact Sam Corbeil or visit sawdustcitybrewing.com

Sam Corbeil, Brew Master / Sales & Marketing TAPS Media:
tel: 416-536-7121
fax: 416-536-2898
email: sam@sawdustcitybeer.com