Fitness beer: Has craft finally jumped the shark?
Ok, I’m willing to admit it. Craft beer is a little goofy, usually in a fantastic way. I’ve seen just about every variation hop pun, fruit cocktail sour, 15% ABV hyper stout, and some of the wildest looking branding a marketing department could conceive of…
Behind the Beer: Henderson Brewing is Checking Out Chicha
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again — the best part of being a booze blogger are the random events you get invited to check out. Nowhere was this more true than when I got an invite to check out the “Maker Break:…
Province Brands Cannabis-Infused Beer is Here to Redefine Your Buzz
It’s not the first time I’ve written about non-alcoholic beer before. Hell, it’s not even the first time I’ve written about Toronto-based Province Brands and their cannabis beverages. But with Canadian legalization looming right around the corner (the current target is mid October), Province Brands…
Behind the Bar: Ray Zwicker Talks Booze and Beer at Boxcar Social
It’s not uncommon to receive a good whisky recommendation from a knowledgeable bartender. It is rare, however, to have that recommendation come from someone with the official title of “Whisky Director.” But if you’re at the Boxcar Social location on Temperance Street in Toronto, it’s…
Beau’s Brewery Launches Rwanda Craft Brewery Project
There’s just something about Beau’s and brilliant ideas. The last time I interviewed Steve Beauchesne, co-founder of Beau’s Brewery, it was about the nifty project called “B-Side Brewing,” a craft beer label that looks to sign foreign breweries and collaborate to make unique beer. While…
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,…
Behind the Beer: Kevin Freer of Wellington Brewery Talks Brewing and Podcasting
I “met” Kevin Freer through a chance encounter on Reddit. I was posting my review of Arch Brewing’s Dinner Jacket, (contract brewed at Wellington Brewery) and he commented noting it was a challenging brew. Being a huge Welly fan, I leapt at the chance to interview…
Behind the Beer: Arch Brewing is Setting Up Shop in Newmarket
My relationship with Arch Brewing began like so many do these days – with a tweet. As I was perusing Twitter, I came across a new brewery announcing it was setting up a location in Newmarket (which is essentially my hometown.) A couple of years ago,…
Behind the Beer: Burdock is Brewing Up in Bloordale
With its bustle of boutiques and quaint cafes, it seems nearly impossible to make Bloordale in west Toronto any more charming – but Burdock Brewery and Music Hall (1184 Bloor St.) is going to try. Fully opened in April of 2015, Burdock is a small pub…