Unless you live in a cave, you’re probably aware that this weekend is the annual tribute to most things Greek of the Danforth (think more souvlaki and Greek music, less economic collapse and political turmoil).
In fact, this weekend is the 19th annual Taste of The Danforth, Canada’s largest street festival, which, according to their website, welcomes over 1.3 million visitors (I’m assuming that’s cumulative…).
And while I’m a big fan of gyros, the odd bottle of Mythos, and the Taste of The Danforth generally, this year I think I’ll skip it.
Instead, I’m heading to the first annual Roundhouse Craft Beer Festival, taking place, appropriately enough, at Roundhouse Park.
According to Tim McLaughlin, Steam Whistle Partnerships Manager and festival organizer [via their press release], The “desire for the Roundhouse Craft Beer Festival is to create a relaxed atmosphere of beer exploration and education.”
Timmy, you had me at “relaxed.”
Seriously, don’t get me wrong, there’s a serious draw to attend Canada’s largest street festival, but the problem with the amount of people that go to these sorts of things (aside from the typically dismal beer choices), for me, is the amount of people that go to these sorts of things. As much as I love the Danforth, my distaste for bumping shoulders with people and standing in lines beats out my desire to enjoy some dolmades (and I seriously fucking love dolmades). When you factor in that the Roundhouse Festival boasts the ability to drop a blanket on some grass and drink a bunch of beer from Steamwhistle, Grand River, Wellington, Mill Street, Flying Monkeys, Great Lakes, King, Nickelbrook, and Black Oak, it’s a no brainer.
So I’m saying ohi to the Danforth this weekend and headed south instead to down a few Ontario craft beers in the sun.
And if I get hungry, food from some of the city’s best food trucks will just have to suffice, regardless of how much I could really go for some spanakopita (are you impressed with my knowledge of Greek cuisine, yet?).
If you too want to skip the crowds on the Danforth, The Roundhouse Craft Beer Festival runs Saturday and Sunday, noon until 6. Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the door. Better yet, split your time at both events then swing by my blanket with some Greek food.
Ben's Beer Blog 