Aye, I know. It has been a while since I have posted. It was a tumultuous year. Lots of ups and some massive downs. I have prevailed; I am still here.
Stay tuned for some new updates. More beer, more homebrewing, and some other interesting tid-bits.
If you’ve been perusing the LCBO aisles lately you may notice some nice cans on the shelves. I felt it was necessary to share these as it would be a shame to miss out on good beer just because it is in a can. There has always been a bit of a “bottles” vs. “cans” thing going on but I really don’t mind either way, as I’m more interested in the contents. In the photo here we have a very attractive triplet of deliciousness. From left to right – Wellington Brewery’s re-branded “Special Pale Ale”, Kensington Brewing Company’s “Augusta Ale”, and Double Trouble Brewing Co.’s “Hops & Robbers”.
I must admit, I am smitten with the Augusta Ale; it’s just all awesomeness. The design pops off the shelf and punches you in the head. Love it. Hops & Robbers is pretty tasty as well; a crisp IPA with a nice citrus hop finish. Both beers are currently in a head-to-head battle for space in the fridge. Wellington’s SPA is a pleasant pale ale, but nothing terribly exciting in my opinion. So don’t shy away from the can, grab a couple of each and find out for yourself!
Nice Cans!
Kensington Brewing Company ”Augusta Ale” - LCBO 286633 | 473 mL can | 5.5% | $2.50
Double Trouble Brewing Co. ”Hops & Robbers” LCBO 285270 | 473 mL can | 5.7% | $2.75
Wellington County Brewery Inc. “Special Pale Ale” LCBO 190439 | 473 mL can | 4.5% | $2.60
Cheers!
Science and beer have always paired well together in my mind. I always hope that there is a link beyond the pure beer science. Louis Pasteur demonstrated that the fermentation process is a function of living yeast cells rather than a spontaneous occurrence. This was the dawn of modern microbiology and pretty important for our beer and understanding of yeast, but maybe beer has played an even larger role in science. I find myself thinking of other scientists, and if beer played an equal importance in their work. Perhaps as Einstein postulated his Theory of General Relativity he had been enjoying a few of his favourite beers. Would he want a lager or did he enjoy something more complex and robust? As physicists smash protons together at the Large Hadron Collider searching for the elusive Higgs Boson particle, do they complete the night with a round of beer tastings from the local breweries? Maybe this is not important. But in my mind, beer and science are equal parts awesome; because if you find yourself scratching your head trying to understand Superstring theory and an 11 dimensional Universe, nothing will cure that headache faster than a good beer.
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
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
If 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
After 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
