(Before reading, this is a serious reminder to please drink responsibly, never drink and drive.)
Ottawa has been good to us. Over the last five years, we have made wonderful friends. The kind of people we can count on for kind support through life’s challenges and celebrations.
Take a month ago, for example, when I sent out an email asking our friends for help. I explained my interest in expanding our local diet to include beverages…the microbrewed kind. I needed a variety of testers to sample/evaluate an assortment of Ontario Craft Beers and give honest feedback. Would you believe within a day everyone responded with a resounding yes? Touched by their willingness to help conduct this important research, it only confirmed what I already knew about our friends. We are blessed.
...when science meets nachos and twist-offs
Ontario has a thriving craft beer industry with over 30 independent craft brewers. We sampled beers made across the province, from Ottawa to Muskoka, Waterloo, Toronto, Oakville, Creemore all the way to Niagara. Ontario Craft Brewers (OCB) is the fastest growing segment within the LCBO’s beer category. The majority of OCB deliver products directly to LCBO and beer stores too.
Now this was a serious, scientific process. After sampling the same beer, I polled all the researchers based on this critical question: “Would you order this in a bar/restaurant or buy it again?” followed by a decisive yay or nay vote.
The Results : Two companies produced the top three overwhelming crowd favourites.
Mill Street Lemon Tea Beer
Mill Street Brewery - “Proud producers of Bodacious, Batchcrafted Beer” in East Toronto. We only sampled two of their 13 different beers and gave them a big YAY. Recipients of the Canadian Brewery Of the Year award in 2007, 2008 and 2009.
- Lemon Tea Beer – A wheat beer infused with Earl Grey and Orange Pekoe Teas. Everyone voted this a great summer beer.
- Stock Ale – The website describes, “Light dusting of hops in the nose, light malt, flavour in perfect balance with hop bitterness.” We agree.
The mystery of Hoptical Illusion
Flying Monkeys Craft Brewery - “Normal is weird” located in Simcoe County on the shores of Kempenfelt Bay in Barrie.
- Hoptical Illusion Almost Pale Ale – This beer was tasty and enthusiastically enjoyed. If it were not for the darkened candlelit house (thanks to Earth Hour) we would have noticed the awesome packaging and bottle caps imprinted inside with “cap wisdom”. What is cap wisdom? Here are some examples from the after-party clean up…
“The Universe is composed of two basic substances: Magic and Beer”
“A day without sunshine is like…well, you know, night.”
“Don’t feel bad Pluto, I’m not a planet either.”
Bringing back the stubby
An honourable mention must go to Sgt. Major. A beer produced here in Ottawa by Kichesippi Beer Co. While the distinct India Pale Ale flavour did not appeal to everyone, this beer got the party going as soon as we opened the box of stubbies. For the over 40 crowd this meant lots of oohs, ahs, spontaneous bad British accents “Sargent Majaah” and Monty Python quotes.
More insights gleaned from this study…
- Beeswax candles burn beautifully, last a long time and do not drip. (Earth Hour)
- The combination of candlelight and beer make for a fine looking crowd.
- Craft beer can pair with food, just like wine.
- Stubbies make the 40+ crowd nostalgic and inspire down memory lane stories…(sigh)
I would say the evening was a success. Not only was it a good laugh, it opened our minds to new options. Supporting brews made close to home cuts back on fossil fuels and supports local businesses. Microbreweries make small batches using fresh, all natural, high quality ingredients without chemicals or preservatives. My husband now knows not all beer comes with a NHL t-shirt or baseball cap inside the box. I discovered there are other beverage options other than red wine. Who knew?
Ontario Craft Beers are definitely worth researching so have fun and shop local.
Cheers!
{ 17 comments… read them below or add one }
I sooooooooo wish I was there! And I can relate with Pluto too.
What kind, generous and giving friends you have! To come out merely to help with your research! You are a lucky woman.
Nice! We all need thirsty friends in life.
LGS – I can relate to Pluto too. Kindred spirits.
Allison P – That’s them. Selfless people just trying to better the world.
LC – Come to think of it…they are a thirsty bunch.
Sounds like you had one “ale” of a good time
The lengths some people will go to for a terrific blog post!
LH – Yes, it was a hops-ing great time. (doh!)
Zoom – Thanks! I’m thinking about writing a post about fibre….
Mill Street makes a tea beer? How did I not know this? I’m a tea lover! Wow, I need to organize a social event for my (Toronto-based) Tea Meetup group. We’ll head down to the brewpub in the Distillery District when it’s on tap… presumably in the summer.
Next time, try some beer from Montreal! It’s not in Ontario, but it’s closer to Ottawa than Niagara is, if that counts. McAuslan makes St. Ambroise Pale Ale, Oatmeal Stout, and Apricot Wheat Ale, among others.
Ooh, that sounds like a fun idea for a Tea Meetup! (would like to know more about a Tea Meetup too)
Thank you for the Montreal microbrewery suggestions…and another excellent excuse to have a party.
My DH used to work at Creemore Springs Brewery in Quality Control when we first moved in together, and like you we found ourselves blessed each week when friends from that remarkable little village would come over on Friday evenings to help him taste test the beer he always bought home. Truly amazing. Creemore has now been bought by Molson, so I don’t know if t still qualifies for a craft brewery…sad.
I second the McCauslan suggestion – Montreal has some wonderful breweries. There is also Beau’s in Vankleek Hill. I’m not a beer drinker, but DH is. We’re currently growing organic hops and he plans at some point to make what he calls 50 acre beer – beer grown from ingredients all grown on our farm. I’ll let you know if it works out:)
50 acre beer made with organic hops sounds AMAZING Denise! My hubby and I are always available…if you need some guinea pigs for tasting batches.
Yes, we sampled Beau’s beer and enjoyed it too. Thanks for the McCauslan suggestion…it must be wonderful.
What a great way to celebrate Earth Hour! We always have some Flying Monkeys on hand at our place! I love extending the idea of buying ‘local’ to the beverage domain. We actually always try and dine at places that support microbreweries by having a good variety on tap! Great post!
Thanks Jen! Have you checked out the Flying Monkey’s website? It’s hillarious…cracks me up.
I was one of the lucky folks invited to this great event — felt like Charlie, finding the Golden Ticket!
Terrific post. Great evening. Perhaps you’ll consider a white wine event next !!
Thanks Lesley. Actually, I’m considering looking into organic white wine/local wine since we already tried organic reds a few years back.
The wheels are turning…
Thank you for this extremely important post. It is soon to be back porch and BBQ time and a new beverage does a lot to soothe the winter soul. Plus, I’m very curious to try the tea beer!
It warms my heart that you appreciate the importance of our research Finola. It was worth all the work and effort.