Hey hey, it’s Wednesday! Got any plans? Got any Hopes? Dreams? Me too.
Here’s some things that could help fill some of those desires.
CASK Social – The Burger Bar
New year, and a new set of socials. The good folks at CASK have partnered with Brock and the Burger Bar to serve up some lovely cask ale and delicious food this Saturday, the 22nd, from 3-6pm. Three brews will be available: Great Lakes/Burger Bar Augusta IPA (excellent single hop IPA), Beau’s Bogfather and Cheshire Valley Robust Porter. As always, the beers will be great, and the company will be better. I have to take a pass, but encourage any and everybody to head down.
Organs, and I’m not talking about B3’s here….
Ahhhh, there’s nothing that says “end of January” like pipes, whisky and the smell of cooked animal organs. Indeed, Robbie Burns day will shortly be upon us, on January 25th. For the uninitiated, Burns day is a celebration of the famed Scottish poet, Robbie Burns. Most events consist of lots of men in kilts; more whisky than is, strictly speaking, healthy; bagpipes; poetry; and the classic (scary) Scottish dish: Haggis (oatmeal and spices mixed with ground-up organs stuffed in a sheep’s stomach and boiled). While you could go to a Presbyterian church and enjoy an (often dry) Burns dinner, we can do much better.
The Monk’s Table
Adam and the crew at the monk’s table are doing a series of Burn’s events, starting this Friday, the 21st. Friday evening features a tasting of the mighty Harviestoun Ola Dub beers, the 16, 30 and 40 year old. The evening will be hosted by our friend, Jordan St John. Saturday will see oysters from Rodney’s paired with Belhaven Stout. Sunday will be filled with much cream ale, as Adam is offering the best deal in town: 2 for 1 Belhaven Cream Ale pints. Monday is a five course tasting meal of food with single malts, hosted by Toronto Star writer, Josh Rubin. And Tuesday is “Ode to Robbie Burns” night, where the best poem or limerick about Burns will win the would-be-bard a five course tasting meal for two. The Monk’s Table is at 1276 Yonge St, just north of Summerhill Station. Call (416) 920-7037 for more information and to make reservations.
Ceili Cottage
Tuesday night, Paddy and the Ceili crew are hosting a proper Burns dinner. The bar opens at 5pm, and the homemade haggis will be piped in at 6pm sharp. Selkirk Grace and Address to a Haggis will be read, and if nobody else does it, I’ll lead the crowd in Auld Lang Sine. If you’ve got a kilt, wear it. http://www.ceilicottage.com/ or (416)406-1301 for more information. Ceili is at 1301 Queen Street East, just east of Leslie St.
It’s a Porter kind of day
If you like porter and aren’t a terrorist or personal injury lawyer, have I got news for you: Ken Woods at Black Oak just confirmed to me that while they are out of their massively good Nutcracker Porter in draught, there are still some bottles for sale at the brewery. Get yourself down there and hook some up before it’s gone. Check out http://www.blackoakbeer.com/ for directions and hours.
Girl Kissing
Hey, did you know Katy Perry kissed a girl, and she liked it? Want to hear more? She’s doing a live chat on facebook today at 5:30pm. What does this have to do with beer? Well, as I’m sure you’ll guess, at 5:30pm sharp, I will be standing in my kitchen, drinking beer and making gnocchi. What will you be doing? There are numerous bars around town that will undoubtedly be open and serving beer. Go drink some. Or connect with a friend. Maybe over a beer. There are also numerous not-for-profit groups around Toronto who could use your help. From serving food in shelters, to driving cancer patients to doctor’s appointments, there’s a lot of people out there who could use your help. It feels great to help people out, plus then you’re out of the house and you could head to a pub and grab a beer in self-congratulation. So now you should know what you’re doing at 5:30pm today…….
