Ah Friday. Welcome back old friend. For me, Friday means hockey and beers with friends. Not a bad combo. Today, there’s a bit more to be done (as you’ll see), but for now, this is how I feel:
I wish I could get confetti and balloons to drop from the ceiling of my blog. I also wish I could get The Roots Crew, Stephen Colbert, and The Knick’s dancers to do a guest spot. I wish Taylor Hicks would stop emailing me. Anyway, these are my problems, and, after all, it’s Friday! Let’s party!
Back To School
Today (Friday!) The Beer Academy is hosting the launch of Granville Island’s Lion Winter Ale. Not a bad place for a bit of education. And not a bad beer for study. There will be hors d’ouevres and live music from Little Black Dress. No reservation needed, just pop by from 5-8pm and enjoy.
Also at the Beer Academy, is a great opportunity to impress your clients and colleagues and save yourself hassle this festive season. Beer Academy is offering midday group tours complete with a tasting and buffet lunch, partnered with Sequel Catering. For groups ranging from 15-40, you will be educated, entertained, satiated and well fed, for $65/person for the traditional buffet, or $100/person for the Brewmaster’s Feast. I’ve been to a few events at Beer Academy, and they’re really well done. For more information, email events@beeracademy.ca.
Or Maybe
Perhaps school wasn’t your thing? That’s okay, I’ve got the party for you: Stone Hammer is launching Imbibe’s (in Kitchener) first cask night, with a dry-hopped cask of their excellent Oatmeal Coffee Stout. Tonight (Friday November 16th) starting at 8pm. Show up, drink cask, get hugs from George. It’s quite a simple process. https://www.facebook.com/imbibefoodanddrink
But You’re Intolerant?
“There’s only two things I hate in the World. People who are intolerant of other people’s culture, and the Dutch.” — Nigel Powers
While I try to be open-minded and accepting, I know people who are quite intolerant. My wife is one of them. For real. She has no time for gluten; it’s a second class protein to her, and she’s unapologetic about it. It can be embarrassing in social settings. The slurs….
Seriously, gluten-intolerance, celiac disease, IBS; these problems are becoming more and more common-place. While I could editorialize endlessly about what we’ve been eating, and what it’s doing to us, I’ll leave that. Suffice to say, those who enjoy a tasty beer but cannot eat gluten have been in something of a pickle (which are gluten-free). And while more gluten-free options are appearing on the market, the over-all quality is still not up to scratch. The good news is, there is a pair of brewers in Toronto who are changing that. Snowman Brewing has been making amazing gluten-free beers, from raw gluten-free grains they malt themselves (which is crazy, in itself). They finally are moving into licensed production (they have been home-brewing it for years). They are contract brewing on a separate system at Black Oak, and we’re starting to see their products pop up places. They had a cask at Cask Days. And now they’re tapping a cask of their maple stout, tonight at Volo, starting at 5pm. If you want a pint, head right down after work; this stuff is excellent stout, period. That it is made with gluten-free grains makes it incredible. It won’t last long.
http://barvolo.com/ — http://www.snowmanbrewing.com/
The Chai Wallah Has A Moustache
Oh yes, possibly the best Movember-themed beer name this year, comes from The Granite Brewery. They are hosting a Movember party this Sunday from 2-6pm, with a cask party. Casks include “Chai Wallah Has a Moustache” stout, Grapefruit Lagoon, Keefe’s Irish Stout, Hopping Mad, Best Bitter Special and IPA. $1 from every cask pint sold will go to Team Granite’s Movember fund to help fight prostate cancer.
While we’re on the Granite, they’re doing another, slightly different “Mo” themed event. A member of their community, Mohammed (Mo) went through some pretty serious back surgery at the end of October. He’s on the mend, but will be off work for some time, so The Granite is hosting a fund-raiser night on his behalf. It will be the evening of November 27th, from 6-9pm. The details are still being finalized, but there will be food and drinks, as well as an auction. All funds raised will go right to Mo and his family.
You Roll Your Dice, You Move Your Mice
That’s right kids! It’s board-game night at Black Oak Brewery. Tuesday November 20th 2012 at 6:30. It’s BYOBG, bring your own board-games. $10 at the door gets you 4 drink tickets and pizza. If you’re the driver, it’s $5 for pizza. The brewery is at 75 Horner in Etobicoke, and is fairly easily reached by TTC. https://www.facebook.com/events/419589804760804/
Fancy a Threesome?
Oh my, to quote George Takai. Not at all what you’re thinking, next Thursday, November 22nd, 417 will play host to a three-way tap take-over. Great Lakes, Beau’s and Flying Monkeys will each be bringing six kegs, both regular and one-off brews, and they will all be available starting at 5pm. More details/beer lists will follow. Check out the event page on facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/events/386564128089144/
