2012 Canadian Brewing Award Winners

2012 Canadian Brewing Award Winners

The 2012 Canadian Brewing Awards took place last evening in Montreal at the Montreal Arts Centre after some pre celebrations at the 19th annual Mondial de la Biere.

Here is the complete list of winners! Congrats to all the Canadian breweries mentioned here.

North American Style Lager
Gold: Brewhouse Pilsener, Great Western Brewing Co. (SK)
Silver: Sleeman Original Draught, Sleeman Breweries Ltd.
Bronze: Alpine Lager, Moosehead Breweries (NB)

North American Style Premium Lager
Gold: Vancouver Islander Lager, Vancouver Island Brewery (BC)
Silver: Muskoka Craft Lager, Muskoka Brewery (ON)
Bronze: Beach Blonde Lager, Tree Brewing Co. (BC)

European Style Lager (Pilsner)
Gold:  Steam Whistle Pilsner, Steam Whistle Brewing (ON)
Silver: Red Canoe Lager, Canoe Brewpub (BC)
Bronze: Steamworks Pilsner, Steamworks Brewing Co. (BC)

North American Style Amber Lager
Gold: Buzz Beer, Cool Beer Brewing Co. (ON)
Silver: Blue Buck Pale Ale, Phillips Brewing Co. (BC)
Bronze: Barking Squirrel Lager, Hop City Brewing Co. (ON)

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

Light (Calorie-Reduced) Lager  
Gold: Cracked Canoe Premium Light Lager, Moosehead Breweries (NB)
Silver: Moose Light, Moosehead Breweries (NB)
Bronze: Brewhouse Light, Great Western Brewing Co. (SK)

Bock – Traditional German Style
Gold: Deviator Doppelbock, Cameron’s Brewing Co. (ON)
Silver: Hermannator Ice Bock, Vancouver Island Brewing Co. (BC)
Bronze: Amsterdam Spring Bock, Amsterdam Brewing Co. (ON)

Kellerbier
Gold: Kellerbier, Creemore Springs Brewery (ON)
Silver: Bohemian Lager, R&B Brewing Co. (BC)
Bronze: Festivale, Beau’s All Natural Brewing Co. (ON)

Porter
Gold: Coffee Porter, R&B Brewing Co. (BC)
Silver: 25th Anniversary Robust Porter, Great Lakes Brewing Co. (ON)
Bronze: Coffee Stout, Phillips Brewing Co. (BC)

Strong Porter (Baltic)
Gold: Lost River Baltic Porter, Bellwoods Brewery (ON)
Silver: Grand Baltic Porter, Garrison Brewing Co. (NS)
Bronze: Okanagan Spring Porter, Sleeman Breweries

Cream Ale
Gold: Original 16, Great Western Brewing Co. (SK)
Silver: Portage Ale Cream Ale, Mill Street Brewery (ON)
Bronze: Begbie Cream Ale, Mt. Begbie Brewery (BC)

Kolsch
Gold: Lug Tread, Beau’s All Natural Brewing Co. (ON)
Silver: Swans Arctic Ale, Swans Brewery (BC)
Bronze: Harvest Moon Organic Hemp Ale, Nelson Brewing Co. (BC)

North American Style Amber/Red Ale
Gold:  Red Racer ESB, Central City Brewing Co. (BC)
Silver: Thirsty Beaver Amber Ale, Tree Brewing Co. (BC)
Bronze: Lighthouse Race Rocks Ale, Lighthouse Brewing Co. (BC)

North American Style Blonde/Golden Ale
Gold: Boreale Blonde, Les Brasseurs du Nord (QC)
Silver: Picaroons Blonde, Picaroons Traditional Ales (NB)
Bronze: Kichesippi Natural Blonde, Kichesippi Beer Co. (ON)

Brown Ale
Gold: Iron Horse Brown Ale, Prince Edward Island Brewing Co. (PEI)
Silver: Beaver Brown Ale, Canoe Brewpub (BC)
Bronze: Nelson After Dark, Nelson Brewing Co. (BC)


American Style Black Ale
Gold: Terrestrial India Brown Ale, Wellington County Brewery (ON)
Silver: Black IPA, Brasserie Dunham (QC)
Bronze: Houblon Libre, Microbrasserie du Lac Saint-Jean (QC)

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

English Style Pale Ale (Bitter)
Gold: Pale Ale, Yaletown Brewing Co. (BC)
Silver: St. Ambroise Pale Ale, McAuslan Brewing Inc (QC)
Bronze: River Rock Bitter, Canoe Brewpub (BC)

North American Style Pale Ale (Bitter)  
Gold: Steamworks Pale Ale, Steamworks Brewing Co. (BC)
Silver: Crazy Canuck Pale Ale, Great Lakes Brewing Co. (ON)
Bronze: Naughty Neighbour, Nickel Brook, (ON)

Wheat Beer – Belgian Style White/Wit
Gold: Cheval Blanc, Les Brasseurs RJ (QC)
Silver: Dominus Vobiscum Blanche, Microbrasserie Charlevoix (QC)
Bronze: Mons Abbey Witte, Brasserie Belgh Brasse (QC)

Wheat Beer – German Style Hefeweizen
Gold: 
Silver: Beachcomber Summer Ale, Vancouver Island Brewing (BC)
Bronze: Hefeweizen Unfiltered Wheat Ale, Tree Brewing Co. (BC)

Wheat Beer – North American Style
Gold: Sungod Wheat Ale, R&B Brewing Co. (BC)
Silver: Sir John A’s Honey Wheat, Prince Edward Island Brewing Co. (PEI)
Bronze: Dooryard Summer Ale,  Picaroons Traditional Ales (NB)

Belgian Style Abbey Ale
Gold: Don Juan, Broadway Microbrasserie and Pub (QC)
Silver: Tchucke, Broadway Microbrasserie and Pub (QC)
Bronze: Dominus Vobiscum Double, Microbrasserie Charlevoix (QC)

Belgian Style Strong Specialty Ale
Gold: Tripe a Trois, A la Fut (QC)
Silver: Buteuse, Microbrasserie Le Trou du Diable (QC)
Bronze: 17 Grande Reserve, Unibroue (QC)

Barley Wine Style Ale
Gold: Woolly Bugger Barleywine, Howe Sound Brewing Co. (BC)
Silver: Thor’s Hammer Barleywine, Central City Brewing Co. (BC)
Bronze: Gaz de Course, Brouhaha (QC)

Stout
Gold: St. Ambroise Oatmeal Stout, McAuslan Brewing Inc. (QC)
Silver: Bete Noire, A La Fut (QC)
Bronze: Midnight Sun Espresso Stout, Yukon Brewing Co. (YT)

Imperial Stout
Gold: Stout Imperiale Russe, Brasserie Dunham (QC)
Silver: Fort Garry Kona Imperial Stout, Fort Garry Brewing Co. (MB)
Bronze: Hammer Imperial Stout, Phillips Brewing Co. (BC)

English Style India Pale Ale
Gold: Powell IPA, Coal Harbour Brewing Co. (BC)
Silver: Tranquility IPA, Moon Under Water Pub and Brewery (BC)
Bronze: Devil’s Elbow IPA, Howe Sound Brewing Co. (BC)

American Style India Pale Ale
Gold: Karma Citra, Great Lakes Brewing Co. (ON)
Silver: Rye Pale Ale, Cameron’s Brewing Co. (ON)
Bronze: Swans Extra IPA, Swans Brewery (BC)

Imperial India Pale Ale
Gold: Central City Imperial IPA, Central City Brewing Co. (BC)
Silver: Diable au Corps, Les Brasseurs du Temps (QC)
Bronze: Amnesiac Double IPA, Phillips Brewing Co. (BC)

French and Belgian Style Saison
Gold: Deliverance Saison, Great Lakes Brewing Co. (ON)
Silver: Nit Wit, Garrison Brewing Co. (NS)
Bronze: Patio Saison, Beau’s All Natural Brewing Co. (ON)

Special Honey/Maple Lager or Ale
Gold: Royal York Stinger, Mill Street Brewery (ON)
Silver: Boreale Doree, Les Brasseurs du Nord (QC)
Bronze:  Cypress Honey Lager, Granville Island Brewing Co. (BC)

Fruit Beer
Gold: Mandarin Orange Amber Ale, Dead Frog Brewery (BC)
Silver: Pepper Lime Lager, Dead Frog Brewery (BC)
Bronze: Moose Light Lime, Moosehead Breweries (NB)

Fruit Wheat Beer
Gold: Amsterdam Framboise, Amsterdam Brewing Co. (ON)
Silver: Ephemere Pomme, Unibroue (QC)
Bronze: Crique, A La Fut (QC)

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

Wood and Barrel Aged Beer
Gold: 25th Anniversary Bourbon Barrel Aged Robust Porter, Great Lakes Brewing Co. (ON
Silver: Amsterdam Leipziger Gose, Amsterdam Brewing Co. (ON)
Bronze: Red Truck Ruby, Red Truck Beer Co. (BC)

Wood and Barrel Aged Strong Beer
Gold: Thor’s Hammer Bourbon Barrel Barley Wine, Central City Brewing Co. (BC)
Silver: Nectar of the Gods, Russell Brewing Co. (BC)
Bronze: Singularity Russian Imperial Stout, Driftwood Brewery (BC)

Wood and Barrel Aged Sour Beer
Gold: Co-Hop V,  A La Fut (QC)
Silver: Bird of Prey-Flanders Red, Driftwood Brewing Co. (BC)
Bronze: Vent d’Anges,  Broadway Microbrasserie and Pub (QC)

Experimental Beer
Gold: Dark Snout Bacon Stout, R&B Brewing Co. (BC)
Silver: Honey Lavender, Garrison Brewing Co. (NS)
Bronze: Harry Porter and the Bourbon Soaked Vanilla Beans, Great Lakes Brewing Co. (ON)


Beer of the Year – Co-Hop V, A La Fut (QC)
Brewery of the Year – Central City Brewing Co.

ONTARIO CRAFT BEER WEEK 2012!

Press Release from the Ontario Craft Brewers

ONTARIO CRAFT BEER WEEK 2012!

June 17-23, 2012

29 BREWERIES, 29 ONTARIO COMMUNITIES, 70 VENUES (and counting…)

~ HUNDREDS OF CRAFT BEER TASTING OPPORTUNITIES ~

http://www.ocbweek.ca

Twitter: @OntCraftBrewers

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ontariocraftbeerweek

Youtube Channel: Ontcraftbeerweek: http://bit.ly/Nze504

(TORONTO) – June 2012 – Countdown is on for Ontario Craft Beer Week 2012, launching Father’s Day and running from June 17 – 23, 2012. The third annual, province-wide festival of Ontario’s independent craft brewers celebrates the local beer scene and exposes new consumers to the fun, flavour and fresh quality of Ontario craft brewing.

Hosted by 29 OCB member breweries, to date there are events and tasting opportunities in 29 communities and over 70 event venues in communities across the province from Windsor to Vankleek Hill. From the intimate to the expansive, new events are being added daily so keep checking listings at http://www.ocbweek.ca. Use the ‘search tool’ to find events by keyword, brewery or licensee.

“Ontario Craft Beer Week keeps getting better, expanding into new venues and communities, offering unique opportunities for all tastes,” says Anetta Jewell of Great Lakes Brewery and co-chair of Ontario Craft Beer Week 2012. “There are many different kinds of events, ranging from big outdoor craft beer festivals to intimate beer tastings to menu pairings and everything in between.”

“Ontario beer lovers are seeking fresh, premium quality products brewed in their own backyard,” says Mill Street brewmaster Joel Manning.  “Ontario Craft Beer Week is the perfect opportunity to experience craft beer culture at events, tastings and pairings held in venues throughout the province.”

Highlights: Search events by date, region, theme, brewery or licensee name

HONOUR THY FATHER WITH BEER – June 17:

·         Barley Days Brewery – buy a case of 24 from the brewery in Picton and get a free Barley Days glass for Dad.

·         Beau’s All Natural Brewery multi-course beer dinners at Trattoria Gusto in Port Hope and Vert Fourchette in Vankleek Hill.

·         Beach, Brews & BBQ at Woodbine Park in Toronto with Beau’s, Black Oak, Nickel Brook, Flying Monkeys, Great Lakes, Lake of Bays & Mill Street.

·         Cameron’s Brewing Co. hosts its 15^th anniversary during the annual Father’s Day BBQ at the brewery in Oakville with beer, food & free tours.

·         Granite Brewery in Toronto will give Dad a pint in a special free Granite Father’s Day glass.

·         Bring Dad down to Great Lakes Brewery in Etobicoke between 2-4 p.m. for beer and BBQ treats.

·         Brewmaster’s Dinner with Joel Manning of Mill Street Brewery at the Fairmont Royal York’s Epic Restaurant in Toronto or tour the brewpub in the distillery district and get a free opener for Dad.

·         Muskoka Cottage Brewery Steamship Cruise: A four hour tour of Muskoka lakes with good craft beer, delicious food and entertainment.

·         Complimentary beer at Niagara College Teaching Brewery.

·         Neustadt Springs Brewery Open House on Father’s Day in Neustadt, ON.

·         Railway City Brewing’s “Beer Tasting & Historical Walking Tour” in St. Thomas, ON.

·         Trafalgar Brewery’s 10^th annual Father’s Day Open House & Pig Roast.

·         Wellington Brewery Father’s Day Bus Tour (12-4 p.m.) between Wellington, F&M and local craft beer legend, the Woolwich Arrow. Tours and samplings at the brewery in Guelph (including Welly One-Off limited edition cask beer). $5 per person.

COLLABORATIONS, PUB CRAWLS, CASKS AND ONE OFFS

Taste numerous unique one-off brews, collaboration beers and cask creations between brewers at many venues and exclusive beer dinners. Black Oak’s infamous “10 Bitter Years” will be re-released at the brewery. Beau’s will distribute its Pan-Ontario brew throughout the province, featuring a mix of beers aged in oak barrels from Beau’s, Flying Monkeys, Great Lakes, Grand River, Wellington. Amsterdam and Great Lakes have collaborated on some specialty brews that will be available at select pubs. Amsterdam also collaborated with Flat Rock Cellars winemaker to create the “first ever collaboration between a brewery and winery in Ontario.” Tickets available at: http://www.canadianbeernews.com/dinner-series/cbn-dinner-series-5/

CHEESES THAT BEER IS FRESH!

Mill Street Brewery will host numerous beer tastings from a brewmaster’s dinner at the Royal York Hotel to Master of Beer Appreciation to province-wide beer and artisan cheese pairings. The “Mill Street Paddles paired with Artisanal Cheese” program will be available in over 25 pubs and restaurants across the province, providing new craft beer and food pairing experience to people who mingh

“We’re bringing craft beer to all corners of Ontario, enticing new consumers to try a variety of beer in flights matched with local cheese,” says brewmaster Manning. “This will open up a new tasting experience for many people who might not otherwise think about trying craft beer and food.”

LARGE-SCALE TASTING FESTIVALS

June 14, 15, 16 - Toronto Wine & Spirits Festival, Sugar Beach (Ticketed Event) http://www.wineandspiritfestival.ca/

June 15, 16 – Barrie Beer Festival, Barrie Curling Club (Ticketed Event) http://www.barriebeerfest.com/festinfo.php

June 15 – 17 – Beach, BBQ & Brews Festival, Woodbine Park, Toronto (Free Ribfest)

http://www.beachbbqandbrews.com/

June 23 – Session 99, A Craft Beer Festival, 99 Sudbury Street, Toronto – (Ticketed Event)

http://www.sessiontoronto.ca

MEET THE MAKER/INTIMATE BEER DINNERS

Who better to lead a craft beer tasting and food pairing than an Ontario brewmaster? There are many opportunities to meet, mingle and taste right along with brewers, staff and beer reps.

INDIE BEER & INDIE CULTURE

Live music, open mic, trivia, circus sideshow, sustainable seafood. You name it; it pairs well with craft beer.

CRAFT BEER 101

Beer schools, cooking with beer, touring breweries; there’s no better time to learn everything you ever wanted to know about craft beer but were afraid to ask.

DELTA HOTELS & RESORTS DISCOUNTS: Toronto, Ottawa, London & Guelph

For those who need a place to rest their beery heads, Delta Hotels & Resorts are offering discounts on room rates at Delta Chelsea Toronto, Delta Ottawa City Centre, Delta London Armouries & Delta Guelph Hotel & Conference Centre. Book online athttp://pages.deltahotels.com/craft-beer-week/

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS, PARTNERS & LICENSEES

Ontario Craft Beer Week 2012 committee thanks our generous sponsors for their financial support: FCA Insurance Brokers -http://www.fcainsurance.com

Gilbertson & Page -  http://gilbertsonandpage.com/wp/

Fogler Rubinoff LLP - http://www.foglerrubinoff.com/

Zenan Custom Cresting - http://www.zenan.ca

HAD YOUR FIRST TIME YET? http://bit.ly/LbTtLr

Ontario Craft Brewers encourage new consumers to take the plunge and try craft beer for the first time. This year’s OCB Week youtube video features members of the craft brewing community talking about their “First Time” trying craft beer. People are encouraged to post their experiences on youtube, facebook, & twitter.

JOIN THE COMMUNITY: http://www.ocbweek.ca

Twitter: @OntCraftBrewers

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ontariocraftbeerweek

Youtube Channel - Ontcraftbeerweek: http://bit.ly/Nze504

PLANNING AN EVENT?

Restaurants or pubs with event ideas or requests should contact their local brewery or send an email to info@ocbweek.ca.

OCB DISCOVERY PACK:

Hosting your own home beer tasting? Grab an OCB Discovery Pack from your local LCBO (Spring - LCBO #282483 or Summer, coming mid to end of June- #291641). Or, search for it using the OCB Beer locator app http://itunes.apple.com/lv/app/ocb-beer-locator/id393780450?mt=8.

Check out our website http://www.ontariocraftbrewers.com for more beer tasting tools and tips.

  

Ontario Craft Brewers: Discover the Difference.

The Ontario Craft Brewers is an association of 29 small brewers dedicated to making great tasting, high quality beer in Ontario. The 29 members of the Ontario Craft Brewers brew their beers locally using fresh, all natural ingredients in communities throughout Ontario – from the Ottawa Valley to Waterloo and Niagara to Muskoka. Handcrafting over 150 premium beers, Ontario Craft Brewers employ about 700 people in Ontario, accounting for over 20 per cent of the overall brewing employment in the province.  Ontario’s Craft Brewers’ share has more than doubled since 2002, going from slightly less than two per cent to approximately five per cent of the beer volume sold in Ontario and continues to be the fastest growing segment within the LCBO’s beer category. The OCB’s long term vision is to make Ontario a North American Centre of Excellence for Craft Brewing. Please discover responsibly.

OCB Beer Locator App

Find Ontario Craft Beers located near you on iPhone and BLACKBERRY. The app lets you browse a list of OCB Beers sold in the LCBO or The Beer Store or at local licensees, alphabetically or by Brewery.

http://itunes.apple.com/lv/app/ocb-beer-locator/id393780450?mt=8

http://appworld.blackberry.com/webstore/content/screenshots/25119?lang=en

Upper Canada Brewing Co. - Paddle

Breweriana - Paddle

Item: Upper Canada Brewing Co. Paddle

Date: 1996

How obtained: Donated to collection by former Upper Canada employee 

Details: Full sized paddle. One side reads "The Upper Canada Brewing Company" with the Upper Canada logo prominently displayed. On the opposite side it reads "Better Beer" with the logo again. 

Interesting notes: Upper Canada Brewing Co. was founded by Frank Heaps (father to Cam Heaps who is one of the three founders of Steam Whistle) and opened for business in Toronto in 1985. They were located on Atlantic Ave. and operated there until 1998 when they were purchased by Sleeman Breweries Ltd. and production moved to the Sleeman brewery in Guelph. Many of today's craft brewers can say that Upper Canada was where they got their start in the biz; whether working on the bottling line, doing deliveries, kegging, brewing, etc. 


The paddle was given to employees as a gift in 1996. This particular paddle is a terrific condition. 

2012 Ontario Brewing Awards - Winners

The winners of the 2012 Ontario Brewing Awards (OBAs) were announced on May 17th at the Beer Academy (Six Pints) in Toronto. It was the 9th annual edition of the OBAs and the largest to date with over 165 beers submitted by over 30 breweries.

North American Light Lager
Gold: Cool Beer Brewing – Stonewall Light
Silver: Labatt Breweries of Canada – Rolling Rock Extra Pale
People’s Choice: Labatt Breweries of Canada – Rolling Rock Extra Pale

North American Lager
Gold: Hogsback Brewing – Hogsback Vintage Lager
Silver: Labatt Breweries of Canada – Labatt Blue
People’s Choice: Hogsback Brewing – Hogsback Vintage Lager

European Style Lager
Gold: King Brewery – King Pilsner
Silver: Kichesippi Beer Co. – Kichesippi Natural Blonde
People’s Choice: Kichesippi Beer Co. – Kichesippi Natural Blonde

Amber Lager
Gold: Cool Beer Brewing Company – Millennium Buzz
Silver: Great Lakes Brewery – Red Leaf Smooth Red Lager
People’s Choice: Nickel Brook Brewery – Nickel Brook Märzenbier Bavarian Style Red

Dark Lager
Gold: Cameron’s Brewing – Cameron’s Dark 266
Silver: King Brewery – King Dark Lager
People’s Choice: Mill Street Brewery – Mill Street Rauchbier

Bock
Gold: Amsterdam Brewery – Amsterdam Spring Bock
Silver: Cameron’s Brewing – Cameron’s Deviator Doppelbock
People’s Choice: Amsterdam Brewery – Amsterdam Spring Bock

Honey/Maple Beer
Gold: F&M Brewery – Stone Hammer Maple Red Ale
Silver: Railway City Brewing Company – Railway City Honey Elixir
People’s Choice: F&M Brewery – Stone Hammer Maple Red Ale

German Style Wheat Beer
Gold: Denison’s Brewery – Denison’s Hefeweizen
Silver: Magnotta Brewery – True North Wonder Weisse
People’s Choice: Denison’s Brewery – Denison’s Hefeweizen

Belgian Style Wheat Beer
Gold: Amsterdam Brewery – Amsterdam Orange Weisse
Silver: Mill Street Brewery – Mill Street Belgian Wit
People’s Choice: Amsterdam Brewery – Amsterdam Orange Weisse

Cream Ale
Gold: Muskoka Brewery – Muskoka Cream Ale
Silver: Grand River Brewing – 1913 Traditional
People’s Choice: Muskoka Brewery – Muskoka Cream Ale

British Pale Ale
Gold: Black Oak Brewery – Black Oak Pale Ale
Silver: Grand River Brewing – Plowman’s Ale
People’s Choice: Grand River Brewing – Plowman’s Ale

North American Pale Ale
Gold: Nickel Brook Brewery – Naughty Neighbour Pale Ale
Silver: Great Lakes Brewery – Crazy Canuck Pale Ale
People’s Choice: Black Creek Historic Brewery – Black Creek Pale Ale

British India Pale Ale
Gold: Grand River Brewing – Curmudgeon IPA
Silver: Mill Street Brewery – Mill Street IPA
People’s Choice: Mill Street Brewery – Mill Street IPA

North American India Pale Ale
Gold: Cameron’s Brewing – Cameron’s Rye Pale Ale
Silver: Muskoka Brewery – Mad Tom IPA
People’s Choice: Cameron’s Brewing – Cameron’s Rye Pale Ale

Amber Ale
Gold: Amsterdam Brewery – Big Wheel Deluxe Amber
Silver: Clocktower Brew Pub – Clocktower Red
People’s Choice: Amsterdam Brewery – Big Wheel Deluxe Amber

Dark Ale
Gold: Muskoka Brewery – Muskoka Dark Ale
Silver: Black Oak Brewery – Nut Brown Ale
People’s Choice: Black Oak Brewery – Nut Brown Ale

Porter
Gold: Mill Street Brewery – Coffee Porter
Silver: Black Oak Brewery – Nutcracker Porter
People’s Choice: Mill Street Brewery – Coffee Porter

Stout
Gold: F & M Brewery – Stone Hammer Oatmeal Coffee Stout
Silver: Railway City Brewing Company – Black Coal Stout
People’s Choice: F & M Brewery – Stone Hammer Oatmeal Coffee Stout

Imperial Stout
Gold: Wellington Brewery – Wellington Imperial Russian Stout
Silver: Nickel Brook Brewery – Bolshevik Bastard Imperial Stout
People’s Choice: Wellington Brewery – Wellington Imperial Russian Stout

Fruit Beer
Gold: Amsterdam Brewery – Amsterdam Framboise
Silver: Clocktower Brew Pub – Clocktower Raspberry Wheat
People’s Choice: Amsterdam Brewery – Amsterdam Framboise

Flavoured Beer
Gold: Grand River Brewing – Highballer Pumpkin Ale
Silver: Sawdust City Brewing – Skinny Dipping Stout
People’s Choice: Cameron’s Brewing – Cameron’s American Whiskey Barrel

Strong Beer
Gold: Niagara College Teaching Brewery – Rudolph’s Red Nose Ale
Silver: Mill Street Brewery – Mill Street Ambre de la Chaudière
People’s Choice: Niagara College Teaching Brewery – Rudolph’s Red Nose Ale

Beer of the Year (highest overall score)
Mill Street Brewery – Mill Street Coffee Porter

Newcomer of the Year (new brewery with highest score)
Hogsback Brewing

Toronto Beer Week 2012!!

From the folks who put on Toronto Beer Week:

Toronto Beer Week is back, and aims to be bigger and better. We’ve stretched the conventional concept of a week (don’t try this at home) and made it a full nine days for the second year in a row! When it’s a beer week, you want all the days you can get.

Mark your calendars now: Toronto Beer Week 2012 will take place across the city from September 14th to 22nd.

A TBW event may be a five-course meal paired with different beers, it may be a selection of special “get it here or its 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.

Sign up to our Facebook and Twitter pages and stay informed about events taking place between now and September. We aim to help you train for our celebration of all things beer. How do you get to Toronto Beer Week? Practice, practice, practice. Are you drinking a local craft brew? Found a new watering hole that might be ideal for Toronto Beer Week? Enjoying a fun beer event? Let us know on Twitter, using #TBW2012.

About Toronto Beer Week:
Toronto Beer Week is a collectively owned organization involving some of Toronto’s most seasoned and passionate beer industry members. Our team includes publicans, brewers, media, marketers, and authors, all bringing their valuable experience and vision to create a significant event that reflects the best interests of all participants. TBW is a celebration of beer: the people who make it, the people who offer it in fine pubs and restaurants, and the people who drink it.

Trillium Chapter Brewery Collectables Buy/Sell/Trade Show

The annual Trillium Chapter Brewery Collectables Buy/Sell/Trade Show will be taking place on Saturday April 21st at Toronto's Amsterdam Brewery. From 11am to 3pm, brewery memorabilia collectors from across the Greater Toronto Area will gather to showcase their collections, trade items with others, or sell pieces to other collectors or members of the public.

The event will have a number of unique items on site. Everything from brewery ashtrays, bottle openers, cans, posters, signs, tap handles, coasters, and more will be on display, and with no admission fee, this event is a great way to experience some of Canada's rich brewing history.

If you have a collection and you'd like a table at the event, you can contact Ralph Nunnaro at rnunnaro@gmail.com. Tables are $15 for non-members and $10 for members.

Saturday April 21st
Amsterdam Brewery
11am - 3pm
No Admission Fee

Dominion Brewery: White Label Ale Ashtray

Breweriana - Ashtray

Item: Dominion White Label Ale Ashtray

Date: 1930's - estimated

How obtained: Garage sale - $2

Details: Light brown glass ashtray with bold white lettering. The glass is slightly transparent. The ashtray is is great condition with slight scratching on the bottom.

Interesting notes: The Dominion Brewery (1873-1936) was located at 486 - 496 Queen Street East and was one of the largest breweries in the city. The huge structure was built by Robert Davies in 1878 and served the citizens of Toronto until the doors closed in 1936. It was rumoured Davies had owned 144 taverns in Toronto during the height of his wealth. His father, Thomas Davies had erected the Don Brewery years before in 1850. After years of neglect, the Dominion brewery received a face lift from the Sorbara Group between 1987 and 1990 and today businesses of all varieties occupy the site.

The Dominion on Queen pub, which is located on the eastern side of the restored building (Queen and Sumach - 500 Queen St East), still continues to serve beer to this day and dates back to 1889.

Old review of the Dominion on Queen 

Ontario Hop Growers' Association Forms

The following is a press release from the newly formed Ontario Hop Growers' Association

‘Ontario’s hopping’ - re-establishing a heritage crop in Ontario

March 25, 2012: The re-emergence of commercial hop production in Ontario took a major step forward this past week with the formation of the Ontario Hop Grower’s Association.

Formed as an initiative by a network of 28 independent growers, both conventional and organic, from across the province – the Ontario Hop Grower’s Association (OHGA) is a non-profit association of hop growers, brewers, herbalists and enthusiasts interested in supporting the re-emergence of the Ontario hop industry.

Commercial hop production has been all but non-existent in Ontario since the 1920s. That direction is now changing due to a strong interest amongst the Ontario Craft Brewing Industry to produce an all Ontario beer made from local ingredients. This is part of a national trend, reflecting the growing awareness and/or interest in food sustainability by both consumers and businesses alike. Currently, there are 8 hectares (20 acres) of land in hop production in Ontario, with another 4 hectares (10 acres) planned for this year.

An elected five-member executive took over their official positions March 7, 2012. The new Board of Directors is: Nicholas Schaut, Hugh Brown, Melanie Doerksen, Dai Matthews and Shane Eby. The mission of the association is to act as a central voice for growers in Ontario; thus serving as an advocacy group recognized by the provincial government, brewers and related businesses. The OHGA will also promote hop-growing fundamentals through education, research, promotion, and marketing. Some of the early objectives include setting up a database of relevant growing and management information specifically for Ontario. In addition to, working with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) to make affordable Alpha Acidic Unit (AAU) testing available to growers across the province.

For more information about the Ontario Hop Growers Association contact President, Nicholas Schaut at 519.538.1026 or Vice-President, Hugh Brown at 705.734.2846 or email: ontariohopgrowersassociation@gmail.com.

March CASK! Social

From the folks at CASK! Toronto:

March CASK! Social
Date: Saturday March 31st
Time: 3:00pm to 6:00pm
Location: Cloak & Dagger, 394 College Street, Toronto

Greetings CASK! Members,

This month's Cask Social takes place on Saturday March 31st from 3:00pm to 6:00pm at the Cloak & Dagger pub, 394 College Street, Toronto. There will be four different cask ales available, specially selected for our Social. Join us next Saturday for our first Social at this location and lend your support to yet another cask ale pub.

Looking forward to seeing you on the 31st.

Carling - Kuntz Breweries Limited: Serving Tray

Breweriana - Tray

Item: Carling - Kuntz Breweries Limited serving tray

Date: 1936 - 1940

How obtained: Flea Market (Barrie, ON)

Details: This tray is not in the best condition as you can see in the image. However, I picked it up very cheap at a flea market in Barrie, ON and it fits nicely into my collection.

The inner part of the tray reads:

Black Label Lager

Brown….??

Carling's decal (rubbed off) 

Carling's Red Cap (w/ Red Cap logo)

Special Ale

Interesting notes: 
1927 - Carling became The Carling Breweries Ltd.
1930 - Carling became a member of Canadian Breweries Ltd.
1936 - London, Ontario plant continued until 1936 when it became Carling - Kuntz Breweries Ltd. and operations were transferred to the Waterloo brewery of the former Kuntz Brewing Co.
1940 - Named changed from Carling - Kuntz Breweries to Carling Breweries Ltd.

LCBO Individual Beer Ration Coupon Book

Breweriana - Paper

Item: Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) Individual Beer Ration Coupon Book

Date: 1946

How obtained: Gift from a friend

Details: The LCBO used to provide "residence consumers" with an individual beer ration coupon book in order to purchase beer in the province under the old Liquor Control Act of Ontario (now Liquor Licence Act).

This book (#52253 D) belonged to a gentleman by the name of Oscar Baker of Sunderland, Ontario and was issued on February 7th, 1946 at LCBO store #406 in Lindsay (which is now store #82).

Interesting notes: "The gallonage of beer available for consumption is not sufficient to permit an unrestricted sale, and thus has made necessary the issuance and use of this individual Beer Ration Coupon Book. Prior to the issuance of this book, the applicant's (if civilian) National Registration Certificate must be endorsed"

"Beer purchased by the holder of this Individual Beer Ration Coupon Book is required by law to be consumed only in his or her residence."

1 unit of beer = 1 carton of six small bottles
2 units of beer = 2 cartons of six small bottles or 1 carton of twelve small bottles or 1 carton of six large bottles

The actual coupon states the following information:

This coupon when detached by supplier permits sale of 

ONE UNIT 

Canadian Beer When Available 

W.G. Webster, Chief Commissioner, 

Liquor Control Board of Ontario

                                                   
*Click on images to enlarge

CASK! Toronto - Beer For A Cure 2012

From the folks at CASK! Toronto:

Beer For A Cure - St. George's Day Festivities
Date: Saturday, April 21, 2012
Time: 7 PM
Location: Granite Brewery, 245 Eglinton Ave East, Toronto

CASK! is holding its annual fundraiser, Beer for a Cure, in support of Prostate Cancer Canada. As a perfect accompaniment to the St. George’s Day festivities, a delicious curry dinner featuring four cask IPAs will be served. Plenty of vegetarian options are available.

Celebrate all things English with MC Robert Hughey, guest speaker Nick Pashley, auctioneer Julian Mulock, fancy hats and door prizes.

Tickets are $65 per person, which includes a partial donation receipt. Please call Caroline or Robert Hughey at 416 462 3788 to purchase tickets. Have your credit card and address details ready. Email: robert.hughey@sympatico.ca

New Direction For Great Canadian Beer Blog

As I pointed out in a post back on February 22nd, I will be joining the team at the Great Lakes Brewing Co. next week. It's an exciting change for me. I'm heading to a brewery with a great line-up of beers and one that loves to experiment with bold flavours and unique styles.

That being said, I recently sat down and thought about what it will mean for me and this blog. Keeping a fair and impartial blog is something that I've always strived to do. With TAPS Media, anytime I'd mention the magazine I'd make sure to post a small mention of my employment with them so as to not give anyone the impression I was using my blog to showcase them. With the move to a brewery however, it gets a little more complicated. You're working with more licensees, consulting with other breweries, developing new events and marketing pieces etc., things that aren't necessary meant for airing out on a blog.

There have been many people inquire about this as well, asking me "how can I continue blogging about other breweries, provide tasting notes on beers from other breweries, or do a profile on different pubs?" I guess I could, but for me it wouldn't seem right. And that are many many other excellent beer bloggers out there who do an amazing job spreading the craft beer gossip! So, I've come up with a new direction to take this blog in - Canadian Brewing/Beer/Pub History.

I'm thinking that I'll start showcasing various pieces from my collection of Canadian breweriana. Post a couple of images of the piece and provide some notes about it -like the estimated age of the piece, some history about the brewery, where I obtained the piece and what I like about it. My goal will be to hopefully show you a small glimpse of our Canadian beer history. Interviews with various breweriana collectors will also be something that I'll be introducing, which I know will be fascinating.

I'll still be adding events to the event page and I'll still be updating the CDN Beer Directory page. I'll still be posting the odd interview with various beer bloggers as I truly believe that all craft beer drinkers should be made aware of the people out there who are helping spread the good beer word in their own unique ways.

Guest posts about Canadian beer bars/pub from other individuals (guest contributors) will also be put on the site. There are some already lined-up, but if you have any interest in writing pub reviews, please contact me at troy@greatcanadianbeerblog.com. Also, if you have any Canadian Breweriana pieces that you'd like to share/highlight on this site with readers, please don't hesitate to contact me.

Growlers of the Canadian Kind

I've previously brought up the fact that I've started collecting Canadian breweriana, posting a quick photo display of some of the old bottle openers I've accumulated over the years. However, it's growlers from Canadian breweries that I'm really into. (Don't ask me why)

As you can see below, I have obtained quite a few over the years. According to some collectors, I may just have the largest collection of modern day growlers out there (Canadian growlers), which is pretty cool. I believe the growler from the Granite (old Halifax location) was the first one I ever purchased. I was living in Halifax at the time and remember walking over to the brewery on Barrington Street and bringing one home to get me through a Leaf game. After that there were trips to both Propeller and Garrison breweries who also sell growlers, and looking back, I guess that was the start of the ongoing accumulation.

One of the most prized growlers in my collection comes from Amsterdam Brewery in Toronto. The growler from them (first row, middle image) dates back to the King Street location and I've been told that Amsterdam only ran the growler program for a very short time.

While growlers may not be the best way to package beer, they do come in handy for parties, dinners, etc. - anytime sharing is in order. They are also a great conversation starter and in most cases they allow individuals to share different styles with friends or family while not breaking the bank. And depending on how the growler was filled, the beer can be nice and fresh if consumed right away.

More and more Canadian breweries are getting growlers for their retail stores. I know of at least two 'new' Toronto breweries that will offer them once their stores are open, and it seems like more breweries out west have started selling them. New Brunswick breweries/brewpubs have also started filing and selling growlers at their respective locations. So as the Canadian growler market grows, as will my collection.

Shown in alphabetical order. You can click on any picture to make see it larger:

A La Fut - QC	Amsterdam - ON	Beau's 1 - ON
Beau's 2 - ON	Beau's 3 - ON	Black Creek - ON
Central City - BC	Church Key - ON	Duggan's - ON
Garrison - NS	Grand River - ON	Granite - ON & NS
Kichesippi - ON	Mark James Group - BC	Mill Street - ON
Niagara College - ON	Paddock Wood - SK	Phillips - BC
Propeller - NS	Railway City - ON	Red Racer - BC
Steam Works - BC	T' Cheque Bec - QC	Taps - ON
The Gahan House - PEI	The Publican House - ON	Tofino - BC
Village Brewery - AB Picaroons Traditional Ales - NB Mill Street Brewpub (Ottawa) - ON	YellowBelly - NFLD Barley Station Brew Pub - BC Le Naufrageur - QC	Hell Bay - NS Granite (Halifax) Rare - NS