German Beer Purity Law: 500 Years Old & Time to Die
If you’ve ever had the dubious pleasure of tilting back a can of Holsten Premium, you’ve probably noticed the proudly displayed banner at the can’s bottom that reads “GERMAN PURITY LAW OF 1516.” This purity law doesn’t refer to, uh, other infamous German purity laws,…
Burgeoning Scene For Taiwan Beer Drinkers
I’ve been living in Taiwan now for nigh on seven years, and although I love the place, up until recently the lack of drinking culture has been a real downside. Taiwanese people are not huge social drinkers, and this had a real knock on effect…
Molson’s 1908 Historic Pale Ale Shows a Crafty Evolution
It’s a rare day I bother to review a beer made by one of the Macro-Domestic mega-corps. I am universally uninterested in their golden lager styles and have been consistently disappointed with their beers that attempt to emulate craft styles. But, like all people too entrenched…
Muskoka Brewery Takes a Spirited Next Step
When Muskoka Brewery comes to mind, you might think about their easy-drinking Detour, or perhaps their dark and burly Winter Beard. Maybe your mind goes right to their hop-bombs like Twice as Mad Tom. Whatever the case, it’s almost certain you’re thinking of their beer…
Hogtown Brewers are Creating a “Gateway” to Craft Beer
If you’re into the craft beer community, you probably have mixed feelings about contract brewers. Sure, they represent the entrepreneurial spirit that defines independent beer producers, but in a thriving market some question the veracity of their intentions — is it passion for the beer,…
Toronto — Ottawa Beer Exchange
In December, I had the opportunity to do a beer swap with Your Next Beer, a great blog for those who like a healthy dose of wit with their barley sandwiches. Dave, (Editor-in-Chief of YNB) published his review of Bellwoods beer on Sublime Imbibing, and I published…
A Tale Of Two Cities: Holiday Beer Exchange
Being a craft beer enthusiast can be really fun, but it can also be a tad frustrating at times. I only say this because there are so many beers out there that are only available regionally. Hell, regionally is being way too generous, because many…
Old Flame Brewing Rocks Their Red
I was contacted by an Old Flame Brewing Co. rep (who goes by “Big Red”) offering me a sample of beer to review. Naturally, I accepted. But when I was offered a choice between their ‘Blonde’, ‘Brunette’, and ‘Red’, I opted against my natural inclination…
Muskoka’s Winterweiss Will Warm You Up
There was a time in my life I thought Weiss beers were for spring and summer. While essentially untrue, there is some foundation for this belief. Many Weiss beers are light, fruity and easy drinking, making them a natural partner of sun-warmed docks everywhere….
Why Mill Street’s Sale is Bad for Craft Beer
Last Friday, Toronto brewery and craft beer icon Mill Street was bought by Labatt brewery. In a series of meek tweets, Mill Street scrambled to build a case for the sale, claiming it was “a partnership which will help [them] grow.” While the general consensus among…