I’ve gotta say: I love going to Pioneer Village; I always have. So when they started an historic brewery as part of the village I was stoked. When the beers they produced were excellent, I was very excited. When their Porter became available at the LCBO, I was giddy. Now I’m running out of adjectives, and they’re still going. Just in from them this morning:
Toronto: April 7, 2011… Black Creek Historic Brewery, today announced the launch of Black Creek Pale Ale in select LCBO stores. The Pale Ale brew is the second entry in LCBO stores for the brewery, following the success of its Porter, launched in Fall 2010. Black Creek Pale Ale (product # 238766) retails for $3.55 per 500 mL (pint) bottle. LCBO customers can search the LCBO website, www.lcbo.com to locate stores offering the product, or simply ask for it at their local outlet.
Black Creek Pale Ale is based on historic recipes from the mid-1800s and incorporates brewing techniques from the same period. The recipe uses predominantly pale or lightly-roasted malts, creating a beer that has a full taste with more hops than darker ales.
Black Creek Pale Ale is a great choice with salads or spicy foods, or as a cool refreshment in warm weather.Black Creek Pale Ale
“This is a deep golden Pale Ale with a sweet malty flavour,” said Ed Koren, Brewmaster, Black Creek Historic Brewery. “It is aggressively hopped with four varieties of American hops, giving it has a refreshing piney, citrusy aroma. What you’ll taste is the authentic flavour of an ale using natural ingredients and genuine period recipes.”
Black Creek Historic Brewery is a member of the Ontario Craft Brewers. Both the Pale Ale and Porter varieties that retail through the LCBO are brewed at a commercial brewing facility under the watchful eye of Brewmaster Koren.
In addition to their commercial brewery, Black Creek Historic Brewery also runs an authentic historic brewery at Black Creek Pioneer Village where visitors can tour, taste, learn the history of beer in Canada, pick up a growler of ale and savour a meal at the Black Creek Brewery Restaurant.
Opened in 2009, Black Creek Historic Brewery recreates the techniques, tools and recipes used by brewers in 1860s Ontario. They replicate the brewing processes of that era, when there was no electricity or refrigeration, no stainless steel tanks or bottling plants. The equipment is made mainly of wood and copper, and the beer ferments the way it did in the old days, with wooden barrels to age the beer. The Brewmaster completes the brewing process by hand.
Throughout the season at the Village, visitors to the brewery may also get to sample unique limited availability brews such as Lemon Balm Pale Ale, Raspberry Porter or a Pumpkin Ale. For more information about these specialty brews and their availability, check out the Black Creek Growler Blog .
Historic Brewery Tours: Starting on May 1, 2011, learn the whole story of how beer was made, starting with how the ingredients are grown right through to sampling the beer. You can see where grain was milled and how barrels were made at the Cooperage. The cost is $4, (with the purchase of Village admission), which includes three samples in the brewery.
Tour Times: Spring and Fall: Weekdays 2:00 p.m., Weekends 12:30 pm,
Summer: 12:30 pm dailyBeer Samplers: 2:00 pm daily
About Black Creek Historic Brewery
Located in Black Creek Pioneer Village, the Black Creek Historic Brewery is a working recreation of a 19th century brewery, an era when beer was both a popular beverage and a staple food. Using only period equipment and no electricity, the Brewery handcrafts the same ale and porter varieties enjoyed in Ontario before Confederation. Open daily to the public, visitors can chat with Brewmaster in costume or join guided tours and taste samples drawn from oak barrels. The beer can be enjoyed on the premises at the Black Creek Historic Brewery Restaurant and Pub, or brought home in returnable “growlers.” Public events are held throughout the year at the Brewery; the facility is also available for corporate and private functions. Black Creek ales and porters sold off-site are brewed at a commercial facility under the supervision of the Brewmaster. The Black Creek Historic Brewery is operated by Black Creek Pioneer Village in partnership with Pioneer Breweries Limited. For more information, visit http://www.blackcreekbrewery.ca.
As the weather warms up, give some thought to a trip up to Black Creek. Great value, and great beer. It’s not just for school-trips!
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