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 would be remiss if I didn’t mention the 28 litres of tomato sauce I finished canning this morning at 5:30 after a beer and Star Trek laced all-nighter). But let’s leave all that for now, and sharpen our focus. Beer.
Kind Of Obvious
The Epic Toronto Beer Week starts this Friday, and it’s, well, epic. There are a whole heap of events, and you will need a day-timer and something cold to satiate you while you make your plans. You can check them all at http://www.TorontoBeerWeek.com. I will put together a TBW2012 survival guide tomorrow, but for now, there are two things going down you absolutely must know about:
Critique Me
Once again this year, Mike Warner from http://ayearofbeer.wordpress.com and The Monks Table are playing host to Barrel Bragging Rights. The format is simple, beer writers (including myself) partner with a brewer, make a one-off beer, throw it in a barrel (like, actually made of wood) and serve it up this Friday night. The beers will be judged by a panel, and the winner will obviously be the coolest writer on the block. Last year I was last place. Ouch. This year Paul Dickey of Cheshire Valley and I partnered up and have produced what will undoubtedly be the champion beer. Come out this Friday at 5pm to The Monk’s Table. It’s $35 at the door, which gets you a branded glass, samples and finger foods. Last year there was a line-up, don’t be late!
Turn On, Tune In, Drop Out
A while ago, Wil “Wesley Crusher” Wheaton hosted a video round table discussion with Greg from Stone Brewing and Sam from Dogfish Head. It was a cool thing to watch, making great use of Google’s Hangouts video conferencing. It worked so well, I thought we ought to do one for Toronto Beer Week. So I’ve lined up three of Toronto’s top brewers: Iain McOustra from Amsterdam, Mike Lackey from Great Lakes and Sam Corbeil from Sawdust City. We’ll be sitting down in front of our webcams and chatting about all things beer in Toronto on Tuesday at 12pm. We’ll be taking live questions via Google Chat and Twitter; anything goes, from Mike’s beard to Sam’s moustache to Iain’s ummmmm, bare chin. Bring a brown-bag lunch to work and watch from your desk. Hint: beer in a plastic coffee travel cup just looks like a cup of coffee…..
A Tale of Three Sausagefests
Om Pah Pah, Om Pah Pah…. Once we close the books on TBW, it’s time to start thinking about dusting off that lederhosen, and munching some sausage. Indeed, as September draws to a close, everyone’s inner German comes out and we drink out of steins. This year, there are three Oktoberfest parties I”ll touch on: The Old Firm, in Kitchener-Waterloo; Beau’s Oktoberfest in Vankleek Hill, and the new kid on the block, Toronto’s own Oktoberfest. The K/W party is a long standing tradition, and while not long on craft beer, has no shortage for revelry. More info at http://www.oktoberfest.ca. Beau’s Oktoberfest party is a killer community party in the lovely little town of Vankleek Hill, which despite nearly being in Quebec, is totally worth the drive. You can either take a room in town, or bring a tent and camp out, as the party runs for three days (September 28-29-30). As of two days ago, the Saturday tickets were 75% sold, so if you want to drink some amazing organic German-style beer, get your tickets soon here: http://www.beaus.ca/oktoberfest. If the drive daunts you, or you would just prefer to stay home, I would strongly suggest you plan on hitting Toronto’s Oktoberfest party, which will be at St Lawrence Market October 4th and 5th. Early bird tickets are on sale till Friday, but I’ve got your back, Jack. I’ve got a discount code for $5 off, just use “CS5OFF”. Also, if you get them using this link: http://torontooktoberfest.ca/?
Amster’Dam Good News
I could write something fresh, but I think their press release covers it all well. In short, Amsterdam Brewing is moving to Leaside and also opening a brew pub on Queen’s Quay. Woooo-Whoooo!!! I cannot wait for the Brewpub! In long:
Moving But Not Leaving: Amsterdam Brewing Co. Opens Two New Breweries in Toronto
(Toronto, ON, September 10, 2012) Amsterdam Brewing Co. Ltd. is pleased to announce that they will be relocating their operations this fall. Effective November 1, 2012 production will move to 45 Esandar Drive, directly east of the new Leaside Village retail area. The brewery is being moved to a larger facility in order to accommodate the growth of the Amsterdam brand family. The new site will offer a leading edge retail shopping experience complete with a 40 x 10 ft. glass wall to allow for a clear view directly into the brew house. Customers will be encouraged to tour the facility and sample from over 10 of the “made fresh daily” beers that will be on tap. In addition to this, there will be a 2000 sq/ft hospitality space that will play host to events such as beer dinners, Brew Master seminars, weekly casking events and corporate bookings. Friends of Amsterdam can look forward to a full calendar of events.
“We are very excited to be relocating to our new Leaside home” says Jeff Carefoote, owner and operator of The Amsterdam Brewing Company. “The people of Leaside have shown their commitment to local business, local culture and craft beer, and we feel that our new brewery will be well received by the community.”
Please stay posted; Amsterdam Brewing Co. plans to issue a second press release in October with details on The Brewery’s Grand Opening and event schedule in Leaside Village.
Amsterdam Brewing Co. Returns To its Roots:
In May of 2013 The Amsterdam Brewing Co. will return to its roots and open a Brew Pub on the Toronto waterfront at 245 Queens Quay West. The facility will focus on small, fresh batches of Amsterdam specialty brews for the 900-seat restaurant/pub and it’s beer inspired menu. (Details of restaurant management to come at a later date.) The location will also function as the Brewery’s Toronto core Retail Store, offering the entire portfolio in all its sizes and prices. The site will host feature tastings, educational tours, beer dinners, special events, and an Amster’Dam good summer patio (300- person patio on the lake).
“We hope that through reflecting on our history and continuing our passion for authenticity, the Brew Pub will become a destination for the people of Toronto and it’s visitors” says Carefoote, owner and operator of The Amsterdam Brewing Company.
About The Amsterdam Brewing Company
The Amsterdam Brewing Company is an independently owned and operated craft brewery that is deeply rooted in the city of Toronto. A pioneer of the craft beer revolution in 1986 and initially called the Amsterdam Brasserie and Brew Pub, “The Amsterdam” was the first of its kind in Toronto to offer patrons hand crafted lagers and ales that were brewed in-house. Today they brew over ten different beers including their flagship lager – Amsterdam Natural Blonde, the award winning Big Wheel Amber and Boneshaker IPA, along with multiple year-round, seasonal and specialty brews. The Amsterdam Brewing Company uses only traditional brewing methods and their beers are made with four all natural ingredients – malt, hops, yeast, and water. All beers are GMO-free, without preservatives, and never heat pasteurized.
To learn more about the Amsterdam Brewing Company visit www.amsterdambeer.com Or Become a fan on Facebook www.facebook.com/amsterdambeer And follow on Twitter www.twitter.com/amsterdambeer
Here she comes….
Yup, the finalists have been chosen, and Fred and I are getting ready for the big finale of our Beer Pageant. We’ve picked the date, September 28th, and are working out details about location. But pencil in the 28th at 8pm, for all the colour and pageantry. More details to follow as soon as I have them.
