Creemore to Acquire Granville Island

I just arrived to Niagara on the Lake for a brief honeymoon getaway and after checking my email account, I noticed a flurry of emails from Creemore Springs Brewery indicating that they would be acquiring Granville Island Brewery in BC with plans to finalize everything by early 2010. I'm led to believe that it is Molson-Coors acquiring the BC brewery under the Creemore name though.

Here is the press release.

VANCOUVER: October 19, 2009 – Granville Island Brewing and Ontario-based Creemore Springs Brewery are planning to join forces, to continue bringing Canadians superior craft and specialty beers.

Creemore will announce its intention to acquire Granville Island Brewing from Andrew Peller Limited. These two leading Canadian craft brewers, each with specialty product portfolios that complement existing offerings across Canada, will be able to offer their wide range of brands to more markets in Canada, while continuing to maintain their distinct positions in BC and Ontario.

The Granville Island Brewing brand image and brewing operations will remain unchanged. The acquisition presents Creemore with a strong potential to enhance product sales, and expand to new markets.

Celebrating its 25 year anniversary, Granville Island Brewing has built a strong reputation as a brewer with super-premium and select small batch beers. Granville Island Brewing is a natural addition to Creemore, which has demonstrated leadership in its home market of Ontario as a leader in craft brewing since August 1987.

WHAT: Creemore announces intention to acquire Granville Island Brewing
DATE: Monday, October 19, 2009
WHERE: Granville Island Brewing Taproom, 1441 Cartwright Street, Granville Island, Vancouver
TIME: 3:30p.m. PT

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For more information and to confirm your attendance:
Yvonne Chiang

Jive Communications
Tel: 604-880-5090
Email: yvonne@jivecommunications.ca

For immediate release

GRANVILLE ISLAND BREWING AND CREEMORE SPRINGS BREWERY ANNOUNCE INTENTION TO JOIN FORCES

VANCOUVER: October 19, 2009 – Granville Island Brewing and Ontario-based Creemore Springs Brewery will be joining forces, to continue bringing Canadians superior craft and specialty beers.

Creemore announced today its intention to acquire Granville Island Brewing from Andrew Peller Limited. These two leading Canadian craft brewers, each with specialty product portfolios that complement existing offerings across Canada, will be able to offer their wide range of brands to more markets in Canada, while continuing to maintain their distinct positions in BC and Ontario.

Celebrating its 25 year anniversary, Granville Island Brewing has built a strong reputation as a brewer with super-premium and select small batch beers. Granville Island Brewing is a natural addition to Creemore, which has demonstrated leadership in its home market of Ontario as a leader in craft brewing for since August 1987.

“The Granville Island Brewing brand portfolio compliments Creemore’s portfolio and will strongly position us for growth in the craft and specialty segment, providing beer drinkers an enviable selection of the finest craft beers,” said Jason Moore, President and CEO, Creemore Springs Brewery. “Granville Island Brewing brands, when added to our Creemore Springs brand portfolio, will bring a wider range of selection in taste and profile for discerning beer drinkers. Creemore’s intention is for Granville Island Brewing to continue operating as a distinct organization benefiting from its own people, knowledge, recipes and marketing methods, in much the same way that Creemore operates in Ontario,” added Moore.

The Granville Island Brewing brand image and brewing operations will remain unchanged. The acquisition presents Creemore with a strong potential to enhance product sales, and expand to new markets. Creemore will work with the organization to evaluate expansion opportunities to other parts of Canada, as well as increasing Granville Island Brewing’s awareness through increased investment in marketing, which will remain truthful to the brand identity.

“Creemore understands and appreciates what is special about the Granville Island Brewing brands, much like their Creemore brands in Ontario,” Moore added. “These brands are true authentic craft beers, and with 25 years in the market delighting consumers with a West Coast affinity and award winning quality, Granville Island Brewing is a clearly tremendous asset and we welcome it to the Creemore family.

“We’re pleased to be joining forces with another of the great craft brewers in Canada,” said Walter Cosman, Director of Marketing and Sales for Granville Island Brewing. “Creemore is committed to keeping the unique formula that has made Granville Island Brewing what it is today – finest quality ingredients, unpasteurized product, dedicated people and brewed locally in British Columbia, while leveraging their abilities to enable more and more people to enjoy our west coast inspired craft brews”.

About Granville Island Brewing (GIB)
Established is 1984, Granville Island Brewing (GIB) is Canada’s first microbrewery offering a variety of award-winning beers which are brewed and sold here in BC. GIB is dedicated to handcrafting only the finest premium beers that are 100 per cent all-natural and brewed in small batches to provide consumers with the ultimate tasting experience. In celebration of their West Coast heritage GIB names each beer after iconic Vancouver locations that embody the local lifestyle. From the original Island Lager and English Bay Pale Ale, to Cypress Honey Lager, and now their latest innovation; Brockton IPA, GIB continues to produce a diverse portfolio of beers inspired by life on the West Coast. For more information, visit www.gib.ca.


About Creemore Springs Brewery
Creemore was established in 1987. Its direct fire brewing process uses only pure spring water, from the Creemore Springs, the finest malt barley, imported hops and select yeast to make its unique amber lager. Each batch is crafted by a team dedicated to producing the perfect beer. Creemore employs approximately 75 people in Ontario and its craft brews enjoy a great reputation among beer connoisseurs. Creemore is part of Molson Coors Canada. www.creemoresprings.com

Sea Level Brewing: Blue Heron Extra Special Bitter

My fiancee and I have been spending the day going over last minute wedding details and at the end of the day I was ready for a beer. The first bottle I saw upon opening the fridge was a Mikkeller Beer Geek Brunch, but I didn't feel like it tonight. Hiding behind it however was a beer from Nova Scotia - Sea Level Brewing's Blue Heron Extra Special Bitter, a nice beer from the lovely Port Williams.

The beer pours a dirty amber into the pint glass and produces a nice billowy layer of white foam that sticks around for five minutes or so before reducing to a thin protector atop the liquid. Each sip leaves behind thick lacing reminding me how many times I've raised the glass to my mouth. The aroma is a mix of dried fruits, apricot, apple and a slight hop nose of kiwi skin. There is a touch of sweet malt in the first sip that gives way to a subtle hop punch from the last minute dry hopping the beer goes through, and I'm picking up a touch of slightly charred wood. It's a nice balance between malt and hop that produces a medium body, making for a quality sessionable product that I'd continue to reach for if it were available around here.

The beer is produced by Randy Lawrence at the tiny brewery attached to the Port Pub, a gastropub that opened back in March of 2008. Bottles can be purchased at select Nova Scotia private liquor stores like Bishop's Cellar and Premier Wine and Spirits.

It did just the trick I was hoping it would due tonight.

Sea Level Brewing
980 Terry's Creek Road
Port Williams, NS
902-542-5544
www.theportpub.com/

Blue Heron Extra Special Bitter
5.5% alcohol
650ml bottle

Mill Street on The Pub Radio Show

Last night a couple of Mill Street faces made the drive out to Stouffville to take part in the weekly radio show that I help out with every Wednesday evening. The Pub airs every Saturday from 4pm - 5pm and repeated on Monday nights at 8pm.

Joel Manning (brewmaster) and Steve Abrams (one of the original founders) were part of the show and talked about the history of the brewery, spoke about a number of products that were being sampled, and shared some secrets about some new seasonal beers that Mill Street is working on.

Look for the following beers to be released in the not to distant future at Mill Street's brewpub:

Roggenbier - November 9
"a spicy, clovey, slightly sweet, mid-copper coloured rye based ale made with German Weizenbier yeast"

2009 Barley Wine - being packaged in the next few weeks for retail at the LCBO

Rauchbier - mid December

Fall Seasonal Sampler - Featuring the Helles Bock, a 6.6% beauty.

Tune into Whistle Radio this Saturday to listen to the show.

I Survived the Bachelor Party...Barely

4 days to go until the big day (I'm getting married on the 17th). Everything is starting to fall into place. The DJ is booked and ready to go, the photographer is ready to shoot, table arrangements are complete, the beer menu has been selected, and most importantly, I survived the bachelor party.

Back on October 3rd, a bunch of my buddies came down from Orillia to meet up with friends here in Toronto to embark on a five pub, pub crawl through Toronto, stopping at Mill Street, C'est What, 3 Brewers, Granite, and the Victory Cafe. We started at 3:45pm and it was light's out by 2am - good times.

It Begins
After cracking open a couple of beers at my place, a group of us headed west down Queen Street on the 501 streetcar to Parliament before walking down to the Distillery District to visit Mill Street, our first stop. We got there right at the 3:45pm start time and headed to the back of the large pub for pints of Oktoberfest, Tankhouse, ESB, Pilsner, and more. The servers were exceptional, very quick and speedy and gracious, as they brought out enough food to feed a small army. We were whisked away by Simon (retail store employee) to the brewhouse for a quick tour and sampling (btw - the 2009 Barley wine is tasting damn fine).

Out the door and on our way to C'est What, our second destination. We arrived shortly after five and headed straight to the bar to get our hands on some of the left-over beers from the Fall Festival of Craft Brewers that took place the night before. We met up with a bunch of other people who had been to Volo for the Dieu du Ciel event and the total number of pub crawlers jumped to 28, each provided with a t-shirt with all the names of the pubs.

After getting through a number of pints and giving away a bunch of brewery t-shirts, everyone was rounded up and we headed off to the 3 Brewers for more food and pitchers of the brewed on site beer. I wish I could say that I thoroughly enjoyed the newest seasonal, Harvest Season 7 Grain Ale, but I can't really remember it. I do remember saying I enjoyed it, so I'll have to get back to sample some before it's gone for good. Platters of wings, flamms, and nachos were delivered to our table and we played some toonie tosh and watched the Leafs fizzle in the first period.

Onto the subway after two hours at the 3 Brewers and off to the Granite. We occupied the front of the pub while there was a large wedding reception taking place in the back. Ron Keefe was there to greet us and we provided his crew with t-shirts to wear for the rest of the night. I wish there were some pictures taken. I remember a Best Bitter Special, one of my favourite beers of all time, and a Hopping Mad, which at this time was probably into the teens for pints consumed. I love going to the Granite and the out-of-town folks thought it was a pretty cool place.

To end the night we got back to the subway and headed to the Victory Cafe in Mirvish village. We managed to fit the remaining soldiers into the snug on the left of the entrance and the group proceeded to sing happy birthday to a group in the corner. This got us going and Oh Canada was sung next. I wonder what it sounded like? After a couple more pints the guys thought it was time to send me home before I crumpled to the street, so off in a cab it was. I survived!

It was a great night with lots of good solid craft beer and some of the best pubs in Toronto. Everyone was well behaved made it home safely, which is always a bonus. I would to thank John Bowden and Great Lakes for the t-shirts and cans of Devil's Pale Ale they donated, Jon Graham and Cameron's for also donating t-shirts, and to all the owners/operators of the pubs mentioned for allowing us to crash your location.

Volo Cask Days Working Line-Up

Click on the image to view it in a much larger format.

Mike Laba Joins Muskoka Cottage Brewery

Mike Laba, who has worked for Cameron's Brewing Company for the last three years, is moving on. The Muskoka Cottage Brewery in Bracebridge, ON, has announced that they have hired Laba as their new Marketing Manager effective October 19th.

Laba has also worked for Brick Brewing Co. where he managed trade marketing, promotions and special events for over three years. He then moved onto Cameron's where he handled all the promotions and marketing initiatives for the Oakville brewery, highlighting the Cameron's brands at unique events and helped develop the very successful monthly cask night.

Buy These Guys a Pint Today

Greg Nash, the colourful brewer with the Hart and Thistle Gastropub & Brewery in Halifax, NS, is celebrating a birthday today. Nash, who I met for the first time when he drove through snow storms and freezing rain from Halifax to Vaughan in 2007 to accept the beer of the year award during his time with Garrison, is one of the most passionate craft brewers I've had the pleasure of getting to know personally.

Although he needs no introductions here, Nash is well known for his extreme, yet nicely balanced hop bombs and he continues to experiment at the Hart & Thistle after stints with Garrison Brewing and Pump House. He is also working towards opening his own brewery, which, for us hopheads, is wonderful news.



Also celebrating a birthday today is Ceili Cottage owner and oyster shucker extrordinare, Patrick McMurray. I remember meeting McMurray for the first time back in March as construction was taking place in what would become a terrific, authentic, Irish local in Leslieville. We stood in the middle of a shell of an old garage and I listened as McMurray outlined the future of the local. Months after that encounter the Cottage was erect and looked exactly as I pictured it would (based on our conversation) and it has become a busy destination in the months its been open.

Please join me in wishing these two men, a talented brewer and passionate publican, a happy birthday.

Lakes of Muskoka Harvest Ale

I received an email this morning with the latest information on Lakes of Muskoka's newest beer, Harvest Ale. The beer will be available as soon as this weekend at the following places.

Bar Volo
C’est What
Rhino Bar
The Local
Safari Bar & Grill (Toronto and Pickering Village)
Victory Café
York U Grad Club
Blueberry Hill – York U
Queen’s Grad Club – Kingston
Kingston Brewing Co. – Kingston
U of Waterloo Grad Club - Waterloo
Griffin GastroPub – Bracebridge
The Old Station – Bracebridge

The email indicated that the Harvest Ale is being delivered to the GTA today.

The OCB website describes the Harvest Ale as a beer brewed to celebrate the harvest, our brewers have created this fine autumn ale from 100% Ontario grown barley and hops.

Local Pub Crawl: October 7 - 13

Every Wednesday I'll be posting a round-up of of local pub updates relating to new beers being tapped, events/festivals, tastings taking place, or new initiatives that readers might find interesting. All the information is straight from the pubs themselves.

The Roy Public House: The Roy will be open on Thanksgiving Monday serving a turkey dinner with stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, and vegetables. Call ahead for more details. (416) 465-3331

Bar Volo: Here we go...we would like to officially announce that CaskDays 2009 Tickets will go on sale Tuesday October,13th at 4:00pm at Volo. Tickets will be on sale at the bar until the event begins. We are finalizing the last minor details and hoping to release them, as well as this year’s new logo by the end of the week.

This Friday (October 9th), Volo will be tapping Dieu Du Ciel! Corne Du Diable and Dieu Du Ciel! Aphrodisiaque (until supplies last)

Also, Volo currently has a number of terrific beers on tap: Dieu Du Ciel Peche Mortel, Heritage Hopfresh, Macleans Pale Ale, Dieu Du Ciel! Derniere Volonte, Dieu Du Ciel! Route Des Epices, Dieu Du Ciel! Rosee D'Hibiscus, Niagaras Best Dark, Dieu Du Ciel! Solstice D'Hiver, Koningshoeven Quadrupel, Dieu Du Ciel! Rigor Mortis ABT.

-----And take a look at this ------

3 Brewers: The large brewpub is still serving their newest seasonal, Harvest Season 7 Grain Ale.

Feathers: October-Feathst continues every Tuesday in October with draught and food specials, prizes and give aways. On October 13th Feathers will be featuring Steam Whistle and Wellington.

And this Friday (October 9th) starting at 5pm, Michael Hancock from Denison's Brewery will be on hand to discuss brewing and his fabulous beers.

Griffin Gastropub: The Griffin is currently featuring Hockley Valley Brewing Co. for the month of October with the Traditional Dark and the Stout on tap, and the Georgian Bay Dipper in cans. On October 25th (the last Sunday in October) they will host their "Brewmasters Dinner" where a representative from Hockley will join the Griffin chef to create a four course beer paired gourmet dinner. Two seatings are available, one at 5pm and one at 8pm. You can book your seats by calling us at 705-646-0706. As always live music Thursday, Friday and Saturday with the best selection of craft beer north (Bracebridge, ON) of the GTA.

The Twisted Kilt: Toronto's newest pub opened their doors last Friday in the old Bow & Arrow location at Yonge and Davisville. The draught line-up: Sleeman Cream Ale, Sleeman Light, Okanagan Spring 1516 Bavarian Lager, St. Ambroise Oatmeal Stout, St. Ambroise Apricot Wheat, Steam Whistle, Unibroue Ephemere Casis, Wellington County Ale, Black Oak Pale, Blackthorne Cider, Warsteiner Verum Bier, Fullers ESB, Marstons Pedigree, Steigel, De Konick, Affilgem. Black Oak brewery owner, Ken Woods, paid the Twisted Kilt a visit on opening night and had good things to say about it here, and mentioned that he'll be delivering a cask for this weekend.
1954 Yonge Street, Toronto, ON

Magpie Tavern: The quirky pub on Dundas street (831 Dundas West) will now be serving cask conditioned ale from County Durham, as CASK! Toronto informed their members through email last week. More information here.
No website, 416-916-6499. Please note that the Magpie hours are 7pm to 2am.

C'est What: Next Saturday (October 17th), the CASK! group will be holding their second Social! at C'est What between 3pm - 6pm. Admission is free.

A Volo News Bulletin - Cask Days (Week) Line-Up

My God! Volo just doesn't know how to slow down! And thank god for that. Here is the latest news about Cask Days, Toronto's - Ontario's - Canada's, premier Cask event that will span an entire week this year. Stay tuned for more information as it becomes available.

PRE-CASK DAYS 2009 : TRADITIONAL ENGLISH ALES
MONDAY, OCTOBER 26TH - WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 28TH, 2009
Pale Ale - Durham's Signature Ale / Magnotta Pale Ale
Bitter - Granite’s Best Bitter Special
E.S.B - Chesire Valley ESB / Durham ESB / Maclean's Battle X ESB / Mill St. ESB
I.P.A - Durham Triple X IPA / Granite’s IPA
Brown - Hockley Valley Traditional Dark Ale
Mild - Grand River Mill Race Mild
Porter - Scotch Irish Black Plain Porter / F&M Porter
Stout - Durham’s Blakkat Stout
Strong Ale - Wellington Iron Duke
Old Ale - Granite’s Peculiar
Barleywine - Granite’s Gin Lane
To Be Announced - Duggan’s & St. Andre

PRE-CASK DAYS 2009: FINAL FOUR I.P.A. RE-CAP
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29TH, 2009 FROM 4:00PM - 2:00AM
1st Place Mike Duggan No. 9 IPA
2nd Place Durham Hop Addict IPA
3rd Place Granite Hopping Mad IPA
4th Place Scotch Irish Sgt.Major IPA

CASK DAYS 2009 TICKETS GO ON SALE!
TUESDAY,OCTOBER 13TH, 2009
Tickets will begin to go on sale at 4:00pm at bar Volo.

PRE-CASK DAYS 2009: TRADITIONAL ENGLISH ALES
MONDAY OCTOBER 26TH - WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 28TH
No Tickets Required, Between 4:00pm-2:00am
All Servings will be 1/2 ($4.50) and Full Pints ($6.50)
No Taps will be served during these sessions.

PRE-CASK DAYS 2009: FINAL FOUR RE-CAP
THURSDAY OCTOBER 29TH, 2009
The final four beers in the Ontario Cask IPA Challenge will revisited for a second tasting. No Tickets Required. During regular hours. All Servings will be 1/2 ($4.50) and Full Pints ($6.50)

CASK DAYS 2009: FIRST TASTING
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30TH, 2009
Session One 4:00pm - 8:00pm $15.00 (100 Tickets)
Session Two 9:00pm -1:00am $15.00 (100 Tickets)

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 31ST, 2009
Brewer’s Breakfast (A) 10:00am - 3:00pm $35 (25 Tickets)
Session Three (B) 12:00pm - 3:00pm $10 (35 Tickets)
Session Four 4:00pm - 8:00am $10 (100 Tickets)
Session Five 9:00pm - 1:00am $10 (100 Tickets)

CASK DAYS 2009: WRAP-UP
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 1ST, 2009 FROM 12:00PM - 9:00PM
No advance tickets will be required for this session. With 2009
Cask Days No Admission at Door. Without Glass $10.00.

CASK DAYS 2009: $5.00 MONDAY NIGHT PINT NIGHT
MONDAY,NOVEMBER 2ND, 2009
All remaining casks will be sold for $5.00/per pint.

Ontario North East
Scotch Irish Brewing Company - Black Plain Porter With ?
Heritage Brewing* - To Be Announced
Beau 's All Natural Brewing - To Be Announced
County Cider Co.* - Waupoos Cider
Barley Days Brewery - To Be Announced
Church Key Brewing Co. - Mead / To Be Announced
Publican House Brewery* - McHenry Red Ale
Durham Brewing Company - To Be Announced

Ontario North
Lakes of Muskoka Cottage Brewery* - Harvest Ale
Hockley Valley Brewing Co - To Be Announced
Flying Monkey Brewery* - To Be Announced
King Brewery - To Be Announced
Magnotta Brewery - To Be Announced

Ontario North West
Thornbury Village * - Peeler Cider
Neustadt Springs Brewery - To Be Announced
Maclean's Ales* - Old Grumpy Old Ale
F&M Brewery - To Be Announced
Wellington Brewery - Iron Duke Strong Ale
Grand River Brewing Co. - Highballer Pumpkin Ale

Ontario South West
Railway City Brewing - Dead Elephant Ale
Stratford Brewing Co. - Empire Strikes Black
Niagara’s Best Brewery - To Be Announced
TAPS Brewing Co.* - To Be Announced
Nickel Brook Brewing Co - Wooden Nickel IPA
Trafalgar’s Ale’s and Mead’s - To Be Announced
Cameron's Brewing - To Be Announced

Ontario (Toronto)
Mill St. Brewery - To Be Announced
Granite Brewery - To Be Announced
Duggan's Brewery - Be Announced
Amsterdam Brewing Co. - To Be Announced
Great Lakes Brewing Co. - To Be Announced
Black Oak Brewing Co. - To Be Announced
Chesire Valley Brewing Co.* - Ginger Lime Ale
St. Andre Brewing Co. - To Be Announced
Black Creek Brewery - To Be Announced
Premier Brands - Headstrong Pale

Guest (Quebec)
Brasserie Benelux* - Amate Reserve American Brown
Brasserie Dieu Du Ciel! - Corne Diable IPA / Peche Mortel / Penombre Black IPA
Brasserie Hopfenstark - Post Colonial IPA

Guest (England)
Fullers Smith & Turner
London Pride Pale Ale / Extra Special Bitter / India Pale Ale / Red Fox Red Ale
* First Appearance at Volo Cask Days

CASK DAYS 2009 MAIN EVENT SERVINGS
1/4 PINTS 5 Ounces $2.00 1 Tickets
1/2 PINTS 10 Ounces $4.00 2 Tickets
FULL PINTS 20 Ounces $8.00 4 Tickets

ALL MAIN CASK DAYS 2009 SESSIONS ARE 19+. THESE ARE ALL NON-SMOKING EVENT. $2.00 FROM EACH ADMISSION TICKET WILL BE DONATED TO COLON CANCER.

ALL BEERS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE.

21st Annual Fall Festival of Craft Breweries: C'est What Wrap-Up

The following was written by guest writer and friend Rob Symes, as I couldn't lift my head on Sunday after a long night of pub crawling.

Earlier this year I wrote a piece on C’est What’s Spring Festival of Craft Breweries. Either it wasn’t too shabby or Troy is still recovering from his bachelor party because he’s asked me to do a report on the Fall edition.

As always, C’est What? Does a great job of holding these events, and the ability to sample for $1 or $2 really gives the punters the opportunity to broaden their horizons, try new styles and become introduced to new breweries. This year showcased 46 beers from 33 breweries, and most notably of all saw 11 casks on offer, which is a new high water benchmark for the pub. Attendance was high, seats were at a premium and the servers did the place a credit with their endless pouring.

A definite highlight for me was Great Lakes Redneck IPA, one of the hoppiest and tastiest beers I’ve had from them yet. Full on citrus greets the palate, but has just enough malt to keep things balanced. If you’ve not had a Great Lakes one off yet then you’ve been missing out. The brewery has taken a new direction in recent years with the addition of interesting seasonals, and has continued to accelerate with the installation of a pilot system that they are using to make experimental cask beers. You’ll find the occasional offering popping up at the usual places, but where its really at is their regular Project X event, on the second Thursday of the month.

Experimentation was to be found elsewhere, but with more mixed results. The last C’est What festival saw the debut of Flying Monkeys’ Hoptical Illusion, which has been a nice addition to the LCBO’s shelves with its sessionable character and gentle Amarillo hopping. For the fall edition the brewery brought down the Hoppopatamonkey, a device which allows the beer to filter through fresh hops as its poured. This has been tried before, most notably by Dogfish Head of Delaware, but Flying monkey’s still have a few kinks to work out. While the aroma of the hopped up Hoptical Illusion was delicious and enticing, the flavour erred towards the antiseptic. Though I finished my sample, several around me did not. I believe this was the Hoppopatamonkey’s public debut, and I’m sure with some refinements it will prove to be an interesting and worthwhile twist, so watch this space.

Another unique sight at the festival was a huge wooden barrel sat at the end of one of the bars. This offering was a porter from Black Creek Brewery, who are trying to brew beer the old fashioned way in the pioneer village tourist attraction. I say trying because I don’t know how well they are doing. If this beer is reflective of how things used to be then I’m glad we’ve moved on. If you didn’t get a chance to try it, but a cheap bottle of red wine, pour a glass and have it for breakfast the next day. I like what they are doing up there (I’m a history grad so I dig this), but I can’t see this beer winning over many admirers.

My beer of the fest? Step up Black Oak Brewing to receive congratulations on your new fall seasonal! Black Oak Oaktoberfest will be available at the brewery shop in a couple of weeks. Big toasted malt flavour with hints of caramel and smoke come on top of a great appearance and smooth cask pour. Ken and Adrian know how to do a great cask, but I think this one will also transition well into bottle.

Other new beers on show at the fest included a vienna lager from Grand River, a smoked beer from C’est What and a brown ale from Charles MacLean. Grand River’s cask Vienna was vanilla heavy and easy drinking, so it should appeal to a broad market. C’est What’s Big Butt brings a smooth smoky flavour and the opportunity for some rather obvious jokes (most people seem to like Big Butt), and I believe it is now a regular addition to their lineup. Finally MacLean’s brown ale hit the style spot on. He does some great English cask beers that have subtle flavours but great potential for sessionability.

All things considered, I didn’t find the quality of this fall’s offerings to be as good as previous events, most likely because previous incarnations had set the bar so high. What I did so, though, was our brewers making huge steps in the right direction. Black Oak’s new seasonal was spectacular, Great Lakes continue to surprise, and experimentation has increased. Best of all, cask is becoming more of a preferred format, driven in part by the enthusiasm of our brewers, partly by the market, and partly by bar owners, like George, who are shaping that market.

Great Lakes and Seafood Make a Nice Match

It isn't that often that I get invited to a food event as I don't write about food, but last Thursday I was presented with an opportunity to head over to the famed Starfish Oyster Bed & Grill seafood restaurant to indulge in a number of fabulous seafood dishes, which were paired up with beers from Great Lakes Brewing Co.

The Farmed Seafood Extravaganza (as it was called) was organized by the Canadian Aquaculture Industry Alliance who were in town to celebrate every type of seafood farmed in Canadian waters. There were representatives from various companies who had traveled from all parts of the country to showcase their products.

To be honest, I had no idea what I was really attending. I thought it was going to be a dinner of some sorts with a number of courses paired with different Great Lakes beer. However, when I arrived it was announced that a number of foods would be served shortly and it was going to be a stand-up social event, with the bar soon to be covered with plates and plates and plates of various seafood dished prepared by Starfish Chef Kyle Deming. Each of the dishes were given a suggested Great Lakes beer to serve it with and John Bowden was on hand to help explain how he choose the pairing and why he thought it went together. I was expecting to see some familiar faces, like at all beer events, but the only people I knew there Taste TO husband and wife tag team, Greg Clow and Sheryl Kirby who are way more schooled in the culinary arts than I, so I listened keenly to their observations.

Bowden was pouring from bottles of Orange Peel Ale, Red Leaf Lager, along with cans of Devil's Pale Ale, and Patrick McMurray, the well known oyster shucker and owner of the Ceili Cottage and Starfish, was pouring glasses of Pumpkin Ale from the tap for all the people in attendance. McMurray was also working his oyster knife to the delight of the hungry crowd. There was some outstanding food to sample from, and the matching of the beer was nicely done. Here are some examples of what was available.

Peat smoked Atlantic salmon with horseradish creme fraiche
Pairing: Devil’s Pale Ale

Atlantic mussels steamed in Orange Peel Ale
Pairing: Orange Peel Ale

Seared Rainbow trout with wax beans and hazelnuts
Pairing: Red Leaf Lager

Sablefish poached in garlic olive oil with chorizo salt
Pairing: Pumpkin Ale

BC scallop ceviche with yellow curry and coconut
Pairing: Golden Horseshoe Premium Lager

Whole roasted halibut with chive butter
Pairing: Pumpkin Ale

Throughout the night, Executive Director of the CAIA Ruth Salmon (ironic last name), spoke about the alliance and and I really enjoyed hearing her bring up why beer was chosen to go with the food other than wine. Salmon mentioned that wine and seafood pairings have been done numerous times and although enjoyable, pairing beer with seafood offers people a new way to enlighten their farmed seafood experiences while supporting small local regional breweries - like seafood, beer is best consumed in its freshest state.

So what did I take away from this experience? Well, for starters, it was great to see craft beer getting some attention from a national industry association that has deep roots in the Canadian seafood industry. Craft beer, Great Lakes in particular, was being showcased to a group of professionals here from all over Canada, and that will hopefully translate into further partnerships with other craft breweries around the nation at future events like this one.

* Pic 1 - Starfish owner, Patrick McMurray
* Pic 2 - Great Lakes, John Bowden
* Pic 3 - line-up of samples

A Canadian Beer Tasting

One of the perks of helping out with the Canadian Brewing Awards is getting to try all of the beers submitted from all parts of the country. While the judging is taking place I am behind the bar (on in this years case, in the kitchen)
sipping beers that I wouldn't otherwise have the opportunity to readily sample.

The other perk to assisting with the CBA's is the left over beer. I usually get to load up a couple of plastic bins with beers of my preference and take them home for personal consumption. In the three years I've been involved, I always plan a tasting with some buddies featuring all the beers and it is always a great day. This year we didn't get around to the actual tasting until last Saturday and I think I can safely say it was the best tasting to date.

Everyone conducts their tastings in their own way. I prefer to send out a list of all the beers being offered before-hand to all the participants so they can arrive at the tasting with an idea of what they'd prefer to sample. When everyone arrives to the house, they each get to take turns choosing what beer we will all taste. I find it keeps the tasting interesting, you never know what you'll be tasting next.

Anyways, last Saturday's tasting went over well. Between 7 of us we managed to kill over 30 beers from all over Canada, one from Belgium, and some Biergotter homebrew, which was very well done!

DDC's L'Aphrodisiaque
Black Oak Summer Saison
Bushwakker Trephination IPA
Bushwakker IPA
Bushwakker Chico Pale Ale
Bushwakker Palliser Porter
Garrison Oktoberfest Brau
Garrison Winter Warmer
Grand River Bumbleberry Wheat Ale
Grand River Hannenberg Pils
Old Yale Sasquatch Stout
Old Yale Sergeant's IPA
Phillips Accusation ESB
Phillips Double Barrel Scotch Ale
Phillips Surly Blonde Big Belgian Triple
Pump House Dementia Double IPA
Pump House Maltitude Russian Imperial Stout
R&B Hoppelganger IPA
Russell IP'eh
Saltspring Golden Ale
Saltspring Porter
Swan's Buckerfield's ESB
Swans Tessier's Witbier
Tree Hop Head
Tree Hop Head Double IPA
Wild Rose Barley Wine
Wild Rose Czechs Pilz
Wild Rose Crude Oatmeal Stout
Yukon Ice Fog IPA

And,
Belle Gueule 20 Years Anniversary Brew
Biergotter's Dunkel Rogen-Weizen

Winner's of the day? Well Pump House's Double Dementia was beautiful, Phillip's Double Barrel Scotch Ale always impresses, DDC's L'Aphrodisiaque (tried for the first time - stunning), and Tree's Hop Head Double IPA were my personal fav's, if I had to choose. Biggest letdown of the tasting was Yukon's Ice Fog IPA, which surprised us, as Yukon's beers are all very (normally) well done.

Toronto's Magpie Now Offering Cask Ale

I just received the following email from CASK! Toronto that informs all their members of a new location that has joined the growing number of others serving cask conditioned ale in Toronto - Magpie.

This is a quick note to let you all know that, as of today, the Magpie Tavern "home of delicious booze and whiskey" at 861 Dundas St W has added a cask to their already fabulous lineup of beers! The owner, Graham, has informed us that the first cask they will be serving is County Durham's XXX British I.P.A. What better way is there to spend a rainy evening than in a cozy tavern enjoying a fresh cask-conditioned ale?...

***Please note that the Magpie hours are 7pm to 2am***

If you're not on the CASK! membership list, head over to their website today and sign up for their periodic news releases, and why not, it's free.

Much On The Go This Weekend

There are a bunch of events taking place this weekend that will be featuring some terrific beers and offering some great foods.

Here is a run down of things taking place tonight or tomorrow....

Fall Festival of Craft Brewers
Friday Oct 2nd
Location: C'est What
Time: 5pm - 10pm
*The 21st annual C'est What Fall Festival of Craft Brewers takes place tonight and the no admission event - promises to have a number of unique beers on offer for sampling at the low cost of $1.

Propeller Pumpkin Ale Launch
Friday Oct 2nd 7pm
Location: The Foggy Goggle
*Halifax's, The Foggy Goggle, will be hosting the launch of Propeller's seasonal Pumpkin Ale tonight for all to enjoy. Head down to 1667 Argyle Street and get a taste.

The Bar and Bench
Friday Oct 2nd 5:00pm - 1:00am
Location: Campbell House Museum
Host: The Monk's Table: A Gourmand House
*Check out this link for more information about a great charity event taking place tonight that will be hosted by The Monk's Table.

Garrison Brewing Oktoberfest
Saturday Oct 3rd 2pm-10pm
Location: Halifax Seaport (Brewery)
*Brewmaster Daniel Girard recently brewed up an Oktoberfest beer and bottled it in Garrison's new attractive 500ml bottles just in time for their first Oktoberfest party at the Seaport (next to the brewery). I can't be there to join them, but I got in a taste of the new beer last weekend and can state it's a beauty.

Beau's Oktoberfest
Sat. October 3rd
Location: Vanleek Hill Fairgrounds
Time: 11am-9pm
Tickets: $12 advance, $15 at door
*Beau's beer, hayrides, keg toss, brewery tours, Bavarian foods, and George Wendt (aka, Norm from Cheers), will all be part of the Oktoberfest celebrations being hosted by Beau's All Natural Brewing Co. in Vanleek Hill tomorrow. Call 1-866-585-BEER (2337) for ticket information.

Dieu du Ciel Party
Sat. October 3rd
Location: Bar Volo
Time: 7pm - 2am
Cost: $10.00
*The tasting will take place between 7pm-2am at Volo, where you will be able to try a handful of Dieu Du Ciel beers on tap and cask! Admission will be $10.00 which includes a Dieu Du Ciel glass! $2.00 will be donated to Sick Kids charity. This is a 19+ event with a capacity of 100 people. Beers are subject to change.