Big Change Announced at the 2017 Ontario Brewing Awards
As the Ontario craft beer industry continues its unprecedented ascent, the Ontario Brewing Awards have grown in kind. In previous years, it was held at more modest venues, which didn’t accommodate quite the audience the Ontario Brewing Awards was attracting. Starting last year and continuing…
Lamarca Prosecco is the Perfect Bubbly to Ring in Spring
Everyone knows that I’m a huge fan of Prosecco. But I tend to stick with what I like, and rarely venture away from old favourites (like the sublime Foss Marai). But when I got a chance to try the excellent Lamarca Prosecco, I was anything but…
Forty Creek Barrel Select Whisky is Worth Rediscovering
I had forgotten about Forty Creek Barrel Select. Sure, I’d occasionally still go in for the quite-good Copper Pot (when it was on sale), but I can’t even recall the last time I picked up a bottle of Forty Creek’s flagship. It’s not that I don’t…
Ransack the Universe Restores my Faith in IPAs
It’s been a long time since I had a “go-to” beer. By that I mean, when you get in the habit of trying to fluff your Untappd with unique beers, you get in a cycle of trying different brews constantly without ever returning to your favorites….
O’leary Cabernet Merlot: More Palatable than its Namesake (if only slightly)
Kevin O’Leary is a man of many titles — businessman, millionaire, conservative leadership candidate and utter douchebag to name a few. And I suppose he felt it was high time to add wine maker (or, more accurately I’m sure, wine investor) to the list. Naturally,…
Woodford Reserve Sonoma-Cutrer Finish: My Dream Bourbon Come True
“It will be mine. Oh yes… it will be mine.” Anyone who’s seen Wayne’s World is familiar with this line, a promise Wayne makes to one day purchase the guitar of his dreams. I uttered a very similar phrase, except it wasn’t targeted at a guitar,…
The Rare Barrel Makes the Best Sour Beer I’ve Ever Had
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again — the best part of blogging about booze is all the friends who want to share a drink with you and talk about it. Recently, I had a very good friend return from California with some…
Mumm Champagne Justifies Its Popularity
If you’ve ever had a glass of champagne at a function, there’s a good chance it was G.H. Mumm Cordon Rouge Brut Champagne. It’s one of the largest producers of champagne in the world, and was ranked 4th in volume of bottles sold as of…
Pike Creek Double Barrel Whisky Doubles Down on Sweetness
I am loath to write a negative review of a novel Canadian whisky at least trying to break the stereotype of Canadian whiskies being universally bland and relegated to ginger ale-based beverages. So I hope you all appreciate how it pains me to say Pike Creek Double…
Young Brute Wine Proves it’s More Than Just a Name
When you approach a wine called Young Brute, you’re bound to sip it with some preconceived notions. It’s probably going to be brash, unrefined and proud of it. There’s no age statement and the grapes used in the blend aren’t obvious, only cementing prejudice. From the branding…