Toronto Beer Week Launch – Mill St Brew Pub

So after a good bit of planning and anticipation, Monday September 20th finally dawned (though I was still asleep) and with it, brought Toronto Beer Week!  The opening event was the ceremonial cask-tapping at the Mill St Brew Pub, a fitting choice, as Mill St has not only been pivotal in the revitalization of the Gooderham & Wort distillery district, but also in the growth of the craft brew scene in Toronto.  The cask was tapped by the Honourable Steve Peters, Speaker of the House at Queen’s Park, who is himself a big supporter of the craft beer industry in Ontario.  Mill St had made up a lovely batch of Oktoberfest beer, quite malty, but a bit more hoppy then I was expected.  As I joked with Greg Clow, I’ve never said “hoppier then I expected” and not been very happy with the results.  Mind you, I’ve never said it about a pinot noir……  Needless to say, I wasn’t the only person to refill my glass a fair few times.

The usual amount of glad-handing and schmoozing commenced, with reporters, brewers, event planners, and the usual hangers-on (I’m in that last category) all catching up on the latest gossip and news.  I got lots of sneaky peaks about events coming up for TBW, lists of brews available, etc.  I’ll only mention that if I wasn’t excited enough about the Black Oak events at Kilgour’s and Volo before, Adrian pretty well pushed me well into “giddy school girl” mode.  Plan on being at at least one of them, or their event at The Rhino.  Just do it.

As things started to wind down a bit, I got talking to Adam, one of the brewers at the Brew Pub.  He found out I hadn’t had the Cobblestone Stout yet, so of course, he provided me with a sample.  And I’ve got to say, it was even better then I expected.  Roasty and malty, pretty velvety and smooth, but with a nice bitterness.  A really great dry stout.  We kept chatting, and ended up in the brewery, as Adam wanted me to taste the 2010 Barley Wine.  Still quite young, it was nearly all fruit. Immediately I was like “Whoa, pineapple!”, but each sip (and I’m sure, as it warmed), I got a different fruity taste.  Mango, watermelon, it just kept going.  I’m really excited to get a few bottles and lay them down; see how it grows.  At that point Global TV wanted to get some footage of Adam doing “Brewing stuff”, so I made my thanks and farewells and headed out.

All in all, a great event, and a great way to start an exciting week.  Can’t wait for Malts and Molluscs then the IPA Challenge final tonight!

Pics from the launch below:

Ceremonial Cask

The ceremonial cask, waiting for it's 11am tapping

Bill White

Bill White introduces Toronto Beer Week

The Honourable Steve Peters

The Honourable Steve Peters

Driving it home

Driving it home

The first glass of TBW beer

The first glass of TBW beer

Steve Peters and John Bowden

Steve pours, John passes.

Stephen Beaumont

Stephen Beaumont puts the brew through it's paces

Ken Woods

Ken Woods gives an interview to Global TV

If you’re reading this and want bigger copies of the pics, I’ve got them and will happily share.  Leave me a message in the comments or use my contact page, and I’ll either e-mail or post them to you.

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