Posts
The Case For Cask
[caption id="" align="alignright" width="240"] A young woman serves a pint of cask ale[/caption] *** This post lead to a re-connection with The Bell, and their story has taken an interesting turn: they have just …
Oktoberfest at Beau's All Natural Brewing, Vankleek Hill
In writing 101 or whatever school-related cliche you prefer, you learn to hook your reader in the first sentence, by introducing your topic and piquing their curiosity. I'm not going to do that (obviously, at this …
Amsterdam's New Brewery(ies)
Even from a brewer (some of whom rise really really early), a 9am phone call from Iain McOustra raised my eyebrows. "I'm going to the space where the brewpub will be. You can come check it out, if you want, but no …
Tempest Imperial Stout — Whiskey Barrel Aged — Amsterdam Brewing Co.
Perhaps this will come as news to you, but aging beers in oak barrels is kind of a big deal. True, you probably won't see a Maker's Mark aged Lite Lime Lager in this lifetime (thank God), but more and more breweries are …
Tempest Imperial Stout 2011/2012 — Amsterdam Brewing Co.
Today was Amsterdam day, in Amsterdam week. I was able to check out the space that the new brewpub will be in, visit the new brewery in Leaside and hang around with some of my favourite brewers. More on all that tomorrow …
Calm Before The Storm — Amsterdam Brewing Co.
Amsterdam week continues, and today was a noteworthy day: I walked in to 21 Bathurst St for what is likely to be the last time. Just stopped by to borrow a couple of shives, and was in and out, but couldn't help but …
Sleeping Giant — Amsterdam Brewing Co.
I'm celebrating all this week with Amsterdam Brewing Co, who have now officially moved in to their new premises, in Leaside. If you had ever been to their brewery at 21 Bathurst, you knew it was simply a matter of time …
Chris and Fred's Beer Pageant — Wrap-up
Well, the first annual Beer Pageant is in the books. After what seems like months of preparations and drinking, it all came down to last Friday night. With a last minute change of venue, and scrambling for judges, we …
Iron Brewer 2012
Quick, you have a bag, and in it there are 3 types of base malts, 8 specialty malts, 6 types of hops, 5 types of yeast, and 4 "specialty" items. What kind of beer are you going to make? Utilize the smoked wheat flakes …
Brewer's Video Round Table — Toronto Beer Week
So I must say, I really had a wonderful time doing this. Mike, Iain and Sam were excellent guests, and I was so happy to have them hang out and talk beer. If you missed the webcast, or just want to watch it again, the …
Toronto Beer Blog Podcasts
Well, it's official. I'm actually trying to start out my weekly podcasts! If you remember from my January 5th resolutions, I resolved to start a podcast. I do a weekly bit on the Edge with Fearless Fred, which I love and …
Toronto Beer Week — A Survival Guide
While most people look at Toronto Beer Week as a pleasant way to indulge in some of the best beer this city has to offer, this is, perhaps, a somewhat naive view. You see, with 10 days filled with more events than you …
Stuff You Need To Know Today, September 12, 2012
Oh my golly, it's been a busy few weeks, and there's more than a few coming down the pipe. I've been doing heaps of non-beer-related stuff, which is wonderful, but not necessarily great writing on the old blog (though, I …
LCBO Fall Release/Shipyard Feature/Halloween Specialty Line-up
It's one of the harder parts of running a beer blog: heading down to sensory evaluation room B at the LCBO offices, to sample the specialty beer releases. All those beers, in pristine glassware, with sinks for rinsing …
Put That In Your Pipe And Smoke It — Church-Key Brewing
While I review their beers far too infrequently, I am a long-time big-fan of Church-Key Brewing. An early micro-brewery favourite of mine, Church-Key is located right along the "back roads" route to my wife's family …
No Pants With Miranda — Great Lakes Brewery
After reviewing Great Lakes Brewery's excellent 25th Anniversary Belgian Saison, which included lots of references to their No Chance With Miranda Saison, I thought it was the right time to dig into my pile of beers …
Friday Beer Break on Edge 102.1 — August 17, 2012
So Fred was back from holiday, but off next Friday at Fan Expo, so we decided to not do the Beer Pageant today. Instead, we hung up, drank Great Lakes 25th Anniversary Belgian Saison, and cured my grumpy pants. Watch …
25th Anniversary Belgian Saison — Great Lakes Brewery
Many of you will already know that Great Lakes Brewery is celebrating their 25th anniversary this year. If you didn't, Great Lakes Brewery is celebrating their 25th anniversary this year. Now we all know. With that in …
White House Beer
[caption id="" align="alignright" width="296"] President Obama with a bottle of Goose Island 312 Wheat, which he gave to British PM David Cameron.[/caption] If you haven't heard already, it's time you know: President …
Deviator Doppelbock Bourbon Barrel Aged — Cameron's Brewing Co.
So, if you know me, you know I love it when breweries try new stuff. And if you know about the craftbeer "scene", you know oak-aging beers is kind of a big deal. Amsterdam has a mountain of oak casks with a variety of …