A Summer of Beer is Upon Us…

Posted by Kyle Anderson on May 29, 2012
Posted in: Beer, General. Tagged: , , , , , , . Leave a Comment

If you have not noticed, it’s been a while…but I’m back!  Just in time for the plethora of beer and festivities that begin to fill the calendar as the temperature rises.

Lets take a look at some of the bigger events coming up in June:

Montreal Mondial de la Bière 2012  June 6-10

2012 Barrie Beer Fest June 15 – 16

Ontario Craft Brew Week  June 17 – 23

Session 99: A  Craft Beer Festival June 23

Mondial de la Bière is most definitely for the serious beer patron: Over 600 beers from around the world, with over 100,000 attendees at last years festival. Be warned…this is Canada’s largest beer festival in a metropolitan city of 3.5 Million people…during the Montreal Grand Prix week…and students rioting. As the Boy Scouts say: BE PREPARED.

This is the first year for the Barrie Beer Fest, sporting a gathering of Ontario Craft Brewers, food, and entertainment.

Ontario Craft Beer Week kicks off on Fathers Day weekend. There are events happening pretty much everywhere…check their listings to find something in your neighbourhood.

Session 99 caps off the Ontario Craft Beer Week with a plethora of food, over 100 different beers, and entertainment all in one convenient ticket price. This is my “must go” event in June if I cannot make it to anything else.

This is just a glance at what’s going on. Do yourself a favour and head over to The Bar Towel and check out the events calendar. It is nicely organized and gives you everything you need to keep yourself occupied this summer.

Hope to see you around!

Cheers,

Kyle

Cameron’s Rye Pale Ale Now Availiable!

Posted by Kyle Anderson on April 2, 2012
Posted in: Beer, Ontario Craft Brews. Tagged: . Leave a Comment

New IPA from Cameron’s!

Cameron's RPA

Oakville, ON – April 2, 2012 – Hand brewed by beer artisans, Cameron’s newest release for pale ale lovers is inspired from both British and American interpretations of India Pale Ale beer styles.

RPA is a glorious hazy orange-amber brew with a well-constructed white head has an up-front citrus aroma followed by a complex malt body with a hint of peppery rye which releases earthy floral British hop flavor on the finish.

“Cameron’s Rye Pale Ale (RPA) is based on consumer’s love of the India Pale Ale style.  The experimental Cameron’s RPA came in second place at Bar Volo’s 2011 IPA Challenge which had entries from 22 Ontario craft brewers.  IPA enthusiasts will be pleasantly surprised to taste Cameron’s twist on the ordinary with this very unique, flavourful and easy to drink brew,” says President and Co-Owner, Bill Coleman.

“Contrary to beliefs that rye is only used to make pumpernickel, it is also used in pale ales and the result is a spicy, dry, quenching beer, perfect for a Spring day or frankly year round,” says Jason Britton, Cameron’s Head Brewmaster.

Cameron’s Rye Pale Ale marries a blend of American and British interpretations of India Pale Ale beer styles. It is made of a combination of seven different floral British and pungent American hops, some which are added in a dry hopping process.  Dry hopping involves gently adding hops directly to the beer after the fermentation stage and removing the hops before packaging.  The hops are well supported by a large malt bill of five character malts with a generous portion of rye which contributes to the mouth feel and Cameron’s RPA’s own special character.

“We’re always listening to our beer enthusiasts and they’ve been asking us to come up with new and interesting beers. Over the past 12 months we’ve had great success with our Oak Aged Series and our Deviator Doppelbock. To celebrate our 15th anniversary, we are planning more treats and surprises for our craft beer loving public,” concludes Coleman.

Cameron’s Rye Pale Ale will be available at the Cameron’s Retail Store and select licensees throughout Ontario starting April 2, 2012.  Six packs retail for $14.07 (plus HST & deposit) and 58.6 litre kegs retail for $269.95 (plus HST and Deposit)

Hopefully I can get my hands on one of these soon!

Cheers,
Kyle

St. Patrick’s Day and Ontario Craft Beers

Posted by Kyle Anderson on March 14, 2012
Posted in: Beer, Ontario Craft Brews. Tagged: , , , . Leave a Comment

stpats2If you had not noticed…spring is almost here. With the mercury hitting a balmy 20°C this weekend, the St. Patrick’s day festivities will certainly be in full swing and the streets will run green with crappy green beer. Now, before you go and ruin it for everybody, read this: 8 Insulting Ways People Act ‘Irish’ on St. Patrick’s Day

#1 on that list is Green Beer. The only way to make a bad beer worse is by colouring it with FD&C Green No. 3. Do yourselves a favour…resist the temptation to to ruin your beer. Instead why not try some fantastic REAL beer from our very own Ontario Craft Brewers.
Continue Reading

Mill Street Brewery’s Seasonal Sampler – Coffee Porter

Posted by Kyle Anderson on March 12, 2012
Posted in: Beer, In The Glass, Ontario Craft Brews. Tagged: , , . Leave a Comment

IMG_1761After a brief hiatus, I’m back to take us through the last half of the Mill St. Brewery Seasonal Sampler we find their famous “Coffee Porter”. As the name suggests it is a porter, with strong coffee characteristics. Go figure. Does this dark beer live up to its name? Will the flavours be complex and balanced or overly bitter? Lets take a look… Continue Reading

Mill Street Brewery’s Seasonal Sampler – Stock Ale

Posted by Kyle Anderson on January 26, 2012
Posted in: Beer, In The Glass. Tagged: , , , . Leave a Comment

IMG_1744 Jumping right back into the Mill St. Seasonal Sampler lets take a look at the Stock Ale. Mill St.’s Stock Ale is a blonde ale –  clear. straw coloured, light body, crisp, with some hints of malt sweetness and low hop presence. Mill St.’s Stock Ale presents the style well – refreshing, clean, and and easy to drink.

 

Continue Reading

Mill Street Brewery’s Seasonal Sampler – Original Organic Lager

Posted by Kyle Anderson on January 23, 2012
Posted in: Beer, In The Glass, Ontario Craft Brews. Tagged: , , . Leave a Comment

IMG_1697I have to admit, I like sampler packs. I think it is a great way to try a variety of beer styles, while also introducing you to what a brewery has to offer. Mill Street Brewery is an Ontario craft brewer that offers these packs on a regular basis, usually including their flagship beers such as Original Organic Lager, Stock Ale, Tankhouse Ale, Coffee Porter and a couple of seasonal bottles. This particular pack includes the Franconian Bock and ESB (Extra Special Bitter).

Continue Reading

In The Glass – Great Lakes Brewery Miami Weiss

Posted by Kyle Anderson on January 8, 2012
Posted in: Beer, In The Glass, Ontario Craft Brews. Tagged: , , , . 1 comment

IMG_1611It was a particulary cold January day, and I was thinking about how far away summer is when I happened to see my unopened bottle of Great Lakes Brewery’s Miami Weiss (Weiss being pronounced with a V). The colourful label and the suggestion of an “American Style take on a wheat beer” had my mouth watering. I gave into the temptation and busted open the bottle into a Weizen glass, letting the beer take on an almost imposing stance with a massive head and hazy golden colour.

Continue Reading

In The Glass – “The Three Kings” King Pilsner

Posted by Kyle Anderson on December 29, 2011
Posted in: Beer, In The Glass. Tagged: , , . Leave a Comment

IMG_1206Better late then never. The holidays have been a distraction but here is a final look at King Brewery’s “The Three Kings” gift pack. I honestly feel that this a great pick for those getting into craft beers, perhaps those who are used to the light lagers and tend to shy away from flavour forward ales. It’s a small step into craft beers, but most importantly you are supporting your Ontario Craft Brewers. Crisp. light, refreshing, and easy to drink, the King Pilsner is everything you would expect.

Continue Reading

In The Glass – “The Three Kings” Vienna Lager

Posted by Kyle Anderson on December 24, 2011
Posted in: General, In The Glass. Tagged: , , , . Leave a Comment

IMG_1201 As much as I love IPA’s and Stouts, a refreshing lager can be a welcome departure. The multitude of  macro-lagers can sometimes overshadow fine examples of the style from craft breweries right here in Ontario, such as the award winning King Veinna Lager from King Brewery. Soft malty aromas and a crisp palate makes this an easy and refreshing beer to drink.

Continue Reading