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.
General
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
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.
Now that I have found a moment between all my work, I can take a better look at King Brewery’s “The Three Kings” gift pack (LCBO# 251173 $9.95). This is a pretty nice pack, as I’ve mentioned in my previous post. Today I’m starting with the “Dark Lager”. Now this may look confusing to the beer drinker as the word “lager” conjures up images of light beers that we see on TV, but this beer is completely different.
Holy Hops Batman! Strong citra hop flavours explode out of this tasty IPA from Muskoka Brewery, part of the OCB Holiday Discovery Pack. Mad Tom IPA pours a hazy amber colour, with a creamy white head, with strong aromas of citrus and pine. For those used to light beers it will be quite the experience.
Continue Reading
Had to post this picture I took…the way the bubbles stacked in the head just looked so cool in the glass. (Dominus Vobiscum Blanche)
Dominus Vobiscum Blanche
Alrighty, the blogroll is on the move. It will continue to grow but in the meantime check out some amazing blogs that I have linked to. You can find the links on the bottom right side of the page, titled “Blogroll”.
Cheers,
Kyle
After a long week, I jump back into the OCB 2011 Holiday Discovery Pack starting with F&M Brewery’s Stone Hammer Dark Ale, a delicious 5% ABV brown ale with strong chocolate, nut characteristics, and smooth finish. Continue Reading…
