2009 - a year of beer
2009 was a big year for me in terms of beer and beer culture. I think I hosted a tasting every month (might have missed one, I can't quite recall). I attended a variety of events, but most importantly, I found myself feeling "connected" to the Toronto beer scene. I met many of the key players: writers, publicans, and brewers. I found myself at events, chatting to people who I had met at other events. It was an exciting year, to be sure.
So here's what I remember of it:
In January my best friend, Andrew, visited from New Zealand. A Belfast boy who has lived with us in Toronto, I felt it appropriate to try to demonstrate my new found knowledge of Toronto beer spots. I failed in my attempt at a different bar every night, but that was only because of the ridiculous amount of snow we had. We did get to Cloak and Dagger, Volo, The Only, C'est What, McVeigh's and finished most nights at Castro's. We drank a lot of good beer, but more importantly, got to spend time with a dear friend we see too little of (also got to introduce him to our son, his namesake, Andrew Bentley).
Spring brought a variety of tastings at Castro's, including a Belgian tasting that saw my biggest crowd to date (24 if I recall). This also started my tradition of trips down to the Queen's Quay LCBO to visit the ledgendary Bill George. Bill has pointed me in the direction of many fine beers I might have missed, and leant insights that reflect his passion for beer. I think at this point I probably owe him at least a firkin's worth of pints.
Summer time, and the living is easy, right? Well around a move of residence (last time for a while, I hope) and a baby boy's first birthday party I did manage to attend all of the PA/IPA cask challenge events at Volo. Were they epic? Of course. Ralph and his crew put on some of the best events in the city, and these were no exception. Biggest surprise? How often Tankhouse found it's way into my top picks. Blind tastings have a funny way of proving your prejudices wrong.
As fall started to fall, I got a strange, yet very welcome e-mail. I was invited to the American Craft Brewers Association's pairing dinner at Beer Bistro. I happily accepted, and found myself at a truly great event. Beers from some of the hippest breweries in the USA paired with beer cuisine only the likes of Beer Bistro can pull off (the amuse bouche was a bacon creme brulee. Seriously). I got to try some really cool beers, meet some very interesting people, and had a great time.
It's worth mentioning at this point that: Yes I did miss Cask Days this year. And yes I'm sad. I don't want to talk about it.
That being said, I did attend two really great events at Volo. The King of Quads, and A Reading with Nick Pashley.
The King of Quads was yet another well thought-out, well executed event by Ralph and his team. Pitting some of the best Belgian-style quads against each other in a blind tasting. The best part for me, though, was when Ralph asked me if I minded if Ron joined me. "Sure" I said. I like to meet new people and talk beer. Yeah, that was Ron Keefe. I was at the King of Quads with legitimate beer royalty. And, as it always seems with beer folk, Ron turned out to be a great guy, knowledgeable and patient to answer my questions. It was a remarkable day.
Nick's reading, well, what can I say? Nick is charming, intelligent and funny. His books are worth reading, and his events worth attending. Plus he supports Brighton and Hove Albion, which are a worse ranked team then Leeds United (who I support), so being around him is one of the few times I can actually feel somewhat proud of my club. And, as always, Ralph and company put on a great spread of beers, and were models of hospitality.
At some point, I went to the Hop City Brewery launch party. I don't exactly remember when (not drink-related forgetfulness). I didn't know anything about the brewery before I went, and I still don't now. What I know is: They had a pile of money to throw a big party. They value loud music and large quantities of free beer. They value dancing so much they hired pros to infiltrate the dance-floor to keep the party jumping.
The beer seemed okay, I think a Creemore like product, but I was on the tail-end of a sinus infection (that I got the day after the King of Quads, now that I think of it), so Bud Light Lime might have tasted good to me.
You will notice that I didn't mention the Toronto Festival of Beer. This is not because I didn't go. This is because I wouldn't count it a highlight. I had a great time with some friends, and did get to try some interesting beers (Black Oak, Great Lakes, and that brewery at Pioneer Village, Pioneer Brewing?, all stand out), I also smoked a Partagas. Unfortunately, I can only handle small amounts of mud, Budweiser propaganda, drunk frat boy types, and drunk skanky girls, and there was no shortage of all four. I was also disappointed by who was not there. Church-Key, Scotch-Irish and Beau's were all conspicuous by their absence. I dearly hope the organizers of our Beer Fest put a greater emphasis on Canadian and American craft beers. We get enough of the big three every time we visit the Beer Store, it's sad to see that they can dominate another private enterprise.
As the clock ticked down on 2009, I took a lot into account. It had been a very good year in my personal life, as well as my professional life. And indeed, it had been a very good year for beer. Here's to 2010; many more great pints, great events, and connections with new people.