A couple of bombshells today. Mill Street has been bought by Labatts. It will be interesting to see what becomes of their brewpub and Beer Hall. It could turn into something analogous to the Beer Academy. A number of people have weighed in to instruct me how I should conduct myself in light of the news. I had no idea I could save all the time I spend reading beer menus by simply allowing hipsters sitting behind computers tell me what to order.
Maybe distribution will be wider but maybe beer will spend more time in transit due to centralization and not arrive as fresh as before. I will wait and see. I sure hope the seasonal beers continue.
On the same day I learned that Great Lakes Brewery is discontinuing their Devil's Pale Ale. At one time this was considered the flagship of their "alternate" line. It is entirely possible that "rent" beers like their Red Leaf lager pay the bills that let them play Bunsen Honeydew with their IPAs and other Tank Ten delights. It could be that it has become over-shadowed by their other beers or maybe it has had its day in the sun. It was considered somewhat out there at the time it was introduced.
Monday, 14 December 2015
October 8, 2015
235/1509) The 3 Brewers, Adelaide Street: White by The 3 Brewers of Ontario: *1/2; 4.7%, 18 ibu; cloudy; typical 3 Brewers yeastiness seems to over power all else; lemony notes;
This is the only of their regular brews that I had not sampled. The Brown remains my favourite of their year-round beers.
This is the only of their regular brews that I had not sampled. The Brown remains my favourite of their year-round beers.
October 6, 2015
234/1508) Home: 504 Pale Ale by Liberty Village Brewing Company of Ontario: **; 5.3%; dry-hopped; nose features peaches; soft citrusy hop flavours;
I think the significance of the number 504 is that the 504 streetcar route runs along King Street in Toronto which is where newly gentrified Liberty Village lies.
I think the significance of the number 504 is that the 504 streetcar route runs along King Street in Toronto which is where newly gentrified Liberty Village lies.
October 5, 2015
233/1507) C'est What: Polar Pumpkin by Barnstormer Brewing of Ontario: **1/2; 7.1%, 31 ibu; forward spiced nose, heavy on the pumpkin; tastes of pumpkin, vanilla and warming spices - plenty of "Ginger" (at this point my tasting notes mention that I prefer Maryann - this was not the first drink of the day); spicy after taste;
I fall into the group of beer drinkers who like pumpkin beers. It is a matter of some controversy.
Today I noticed that the former Spotted Dick is now the Firkin on Bloor. That chain is buying up everything in sight. I did not step inside and now I regret it. I wonder how much of the personality remains. They had some good NTN Trivia players back in the day but what I always enjoyed was the sheer variety of people that frequented this joint, from bankers to inebriates to y-people to students, it was quite a mix and it made a night out a whole lot of fun. Interestingly, the same individual who introduced me to the Spotted Dick also acquainted me with the Hop and Grape, which sadly is no more.
I fall into the group of beer drinkers who like pumpkin beers. It is a matter of some controversy.
Today I noticed that the former Spotted Dick is now the Firkin on Bloor. That chain is buying up everything in sight. I did not step inside and now I regret it. I wonder how much of the personality remains. They had some good NTN Trivia players back in the day but what I always enjoyed was the sheer variety of people that frequented this joint, from bankers to inebriates to y-people to students, it was quite a mix and it made a night out a whole lot of fun. Interestingly, the same individual who introduced me to the Spotted Dick also acquainted me with the Hop and Grape, which sadly is no more.
October 3, 2015
231/1505) C'est What: Red Eye Coffee IPA by Black Oak of Ontario: **; 7%, 80 ibu; a blend of hops and coffee to nose; strong coffee flavours and after taste; the hops are largely obscured; very unusual;
232/1506) C'est What: Iron Lion Rum Barrel Aged Stout by Stone City Ales of Ontario: **1/2; 55 ibu, 8.7%; strong, sweet boozy coffee nose; flavours of root beer, cola, oak; soda like mouth feel
This was the night of Nuit Blanche. As per usual I pulled a Cinderella. Large crowds typically attract great numbers of drunk young people who are ever so keen to let everyone see and (especially) hear how drunk they are. This sort of thing lost its charm quite some time ago.
I hear tell there was some hooliganism after I was safely on my way out of the downtown and it was later announced that a decision had been made by the Scotiabank Group in February to reduce the funding for this event.
It pains me to say that the experience has been in decline over the years. At one time, guide books were made available at Scotiabank branches well ahead of the event which allowed for many hours of pleasureful planning. Then the book was only available on the night in question at one of three locations and this year it was a mere flyer. A participant had little idea which exhibits would be of interest in advance and with no "must-sees" I just ended up wandering about. I did make a point of visiting the installations that remained open during subsequent days and in future I could well limit my participation to no more than this. But it was great fun when it was at its peak.
232/1506) C'est What: Iron Lion Rum Barrel Aged Stout by Stone City Ales of Ontario: **1/2; 55 ibu, 8.7%; strong, sweet boozy coffee nose; flavours of root beer, cola, oak; soda like mouth feel
This was the night of Nuit Blanche. As per usual I pulled a Cinderella. Large crowds typically attract great numbers of drunk young people who are ever so keen to let everyone see and (especially) hear how drunk they are. This sort of thing lost its charm quite some time ago.
I hear tell there was some hooliganism after I was safely on my way out of the downtown and it was later announced that a decision had been made by the Scotiabank Group in February to reduce the funding for this event.
It pains me to say that the experience has been in decline over the years. At one time, guide books were made available at Scotiabank branches well ahead of the event which allowed for many hours of pleasureful planning. Then the book was only available on the night in question at one of three locations and this year it was a mere flyer. A participant had little idea which exhibits would be of interest in advance and with no "must-sees" I just ended up wandering about. I did make a point of visiting the installations that remained open during subsequent days and in future I could well limit my participation to no more than this. But it was great fun when it was at its peak.
Tuesday, 8 December 2015
September 29, 2015
229/1503) Home: Tap 6 Aventinus Wheat Doppelbock by Weisses Bräuhaus G. Schneider & Sohn GmbH of Germany: **; 8.2%; Reinheitsgebot compliant; bottle fermented; the first fermentation takes place in open vessels, the old school way; sweet nose with a hint of yeast; warm, dark sugary flavours;
230/1504) Home: Hofbräu Dunkel by Hofbräuhaus München of Germany: **; 5.5%; again, brewed according to Reinheitsgebot; sweet nose with almost sherry-like notes; a hearty Munich style dunkel;
230/1504) Home: Hofbräu Dunkel by Hofbräuhaus München of Germany: **; 5.5%; again, brewed according to Reinheitsgebot; sweet nose with almost sherry-like notes; a hearty Munich style dunkel;
September 27, 2015
228/1502) Home: Pengo Pally by the Bush Pilot Brewing Company of Ontario: **1/2; 6.5%, which is mild by Bush Pilot's standards; a saison with Arctic herbs brewed "in co-operation with Nickel Brook Brewery"; brewed with barley, wheat flakes and hops as well as crowberry and Labrador Tea which are wild herbs, hand picked in Nunavik; cloudy, fluffy persistent head; mildly spiced, peppery nose typical of a saison but with strong herbed notes; citrusy, vegetal, almost bitter after taste; interesting and unusual;
This beer was inspired by Johnny May, a Canadian legend and Inuk bush pilot. Pengo Pally in Inuktitat means, "I miss you" and was written on the side of his plane. Suggested viewing is "The Wings of Johnny May".
This beer was inspired by Johnny May, a Canadian legend and Inuk bush pilot. Pengo Pally in Inuktitat means, "I miss you" and was written on the side of his plane. Suggested viewing is "The Wings of Johnny May".
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