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: 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…
Behind the Beer: Shannon Howatt is Breaking Down the Home Brewing Boy’s Club
Picture in your head a modern brewer. If the person you imagine is impressively bearded, stocky, tattooed and male — well you’ve got a pretty good sense of an average brewer. But there are some who break the mould, and one of them is Toronto’s…
Behind the Beer: Milos’ Craft Beer Emporium is Building Community With Beer
It’s generally a point of contention in any city: “What’s the best place to grab a beer?” But in London, it’s no competition. If you’re a patron of the pint, an imbiber of the brew, a connoisseur of craft, Milos’ Craft Beer Emporium on the…
Behind the Beer: Collaborative Craft Brews from Waller St. Brewing
Despite adopting the theme of a prohibition-era speakeasy, Ottawa’s Waller St. Brewing wants absolutely nothing to do with secrecy. Rather than keeping their recipes locked away from prying competitors, Waller St. is intending to publish (at least some of) their recipes to hear back from…
Behind the Beer: Beau’s Brewey CEO Steve Beauchesne on the New B-Side Brewing Label
When I first ordered a B-Side Kissmeyer Nordic Pale Ale a couple of things became readily apparent: it was served in a Beau’s glass, and it was among the best pale ales I’ve ever tasted. With strong herbal and floral notes, fresh invigorating hops and even…
Behind the Beer: My Exclusive Interview With Muskoka Brewer Sean Campsall
It’s easy for beer drinkers to sit around and talk about it until they’re red in the face (and frequently they do.) It’s simple — and often fruitless — to try and guess the next big trend or jabber about tasting notes. But for true insight, you have…