London is Getting a Microbrewery

Posted on by Ben

Forked River

I resisted the urge to add an exclamation point to the title of this post; however, I can’t help but hum the tune to “Hallelujah” when I type the words.

You see, I’m from London and lived there for roughly 85% of my life and while London has always had a lot to offer, craft beer has not been one of those things.

Now, with the arrival of Forked River Brewing Company, that will change.

The recently announced craft brewery is the brainchild of David Reed, Andrew Peters, and Steve Nazarian–all London residents and University of Western Ontario graduates (Go Mustangs!). Reed is an engineer who worked a few years running an engineering department at a beverage R&D firm and has been brewing for ten years; Nazarian worked in the biotechnology sector, working in pharmaceutical manufacturing, drug safety testing, and quality control before getting the homebrewing bug in 2004; and Peters is also a microbiologist who got involved with homebrewing clubs in Ottawa and Toronto. Continue reading “London is Getting a Microbrewery” →

Board Games and Black Oak Beer

Posted on by Ben
Settlers
“When the guys asked me what my perfect night would be? I told them the truth, beer and board games.” ~Ben Wyatt (may or may not be at Black Oak Brewery tomorrow)

Hey you. Yeah, the one with the dice.

Do you ever spend evenings in bars, drinking craft beer, and hanging out with friends, all the while secretly wishing there was a Settlers of Catan board in front of you?

Conversely, do you ever sit around with your best friends playing Risk into the wee hours, hoping someone will offer you a delicious, fresh, local beer?

If you answered yes to either of the questions above, you’re not alone. Continue reading “Board Games and Black Oak Beer” →

Middle of the (Ramblin’) Road

Posted on by Ben

Ramblin' Road

There’s something downright folksy about new Norfolk brewery Ramblin’ Road. What with their “off the beaten path” style, the dropped ‘G’ in their name, the proud claims to being Ontario’s first Brewery Farm, it seems like it’s a company of simple folks who just opted to start making beer on their farm–I half expected the sample beers they offered to send me to arrive in a cart being pulled by a donkey.

The truth, of course, is that it is largely schtick. Sure, the brewery is located on a farm and sure the founders have a history in farming, but the reality is perhaps slightly less romantic than the down home image they seem to be putting out there. Ramblin’ Road brewery is actually a brewing venture by Picard Foods, a company that has for the last 20+ years farmed, processed, and distributed peanuts. In fact, you’ve probably eaten some of their snack foods. Ramblin’ Road came about when Picard opted to get into the brewing business and received a $1.2 million low-interest loan from the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario in order to purchase brewing equipment. The name, labeling, and folksy attitude (and the slick website and social media campaign to get it out there) are actually the product of Blade Creative, a Toronto-based branding and advertising company that has been “building brand communities since 1991.” Blade Creative are also the folks who were nice enough to make sure Ramblin’ Roads beers got into my hands–by courier, incidentally, not donkey.  Continue reading “Middle of the (Ramblin’) Road” →

Amsterdam Takes Over Volo, Haters Shut Your ‘Dam Mouths

Posted on by Ben

Amsterdam Volo Takeover

If you read blogTO with any sort of frequency, you’re probably aware that the comments section tends to head toward negative town in quite a hurry. Typically, I accept this as part of blogTO’s charm. Sort of a “Come for the news, stay for the angry urban snark (or, transversely  chest-thumping 905er indignation).”

It’s all in good fun and comes with the terrain.

Sometimes however, the criticism gets under my skin a little. Specifically, I’ve noticed that any time I mention the folks over at Amsterdam Brewery, comments tend toward the sort that dismiss the beers the ‘Dam Good Beer folks are making as boring or bland. Continue reading “Amsterdam Takes Over Volo, Haters Shut Your ‘Dam Mouths” →

This Bud’s for Me?

Posted on by Ben

Budweiser (1)

Budweiser, to a craft beer drinker, and indeed anyone who might refer to themselves as a “beer writer,”  is supposed to be anathema.

It is a relatively bland beer brewed with a rice adjunct and it has the distinction of being one of the world’s most popular beers largely by virtue of the fact that it is backed by millions and millions of dollars in marketing. It is brewed en masse, it is distributed by a foreign-owned multinational conglomerate, and its advertisements typically run the lowest common-denominator range of blatantly sexual or related to sports–and often blatantly sexual and related to sports at the same time.

Budweiser is the epitome of a “big brewery beer,” and essentially stands in opposition to all the things about the beer business that I like.

I should hate it.

And yet… Continue reading “This Bud’s for Me?” →

Homebrewer Creates Exact Replica of Westvleteran XII, Has No Idea

Posted on by Ben

Todd Reynolds

Brampton resident Todd Reynolds inadvertently struck gold earlier this week when his homebrewing efforts netted him a batch of beer that was completely identical to the famed Belgian Trappist Ale, Westvleteran XII.

Working in his garage, Reynolds happened on the recipe entirely by accident in what he describes as “only my third or fourth time making beer,” admitting, “I don’t really know what I’m doing yet.” Continue reading “Homebrewer Creates Exact Replica of Westvleteran XII, Has No Idea” →

Beer and Star Wars: A Pairing Guide

Posted on by Ben
Sadly, this doesn't actually exist.
Sadly, this doesn’t actually exist.

There’s always a temptation, when you love two things, to attempt to bring those two things together. Most of the time, as with wine and cheese, peanut butter and banana, or drinking gin and attending yard sales, the pairings complement each other; improving your experience of both things.

But if you’re not careful, as with my unfortunate attempt to combine roast beef sandwiches and hot tubs, things can go hideously wrong and end up permanently ruining your enjoyment of both things.

And so, when I recently finally acquired copies of the theatrical version of the original Star Wars trilogy, it was with trepidation that I attempted to find the right tasty, Canadian beer to enjoy while watching each of the films. I considered my choices carefully, and I think I came up with some successful combinations, and so I pass that wisdom on to you. Continue reading “Beer and Star Wars: A Pairing Guide” →

You Should Already Be Drinking: Forty Creek Whisky

Posted on by Ben

*I received financial compensation for this post. 

I‘ve never been all that interested in Canadian Whisky.

It’s sort of a shameful secret of mine given that I’m clearly an enthusiast of alcohol and also fiercely (some might say stupidly) local when it comes to my beer consumption. But the Canadian stuff has never really done much for me. Perhaps it goes back to my days of drinking excessive quantities of Canadian Club before high school dances, but I’ve always found rye, and by association, Canadian whiskies just too sweet and more often than not, I’ve opted for Canadian whisky’s decidedly more established cousin from Scotland.

Thankfully though, I was recently invited to attend a whisky tasting led by Forty Creek’s own master distiller John Hall, and I got a bit of an eye opener: Canadian whisky can taste pretty good. Continue reading “You Should Already Be Drinking: Forty Creek Whisky” →

Contest: Christmas Vacation Screening and Wine Tasting!

Posted on by Ben

clark and eddie

Christmas is a time for family, friends, holiday cheer, and, naturally, watching movies while drinking.  It’s a tradition as old as the VCR. The youngsters are in bed, it’s cold outside, the fire’s lit, and you’re exhausted–why not pour a big glass of something potent and pop in a holiday classic?

It’s a tradition that the folks at iYellow Wine Club clearly understand.

That’s why earlier this week they announced another of their “Lifestyle Event Series,” which opts to pair wine with film, art, and design around Toronto over the next 12 months. Continue reading “Contest: Christmas Vacation Screening and Wine Tasting!” →

Free Toronto taxi service until January 9th

Posted on by Ben

Taxi

It’s not often that I find myself touting the marketing efforts of a big brewer, but I can recognize a good thing when I see it–so I’d thought I’d share it.

It’s called “Get Home Safe with Hailo and Molson.”

I know this is typically a haven for craft beer and you might be recoiling at the dropping of the “M” word, but relax would you? We’re talking about free cab rides here! And anything helping people getting home safely (and for free) around the holidays is a good thing. Continue reading “Free Toronto taxi service until January 9th” →