beer issue of

in collaboration with
 The summer is finally here! And what a better way to sp
summers day? Inside youll find The Beermanac Vol. 1., th
from the love of craft beer, The Beermanac offers a jour
with us and give kudos to all these amazing brewers who
share their passion, and prepare your own road map to
We gathered together almost 50 breweries and prepare
Thanks to all breweries and local businesses who supp
And the journey has just started! There are more brewer
more provinces lying ahead of The Beermanac.
So, don't wait any longer! Invite your friends, start a car
Ontario!
pend it than with some delicious craft beer on a long hot
he best guide to craft beer that youll find this year! Born
rney you will never forget. Discover Ontario's craft beer
put a little bit of magic into every beer. Read their stories,
explore this summer.
ed an interactive map for you to build your own beer route.
ported us and made The Beermanac possible.
ries to discover next years, more towns and cities to visit,

r, and travel responsibly to some great breweries across

Anna & Tiffany

Editor: Josh Hamilton

Cover pictures designed by Freepik
All photos provided by breweries unless stated otherwise
 Table of Content
Almonte Kanata
Crooked Mile Brewing 8 Big Rig 90
Barrie Kingsville
Redline Brewhouse 12 Banded Goose Brewing 94
Bath Kitchener
Descendants 98
MacKinnon Brothers Brewing Co. 18
TWB Cooperative 102
Brantford
La Salette
Bell City Brewing Co. 22
Ramblin Road 106
Mash Paddle 26 London
Baysville Andersons Craft Ales 112
Lake of Bays Brewing Co. 30 London Brew co-op 116
Calabogie Craft breweries of London, ON:
Calabogie Brewing Co. 36 documentary 120
Cambridge LondonSUP 122
Barncat Ales 42 5K Foam Fest GIVEAWAY 128
Elora Forkn Hot GIVEAWAY 130
Elora Brewing 46 Oilim Visualizers 131
Etobicoke Kintore Coffee Co 132
Great Lakes Brewing 52 Colombian Gastronomy
Foresters Falls Festival 134
Whitewater Brewing 56 Nepean
Gravenhurst Whiprsnapr 136
New Hamburg
Sawdust City Brewing Co 62
Bitte Schon Brauhaus 140
Guelph
Niagara-on-the-Lake
Wellington Brewery 68
The Exchange Brewery 144
Stonehammer 74 Oakville
Slims Pepper Co 78 Cameron's Brewing 150
Crafting a Cure: Beer Tasting Fundraising Pembroke
79 Square Timber Brewing
Haliburton Company 154
Haliburton Highlands Brewing 80 Perth
Hanover Perth Brewing 158
MacLeans 86
Sarnia
Refined Fool 162
St. Catharines
Plan B 166
St. Thomas
Railway City Brewing 172
Scarborough
Common Good Beer co 176
Simcoe
New Limburg 180
Stratford
Black Swan 184
Toronto
Bandit Brewery 190
CooksBook 194
Halo 196
Loius Cifer Brew works 200
Pretty Pennie Jewellery 204
Adventure Rooms Canada 205
Vankleek Hill
Beaus All Natural Brewing Company 206
Vaughan
Lake Wilcox Brewing Co 212
Varna
Stone House 216
Waterloo
Innocente 220
Windsor
Brew Microbrewery 224
Craft Heads 228
Walkerville Brew 232
Woodstock
Upper Thames Brewing Company 236
Zurich
Bad Apple Brewing Company Ltd. 240
 Crooked Mile Brewing
453 Ottawa St, Almonte, ON
(613) 256-7468
Since we have been meandering, exploring and discovering our
way through Ontario to create The Beermanac it seemed
appropriate we stop at Crooked Mile brewing, in Almonte, whose
goals are to meander, explore, discover, and create British-style
ales, it was a good fit.
Nick Pruiksma, wife Vicki, and their business partner, Dylan
Bouleau, opened Crooked Mile Brewing in the fall of 2016. All
three are experienced homebrewers and were inspired by the
relaxing pub scenes in England, a meeting place for locals that
served quality beer. They decided to bring a little touch of that
magic home with them and open a community-focused brewery
in the former mill town.
They felt Almonte had a tradition of attracting unique
businesses and the whole town has a Vermont feel, there are no
big box stores and the streets are packed with local businesses;
Almonte was ideal for them.
Their quirky little brewery has a living room setup, you can
enjoy your beer with friends or pull up a stool to the tasting bar.
They offer a handful of quality-produced beer with an English
influence such as Crows Castle Best Bitter, Standing Stone English
IPA, and Hillwalker Scottish Export, as well as a variety of seasonal
 influence such as Crows Castle Best Bitter, Standing Stone
English IPA, and Hillwalker Scottish Export, as well as a
variety of seasonal brews. It is refreshing to have a brewery
that is helping me rediscover the variety of flavour that
malt profiles have to offer.
Crows Castle Best Bitter is a classic Pale Ale that had a
fruity caramel aroma to it the taste wasnt too bitter with
a moderate earthy, tea like hop flavour, nice caramel and
toasty flavour from the malt and a slightly dry finish.
We had a nice conversation with Nick reminiscing about
his adventures across the pond and he added some British
beers to my must try list whilst I sipped through a flight
of beer. There is something about that beautiful pale to
deep amber colour of a British Style Beer that I can look
at for days (or minutes - they never last that long). From
assertive hops to roasted malt flavours the balance of the
brews were perfect and they showcased the British style
hops beautifully. British hops tend to be described as
grassy, floral, lemony, woodsy, minty, or tea-like, and are
generally used in beer styles of English origin or their
spin-offs made around the world. British beers often
maintain a balance of malt and hop flavor, but English
bitter and IPA are great examples to taste what English
hops can do and Crooked Mile has done a great job of
sharing that with the community.
They brew every week on a 700 hec system in the back
and they serve beer for take-away in bottles and growlers
(both 32 & 64 oz) along with some glassware to provide
the right drinking experience at home.
I enjoyed the passion Nick had for what they had created
and, with a welcoming English pub attitude to Crooked
Mile, I see them doing very well. I was happy we found
our way to them that day and had a taste of our British
roots that left me thirsty to discover more.

10
Website: www.crookedmile.ca
Facebook: www.facebook.com/
Crooked-Mile-Brewing-Company
Twitter: twitter.com/crookedmilebeer
 Redline Brewhouse
431 Bayview, Unit 8 & 9, Barrie, ON
(705) 881-9988
Located in a corner unit on Bayview Street
in Barrie is Redline Brewhouse. Its
deceivingly small entrance opens into a
large friendly space offering both their
craft beer and food to pair during your visit.
The Williams family have seldom done
things the normal way, so after decades
of corporate life Doug Williams decided it
was time for a new adventure. Craving both
a change of scenery and a bit of a challenge,
the family decided to open a brewhouse.
Their approach to brewing is rooted in the
Belgian and American schools of thought,
but they love the limitless possibilities that
craft beer brings and, at the end of the day,
their goal is to brew beer that youll love
and leave you wanting more. Head brewer
Seb is a graduate of the Niagara College's
Brewmaster and Brewery Management
Program, he loves the combination of
creativity and education that is at the heart
of his job. If you manage to catch him
hanging around the brewery, he loves to
share his knowledge with anyone keen to
learn! He enjoys holding tasting seminars,
food pairing events and beer clubs as they
are all great ways to connect with
people and educate them about their beer.
 As we took a seat at their lengthy bar we chose 4 beers to sample,
at Redline you can take a test drive of 4 x 5oz samples of your
choice from their line up of beers in order to truly discover all the
flavour and variety that they have to offer. That day I was partial
to the Leather Interior, its a Brown Ale with a delicious aroma and
flavours of vanilla, chocolate, and some oak notes. It pours a deep
brown in colour with a frothy tan head and the oak finish countered
the sweetness beautifully, leaving you with a perfectly balanced
beer. It is classified as one of their seasonals, but I have been
fortunate to have it both times Ive dropped in. From their core
line up I enjoyed their Clutch,, an American Pale Ale. It pours a
beautiful hazy straw colour and the addition of oats to this beer
leaves a creamy and lingering taste of haze on the tip of your
tongue.leaves a creamy and lingering taste of haze on the tip of
your tongue. It is bursting with citrus flavours and aromas (as the
beer is dry-hopped)s and aromas (as the beer is dry-hopped)and
even a touch of that pine that youll generally find in youll
generally find in a generously hopped beer. Soft and aggressive
at the same time, Clutch is right where you want it.
They have three core beers, a selection of seasonals, and a few
one offs. There is quite a variety of flavour on offer at Redline and
they are continuously refining and improving their process,
pushing themselves to produce the best beer that they can.
If you want a little bit of food to wash down with your beer then
youre in luck, Redline is a brewpub with a full menu available
to pair up with your beers. The head chef, Chris, has a passion for
cooking that goes all the way back to his childhood, he would often
be found helping out his mom in the kitchen and his love of cooking
has continued to this day. He is always keen to explore new foods
and ingredients, finding new and creative ways to put his own
twist on a traditional pub menu! He uses fresh, local ingredients
and loves the fact that he can pair the food with their delicious beer.
Before you head out be sure to check out their retail area as well,
it has cans and growlers to take home to enjoy along with some
cool merchandise like dog scarves, flannel jackets, tote bags, and,

14
cool merchandise like dog scarves, flannel jackets, tote bags, and,
of course, glassware to accompany your brews.
I wasnt sure what my impression was going to be of Redline, I
didnt know too much about them and, since they are a brewhouse,
I had mild concerns they may not have enough focus on the beer.
However, I was delighted to be proven wrong, I really enjoyed what
they were serving that day and look forward to exploring what else
they have to offer next time I make a visit.
Website: www.redlinebrewhouse.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/redlinebrewhouse
Instagram: www.instagram.com/redlinebrewhouse
Twitter: twitter.com/rlbrewhouse
Hours:
MON: CLOSED
TUES-WED: 11AM - 10PM
THURS-FRI: 11AM - 11PM
SAT: 10:30AM - 11PM
SUN: 10:30AM - 9PM
17
 MacKinnon Brothers Brewing Co
1915 County Road 22, Bath, ON
(613) 777-6277
As the sound of the rain grew heavier on the roof of the
taproom converted chicken coop, my heart grew a size, and this
was before I sampled a few beers. MacKinnon Brothers Brewing
Co is a farm based brewery located in Bath, ON, just outside of
Kingston. The farm has been in the family since 1784, they
continue to grow wheat and spelt on their land, but have added
hops and barley to the surrounding fields with which to brew
their delicious beer. It was back in 2014 when the brothers
decided to add another element to the farm; a brewery. They
believe that, by growing everything themselves, they can infuse
the taste and tradition of their farm in their beer for everyone
to enjoy.
We sat down with Dan, one of the brothers, at the harvest
table in the taproom next to a roaring fire and after we said
cheers to the beer, we started to chat. There is more to Dan than
just farming, thats more than evident in the delicious beer they
brew. He spent a year in Scotland learning to brew and another
two years in England learning product development. Once he
returned home, his brother Ivan moved back to the area, and
they decided to turn their dreams of opening a brewery into a
reality.
They renovated older buildings on site, including several
century old barns and a chicken coop to house the equipment.
Another cool attraction on the farm is the cellar they built in
the ground for cold storage; the temperature is regulated by
the earth and keep cool regardless of the outside temperature
- exactly what you want for your beer!
When I asked about the style or inspiration of the beer that
they create Dan laughed that his motto is wont make a beer
unless you can drink 6. Certain life stories and circumstances
have lead to each beer they have created and though they make
what they want they want to also appease to all crowds.

18
Website: www.mackinnonbrewing.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/
MacKinnon-Brothers-Brewing-
Company-1417739525146446
Twitter: twitter.com/MacKinnonBrew
They have four main beers; Brothers House Ale, Crosscut Canadian
Ale, 8 Man English Pale Ale, and Red Fox Summer Ale, which owes
its crisp color to an infusion of beets - I could stare at this beer for
days! They also rock out a Hefeweizen and peppermint stout as
seasonals.
Dan wasnt lying about the beers, they are delicious and the low
ABV in most of his beers make them truly sessionable! That day I
enjoyed a Red Fox Summer Ale, it is my favourite of the McKinnon
Brothers brews. The aroma is very earthy, and slightly sweet with
some nice subtle citrus hop notes. On the sip you get a slight earthy
sweetness from the beets which oddly compliments the beer with
a medium bitterness. This was followed by my first taste of their
Brothers House Ale. It weighs in at a light 4.0% ABV and has been
dry-hopped with El Dorado hops, so it greets you with a beautiful
tropical aroma before it even touches your lips.
While visiting the farm you can try some of their samples or buys
a few growlers, cans, or kegs to take home with you. They even
have some MacKinnon Brothers Brewing Co. merchandise for sale,
including t-shirts emblazoned with the awesome artwork found on
each beer. They are such a welcoming crew here at MacKinnon
Brothers they encourage you to give them a call to book a guided
tour and tasting so you can get the full experience and explore their
farm while enjoying a taste of their artisan beer.
They also host an annual Beer & Music Festival on their farm that
shouldnt be missed. They have craft beer, tours, food trucks, games,
and live music scattered around the farm - its an amazing day to
enjoy with friends and family alike. All the details and how to get
tickets can be found at www.backtothefarmweb.wordpress.com
MacKinnon Brothers Brewing Co. embodies the very essence of
craft beer, the pursuit of truly independent brewing. Growing
everything possible on-site is sustainable, environmentally
friendly, and proves that beer terroir is possible for even the
smallest brewers! So why not take the trip? Its more than worth it!

Website: http://www.mackinnonbrewing.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MacKinnon-Brothers-
21
 Bell City Brewing Co
51 Woodyatt Dr Brantford, ON
(519) 900-6204
Brantfords first step into the
craft beer market came when Bell
City Brewing opened in 2015.
They had been contract brewing
prior to opening their brewery, but
now they have a place to invite you
over for a pint, some conversation,
and a bit of tomfoolery. My
favourite part about Bell City is
their experimental nature and real
go get it approach, but the humour
and friendliness of the staff
doesnt hurt either.
Dennis and Muthu are co-owners
and, though they have quite
opposite personalities they each
bring a rich history in beer to the
table. Dennis is a creative and
passionate beer lover, with a rich
knowledge of the beer packaging
history, whilst Muthu is pure
brewing brains and one of the
most humble brewers that I have
met. They met when they used to
work at a macrobrewery, with not
agreeing how things are done
there on many levels they quit and
joined forces to now to be a part
of the Craft Beer industry
(microbrewery).

Kevin is their well known front of

22
 Kevin is their well known front
of house Englishman, though we
still question whether the accent
is genuine, he is always a smiling
face to enjoy conversation with
as he is obsessed with podcasts
and he will likely have some
useful information to share
with you over a pint or four.
Whether they are putting
habanero peppers in a lager, or
57 boxes of Capn Crunch into the
mash tun for an Amber Oat Ale,
they are always thinking outside
of the box to create innovative
and delicious beers that
everyone can enjoy - its the
reason they get up every
afternoon.
There core brands are Lenoir
Belgian Ale, Eureka Cream Ale,
Real McCoy Lagered Kolsch, and
Peep Show west coast IPA (now
available at LCBO) and they have
many more seasonals and one
offs that they produce. The
names all derive from inventions
and creations and, as Brantford
is the home of Alexander Graham
Bell, there is plenty of local
inspiration to draw from.
Peep Show is named after an
early motion picture camera
that was designed for films to be
viewed by one individual at a

23
viewed by one individual at a time through a peephole
viewer. It is a delicious West Coast IPA that is
characterized by an intense hop profile of tropical fruits
and pine bitterness. There are subtle malt notes and a
crisp body that leaves a bitter, yet delicious, lingering
finish. It is a go to for me alongside their Real McCoy,a
crisp, balanced brew with a nice light maltiness to it that
is refreshing for Summer and Winter.
Also keep your eyes out for their Rye IPA in the Fall and
Winter, it is a big beer but balanced and creamy from the
rye malt.
They offer a really tasty menu infused with their beer
and have room to sit down for food and enjoy a few pints
or a flight. Their bottleshop has cans, bottles and growlers
available for purchase and are always keen on giving
you a tour of where the magic happens; the brewery.
There beer can be found on taps at local restaurants and
pubs, so keep your eyes open as they want to earn your
loyalty.
They are a great addition to the town and just another
reason to visit Brantford besides your inlaws.

Website: bellcitybrewing.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/bellcitybrewing
Instagram: www.instagram.com/bellcitybeer

Hours:
Monday - Tuesday CLOSED
Wednesday 12-6
Thursday 12-6
Friday 12-8
Saturday 12-8
Sunday 12-4

25
 Mash Paddle Brewing Co.
111 Sherwood Drive Unit 3A, Brantford, ON
(289) 253-8157
Located in a funky section of Brantford, ON, Mash Paddle
Brewing has settled in nicely in their space in the Artisans' Village,
a rejuvenated historic factory. Teddy, Mash Paddles owner, has
gone from mashing in on his stove top to running the brewery
with his now ever growing team. They are open solely on
Saturdays, so you are sure to be amongst a crowd of beer
enthusiasts as you listen to the vinyl playing and goblet of beer
in your hand.
Named after a classic piece of brewing equipment that is used
to mash in the grains, everything about the brewery was
meticulously planned from the very beginning. Now equipped
with a seven barrel brewhouse, head brewer Matty is brewing
up a storm to keep up with local demand. They are keen to let
the business grow organically and focus on high quality brewing,
rather than marketing gimmicks.
His business model draws inspiration from Beaus and
Bellwoods. Beaus gave him the courage to open his brewery
where he wanted, trusting that people would come to him if he
brewed quality beer, and they certainly have! Bellwoods has that
whole supply and demand tactic down pat which Teddy has also
found the groove of.
His lineup of beers is growing quickly and, in addition to his
Unnamed Pale Ale, Dutchmans Alt, St. Christopher's Stout and
New Girlfriend IPA, they have just unveiled their latest creation,
the Citranetti Bengal Session IPA. It is my favourite of his yet and
a great beer to session on while playing their shuffleboard or
lounging on their newly added patio, though the St. Christopher's
Stout comes a close second. With aromas of fruit salad and the
Citra Hops coming through we dive into a mild but delicious beer
with a lovely balance of citrus and bitter right the way through.
I would love to see this cranked up to an IPA version, maybe even
with more late addition hops to take the aroma over the top.
 You can enjoy pints in their taproom or you can buy their
brews on site in bottle or growler format. They have a few
taps at pubs around town, but for the large majority of their
beer you have to go right to the source.
Teddys business model is a testament to what a great
craft brewery should be. His constant planning and various
business plans were a success as it pushed him out of the
kitchen to pursue the brewery and his wife Nicole is as happy
to have the kitchen back as Brantford is to have more fresh
beer.

Website: mashpaddlebrewing.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Mashpaddlebrewingco
Instagram: www.instagram.com/mashpaddlebrewingco

Saturday 11-7pm

29
 Lake of Bays
2681 Muskoka Rd. 117, Baysville, ON
(705) 767-2313
I picked the perfect day to stop by Lake of Bays Brewing Company, th
while the friendly service and new release beers could keep you there a
it could be on a snowy Canadian winters day; inside youll be greeted
forest cabin, and plenty of windows to let in the view of this cute littl
As we grabbed a sample of one of the new releases, Broken Axe APA, to
about Lake of Bays and how they have gotten to where they are today
Whisked away seems appropriate, as I felt somewhat like i was in a s
Much like many other breweries, the Lake of Bays story was born out
house in Baysville that, quite conveniently, was the perfect space for
has grown to 35 since their humble beginnings, that includes Darrens
the bar with a smile. I missed being graced with the presence of their
the a big grin, circle glasses and hands down the best moustache I hav
his time, take it and chat a bit about beer, life or anything that comes a
as one of the friendliest brewers I know!
he outdoor beer garden was bathed in sunshine and calling our names,
all day. As I took a moment to soak it all in, I could imagine just how cozy
d to a bubbling small town atmosphere, a wood-lined tap room like a
le town.
o sip on, we were whisked away to the brewery in the back and chatted
y.
storybook an adult one with a grain silo, fermenters & good beer.
t of a passion for homebrewing, with the family soon moving to a new
r a brewery. Owner Darren is surrounded by a hard working staff that
s father, Ian, who gave us the tour and proudly pours the beer behind
head brewer Dan Unkerskov, but if you are there and spot a man with
ve ever seen, thats Dan! If you are lucky enough to grab a moment of
about. I have only met him once before, but he has stuck in my mind

31
 Like a lot of rural breweries, their grain gets sent to local cattle
farmers for feed, but this is only only the tip of the iceberg when
it comes to sustainable practices. Their wash water (basically all
the excess water used for rinsing, cleaning and spraying) is kept
and sent out to be made into fertilizer; This keeps the local plumbing
happy and again puts a little bit back into the earth. As we started
to touch on the local community it was obvious that it is a big part
of Lake of Bays and that may just be a trait of living in a smaller
town, but it's very inspiring to see. There is a local can collector
in the community and they donate all their used cans to the collector
- all the money from the collected cans goes to the drop in health
center in town. You will often see their smiling faces at local
fundraisers as well and you can check out the list of events below
that they are involved with this summer.
While looking around at all the shiny tanks full of beer, I happened
to notice the names written across them. Of course, I asked who
was in charge of the names or if they had any meaning to them?
They went to the wonderful world of Social Media and had a
Facebook contest to name their vessels! Again involving their
community, both local and digital, they have names like Tweedle
Dee & Tweedle Dum, The Maltose Falcon & Big Brother. But whats
most important is whats inside.
Their beer.
They have a small core of year-round brands, and a rotation of
seasonal beers. Pulling inspiration from other craft breweries in a
travel, discover, create sort of way. They have a passion for
balanced drinkable beer that leaves you wanting another; brewed
for those long, hot summer days, these beers are seriously
sessionable. They just had three new beers join the lineup: a
Switchback Pilsner, Broken Axe APA, and Oxtongue IPA. I found they
were all very well rounded, and far too easy to drink, so I am happy
to add this trio o my beer fridge as a staple and a crowd pleaser.
But of course, you should go discover for yourself!

32
 Lake of Bays brews can be found in some surrounding LCBOs &
Beer Stores, but if you are a traveller like myself, be sure to keep
your eyes peeled if you are venturing out to Manitoba or New
Brunswick, as they have made their way west & east to these
provinces as well!
Lake of Bays retail space is filled with apparel, koozies, glasses,
and, of course, beer to purchase. They have growlers & cans
available and are also releasing a 4-pack that will feature those 3
new beers and a redesigned Spark House. You can enjoy a beer on
their beer garden patio and, though there isn't a kitchen on site,
the patio is surrounded by a few local food spots including, Fork
in the Road, Cast Iron Restaurant, Miss Nelle's Cafe & Eatery,
Grilled Cheesus & The Grateful Bread (seasonal food truck) - they
all have their menus available to order from and eat at Lake of
Bays while soaking in the sun and listening to live music.
At Lake of Bays they have a simple philosophy: make great beer,
run a down-to-earth business, and have some fun while they're at
it. Id say they are true to that 100% and I cant wait to go back.
Website: www.lakeofbaysbrewing.ca
Facebook: www.facebook.com/LoBBrewery
Hours of operation
Only open on Fri-Sun after Thanksgiving and before May 2-4
Summer Store Hours:
Mon - Thurs 10am - 7pm
Fri 10am - 8pm
Sat 9am - 6pm Tours: Noon - 3pm
Sun 11am - 5pm Tours: Noon - 3pm

Upcoming Events for 2017:

Summer Saturdays - Music in the Beer Garden every Saturday from 1 - 4, July
- August
Customer Appreciation Day - July 1 - We license the whole lot for a big party,
music, free beer cocktails and more!
Father's Day Beer Tasting Cruise - June 17 - Beer sampling on the SS Bigwin
Bike n Brews - July 29, Group Cycle around Lake of Bay
August Brews Cruise - August 19 - Beer sampling on the SS Bigwin
Pumpkin Party - Sept 23 - fundraiser for Gord Downie Foundation
35
 Calabogie Brewing Co.
12612 Lanark Rd, Calabogie, ON
(613) 752-2739
As we crossed over trestle bridges and passed by
dams we found ourselves in the historic town of
Calabogie outside the Calabogie Brewing Co. Int
the past the building has been a fire hall, bake shop
and helicopter repair shop and is now home to this
10 barrel brew house founded by Mike Wagner in
2015. The scenery of the flowing Madawaska River
from the patio is just as beautiful as the decor
inside, sitting at the bar in the midst of the brewery
is amazing, but the beer is truly the highlight.
I was a newbie to both the brewery and the beer,
but I was about to become an instant fan. You see,
Mikes knowledge and long love affair with Craft
Beer isnt the only reason for their success, their
brewmaster Jamie Maxwell has an impressive
resume as well. Jaime was working in Vermont as
a brewer and when his mother got wind of a
brewery opening in Calabogie she called Mike and
asked if he would be looking for a brewer. Mike
met Jamie at the Prohibition Pig, a well known pub
in Waterbury Vermont, and they have been
Brewing Great Company ever since.
They share a similar outlook when it comes to
both brewing beer and the industry itself, so it was
a natural fit. As well as his Vermont influenced
brews with some tasty hop flavours, Jaime has also
started barrel aging and created a sour program. I
even spotted a cool ship sitting outside the brewery
that I was keen to bring up in conversation! Cool
ships are more common in the US at the moment
and I believe this may be one of the only ones in
Canada. It is a type of fermentation vessel and is
a broad, open-top, flat vessel resembling a giant
 moment and I believe this may be one of the only ones in
Canada. It is a type of fermentation vessel and is a broad,
open-top, flat vessel resembling a giant brownie pan in which
wort cools. Wort is the liquid extracted from the mashing
process that contains the sugars that will be fermented by the
yeast to produce alcohol. The large, exposed surface area of
the vessel cools the wort (relatively) quickly, they are
experimenting with lambic style, so they will leave out the
tray to collect the wild yeast and microflora wafting through
the air. Once the tray is full of this wild, invisible stuff, you
store the beer in barrels for an extended stay. This method of
fermentation, called spontaneous fermentation, produces
a beer of layered taste: tart, funky, and unmistakably complex.
I hope youre now as obsessed with cool ships as I am! Im
continually amazed by the science behind brewing, once you
see all the work that goes into every pint you find a whole
new appreciation for the art of craft brewing.
Calabogie brew whats on trend, what they like, and what
people will enjoy, so there is always a variety for everyone to
explore including eight year round beers, eight seasonals,
and a handful of the twelve specialty beers they have brewed
so far. The White Room, a Creamy White IPA, has tropical
flavours of fresh fruit, banana, and clove from the Belgian wit
yeast that balances out the bitterness from the hops; its very
sessionable at 5.1% and 35 IBU. The Summer Solstice poured
a beautiful orange yellow like a sunset and, with a lasting
head, it was a nice combination of tropical fruit and pine aroma.
It has a full mouthfeel and the flavour matched what I smelled
to a T.
I loved what I had discovered at Calabogie that day, sitting
next to a group of locals, and with some awesome conversation
from Jaime, I was excited to return. They brew 3-4 times a
week on their system and fill growlers on site as well as sell
cans and specialty 750ml beers in bottles.

38
 I really knew nothing about this town
before that day but left learning it was full
of adventure from hiking, motorsports,
ontarios highest vertical drop on their ski
hills, and the tight-knit local community.
Then, on top of all that, it is home to a
fantastic little brewery, pushing new
boundaries like so many that have gone
before them. So be sure to strike up
conversation as you pull up a stool and
learn a little more about this often-
overlooked little gem of a town.
Website:
calabogiebrewingco.ca

Facebook:
www.facebook.com/
calabogiebrewingco

Instagram:
www.instagram.com/
calabogiebrewingco

Twitter:
twitter.com/CalabogieBrewCo

Hours:
Monday: 15PM
Tuesday: 15PM
Wednesday: 15PM
Thursday: 15PM
Friday: 11AM6PM
Saturday: 11AM5PM
Sunday: 11AM5PM

41
 Barncat Artisan Ales
1600 Industrial Road - Unit B5 Cambridge, ON

Tucked away in an Industrial building in Cambridge, Barncat

Artisan Ales is a must see! They are a great example of what
two home brewers can do with just a little inspiration, a passion
for flavour, and a desire to keep it simple.

Both owners have a home brewing background, trading

homebrews and entering contests - in 2011 they were runners
up in a well known homebrew contest. The pair pull inspiration
from a few great American breweries, such as Tired Hands near
Philadelphia, PA. They are content with being a small operation,
it gives them freedom to constantly innovate and create new
beers with no real flagships. Dont be afraid by the haziness
you might see in their beers, as I find this to be a delicious,
trademark of Barncats Ales. I love that murkiness and unfiltered
appearance of haze in a beer, especially in the light, its
picturesque just look at their Instagram account! From Pale
hoppy beers, stouts, and porters, to funky brett and sour styles,
they have an incredibly diverse selection. And dont expect the
same beers on tap week after week, Small batch production is
all about variety and experimentation, and for beer lovers, that's
a good thing. To me it feels like a treasure hunt! What will i
discover this week? Did I miss the one off special? Can I grab
enough to share with friends? Are all questions that come to
mind when I visit these types of breweries and I love it!

Larry IPA is one of the great beers they create, and besides
sharing the same name of a craft beer loving friend from out
west, it is a real treat on the palate! With a creamy smooth start,
as the hops and fruitiness kick in, and a fresh, pine like finish.
Its a beautifully crafted IPA, and I can see some of their east
coast American influence in this one.

If you have the time to visit, you will be greeted by either

42
 If you have the time to visit, you will be greeted by either Jeremy
or Matt, the joint owners and operators of the brewery. We know
by now that Craft Breweries can come in all sizes and styles, and
I love it . I cant help but love the fact that you always get the
chance to thank them in person for creating such fantastic beer.
Along with them putting up with my excitement, beer chat, and
questions during my visits, I also admire all their hard work, and
believe it is paying off.

They are getting their barrel game started - by game I just mean
the fun and excitement that comes with barrel aging - but I have
no doubts that they will continue to produce winners with their
beers.

Barncats beers are sold in growlers, since it is kinder to the

environment and encourages people to drink fresher beer - you
can even occasionally find 650ml bottles in their lineup. They save
the bottled for certain brews that are encouraged to be aged or
wont lose flavour if you do if you have enough restraint to wait
that is!

Stay tuned to Barncats social media to know what is pouring

each week and see the glorious pictures of their beers on
Instagram. This is the perfect brewery to hit up between stops as
they dont have food or a taproom, but they are ready to hook you
up with fresh beer to enjoy in the scenery of your choice. However,
their hours are limited to the weekend Friday 5-8, Saturday 12-4
so plan accordingly or you will be crying into someone elses beer.

Website: www.barncatales.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/barncatales/
FB: https://www.facebook.com/barncatales/
Twitter: @barncatales

45
 Elora Brewing Company
107 Geddes St, Elora, ON
519-805-2829
Surrounded by picturesque scenery and
steeped in heritage, the small town of Elora is
home to the The Elora Brewing Company: a
brewery that provides a memorable beer
experience, in the heart of the community
with some of the best 'farm-to-table' food in
the region.
There are five owners at Elora, all of them
good friends who share a common vision for
the company and theyre all present in day to
day activities around the brewery and learn
about and improve the business together.
They opened up the brewery in August
2015. After sometime homebrewing, drinking
together and throwing out ideas, they saw an
opportunity. They felt Elora deserved a cool,
quirky, creative brewery for the
historical town it was and went for it. Alex
was added on as the 5th partner and brewer
as he had talent and the experience to help
with the transition to larger batches of
beer. When it came down to it they wanted to
capture the special sense of community Elora
has and Id say they captured it perfectly. By
moving into a former hardware store on the
retail area of this scenic town,the picturesque
limestone building was easily renovated for
the open concept design that accommodates
the brewery and the restaurant to along with
it, creating a space for the whole town to enjoy.

47
 But it is not only community that the Elora brewers have a passion
for but for teamwork too. Jon, co-owner, especially showed an
enthusiasm for the team as he explained to me just exactly what
happens behind the scenes at at Elora and the whole process they
have gone through to get to where they are today. I love the way
this crew take things a day at a time, realizing that a brand cannot
be built overnight and instead finding themselves relishing the
challenges of a new business and theyre not ones to take such
challenges lightly.
Theyve been known to dump a batch of beer if its not to their
standards and theyre always looking beyond what is immediately
in front of them for inspiration. They describe their style as German
with a North American West Coast twist, not forgetting their love
of Hill Farmstead as an influence, one of the greats from the East
Coast.
As we took a seat at the busy bar, I ordered a flight of four off
their chalkboard menu. The first of the four, Three Fields Lager
features barley, rye, and wheat: a nod to the importance and variety
of agriculture in the area. As a lager, it really is the only way to
properly start the flight with a finish thats light, crisp and
refreshing. For me, things only get more exciting from there as
their Elora Borealis is one of my go to beers. It is their Citra Pale
Ale which is a single hop beer with a light malt bill that is bittered,
flavoured and dry-hopped with Citra Hops. It has citrus notes both
on the nose and to the taste with a light bitterness that wont scare
off new craft drinkers. The Lady Friend IPA also deserves a mention
for being not only delicious but for having a fantastic name and
beautiful artwork that encapsulates the atmosphere of the creative
town.
Although their beers can be sought out at many pubs throughout
the region, I highly recommend seeking them out at the source and
enjoying all the atmosphere Elora Brewing has to offer. I think youll
thank me as not only is the beer worth the visit but so is the food!
They source fresh, local ingredients for their full menu and daily
features, never forgetting the community they are a part of.

48
The spent grain from the brewing goes out to feed the pigs at a
local farm where the team source their pork and it is this
dedication to keeping things local which really elevates the
experience of the Elora Brewing Company.
Events are happening regularly there along with beer socials
and live music so stay tuned to their social media or events page
on website to discover what is going on! We all like a sense of
being a part of something and Elora has a couple options for
being a part of a club. They have 2 you can choose from; YEAR
OF BEER Member Program which you can join anytime of the
year and involves lots of beer and their Stein Club which is
currently sold out as there are only 50 memberships available.
Spots open up as people decide to cancel their membership and
you can discover again on their website more details on
becoming a member.
Beer is available in both bottles & cans from the retail shop
alongside some shirts and beer swag.
With Elora still being toddlers at the age of 1.5 I am so stoked
to see what else they are going to create in their future. They
really represent to me what Craft Beer is about dedication,
creativity and mouth watering.
Website: elorabrewingcompany.ca
Facebook: www.facebook.com/EloraBrewingCompany
Instagram: www.instagram.com/elorabrewingcompany
Twitter: twitter.com/EloraBrewingCo
BREWPUB HOURS
Monday to Thursday | 11am to 11pm
Friday & Saturday | 11am to 1am
Sunday | 11am to 9pm
BOTTLE SHOP HOURS
Monday to Saturday | 11am to 11pm
Sunday | 11am to 9pm

51
 Great Lakes Brewery
30 Queen Elizabeth Blvd, Etobicoke, ON
(416) 255-4510
30 years looks good on Great Lakes Brewery. A proud
independently owned and operated brewery, Great Lakes is
currently celebrating 30 years in the craft beer business, this makes
them one of the most experienced Craft Breweries in Ontario
because no one enjoys being called old.
Since most Birthdays come with gifts, Peter Bulut, Owner & Chief
Brewing Officer, went and bought the brewery a brand new 7bbl
copper pilot system, as well as with four new 15bbl fermenters.
The new copper system is a beauty to look at and even nicer to
brew with!
With these classics (such as the Project X, Tank 10 series) on offer,
combined with their impressive collection of year-round and
seasonal beers, it comes as no surprise to find out that GLB has
won numerous awards for Best Brewery in Ontario from several
different awarding bodies! They are known throughout the beer
world for their flavourful hops and are not shy to showcase their
malt through their well balanced beers and you need to keep your
eyes open for when they brew any of the well sought after Tank
Ten series as they are limited release beers and they are fantastic!
Freshness is absolutely vital to brewing high quality craft beer,
so it is only natural that Great Lakes pride themselves on the
freshness of their product! . Whilst that is something other craft
breweries often talk about, Great Lakes stamp the bottom of their
cans with packaging dates and as a #humblebrag you will find no
beer less than 30days old on 90% of their commercial accounts.
Their beers are both being consumed and spreading rapidly across
Ontario and they are even starting to branch out into other
provinces such as Nova Scotia. Check the date next time you buy
one of their beers as there is a chance it could have been packaged
as early as the day before!

53
 The creative minds behind the beer names and marketing also
come from within the brewery. Their locally renowned head
brewer, Mike Lackey, has a creative side that reaches far beyond
his delicious beers, he helps to dream up the legends and characters
that accompany every beer in their repertoire. They are fantastic
storytellers, weaving a little bit of magic and myth into each beer
through the tales printed on the side of the cans (you can even
find their release videos online that bring the characters to life!)
Peter, the owner, has no desire to go national, he is, as he puts it,
happy being happy, having fun and being fresh! As we wound
our way through his ever expanding brewery, gazing upon the
rows of fermenters, we came across the canning line busy at work
canning Octopus wants to fight IPA. It is one of my favourite beers
that Great Lakes does, my favourite part of the tour was when Troy
handed me one right off the line, before it was even sealed to drink.
We said cheers, clinked topless cans, and dove into that beautiful
fresh taste it was one of the more memorable first sips of beer
Ive had!
Great Lakes is also very active in the community, every year for
the last 15 they have hosted a charity BBQ in support of the local
community centre and in December they donated a percentage of
beer sales to Hops for Hunger. They genuinely care and enjoy giving
back to the community that has given them so much support.
Their retail room is full of cans, bottles, growlers, and swag, and
with their Patio now open, it is a great spot to take a load off and
enjoy a pint outside. I suggest giving their Swamp Juice, its
basically just an adult version of the pop Swamp Juice youd have
as a kid. The mix is always changing, but it usually includes the
Pale Ale and a few IPAs. They sell Swamp Juice by the pint or you
can fill a growler to enjoy at home. Also 2017 is the introduction
of Street Food Fridays so enjoy some eats on the patio.
Great Lakes are striding into 2017 and their 30th anniversary
stronger than ever, and with the recent release of beer #44, I am
looking forward to another 30 years of drinking their delicious and
alway innovative beers!

Website:www.greatlakesbeer.com
Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/GreatLakesBeer/
Website: www.greatlakesbeer.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/GreatLakesBeer
Twitter: www.twitter.com/greatlakesbeer
Monday Thursday: 11am 6pm
Friday: 10am 8pm
Saturday: 10am 8pm
Sunday: 12pm 5pm
 Whitewater Brewing Co.
78 Pembroke St, Cobden & 22 Fletcher Rd, Foresters Falls
(613) 646-0101
(613) 582 7227
Whitewater Brewing Co. was founded by three rafting guides,
Chris, Chris, and James, back in 2011 and after two years of
homebrewing they moved to one location, expanded to a second
location, and havent looked back since.
It all started right by the Ottawa River, at their Riverside Brewery
(open year-round), where they still brew their fantastic seasonals.
Their Brew Pub, at the same location, is open seasonally (generally
SpringFall), and is the perfect stop after an adventure through
the Valley.
We met that day at their new Lakeside Brewery located in the
heart of Cobden next to Muskrat Lake. After years of hard work
they are excited to settle into their new Lakeside location with a
much larger brewing system and a food menu for year round
enjoyment.
After the slight comedic confusion of which Chris we were
meeting with that day, as they are both named Chris Thompson
and are known to enjoy the chaos that can ensue, we were graced
with the presence of both as they joined us for a pint and some
conversation. There is nothing like the chilled back vibe of a raft
guide to make you feel like a hyperactive adult,I believe that this
laid back attitude combined with their rafting camaraderie are
what keeps things running smoothly at the brewery. In two years
theyve grown from three unpaid raft guides brewing 150L a week
to managing 62 employees and a 3000L system.
The names of the brews either reflect on the rafting industry or
the surrounding area. With five core brands Whistling Paddler,
English Style Ale, Farmers Daughter Blonde Ale, Class V IPA and
Midnight Oatmeal Milk Stout and about 10 seasonals under their
belt including Jacked Rabbit Espresso IPA and Jack Frost
Wintergreen Porter their drive and creativity show no signs of
slowing down. They have also co-branded a Legion Lager in

56
slowing down. They have also co-branded a Legion Lager in
partnership with The Royal Canadian Legion, 5% of sales go
towards supporting Veterans programs across Canada.
As we continued to chat I sipped away on my pint of Farmers
Daughter blonde, it is a real delight to drink. At 5%, this blonde
has a light malt bill that is infused with locally farmed hops that
create a light yet flavourful beer to enjoy after any adventure. I
also sampled the Class V IPA, I am a huge an of this beer because
it has bitter notes yet remains nicely balanced. Sometimes it can
seem to be a competition between breweries as to how bitter
they can make a beer, but I love the balance in this IPA and they
havent forgotten that malt is also apart of the show.
Chris also mentioned that they do a 12 Beers of Christmas,
where they release a different beer for 12 days in a row in
December across different bars in the Ottawa area. Needless to
say I am considering moving to Ottawa for this December.
There was still an unopened case of their last 12 Beers of
Christmas and, luckily for me, they were in the mood to share.
The selection included Gingerbread ESB, Vanilla Rum Cake, Brandy
Butter ESB, Blueberry Bundt Cake Ale, and a Candy Cane Blonde
- that was my brew of choice - with a beautiful peppermint forward
flavour! Ill definitely be on the lookout for their 12 beers this
December and Id suggest you do the same.
They are heavily involved in the community, sourcing local
supplies to build the brewhouse, local ingredients for their menus,
and creating a space people can gather after a ride down the river
or other activities in the area. Their menus feature seasonal
produce from the Ottawa Valley so, for this reason, it changes
regularly but what is consistent is how fresh and tasty it is!
The Class V is available in the LCBO and all Five of the core brands
are available in grocery stores. Of course they have cans and
growlers available at the breweries alongside some shirts, swag,
and flannel plaid jackets!

At Whitewater Brewing they have five simple priorities: friends,

and flannel plaid jackets!
At Whitewater Brewing they have five
simple priorities: friends, stories, music,
food and beer and will happily share them
with you at both locations. I encourage
you to drop by and enjoy an afternoon or
evening surrounded by friends.

Website: whitewaterbeer.ca
Facebook: www.facebook.com/
WhitewaterBrewingCompany
Instagram: www.instagram.com/
whitewaterbrewingco
Twitter: twitter.com/WhitewaterBrew

Hours Cobden Location:

Monday-Friday 11:30am-9pm
Saturday 10am-11pm
Sunday 10am-9pm

61
 Sawdust City Brewing Co
397 Muskoka Rd N, Gravenhurst, ON
(705) 681-1100
Sometimes you need to see things in person to
truly fall in love with them
That was the case for me and Sawdust City in
Gravenhurst, ON. Though I had enjoyed a few of
their beers before and was already a fan, it was
once I had the full experience of visiting the
brewery, meeting their awesome staff, and
sitting down to a wheel of beer, that I truly became
a fangirl!
Sawdust originally received their manufacturing
licence back on October 31, 2011 (which is,
coincidentally, my favourite holiday), and have
been brewing up a storm ever since. After
outgrowing their originally planned space before
even moving in they had to seek out an alternate
location and the brewery then settled into an old
20,000 sq ft Canadian Tire building in Gravenhurst
and officially opened its doors in 2014. Sam, the
brewmaster and co-founder, told me it looked a
lot bigger before they started to fill it with all that
beer and shiny equipment.
The bar inside the brewery, affectionately known
as The Saloon, buzzes with a mix of locals and
tourists alike. Its centerpiece is a 24-foot live-
edge bar, it was milled from a 100-year-old
naturally fallen pine tree and while being a place
to gather for conversations and beer it honours
the long history of logging in Muskoka whilst
giving the bar a rugged and authentic feel. When
you pull up a stool to this beauty of a bar you have
the option to order a flight, pints, or, my personal
favorite, a wheel of beer. For those who havent
had the pleasure of visiting yet, a wheel of beer
63
the option to order a flight, pints, or, my personal favorite, a wheel
of beer. For those who havent had the pleasure of visiting yet,
a wheel of beer is twelve 4oz glasses of every beer available on
tap that day (usually six of their core brands and six their seasonal
and specialty beers) served on what looks like a giant wheel.
Creativity is everywhere in this brewery, from the
unconventional (but always tasty) flavors, to the unique names
that are part and parcel of modern craft-brewing.Their styles range
across the board, but there is definitely a little bit of European
influence that Sam picked up during some time he spent in Europe.
He blames Europe, and more specifically a beer fest he attended
in Brussels, for leaving him with an appreciation for great beer.
 My go to brew at Sawdust is the Lone Pine West Coast IPA (one
of my all time favourite IPAs), its a well hopped beer with a strong
malt backbone thats bursting with flavour. However, if you
manage to time your visit right, you might just find my latest
obsession from their specialty lineup; Juicin a New England Style
IPA. I just cant get enough of the juicy taste of fresh peaches that
embraces the juiciest characteristics of hops while laying off on
the bitterness. It was crafted by Head Brewer Caleb and Packaging
Manager James in the first of their Fever Dream series and they
have just recently released it again at the brewery. The other
Sawdust Brewery Beer that comes highly recommended is Princess
Wears Girl Pants, Muskokan Saison, this hop forward Belgian is
fresh, bright, and absolutely perfect for a summer's day! They are
also big fans of collaborations, and can often be found teaming
up with other breweries across Ontario, so keep your eyes peeled
for those one off brews!
At Sawdust City they love to party, they run a rockin Oktoberfest
event annually to give everyone a chance to wear their favourite
Lederhosen and dance their way through the night. Alternatively,
if you prefer to have your fun when the sun is out, be sure to check
out Funkfest on July 1st. Funkfest is a day filled with funky sour
beers, funk bands, and food trucks, it is an awesome way to
celebrate the nations birthday and something tells me this year
might be a little bit special! Finally, every Saturday night they have
live music on in the saloon - check out their website for more info
on all their upcoming events.
If you are looking to spend a few days in Gravenhurst whilst you
visit Sawdust City, Rob and Karla Engman, the co-owners of
Sawdust, also run The Lone Pine Inn, a quaint little complex of six
cottages within walking distance of the brewery. Its an ideal place
to spend a lazy weekend drinking fresh, local beer and exploring
the surrounding area; I had the chance to stay there for Oktoberfest
one year, so I speak from personal experience..

Whilst they have no restaurant on-site at the moment, you can

65
 Whilst they have no restaurant on-site at
the moment, you can catch a food truck there
at the weekends and they sell little pizzas
from the bar to accompany your beer(s). Grab
a basket from the stack in the retail space to
fill up from their huge cooler full beer. Cans,
bottles and growlers are all available and
some of which can only be bought from the
brewery so you may want to grab a few.
So in conclusion, if you like road trips,
cottages, cool spaces, rad people, and
fantastic beers, then this is a place you will
settle into just fine and find it very hard to
leave.

Website: www.sawdustcitybrewing.com
FB: www.facebook.com/
sawdustcitybrewery
Instagram: www.instagram.com/
sawdustcitybeer/

Hours:
7 days a week
Retail Store: 9am - 11pm
The Saloon: 11am - 11pm

67
 Wellington Brewery
950 Woodlawn Road West Guelph, ON
(519) 837-2337
Wellington Brewery is one of the pioneers of the
microbrewery in Ontario. Originally opening in 1985,
before craft beer was called craft beer, they have
grown from their original recipes, based on traditional
English-style ales, to an expanding line up of beers
that embrace the growing market of different beers.
Their original 16HL equipment was shipped over
from England in 1985 and they have been expanding
ever since. In 2015 they added a 40HL brewhouse, a
5HL pilot system, and expanded the tap room to host
more tastings, tours and events.
When Philip Gosling first founded Wellington
Brewery, over three decades ago, they were one of the
first in North America to produce Cask ale and pull
pints from Casks. Times and packaging have changed
but the beer is still fresh and they still have a love for
Casks. Cask-conditioned beer is unfiltered,
unpasteurized, naturally carbonated beer that
continues to ferment and age after being packaged ,
it has gained increasing popularity and recognition
across Ontario, finding a home in bars throughout the
province. Wellington continues the Cask tradition to
this day and they hold a Cask Festival every September
to celebrate their annual Birthday by showcasing a
number of small batch Cask beer. Wellington still
proudly bills itself as Canadas oldest independently-
owned craft brewery.
I am no stranger to Wellingtons beer but, with the
brewers always creating and growing their lineup,
there were a few I had yet to wet my whistle with. I
opted for the Farmers' Market Rhubarb Saison, a
refreshing and flavourful summertime Saison with
enjoyable spicy notes from the farmhouse style yeast
69
 refreshing and flavourful summertime Saison with enjoyable spicy
notes from the farmhouse style yeast and a slightly tart finish from
the rhubarb. Over 200 pounds of locally grown rhubarb was hand
picked by growers and added to this brew. They still have your old
favorites like the golden brown S.P.A (Special Pale Ale), their most
popular beer, but they are not content to rest on their laurels and
are continually experimenting and expanding their solid lineup
of beers!
If you want to try something a little different, the Welly Rebooted
Mixed Pack (available at the LCBO) brings together four of their
most popular one offs that you may not have had the chance to
try when they were released - it gives you a fascinating insight
into the variety of beers that they have produced over the years.
They have also recently joined the trend of adding 355ml cans to
their lineup in the form of their Helles lager. As a community-
minded Craft Brewery, Wellington are immersed in the music and
artsy vibes of Guelph, they collaborate with local illustrators,
printmakers, comic artists, and painters to design their labels To
date Wellington has worked with over 20 artists from Guelph and
the surrounding area and have involvement in a handful of music
festivals from punk to jazz to country.
One such event is the Queen of Craft, which was founded by
Karyn Boscariol one of the crew of awesome women at Wellington.
It has been running for four years now and is the highlight of the
year to many women in the Guelph area. Not only do they highlight
the women of Guelph they involve local breweries, provide
education, and give women a space to learn and explore all facets
of Craft Beer. I had the chance to attend one year and the sister-
hood vibe I was welcomed to would be hard pressed to
recreate.. Proceeds of the events go to Guelph-Wellington
Women-In-Crisis and to date over $12,000 has been raised.
It was with deep sadness and heavy hearts that Wellington
Brewery and community lost Douglas Dawkins, VP and Brewery
Manager, last year at the early age of 46. He had started at
Wellington in 1990 on the bottling line and his passion, kindness

70
Wellington in 1990 on the bottling line and his passion,
kindness and generosity continues to inspire everyone
who knew him. It was a tragic loss to the brewing
community and our hearts go out to the families.
At the retail shop you will discover beer in cans, bottles,
and growlers and the tasting room hosts guided
samplings every Friday (12-6pm) and Saturday
(12-7pm)!
So next time you are cruising through Guelph take time
to visit one of Canadas Oldest Microbreweries and as
they say Try a Welly ON!

Website: www.wellingtonbrewery.ca
Facebook: www.facebook.com/wellingtonbrewery
Instagram: www.instagram.com/wellingtonbrewery
Twitter: twitter.com/WellingtonBrew

Hours:
Monday - Wednesday: 9am-6pm
Thursday & Friday: 9am-8pm
Saturday: 10am-8pm
Sunday: 11am-6pm

73
 Stonehammer Brewing
355 Elmira Road North, Unit 135, Guelph, ON
(519) 824-1194
Just down Elmira Road from Wellington Brewery in Guelph, is
another brewery with a rich and colorful history, StoneHammer
Brewing.Phil and Leslie Woodhouse took over the old F&M brewery
in early 2015 and rebranded it as StoneHammer Brewing. The
flagship brands StoneHammer Dark, Pilsner, Light, Pale Ale and
Oatmeal Coffee Stout were kept on, but they have since started
to bring a little of their own flair by producing various seasonals
and one offs throughout the year.
They house a 20 hec brew system and still brew with a direct-
fired copper kettle, before the beers are slowly aged in horizontal
tanks in the aging cellar until they've reached their peak. Its these
sorts of historic methods and touches that really make this place
stand out!
Stonehammer Dark Ale is a smooth, lightly carbonated, 5% ABV
brown ale with a caramel and cocoa aroma and layers of nuts and
mocha. Their Continuity Baltic Porter has claimed three Canadian
Brewing Awards trophies in three years, so it goes without saying
that it is a must try. Though it is a seasonal and available Nov-Mar,
I managed to get my hands on a bottle and have a taste. A Baltic
Porter is traditionally a beer from countries bordering the Baltic
Sea, it is derived from English porters, but influenced by Russian
Imperial Stouts. It poured a dark brown with a slight red tinge and
had smelt of rich malty sweetness with notes of caramel, rye bread
and, dark fruit esters of currant. On the sip you find a little touch
of sweetness, a darker malt character, and again that darker fruit.
At 7% ABV it warms the soul as it goes down convincing you to
have another sip.
They offer tours at the brewery on Saturdays (call to book) and
the last Saturday of each month they they tap a unique
cask. Whether youve always wanted to try cask beer or are a
longtime fan they welcome everyone to come for a sample.

Cans, bottles, and branded clothing are available at the

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 Cans, bottles, and branded clothing are available at
the bottleshop and several of their brands are available
in the LCBO.
The brewing community in Guelph is a tight knit one,
its probably why so many breweries continue to
succeed there. Theyre often seen working together
at local events, tastings, and collaborations and as they
stand strong together, they bring more strength to
independant brewers. Im excited to see
StoneHammer more frequently around town and at
festivals, they are eager and with the passion of the
team and I look forward to what they are going to bring
to the table next.

Website: www.stonehammer.ca
Facebook: www.facebook.com/stonehammerbeer
Twitter: twitter.com/StoneHammerBeer

Hours:
Monday - Wednesday: 10am-5pm
Thursday - Friday: 10am-6pm
Saturday: 12pm - 5pm
Sunday: closed

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 At Slims Pepper Co. we have a passion for making high quality small
batched, hand crafted hot sauces and spicy food products that are all
natural and preservative and salt free.
Looking for something hot this summer? Try Slims Blazin Reaper
Sauce (extra hot) made with Smokin Eds Carolina Reaper, the hottest
known pepper in the world, or Slims Blazin Ghost (hot) made with
Ghost peppers. Our hit - Slims Smokin Habanero (medium), a delicious
sauce made with applewood smoked habanero peppers.
Right in time for the season we launched a new special release! Meet
Forkn Hot, featuring, Habanero, Honey, and Forked Rivers Riptide Rye
Pale Ale.
While grilling those steaks, pair your cold beer with our Slims Blazin
Reaper beef jerky made by Bay Meats from Thunder Bay with Slims
Blazin reaper sauce.
Feeling that appetite coming? Hell yeah! Its because of Slims Blazin
Reaper Chocolate, a delicious dark chocolate with kicked up heat of
Smokin Eds Carolina Reaper.
Have we caught you attention? Good! You can buy our products online
or find a distributor here: http://slimspepperco.com
 Haliburton Highlands Brewing
1067 Garden Gate Drive Haliburton,ON
(705) 754-2739
Haliburton is known as cottage country, nestled in a landscape
of lush forestland and lakes there is never a shortage of sites to
see come rain or shine. Amongst these sites is Haliburton
Highlands Brewing on Garden Gate Drive, its owned by husband
and wife team Michael and Jewelle Schiedel-Webb who fell in
love with the area when they were here on holiday and decided
to turn it into their full time home.
The population of Haliburton swells from 5,500 to 50,000 in
the summer as cottagers from across Ontario descend upon this
beautiful little town! The massive influx of tourists meant that
their original brews sold out in no-time and they quickly moved
from their original yurt to the larger and more permanent
residence at Abbey Gardens. The step up means they could
increase production 15 fold and keep the thirsty locals happy.
Sustainability is vital to the Haliburton Highlands spirit, all the
spent grain from brews goes towards enriching the soil of the
gardens and waste water from the brews go in the same
direction. Abbey Gardens (which the brewery was built on) was
transformed a few years back from a 300 acre gravel pit into a
beautiful green space for the community to take advantage of.
They have gardens, hiking trails, a Food Hub, educational
displays, chickens, ponies, and several local businesses
surrounding the brewery. You can visit the gardens, see the
animals, shop for local food, then enjoy lunch and a fresh Craft
Beer all in one scenic spot. The brewery encourages you to visit
Abbey Gardens site http://abbeygardens.ca/ as they are
supporters of the project and each other.
As we strolled up to the brewery entrance we were kindly
greeted kindly by Ringo the Westie and semi-official brewery
mascot. I was surprised to see how many taps were pouring at
HHB, especially given that Michael, the head brewer, only
started brewing when they decided to open the brewery. He
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 HHB, especially given that Michael, the head brewer, only
started brewing when they decided to open the brewery. He
went back to school and learned through internships at Rahr &
Sons Brewing in Fort Worth, Texas, Shades of Pale in Park City,
Utah, and completed the Brewing Technology program at the
Siebel Institute and World Brewing Academy in Chicago.
They use locally sourced honey, rye, oats, and are looking to
involve more local hops in the future. They take a classic
historical approach to their brewing with more focus on malt
rather than hops, but thats not to say that the hops are entirely
ignored. They have a number of easy to drink summer beers on
offer, but I was intrigued by the other end of the spectrum they
had to please us beer geeks.
During my visit they had seven year-round and eight seasonal
beers on offer and I was lucky enough to wet my whistle with a
couple that day, including a delightful IPA, brewed with the
usual suspects in the C hops Columbus, Centennial and
Cascade, and their Abbey Ale, a flavour filled Belgian Blonde
with a slightly dry finish that compliments the spice and citrus
notes. But the standout beer I had that day was Midtbuster
Saison / Farmhouse Ale, this table beer was created with a
Norweigian yeast (Midtbust Kviek) which is harvested from
fermenting ales in Stordal, Norway, and brought to them by
their friends at Escarpment Labs. The malt provides a bready
flavour and, paired with Ontario grown Chinook hops, it makes
for a delicious tropical flavour, while the slightly dry finish
means it goes down a little too easy so I made sure to bring
home with me.
Their taproom consists of flights and 12 oz glasses of beer to
enjoy there and 500ml bottles, mixed 6packs, growlers to
go. Alongside the beer are locally made and printed shirts,
locally made beer soap, glassware, other swag and a Westie
kidding the dog is not for sale. Tours and tasting are also offered
and details can be found on their website.

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 This is a must visit on your travels this summer, so be sure to
allocate plenty of time to explore the whole Abbey Garden
experience. It is a great addition to Haliburton and whether youre
a resident or just passing through youre bound to be struck by
the beauty of this little corner of Ontario.
 Website: haliburtonhighlandsbrewing.ca
Facebook: www.facebook.com/HHBrewing
Year Round Hours
Thursday to Saturday: 10pm to 6pm
Sunday: 12pm to 6pm
Monday to Wednesday closed but give us a call, were probably
here and are happy to have you stop by.
Extended Summer Hours | Mid June Labour Day
Open Monday Thursday & Saturday: 10am to 6pm
Friday: 10am to 10pm
Sunday: noon to 6pm
 MacLeans Ales
52 14th Ave, Hanover, ON
(519) 506-2537
Charles MacLean, co-owner to MacLeans Ales in Hanover, ON,
is yet another pioneer in the Craft Beer world, he has watched
the industry grow and change over the years as he has presided
over numerous breweries.
Charles first learned to brew over in England, he was there
initially because of his first passion, motorcycles, and had
travelled over to ride the scenic English Countryside on his
Norton Commando. But when he returned home he had acquired
another passion; brewing and drinking good Craft Beer.
Since 1985, when he opened the Wellington County Brewery,
Charles has started multiple breweries and helped many others
along the way. He opened a tiny nano brewery in 2009 on his
property that quickly grew beyond his wildest expectations. In
2014 Charles partnered with Michael D'Agnillo and Curtis
Schmaltz and created MacLeans Ales, who now produce over
400,000 litres annually in their Hanover brewery.
The brewery is a well crafted square brick building that
resembles the castle in their logo and was originally geared
towards recreating those traditional English brews, however,
they now offer a wide portfolio of beers and flavours to suit
everybody.
MacLean's Armchair Scotch Ale is a real treat with a Kentucky
twist; its aged in bourbon barrels. With rich, malty flavour and
a brilliant amber colour, this classic ale is brewed with British
Pale and Crystal Malts, balanced by a generous addition of
Fuggles and Goldings hops, and finishes with a sweet tang on
the backend.
Macleans Farmhouse Blonde at 4.8% ABV is a golden ale that
showcases both Ontario hops and malt beautifully and is a
reminder to Charles of his farmhouse brewery beginnings.

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 A warm-weather favourite which gained quick
popularity at many small-town festivals, it tastes light
and fresh with a mild aroma of bready notes, and a
crisp and clean finish. As a classic dependable blonde
ale, its delicious.
Charles still helps with the 5-6 brews a week and
hosts a popular monthly beer pairing dinner at the
brewery that showcases five local breweries involved
across a three course meal! There is nothing like
listening to someone chat about beer and food that
is knowledgeable, humble and has some stories of
beer and life to share.
Visit the brewery shop for a fridge full of their latest
ales in cans, bottles, and growlers, along with t-shirts
and other goodies.
MacLeans gives a hearty thank you to all the
employees and friends who have helped them build
the new brewery, deliver the beer, and help with
rigorous quality control (someone has to taste the
beer). Its a must visit for both the extensive history
history and the quality beer.

Website: http://macleansales.ca
Facebook: www.facebook.com/macleansbrewery
Instagram: www.instagram.com/macleansales
Twitter: https://twitter.com/macleansales

Hours:
Sunday-Monday Closed
Tuesday-Thursday 11am-4:30pm
Friday 11am-7:30pm
Saturday 11am-4pm

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 Events: Charles' Monthly Tastings. Charles selects a style of
beer and invites fellow breweries to bring their creations.
Upcoming dates: June 20th - Blondes, July 18th - Session IPA,
August - non because of Hopfest, September 12th - TBA,
October 17th - TBA, and November 14th - TBA
 Big Rig Brewery
103 Scheider Rd, Kanata, ON
(613) 688-3336
Big Rig Brewery started life as a
brewpub on Iris St. in Ottawa, but have
recently expanded to a 16,000 sq ft
brewing facility on Schneider St. in the
Fall of 2014. Both owners, Chris Phillips
and Lon Ladell, hail from the West Coast,
as does their inspiration for the majority
of their beers. Lon is also the
brewmaster and hails from an IPA-loving
area, Vancouver Island, and is proud to
reside over the biggest volume brewery
in Ottawa. The name Big Rig derives
from Chris nickname from his days
spent in Fort Mac on the rigs.
By helping people discover and shift
to Craft Beer, they have a style that
speak to both the past and present. My
long standing favourite from Big Rig is
Release the Hounds, it was one of the
first Black IPAs I ever tasted. I will
always enjoy the layers of roasted malts
that combine with big hoppy flavours,
some mocha notes lurking inside, and a
nice bitterness - its a must try! Their
Midnight Kissed My Cow Double
Chocolate Milk Stout can be found in my
fridge any day of the week, its
combination of Belgian chocolate,
roasted chocolate malts, and creamy
milk sugar creates a dark as night colour
and a silky smooth mouthfeel that you
will crave.

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 They balance out those darker beers with lighter
options, such as the beautiful and fresh tasting
Hoppin Maibock and their trusty Alpha Bomb IPA. I
cant say enough good things about the beers that
Big Rig brew.
They serve lunch every Tuesday-Friday at the
Brewery Taproom and they have two brewpubs
located in Ottawa with large menus of home cooked
meals, retail spaces, and delicious beer.
They are awesome hosts with personable,
knowledgeable front of house staff and are always
keen to hire people that are new to the industry so
they can take them under their wing and turn them
into Craft Beer lovers like themselves.
Their Iris St. and Schneider Road locations have
retail space where they sell beers in cans, bottles,
and growlers to go and Schneider St is just waiting
for you to book a tour of the brewery. You can also
find a selection of their beer in the LCBO, The Beer
Store, and pubs across Ontario.
Big Rig Brewery feels like family and I left that
day sad that I lived a 6 hour drive away. Thanks for
the good time Big Rig I will return...

Website: bigrigbrewery.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/bigrigbrewery
Instagram: www.instagram.com/bigrigbrewery
Twitter: twitter.com/BigRigBrewery

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 Banded Goose Brewing
31 Division St., S., Kingsville, ON
(519) 733-6900
Banded Goose Brewing is nestled inside Jacks Gastropub and
INN 31 in Kingsville, ON. This gives you a fantastic excuse to stay
the night so you can enjoy Craft Beer, amazing food, and a glorious
night's sleep (yes they have feather pillows) all in the same spot-
I highly recommend it! Banded Goose is a part of JACKS GROUP
and is family owned and operated by the Loop siblings Troy, Cindy,
Trevor and Tara. They currently have quaint space making small
batches of beer on their unique equipment as the brewery wing
of Jacks Gastropub, though there are plans to expand in the near
future. With a small room sized brewhouse and 30L plastic wall
mounted fermenters placed around the room its a truly
unforgettable experience to taste a glass of their delicious beer
in the very room it is brought to life in.
They have a variety of playfully titled beers that rotate
throughout the year, in addition to some tasty beer cocktails on
their menu. I settled on the Kolsch to accompany my meal, as it
tends to be medium to light bodied, clean, crisp, and an excellent
pairing to a variety of foods. There is a delicate balance of flavour
between the soft malt bill, the light fruity sweetness from
fermentation, and the medium-low bitterness from the noble hop;
it was a perfect choice.
In addition to pouring their beer they had a few other local craft
breweries on tap as after all its all about supporting each other.
A beautiful (weather permitting) patio surrounds the unique dining
room and bar, which is set inside the old house, and they host
regular monthly beer club dinners that are always amazing fun.
Their food is not to be missed either, with an extensive farm-to-
table menu, which has been a staple in Kingsville since 1989, Im
not sure which I enjoyed more, the beer or the food! Their Burgers
are top notch and their large menu ranges from starters and
sandwiches to full on dinners and desserts.

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 We had the pleasure to spend the night in their
off site accommodations, The Lil Heart & Soul
INN. Inside the old Victorian home are a number
of quaint little rooms (all with ensuite
bathrooms), tastefully decorated with old world
charm. After a long day of travelling it was a
comfortable and cosy place to get some much
sleep! The Inn is a short walk to Kingsvilles
downtown core that includes Banded Goose
Brewery / Jacks Gastropub.
From the moment we arrived to an incredible
meal and some expertly paired beer, to the
moment we awoke well rested in the Inn, we were
in heaven. I recommend spending a night or two
at the Inn while you enjoy what both Banded
Goose and Kingsville have to offer.

Website: bandedgoosebrewing.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/
bandedgoosebrewing

Hours:
Sunday-Monday 11:30am - 8pm
Tuesday - Saturday 11:30am - 9pm

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 Descendants Beer & Beverage Co.
319 Victoria St. N. Kitchener, ON
(226) 241-3700
Descendant / d 'send nt/ a person, plant, or animal that is
descended from a particular ancestor. In this case we are talking
beer, or more specifically, the idea behind the name of
Descendants Beer in Kitchener, ON.
When you step inside this 5,000 sq ft space,you feel a million
miles away from the busy hustle and bustle of the city. After
almost two years searching for a place to call their own, they
found it A vast, open industrial space, aptly named the
Bierhalle, with high ceilings and access to an assortment of
games and a piano. Its a great place to spend some time and
unwind with friends old and new. I didnt take an actual seat at
the piano, to see if my memory still remembered how to play
chopsticks, but we were happy to play a game of bean bag
toss (I refuse to call it cornhole) overlooking the brewery, while
we enjoyed a flight of their crafted beer and grilled cheese from
their tasty menu.
Robin & Lee are the husband wife couple that own
Descendants, and the name, as mentioned, is inspired by beer
recipes and secrets passed down over generations all over the
world. Robin spent time perfecting his brewing skills at the
Siebel Institute in Chicago, as well as an inspiring 6 months in
Berlin, Germany. You cant miss the european influence came
home with him when you step into the Bierhalle. They started
contract brewing in 2014 and opened up the well anticipated
Descendants Brewery in April 2016.
You would never guess they are so young, they run like a well
oiled machine with nightly events, 9 beers on tap, and even a
few rotating guest taps. Be sure to check out their Social Media
and website to stay in touch with their upcoming events, there
is sure to be something that is of interest for everyone!

Their three core beers, Harbinger APA, El Buscador Cerveza

and Reynard the Fox Gold Rye Ale, can be recognized by the
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What's
What's On
On at
at Descendants?
Descendants?

Wednesdays:
Wednesdays: Pub
Pub Stumpers
Stumpers Trivia
Trivia
Thursdays:
Thursdays: Open
Open Mic
Mic Night
Night
Fridays:
Fridays: Buck
Buck A
A Shuck
Shuck Oysters
Oysters and
and Live
Live Local
Local
Music
Music
Saturdays:
Saturdays: Tours
Tours && Singer
Singer SongWriter
SongWriter Night
Night
Sundays:
Sundays: Family
Family FunDay
FunDay
 Their three core beers, Harbinger APA, El Buscador Cerveza and
Reynard the Fox Gold Rye Ale, can be recognized by the three
characters on each can. Whether you choose the Red Cloaked Man,
the Masked Mariachi Amigo or the tux-wearing Masquerade Fox
you will find them balanced, refreshing and worth another. These
three brews, alongside their other produce and seasonal one-offs,
can be found in the LCBO or the brewery itself.
While you enjoy a pint at the brewery they have a tasty beer
infused menu to order from. Descendants menu has a wide range
of snacks such as grilled cheese and has a delicious sides to choose
from! You can also stay in touch on their events calendar to discover
when buck-a-shuck oysters are happening!!!
They are proud to have a have a high ratio of female staff from
co-owner and front of house manager to sales representative and
packaging and roles in between. When I asked the owner Lee for
a favourite quote she replied Well behaved women rarely make
history. - it has certainly stuck in my head! They're a very
community focused business and they contribute to the local Grand
River Conservation Authority and Women's Crisis Centre of
Waterloo Region. They also have partnered several times with
Central Frederick Neighbourhood Assoc. as well as Kitchener Public
Library.
We definitely believe that beer builds community and we love to
use our space for events that support the community.
As Robin & Lee say Descendants Beer & Beverage Co. is a labour
of love. Love of beer, love of brewing, and love of community.
Website: www.descendantsbeer.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/DescendantsBeer
Instagram: www.instagram.com/descendantsbeer
Twitter: twitter.com/Descendantsbeer
Bierhalle Hours:
Monday-Tuesday 12:00pm-9:00pm
Wednesday-Thursday 11:00am-11:00pm
Friday-Saturday 11:00am-12:00am
Sunday 11:00am-5:00pm

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 TWB Cooperative Brewing
300 Mill Street, Unit #1 Kitchener, ON
(519) 954-4433
For a long time, Brick Brewing and Lion Brewing in the Huether
Hotel in Waterloo were the only beer players in town, but things
have since changed. Tucked away in a small community within
Kitchener-Waterloo in a unique, inclusive space, lives Together
Were Bitter Co-operative Brewery. One of the several now in the
K-W area, they started planning back in 2012 and opened their doors
in 2016. With 6 worker-owners in the brewery, they are
demonstrating an alternative way to structure a business; a co-
op. After all craft beer is about community and TWB is set in a
community it both supports and is supported by.
The brewery itself is truly a unique space, they host regular events
in amongst all the equipment. The unique feel continues through
the rest of the brewery from the horizontal serving tanks with
bladders (advantages include being able to simply use compressed
air to drive beer to the bar; not having to worry about increasing
CO2 levels in the beer as you might with a CO2 topped tank), to the
self proclaimed, most unique brewing system in Ontario, as Culum,
co-owner told me, We call it Sputnik and it is an all in one
brewhouse. When they first started to use it it wasnt able to
produce large quantities of beer in a short enough period of time, so
its main role now is the kettle and the mash tun that they added
later on. It is really cool sight to see so ask them to have a look when
you're there.
The names of the beers are a cavalcade of in-jokes and cultural
references; Wobbly Wheel is named after the first workers union,
Pullman Porter after the American Black Union, and Maggies Farm
is a reference to a Bob Dylan song about protesting working for the
man.
The owners are all so welcoming and humorous, always cracking
jokes and carrying on, all while brewing some amazing beer. They
strive to carry a minimum of 6 beers on their gamut and I decided
to start with the fruit wit, Wit the Hell Happened To The Peach?
Appropriately named as, despite the 40lb of peach puree added to

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 to start with the fruit wit, Wit the Hell Happened To The Peach?
Appropriately named as, despite the 40lb of peach puree added
to it, the peach flavour is very subtle. I could still pull out gentle
hints of peach on the finish as it was slightly dry ,the sorachi ace
hops along with the addition of coriander, bringing out a nice
citrus spice, a perfect compliment for a wit beer.
Since I was in the K-W area, it only seemed appropriate that I
tried their German Pilsner, Jagged Little Pils, as the hard water
in the region means it is perfect for a German Style Pilsner. They
told me that it is a pain to make, but we both agreed it is well
worth the wait. The head is white and dense and the body is a
beautiful straw color, the aroma contains hops with a hint of
graininess, the flavor is simple, with light grain and hops to
bitter, and instead of the front it develops in the middle and
finishes clean and refreshing. I know a Pilsner always sounds so
simple, but when done right it is a delicious beer that is easy to
pair and hits the spot year round.
If you head over to the brewery Friday afternoons, youll get
to try their pilot batch of their brew of the week! By the glass
only, and get it while it lasts! Taproom serves 12 oz pints,
flights, and growler fills to take with you.
TWB is a quirky, must see brewery, full of interesting
characters, a progressive business-model that pays a living
wage, and a calendar filled with local showcase events (hint hint
Oktoberfest) where you must stop by for a pint and stay for
three.
Website: www.brewing.coop
Facebook: www.facebook.com/twbcoop
Instagram: www.instagram.com/twbcoop
Twitter: twitter.com/twbcoop?lang=en

104
 Ramblin Road Brewery Farm
2970 Swimming Pool Road
La Salette, ON
(519) 582-1444
As a kid growing up in the city, I always
had a fascination with farms and wide
open, green spaces; and that was
before I could even imagined a
brewery on one! Rambling Road, in
LaSalette, ON, is both a brewery and a
farm, sharing land and creating a
community (alongside beer of course).
However, it wasn't always that way,
owner John Picard (of Picards Peanuts),
initially struggled to convince local
government that a brewery could be
an asset for the community, whilst
running sustainably and producing a
small carbon footprint. He first bought
his brewing equipment back in 2006,
and planted a 6 variety hop yard on-
site, eventually building the brewery
itself in 2010, and opening the doors
in 2012. It was a long journey, but they
stayed determined and now they are
approaching their 5th Birthday!
When Ramblin Road first opened
their doors in 2012, they introduced a
trio of classic beers, but not one bottle
was left by the time they closed the
doors that night - I can imagine both
the excitement and panic that would
bring on your first day!

107
 Not satisfied to simply follow convention, Ramblin Road tapped
into their farming roots and created Canadas first Potato styled
beer, and their biggest seller, a DPA (Dakota Pearl Ale). Since then
they have added a PureBred Red Lager, Unleashed (4-hopped) IPA,
and their own unique "chocolate stout Picards style. It is evident
John came at this Brewery from an agricultural perspective as all
the ingredients are grown on-site where possible, including the
potatoes used in their unique potato beer wash and the four
citrus hops that go into their IPA. For those of you with a sweet
tooth, the chocolate stout has a nice combination of cocoa nibs,
chocolate malts, and a touch of vanilla, its no doubt a throwback
to his confectionery background.
The hop yard has grown from 6 different varieties to a whopping
12, and from 2.6 acres to 4. The best time to visit it is in the mid
summer to fall, as that is when hops are climbing up to a foot a day
on the lines - it really is a site to see.
The Brewery also provides some learning opportunities for those
who venture out for a visit alongside a brewery tour they run a
tour of their massive Extreme Kettle Chips machine where they
make
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Canadas only beer washed kettle chips, they take them from
the potatoes grown on-site to the beautiful chips you can buy with
your beers. They buff, wash, bathe, drain, spin, fry, season and
package them right next door to the brewery!
With profits growing steadily each year, in 2016 they decided to
add a restaurant to the brewery to help pull in some more business
and serve up some farm fresh food! Theyve really turned it into
a destination for both foodies and craft beer enthusiasts.
The whole brewery is a family-run operation, youll catch different
family members working throughout the brewery; John can at
times be found in the kitchen cooking the mouth watering burgers
available on their menu. The retail shop is absolutely filled to the
brim with swag, Picards Peanuts, chips, and, of course, their beer
(available in bottles, cans & growlers).
Just a word of warning, the brewery can be a little hard to find,
but let your Beermamac and GPS guide you along the country roads
to their welcoming doorstep.
So why not set a day to escape the city and let the country roads
whisk you away to this unique brewery farm.

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Website:
www.ramblinroad.ca
Facebook:
www.facebook.com/
RamblinRoadBeer
Twitter:
twitter.com/RamblinRoadBeer

Hours:
Monday - Saturday: 10am - 5pm
Sundays and Holidays: 11am - 4pm

111
 Andersons Craft Ales
1030 Elias Street London, ON
(506) 253-9440
Andersons Craft Ales is another great addition to the beer scene
in the Old East Village area of London, ON. Though their branding
is simple, their beer is anything but. They are a family owned and
operated brewery and are crafting small batches that you can enjoy
with your friends and family. After Gavin, the head brewer, received
a homebrew kit, under the Christmas Tree at the age of 19, he hasnt
stopped brewing, however, it wasn't until he was volunteering at a
local microbrewery, that Gavin realized his passion for brewing
could be more than just a hobby. Though Gavin was the driving force
behind opening Andersons Ales, he also had the support of the
family and he and his father Jim founded Anderson Craft Ales in
August of 2016.
Being an independently owned brewery Gavin brews what he
enjoys to drink with no investor pressure, but he is always listening
to the community reception for each new brew, as he isnt the only
one enjoying them!
Their approachable beer styles are perfect for all occasions and
their names have been kept simple so you know what you are getting
and dont get distracted from the craftsmanship and flavour of the
beer.
Gavin confessed to being more of a malt man than a hops man,
though I feel that is evident in the nice profile he gives the malt in
his beers. Not to say there is a lack of hops in his beer either, they
are also well showcased - their IPA is the perfect example of this.
It is a light blonde in colour and has a slight malt backbone that
comes through to combine in balance with the citrus, tropical notes,
and bitterness of the hops. Their Cream Ale recently won silver at
the 2017 Canadian Brewing Awards, it pours a beautiful gold straw
colour with a fluffy, creamy head that is equally creamy and smooth
on the mouthfeel. Neither malt nor hops dominate the flavour and
the dry, yet faintly sweet finish, will leave you wanting more.

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 They also have Amber, Brown, and a new Spring (Dark Lager), so
there is something for everybody here!
From the start they wanted a community focus and that has
become a reality with regular events in their downstairs bar and
upstairs space that overlooks the brewery. You might even get the
chance to enjoy a board game from their well stocked collection.
From Running and Cycling Clubs, to events and fundraisers, you
can discover all that is happening on their website.
Their beers are available at some LCBO locations and pouring at
taps across Ontario. Of course you can pay them a visit to enjoy a
pint in their taproom and they have cans and growlers to take away.
Though they are approaching one year old they are a brewery
to be watched as they are just getting started and have plenty of
space to grow.
Website: andersoncraftales.ca
Facebook: www.facebook.com/andersoncraftales
Instagram: www.instagram.com/andersoncraftales
Twitter: twitter.com/AndersonCAles

Hours of operation: Wednesday-Saturday 11-9 and Sunday 12-5

Tours: Wednesday at 8pm and Saturdays 1pm and 3pm.

Upcoming events: Run club Wednesdays at 6:30, Bike Club

Sundays at 10:45 am, Trivia the first Thursday of every month, Sip
and Stitch the last Sunday of every month, food trucks on
Wednesdays and Fridays. Many others... check the website and
Facebook page for the most up to date info.

Summer Beer Release: June 10th.

OEV Block Party: July 22nd.
First Year Anniversary Party: August 19.

114
 London Brewing Co-op
521 Burbrook Place London, ON
Londons smallest brewery has outgrown its
space at Root Cellar and moved to larger
quarters, with the addition of shiny new tanks,
in the Old East Village neighbourhood.
The London Brewing Co-op prides itself on its
business model that its not just about creating
great beer, they also want to create meaningful
employment for their employee-owners as its
owned by those who work there and decisions
are made by employees in a democratic
fashion.
As I stepped out of the rain into this funky,
artsy space, I had the chance to sit down with
David Thuss, co-owner, to chat about their
unique brewing space. He told me that, As a
workers co-operative, we are interested in the
rights and well-being of all persons employed
and involved with our brewery. All employees
will enjoy profit-sharing and an equal voice in
the direction and day-to-day operations of the
brewery. Co-operatives are known for
balancing people, planets, and profits."
As David chatted away with excitement about
the transition to their new space, I dug into the
flight of beer that was poured for me. Local 117
is a malt-forward amber ale, brewed with
locally grown and malted barley from within
117km of the brewery. Since the same barley
may not always be available the beer is brewed
on a rotating recipe, but in my case it was a
sessionable amber with toasty malt-forward
caramel notes and finishes clean and with a
slight bitterness.

117
 :caramel notes and finishes clean and with a slight bitterness.
I also enjoyed their Norfolk Red which showcases hops from
Norfolk County, it also has a nice malt profile to it and they finished
with Caramunich in the malt trio which brings a nice sweetness to
the beer. I am enjoying these Red Style beers that are coming out
of Craft Breweries at the moment as they actually have some nice
flavour, natural colour, and some body to them.
Community is the top of the priority list for these guys and it is
evident in their participation in both events held on site and
involvement outside their four walls. They emphasize the
importance of building ties in their industry and in related
industries in and around London and surrounding communities.
They are particularly dedicated to their relationships with both
On The Move Organics, who connect them with local farmers, and
The Root Cellar Cafe, who both serve their beer and was the
birthplace of London Brewing Co-op.
You can pick up bottles and growlers of beer in the retail shop to
take with you or some swag to show your support.
London Brewing Co-op is all about the people and they show
their love through every glass of craft beer served. They are proud
to show off what they can achieve with local ingredients, so be
sure to show your support by visiting, youll learn about the
community and meet new beer friends, all whilst drinking fresh
locally brewed beer!
Website: londonbrewing.ca
Facebook: www.facebook.com/LondonBrewing
Instagram: www.instagram.com/londonbrewingca
Twitter: twitter.com/londonbrewingca
Hours:
Thursdays: Noon-9PM
Fridays: Noon-9PM
Saturdays: Noon-9PM

118
 Crafting a Community is a look into London, Ontario's emerging
craft beer scene and the people that brew the beer. In this short
piece, the brewers discuss what its like brewing beer and response
from the people of London. In just a few short years London has
seen the growth of four unique brewery, all brewing something
different.
Credits: Ryan Vilaca and Nigel Campbell (Fanshawe College) are
both originally from Northern Ontario, they have always had a
passion for beer. This documentary gave them a great opportunity
combine their love for beer and filmmaking allowing them to dive
into the craft beer market in London.
LondonSUP

Interview: Josh Hamilton

Photos: Alieska Robles
 Beer is a simple drink at its most basic, you need just barley,
yeast, hops, and some fresh, clean water. That fresh water supply
that has fuelled the brewing industry for centuries and is a crucial
part of Ontarios landscape, environment, and culture is under
threat. Rising pollution and contamination levels are polluting
many of Great Lakes of Ontario, jeopardising the bodies of water
that are a source of income and memories for so many people.
Drew Climie of LondonSUP is trying to fight that pollution and
raise awareness about the contamination of Lake Erie, Lake Huron,
and others across Ontario, to save the natural beauty that is so
indicative of Ontario. As a self-proclaimed water baby, his first
experiences around the water are intermingled with his earliest
memories. But paddle boarding, now the central focus of his
business, was something he only learnt as an adult.
I learnt to scuba dive from Kelly [The owner of Cross Current Divers]
10 years ago, but as a kid I was always around water, living by the
Great Lakes makes it pretty hard not to be a bit of a water baby.
Casa London: How did you come to start the business here if
paddle boarding hadnt been a huge part of your life beforehand?
Kelly and I started it together. I was a bunch of different things, I
needed a job, and I was seeing paddle-boarding popping up all over
the place and thought it was a great opportunity.
Drew isnt based in one particular area, hes happy anywhere
where you can find a body of water, but a lot of his lessons take
place not far from London.
There is a conservation area in Delaware Creek, its about 25
minutes from London, so its accessible for Londoners after work.
There we do SUP Yoga and paddleboard lessons.
For the uninitiated, SUP Yoga is a quirky combination of yoga and
paddle boarding. That might sound a little crazy to some of you,
but what better way to help you relax than the sound of water
lapping gently at your board? And if youre worried about your
balance, falling off isnt frowned upon, its encouraged!

123
 If you fall off you just get back on, maybe youll get wet, maybe
you wont thats half the fun of it. The physical practice of yoga
is a lot of core, a lot of balance, and a full body workout, so the two
work very well together. A lot of yogis see it as taking they practice
to the next level, but for a brand-new person its a whole different
experience. You get a bit of paddling, a bit of yoga, and a whole lot
of smiles. If it feels like 40 degrees outside you might want to fall
in, it can be quite appealing!
Casa London: What is it that you love about paddle boarding?
There is so much you can do with it: rivers, surfing, you can just
play on the lake, flat water, yoga, and basic fitness work. You arent
even limited to flat calm sunny days I went for a New Years Day
paddleboard trip this year!
However, despite the undeniable beauty of the area, there are a
lot of water quality issues in Lake Erie Drew spoke at a town hall
meeting recently about the problems of water pollution from a
more emotional/personal point of view than what would be
expected from researchers, scientists, or campaigners.
Its a part of my life, I draw income from it, so that means that
from both a personal and economic point of view it makes sense to
have good water quality. Im also collaborating with a group who
started in Toronto called Waterkeeper. They provide swim maps
internationally now, pulling privately or publicly collected data and
displaying it on their app to try and raise awareness about water
quality. They are also starting a new project called The Watermark
Project that is collecting peoples individual stories about what their
favourite body of water means to them, be it Lake Erie or the Thames
running through London.
The goal with that is to get people thinking about clean water,
remember the fun they had, and making these stories a part of a
national database. A lot of regulations that are being put in place
are based on information that says this body of water isnt being
used recreationally so now we are building a database of how these
bodies of waters are being used in Canada, so they can be taken
to the government to say, you cant allow direct dumping here

124
bodies of waters are being used in Canada, so they can be taken to
the government to say, you cant allow direct dumping here because
people go swimming there in the summer.
Ontario used to have much stricter water regulation, but it was
slashed by the previous government, so these groups are pushing
back to protect these beautiful bodies of water. This summer
LondonSUP are running a handful of two hour classes (priced at a
very reasonable $45 plus tax) to teach people to paddle board,
teach them about the environmental work that is so close to Drews
heart, and let them see the beauty that Ontario has that need
protecting.
In addition to that, LondonSUP are running a new program at
Sharons Creek this summer for some less abled members of the
community. For a couple of years now Drew has been running
programs for people with disabilities and this year he has
partnered with an organisation called Abilities In Motion. They
provide opportunities for adaptive kayaking and paddling and this
year they will be launching up at Sharons Creek in collaboration
with London SUP.
My goal is to have everyone out experiencing the outdoors. We
live it a beautiful province, so we want to make it as accessible as
possible for everyone to enjoy.
LondonSUP can be found in Cross Current Divers at 396 Oxford
Street East, open Tuesday to Friday from 12.00 to 18.00 or 11.00
to 17.00 on Saturdays. If you want to find out more about any of
the work that London SUP do you can check out their website by
clicking here, or follow them on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
I youre interested in getting out to a LondonSUP event, on June
25th they are hosting an open day on Main Beach in Port Stanley
to kick off the summer with Surf the Greats, Life of Leisure Surf +
Social Club, and numerous other local companies! There will be
water side Yoga, beach cleanups, environmental groups discussing
water quality issues in our lakes, and prizes from their sponsors.

127
 London, ON

Or share this on Facebook with a hasht

chance to win a ticket to 5K Foam Fest
 Saturday August 19, 2017
Boler Mountain, 689 Griffith St
The 5K Foam Fest is a one of a
kind Obstacle Course based
Fun run.
With a variety obstacles and a
ton of foam the run is an exciting
challenge for experienced and
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The 5K Foam Fest is not a
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Walk it, Charge it, Run it, Fun it!
A festival atmosphere offering
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Family Pass: 5 family members

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Register for London here

tag #5KCasaLondon and get a

t in any canadian location
Share this page on Facebook* using the #forknhot
hashtag to win bottles of Forkn' Hot & Smokin
Habanero sauces with the $25 gift card from
Forked River Brewing Company.
*For London, ON residents only, aged 19 or older. The giveaway ends on July
28th. A winner will be chosen by a random selection.
 Kintore Coffee Co. is a small business
that specializes in roasting coffee from all
over the world.
We have traveled around the globe to
discover fresh and delicious coffee, and
now we are ready to share this powerful
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Try our best blends: The Rustic Blend
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Helping you getting back into good

coffees one cup at a time!
 COLOMBIAN FOOD
LATIN MUSIC
LOCAL CRAFT BEER
COLOMBIAN CULTURE
FUN
LAUGH
ENTERTAINMENT
CLICK FOR MORE DETAILS
 Whiprsnapr Brewing
14 Bexley Pl - Unit 106 Nepean, ON
(613) 596-9882
At Whiprsnapr Brewing they have a whole lot
of fun brewing beer and enjoying life. Founded
by three dads, Ian, Dave and Mike, who became
friends on trips to the pub during their kids dance
camps, they live by the philosophy of
#earnyourbeer - they work hard, and they play
hard!
This casual, fun brewery has a funky DIY feeling,
probably because they constructed most of it
themselves. The skids that the first kegs arrived
on were used to make tables and fence boards
from their home to make flight boards and
growler carriers there was no shortage of love,
sweat and beers put into this place.
They have been around for two and a half years
and what really stood out for me, besides the
beer, was all the wonderful things they do with
the community.
On Wednesdays they run the Wrecking Crew
where they have a crew of 5-10 volunteers come
in to make beer, clean kegs, learn about brewing,
and, of course, have a few beers. They also host
events for the Canadian Cancer Association and
for DIFD (Do It For Daron) that raises mental
health awareness. For DIFD they released a beer
called Slingr in partnership with hockey
celebrity Garry Galley, with five per cent of
proceeds donated to the charity at the Royal
Ottawa Hospital. They are passionate about the
community and like to help in any way they can.

Their tap handles are made of slingshots and

they pour numerous styles from their Root Of
All Evil Lager and Inukshuk IPA, to their creative
136
 Their tap handles are made of slingshots and they pour numerous
styles from their Root Of All Evil Lager and Inukshuk IPA, to their
creative flavours like Wintergreen and Blueberry Pancakes.
Every beer has a story that accompanies it, for example Ok Lah,
their Ginger Coriander Cream Ale is inspired by their work in South
East Asia. Ok Lah is slang for Got it in Singapore and they sure
got it when they brewed this beer. It has vibrant flavours and
aromas of coriander and ginger without being overpowering the
flavours sit just right along with its creamy mouthfeel. This beer
pairs well with spicy or savory foods.
The Troublemakr Black IPA is also pretty unique, they add cherry
wood smoked malts to the malt bill and with a ton of hops and dry
hopped with whole cone centennial it is bursting at the seams with
both bitterness and aroma. Its a big beer in terms of ABV and IBU
and its delicious.
Though they dont have a kitchen they encourage you to bring
in pizza and food from the local area to enjoy with their beer. The
bottle shop stocks bottles, cans, and growlers as well as some cool
shirts and other swag.
Raise a glass and bring out your inner Whiprsnapr by joining their
#earnyourbeer campaign on social media and working hard before
enjoying good beer. Though they are named after trouble makers,
I have seen they are a caring bunch making a real difference in the
area one beer at a time.
Website: whiprsnaprbrewingco.com/index.html
Facebook: www.facebook.com/whiprsnaprbrewingco
Instagram: www.instagram.com/whiprsnaprbrew
Twitter: twitter.com/whiprsnaprbrew
Hours:
Mon-Tueday Closed
Wednesday- friday 12-8
Saturday 12-6
Sunday 12-4

139
 Bitte Schon
68 Huron St, New Hamburg, ON
(519) 390-2000
Bitte Schn Brauhaus opened their doors in New Hamburg, ON, in
October 2016. Bitte schn, the semi-official slogan of New Hamburg,
means you're welcome in German, a sentiment that is quite fitting
for this friendly little brewery.
A New Hamburg historian and advocate, Marie Voisin, originally
approached Lee Brooks and Robin Molloy, co-owners, about
restarting the brewing tradition in her beloved town. You may
recognize Lee and Robins as the owners of Descendants in KW and
with that project already on the go, they decided to take the leap
and open Bitte Schon at the same time.
This quaint 100 sq ft brewery is crafting German Style beers like
Helles, Pilsners, Bocks, Cream Ales and Hefeweizens. Robin spent
some time living in Germany so the transition towards traditional
German styles of beer came naturally.
I had a glass of their Hefeweizen and was pleasantly surprised. Its
was fresh, sweet, and I found it somewhat juicy for a Hefeweizen
which was delicious. It poured a nice golden yellow and with lighter
notes of the banana and clove esters, I was in heaven. If you normally
steer clear of this style like myself, I highly recommend giving this
one a try.
Next up I tried the Lynnford Bock, it is layered with flavours and
aromas of toasted bread, dark fruit, light caramel and a light hop
bitterness to the finish.
Their taproom serves 12oz glasses of beer, a variety of craft sodas,
and a tapas style menu, and their beers are sold onsite in cans, bottles
and growlers.They strive to be involved with the community through
hiring locals and partnering with local community groups, business
and sport teams.
Tapping into the artistic side of New Hamburg, they host regular
paint nights and events with local artists that bring the community
together - you can find their full events calendar on their website
for more details!.

140
through hiring locals and partnering with local
community groups, business and sport teams.
Tapping into the artistic side of New Hamburg, they
host regular paint nights and events with local artists
that bring the community together - you can find their
full events calendar on their website for more details!
This couple can only manage the monumental task
of running two breweries with the help of their friendly
and hard-working staff. Be careful when you set foot
in this boutique brewery, as you may find it difficult to
leave behind!

Website: www.bitteschonbrauhaus.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/
bitteschonbrauhaus
Instagram: www.instagram.com/
bitteschonbrauhaus
Twitter: twitter.com/Bitteschonbrau

Hours:
Monday-Tuesday Closed
Wednesday-Saturday 11:00am-9:00pm
Sunday 12:00pm-5:00pm

143
 The Exchange Brewery
7 Queen St, Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON
(905) 468-9888
The Exchange Brewery (ExB) is
located in the quaint downtown of
Niagara on The Lake, the whole region
has a long, rich history of brewing, so
it is awesome to see craft beer re-
entering this wine country and finding
its groove again. The building
Exchange calls home was Niagaras
first telephone exchange and by using
that design theme for inspiration, they
have carved out a truly original
concept to help them stand out in an
industry that is exploding. The history
of building can be seen everywhere,
from the design of their taproom to the
flights and beers that go by numbers
rather than names.
With sky high ceilings, 19th century
architecture, and high end decor, it
would be easy to let the atmosphere
intimidate you, but dont worry, all the
employees are down to earth,
knowledgeable, and more than happy
to help you through the selection of
beer.
This bordertown brewery opened in
early 2016 and has been going strong
ever since, receiving awards from both
Canada and the US including Canadian
Brewery of The Year, along with 4
medals for selected beers, at the 6th
Annual NYIBC (New York International

144
medals for selected beers, at the 6th Annual NYIBC (New York
International Beer Competition). These awards are a true
testament to how hard Robin Ridesic, founder & CEO, and her team
have worked over the past 18 months. It is particularly inspiring
for me to see a female owner and staff at a brewery, even though
the site is becoming increasingly common, because (as you may
know) women were the original beer brewers!
Robin previously lived in Toronto where she was a homebrewer
and, surrounded by the great beer that the city has to offer, she
became a huge fan of hoppy IPAs and Sours. The Exchange features
a number of American styles, along with a growing focus on funky
Belgian-style beers, Sours, and barrel aged beers. This may be why
it is such a great fit for their brewer Sam, who hails from Michigan
and spent some time brewing at Jolly Pumpkin, Michigan - a well
known Sour-focused brewery. At The Exchange they focus on
making exceptional craft beers using only the highest quality
ingredients, this includes making use of their surroundings by
using local Niagara fruits and yeasts cultivated from local orchards.
Their brewery houses a 10 barrel system that is on display behind
the glass on the main level with 5 large fermenters and 8 brite
tanks in the basement running straight to their draft lines and taps
of their two bars.
The flights of beer are served on trays that look like old rotary
dial phones, so pick a beer and start dialing your way through! I
always love to discover a unique twist breweries can put on how
they present their flights of beer. I grew up with one of those
phones in my home, so it brings back fond memories of talking
away on it for hours with my friends in high-school. There is also
a modest menu offered to go with your beers.
The Amber Ale, AKA 2, is as delicious, malty ale with a subtle hop
presence that makes it very approachable. Its no wonder it is their
current top seller! The Session IPA (5) is exactly that, session-able,
this lower alcohol brew has a nice hop profile and the addition of
Saaz brings a nice spicy tang to the hop experience. The rest of
their collection vary from Saisons, Witbiers and Pale Ales, to

147
 their collection vary from Saisons, Witbiers
and Pale Ales, to Double IPAs, Porters,
Stouts. All their beers are bottled in
beautiful 750ml champagne bottles, which
gives every drink that classy feel.
It is fantastic to see craft beer returning to
Niagara, especially brewing of such high
quality! The beers are all worth at least a
taste and, with only a year under this
brewerys belt, I foresee a very bright and
tasty future.

Website: exchangebrewery.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/
theexchangebrewery
Instagram: www.instagram.com/
theexchangebrewery

Hours: 11am-9pm 7 days a week

148
 Camerons Brewing
1165 Invicta Drive Oakville ON
(905) 849-8282
Camerons Brewing out of Oakville, ON, has been passionately
crafting fine ales and lagers for 20 years and though they may be
known for their more traditional beers, they have been exploring
and creating new beers to their line up for some time and as Jason
Britton, Brewmaster, states In the end we want to put liquid to lips
and have a good time.
After a major rebranding last year they seem to have been
rediscovered by a lot of Craft Beer fans, they updated their look
and have introduced more of a storytelling element to their brand.
In the constant balancing act to keep beers interesting, intriguing,
but still drinkable, they continuously pursue the development of
new styles alongside the perfection of their classic ales and
lagers. Captains Log Lager, Amber Red Ale and Cosmic Cream Ale
make up their year-round, well balanced lineup and they start to
more adventurous as you venture into their seasonals and Oak Aged
brews and start to play with smokiness, hops and Brett.
With over 140 brewing excellence awards in their 20-year history
let's talk beer...
Pouring a dark brown with a frothy tan head, their Black Forest
Dark Lager is as smooth as velvet as the flavour shifts from toasted
chocolate to bread crust balancing out this classic Schwarzbier. If
we flip over to a lighter side of the malt bill we can find the go-
to balanced and refreshing Cosmic Cream Ale, brewed with a blend
of European Hops that brings on a floral and slight fruity backbone,
this ale comes out a beautiful golden hue that is easy to drink during
any season and is crisp. I also have to mention the Rye Pale Ale,
one of my favourites in their line up, which comes in at 6.6%. Its
made with a combination of seven different hops which gives you
quite a bitter taste, a large malt bill of 5 malts that adds sweetness,
and a large portion of rye that gives it a creamy mouthfeel - it's
perfect and delicious!

They have an impressive sized barrel room and have become

 They have an impressive sized barrel room and have
become famous for their special events and evenings,
like their Cast Nights, that you keep up to date with
on their social media. They pride themselves on
teamwork and rely on every member of the team to
make it all work as there are many moving parts to a
successful brewery, especially when it produces this
much beer.
It's worth a tour to check out all the bells and whistles
they have, including their foeder (pronounced FOOD-
er) which is basically a large wooden vat used to age
wine, but recently, many breweries have got a hold of
them to age their sour beers, and large amounts of it.
Camerons is currently available at The Beer Store,
LCBO stores, and on tap at many bars and restaurants
as far as Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. Their retail
space currently sells cans, bottles, and growlers and
will be soon expanding to include a bar, so soon youll
be able to pull up a stool and stay awhile.
The crew at Camerons are a very friendly bunch and
are proud Beer Artisans. What they are creating is well
worth you trying out.

Website: www.cameronsbrewing.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/cameronsbrewing
Instagram: www.instagram.com/
cameronsbrewing
Twitter: twitter.com/cameronsbrewing

153
 Square Timber Brewing Company
800 Woito Station Rd Pembroke, ON
(613) 732-2739
Ottawa is a big place, this great city holds a lot of breweries, but
beyond the edges of town there are hidden gems that need
discovering. As we wound our way through the Ottawa Valley we
stumbled upon Pembroke, ON, where the Square Timber Brewing
Co. resides.
Keep your eyes peeled for the wooden sign at the end of the
driveway and follow it the whole way to the end. There youll find
a his home and a little wooden cabin that houses Square Timber
Brewing. The rustic-styled brewery is spearheaded by brewer Marc
Bru, the sole owner and brewer, who greeted us with a smile as he
welcomed us to the tap room.
Square Timbers name pays homage to the surrounding land and
industry, the Ottawa Valley was settled on the square timber
logging industry where they would cut square logs to create cribs
(rafts) to float down the Ottawa river. The stunning artwork on
each beer fits perfectly with the history and tales behind the names
of each beer, though you could argue that the beer is the true work
of art here! As Marc talked us through the history of the area and
the brewery, it felt almost as if we were being taken on a stroll
through history.
Marc has a lengthy past working in the beer business, raised in
Saskatchewan he was surrounded by beer at a young age,
eventually working for his Dad in high school. He remembers first
discovering craft beer around the age of 20 like it was yesterday,
and even recalled the moment when stubbies were on their way
out and various versions of longnecks were on their way in. In the
early 2000s, he started a band that did numerous tours across the
US and, as they visited more and more craft breweries, his love of
craft beer grew more and more. The in 2005/06, he started to
homebrew and was a part of the Members of Barleyment
(homebrew club) which I was told has had over 11 breweries
created in the Ottawa area by former or current members. Marc
eventually did an internship in Michigan to learn more about the
155
 breweries created in the Ottawa area by former or current
members. Marc eventually did an internship in Michigan to learn
more about the brewing business and how to scale up to run a
brewery, eventually opening in 2014.
As he passed a sample of Timber Crib Pale Ale, a
straightforward American Pale Ale, across the handmade bar that
was fashioned from his father-in-law's favourite maple tree on
the property, I was smiling from ear to ear; you can truly feel all
the love and hard work that has been put into this space. I was a
big fan of the Pale Ale, it wasnt overly hoppy and showcased a
fresh flavour. I proceeded to sample the Deacon Seat
Hefeweizen labeled as an easy drinking German wheat beer. It
was smooth and refreshing, much like a lighter version of some
hefeweizens, and I didnt find the clove or banana notes from
the yeast to be too overpowering.
Marc kindly sent us home with a bottle of the Belgian Waffle
Maple Quad from 2015 that has been aging nicely. He has a nice
set up in the room surrounding the tap room with a 10 hec
system setup and 6 fermenters all labeled proudly with names
of past friends & family that are no longer with him. He brews
every couple weeks and, though he would spend his last $100
on Belgian beer, he has a variety of styles that he brews at
Square Timber. He expects his beers to be as rich and colourful
as the people, history, and culture of the Ottawa Valley.
The retail space sells cans and growlers to go and some shirts
to help spread the word of Square Timber. I highly recommend
making time to visit the brewery during their opening hours as
he is an incredibly interesting guy to chat to, especially over one
of his delicious brews!
Website: www.squaretimber.com/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/squaretimber
Twitter: twitter.com/squaretimber

Hours:
Friday: 3-6pm
Saturday: 1-4pm
156
 Perth Brewery
121 Dufferin Street, Highway 7
Perth, ON
(613) 264-1087
Just off Highway 7 youll find Perth
Brewery, a large, bright, open space
with a tasting bar at the front eagerly
waiting to greet you. They are crafting
a nice assortment of beers with a focus
on the rich brewing traditions of Perth.
Perth was originally a Scottish
settlement so they have adapted the
thistle into their logo as a little
nod their roots.
Jeremy, Terry & Cathy are all co-
owners of this family operated
brewery that has been operating since
1993. The passion and pride that they
all continue to show is contagious to
their staff and has not dissipated as
they have grown and expanded their
customer base and repertoire. They
now offer everything from easy
drinking lagers, to full flavoured ales,
and everything in between.
Their Bonfire Black Lager (available
at the LCBO) was a surprisingly light
bodied and flavourful drinking lager
with notes of roasted malts, oatmeal,
and mocha, yet the sweetness is far
from overpowering and the finish is a
slightly dry-clean hop finish. It is a
great beer to show people the
versatility that dark beers can have,

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 versatility that dark beers can have, they arent
all heavy and full bodied.
For the summer months you may want to seek
out their Calypso IPA, Summer Squeeze Citrus
Wheat, or Grapefruit Radler, they are all ready to
quench your thirst in the heat with exploding
juiciness and sessionable ABVs.
With a population that doubles in the summer
because of cottage goers, Perth get hands on in
community events including various festivals
like the Perth Kilt Run,where each runner gets
handed a Perth Craft Beer at the end.
Their Taproom has tall cans, and growlers on
sale and you can try some samples before you
decide what to get.
Perth is a great place to spend the day exploring
and this brewery is just another spot on the list
of places to discover. Stop by and take away some
beer as you will truly feel a part of the family.
Website: perthbrewery.ca
Facebook: www.facebook.com/PerthBrewery
Twitter: twitter.com/PerthBrewery

Hours:
Mon-Thurs: 9am-6pm
Friday: 9am-7pm
Saturday: 9am-5pm
Sunday: 12pm-4pm

160
 Refined Fool Brewing Co
137 Davis St, Sarnia, ON
(519) 704-1335
Refined Fool is run by an eclectic group of owners who come from
many different backgrounds but have joined together in the common
passion of creating delicious Craft Beer. They first started brewing
out of their houses in the middle of the Canadian winter with propane
burners and frozen hoses and have since evolved and expanded into
their own brewery space. They recently announced the opening of
a second larger location, although they are currently still brewing
full time out of their unique 2,200 sq ft brewery and tap room on
Davis St. in downtown Sarnia.
The brewery currently serves eight regular beers: Cream Ale,
Australian Pale Ale, Nut Brown, Rye Saison, IPA, Vanilla Porter, Double
IPA and Milk Stout. Their whimsically named beers (Pouch Envy
and Joe Sent Me) and commitment to regular seasonals have
become hallmarks of the brewery's flavour, creativity, and fun.
We arrived to a packed taproom with a funky vibe and on point
music as I settled into a glass of Illiterate Librarians and a game
of Operation TM. This Grapefruit IPA is all grapefruit on the nose
and to the sip with a slight juicy sweetness and a dry finish. Its
absolutely delicious and bitter enough to keep my mouth watering
for another sip.
I also had a pint of their Lets Play Jenga Before We Break Up
Cucumber Lime Pilsner - I can only imagine the crazy scene that must
have inspired that name! Ive recently developed a slight obsession
with cucumber notes in my beer, it sounds bizarre but its beautifully
refreshing and the tartness of the lime dries out the finish slightly. . Its
not over the top and hits just where it should!
In addition to delicious pints, they have tasty snacks on the menu
and retro board games to pass the time as you sip your way through
the beer. With a variety of recurring events, including Trivia Nights,
Comedy showcases, Theology on Tap, and Sip and Stitch, they attract
people from all walks of life, much like the owners themselves!
 They have a permanent listing at the LCBO, are
being served in over twenty pubs and
restaurant, and have recently been approved to
ship to their border town Michigan, so there
definitely are big things on the horizon for
Refined Fools. The retail space has plenty of
swag in addition to the bottles and growlers of
beer you can purchase onsite.
Youd be a true fool to not stop by Refined Fool
and take a couple of hours off to relax and take
in all this whimsical brewery has to offer. I cant
wait to see what the future brings for them!

Website: www.refinedfool.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/refinedfool
Instagram: www.instagram.com/refinedfool
Twitter: twitter.com/refinedfool

Hours:
Taproom Hours Sun-Wed 11am-11pm Thurs-
Sat 11am-2am Store Hours Everyday
11am-11pm

165
 Plan B Beer Works 174 St Paul St
St. Catharines, ON
(905) 688-2253
Plan B Beer Works is located in
downtown ST. Catherines, its
a small batch brewery you dont
want to miss! John Coates is the
owner, brewer, marketer,
bartender, janitor, and well you
get my point, he does it
all. Originally from Sherbrooke,
Quebec, John brings an East Coast
vibe to Plan B, most notably in the
Belgians and IPAs, but Unibroue
and Vermont beers also had an
influence on him early on. He
gives his Mr. Beer kit the credit
for giving him the brewing bug. He
became infamous amongst his
friends and family for bringing
along batches of his own freshly
brewed beer. John was constantly
experimenting, always asking
what if, so it was only natural
that he grew tired of playing
around with small brewing kits. His
interest turned to whole grain
brewing and he felt he wanted to
invest more in this hobby that was
fast becoming an obsession! In
2015, he made the move back to
Ontario, and has since retaken his
rightful title of family beer brewer,
much to the delight of his family.

167
 After a 6 months of roadblocks trying to get Short Hills Brewing
Brewery (Plan A) going in Pelham, he had to switch up plans and
re locate to his current location in St Catherines, hence the name
Plan B. The building Plan B is currently housed in is one of the
beautiful original town buildings from 1820 that are still standing
in this town! His 100L brew system sits keenly on display in the
taproom, its a small but mighty system, brewing double batches
three times a week of whatever he feels like brewing; John likes
to keep the schedule as organic and spontaneous as possible.
If you manage to catch John between his multitude of jobs around
the brewery, he is a great guy to talk chat to over a nice cold beer.
Youll find hell talk to you about everything from beer and brewing
to philosophy, he is always keen to learn and listen as well (a handy
trait to have when it comes to brewing beer). He comes from a
What dont I know What can I learn thought process and that
is key to continuing the growth of his business and brews.
Plan B has a wide variety of beer styles, his sole philosophy is
that if he can please his hardest critic, himself, then he can please
everyone else.
With his whimsical & fun approach to brewing, it's an great way
for rookies to discover craft beer, but if your palate already knows
its way around a brewery, there is plenty for you here as well! Plan
B is an 100% open source brewery, in fact, their recipes are on
display on their website as John feels it's only fair to share his
knowledge with other like-minded beer enthusiasts . From his 2
regular taps, 1st World Luxury (Blonde Ale) & Breakfast Stout
(Sweet Stout), to his 4 rotational taps, which usually includes one
IPA and something seasonal based on what he feeling like creating,
his skill and commitment is evident in the consistent quality and
flavor of his beers.
Unfortunately I was too late to try his popcorn cream ale (made
by adding popcorn into the mash) but quenched my thirst that day
with his Gose & IPA. I found the balance and taste was there, and
from aroma to finish I was seriously impressed. The Gose was a
lighter dose of sour on the palate and I love the subtle finish of
sea salt that lingers on your lips. The IPA is also a must try, with
168
a lighter dose of sour on the palate and I love the subtle
finish of sea salt that lingers on your lips. The IPA is
also a must try, with subtly flavored hops and nice citrus
tones that will leave you wanting another glass.
His brews are available by the glass at the brewery or
in crowlers to go! A crowler is a 32 oz can of beer - I
love them! Cans are more portable, quicker to cool, and
at this size, they are perfect for sharingif you want to,
that is. If youre lucky, you may even get to see the
crowler machine in action, they can fill your beer from
the tap and seal it right in front of your eyes. At the
moment, 99% of Plan Bs beer is sold out of their
taproom, so you have to make a visit if you want to try
their beer!
Plan B Beer Works is proof that amazing things can
happen when life derails your best laid plans!

Website: www.planbbeer.ca
Facebook: www.facebook.com/planbbeerworks
Instagram: www.instagram.com/planbbeerworks
Twitter: twitter.com/PlanBBeerWorks

Hours:
Tuesday Friday: 5pm-11pm
Saturday: 11-11pm
Sun-Mon: CLOSED

171
 Railway City Brewing Co.
130 Edward St, St. Thomas, ON
(519) 631-1881
The railway has been a major part of St. Thomas
since 1856 and it soon earned the title of Railway
City. So naturally when this brewery opened up,
they decided to name it after their home! Railway
City started crafting beer in 2008 and then in 2013
they relocated to their current and more spacious
14,000 sq ft brewhouse on Edward st.
Most known for their Dead Elephant IPA and Iron
Spike line, of 3 beers, they offer a wide spectrum
to please all types of beer lovers, including a steady
lineup of seasonals and a Side Show series where
their brewers creativity can shine with circus
inspired styles of beer. These have included Mystic
Fortune Teller Gruit, Strongman Belgian Style
Quad, and most, recently, FlameThrower, a spiced
farmhouse ale with five different peppers.
The taproom has a certain ambiance to it, it always
feels as if you are pulling up a stool for a beer after
a long day of work at the factory. With railway ties
worked into the flight boards the industrial feel is
present in all the little details, but the beer takes
you away from the blue collar taste and excites
your taste buds in more exotic ways.
I started with a sample of their Gruit, as I am
unsure of this style and wanted to give it a try. Gruit
is made with herbs instead of hops for bittering
and flavouring beer and was popular before the
extensive use of hops - they help to preserve the
beer. Their Mystic Fortune Teller was specifically
made with lavender, juniper berries, honey, orange
peel, and yarrow and I quite enjoyed my sample
glass. It was a nice blend of flavours and the orange
peel brought out some citrus and quite a bit of

172
Hours:
Mon-Wed, Sat: 11am -
8pm
Thurs-Friday: 11am - 9pm
Sunday: 11am - 5pm
peel, and yarrow and I quite enjoyed my sample glass. It was a nice
blend of flavours and the orange peel brought out some citrus and
quite a bit of tartness in the Gruit that complemented the
underlying lavender in both aroma and taste. With a pine notes
coming from the juniper berries, the traces of honey rounded out
the tartness of this beer wonderfully. The whole beer tastes like
a citrus herb garden on your palette and I was noticing subtle new
flavours with every sip - Ive had more than a few bottles in my
fridge since!
You may already have heard about their Dead Elephant IPA, and
if not it comes high recommended! It has a malty backbone that
is much more present than in some IPAs and, when combined with
the hop profile, it creates floral and almost perfumy undertones,
there is still a sharp citrus flavour present throughout and a strong
dry finish. This beer is a tribute to Jumbo the Elephant that travelled
with the P.T Barnum Circus and was tragically killed in a railroad
accident in the late 1800s in St. Thomas. You can see tributes
throughout the city to Jumbo, including a statue, several murals,
and now this fine hand crafted Pale Ale.
Their bottle shop is stocked with a variety of bottles, cans,
glassware, other merchandise, and growler refills are available as
well. Also keep your eyes open for their barrel reserve program
where they release small batches of 650 ml bottles with a wax
seal as they generally sell out within hours of releasing. You can
also find a few of their main brands at the LCBO.
Railway City is going full steam ahead on their journey of
exploration and creativity, after nine solid years they dont look
like slowing down anytime soon.
Website: www.railwaycitybrewing.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/RailwayCity
Instagram: www.instagram.com/railwaycitybrewing
Twitter: twitter.com/Railwaycity

Hours:
Mon-Wed, Sat: 11am - 8pm
175
 Common Good Beer Co.
475 Ellesmere Rd, Scarborough, ON
Common Good Beer Company is a
much needed addition to
Scarborough, ON, bringing Craft
Beer to the far east end of Toronto.
It was founded by Jamie Mistry, a
skilled brewmaster best known for
his previous stints at Amsterdam
Brewing and Cool Beer. I had heard
great things about Jamie from many
people in the industry and was eager
to meet the man behind the legend
and chat about his new project. You
see there is a twist on this brewery
concept, I guess you could say it's for
the Common Good as the brewery is
intended to be a space for contract
brewers and breweries looking to
expand production. Of course, with
brewing in Jamies blood, he is still
pleasing our palates with a small
batch series under the Common Good
brand name. Though he may not have
the big beard and tattoos that many
brewers do, he has over 20 years
experience and can brew alongside
the best of them.
He enjoys the operations side of
brewing just as much as the creative
side and with a 3,500 L brewhouse
theyre a busy team juggling logistics
and keeping other companies stocked
while creating beer for themselves.
 The pilot system is where a lot of
the Common Good one-offs are
created for pints and flights in the
taproom, a bright open space where
you can take in the view of the
brewhouse.
There are 7 taps to explore in the
taproom. Common Goods Small
Batch Series of beers are numbered,
instead of named, in the order of
when they are brewed and are sold
exclusively at the brewery. So before
the Sociable Pilsner made it to the
LCBO it was just called "No. 1 Pilsner"
as it was the first beer they brewed
and canned.
All the other beers available on our
rotating taps at the brewery don't
have numbers as they are mostly one
offs that are on tap for limited times.
I recently had a fantastic No. 7
American Pale Ale, it hit all the marks
and was incredibly refreshing. It was
a nice combo of citrus and earthiness
from the hops and, with a nice malt
in the background, it was smooth to
drink and has peaked my interest to
discover what is being brewed there
on a regular occasion.
Tune into Social Media to discover
what is currently on tap or available
for purchase in growlers and cans to
take away.
 This concept is unique in Ontario and a very smart
move on Jamies part with the growing industry. I love
to see people being innovative and I am equally excited
to see him still brewing beers for us all to enjoy, while
being a role model for others. I raise a glass to you
Common Good!

Website: commongoodbeer.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/commongoodbeer
Instagram: www.instagram.com/
commongoodbeer

Hours:
Brewery
Monday - Friday
9 AM 5 PM

Beer Store:
Monday - Wednesday
11 AM 5 PM
Thursday - Saturday
11 AM 7PM
Sunday
Closed

179
 New Limburg Brewing Co
2353 Nixon Rd, Simcoe, ON
(519) 426-2323
Its always recess at this school in Nixon, ON, as New Limburg
Brewing Co have transformed this former public school into a
microbrewery. It was one of the first sunny days of spring when
we pulled up to the schoolyard packed with beer and conversation
flowing.
It is owned and operated by a family from the Netherlands who
started out brewing as a hobby. Jo (dad) and Mischa (son) were
avid home brewers and were inspired to brew the Belgian style
beer they were missing from back home - they soon decided that
their beer was too good to keep to themselves. They opened in the
fall of 2015 and word soon spread of the quality beer they were
producing, I have heard nothing but praise for both the beer and
brewery itself!
As you wander through the hallways youll find an old classroom
converted to the taproom (complete with a chalkboard menu), the
girls washroom repurposed as a brew room, and the fermenters
housed in the former library.
 We ordered two pints from the chalkboard menu and some
Bitterballen, a traditional Dutch treat. I ordered their recent award
winning Belgian IPA that won gold at this year's Great Ontario-
Hopped Craft Beer Competition. The contest is rather unique
within Ontario, brewers are paired with a local Ontario hop farmer
to create the style of beer specified for that year with their
hops. Hayhoe Hops was the contributing hop yard for this award
winning beer and I was lucky it was on tap that day as it has become
so popular that they cant keep it in stock. It is extremely smooth
for 8.5% and has a nice push and pull between the Belgian spices
of the yeast and the bitterness of the hops, the fruity start that
moves into a dry spicy finish that leaves you wanting more.
I also had a taste of the Black Sheep (a milk stout) that day, this
full bodied brew is bursting with the roasted flavour of chocolate
and vanilla, whilst the additional lactose gives it a smooth
finish. They also stock a Belgian Blond, Petit Blond (a light version
of the Belgian), Dubbel (a traditional Belgian dubbel), Tripel (a
traditional Belgian tripel that snagged a silver at the Ontario
Brewing Awards) and Wit (a Belgian wheat that was popular during
the summer).
Their two barrel system gets a steady work out a few times a
week, so their customers can enjoy beer by the glass in the taproom,
 taproom, take it home by the bottle
or growler, or find it n bottles at the
LCBO.
So why not take some time out of
your day to travel to one of Norfolks
finest breweries and, while you're
there, take a trip down memory lane
to consider how good school could
have been with a beer in your hand!

Website: newlimburg.com
Facebook:
www.facebook.com/
NewLimburgBrewery

Hours:
7 Days a week 1-10pm
Last call is at 9pm.
* Bar is closed every Monday and
Tuesday, Retail remains open.

182
 Black Swan Brewing Co.
144 Downie st Stratford, ON
(519) 814-7926
Whether you are in the Stratford area for the theatre, or for one of
their delicious restaurants, you can now add a Brewery visit to the
list! Black Swan Brewing is located in the downtown core of Stratford,
and with a tap room attached to the brewery you have a place to sit
down with friends old and new and enjoy a delicious pint or two of
their brew.
Their name was inspired by a black swan that was often seen round
the town, the black swan pictured in the logo is diving down my guess
it is referring to the good ol saying of Bottoms Up! Upon entering
the brewery I was greeted by the delicious aroma of brew day (I really
wish I could bottle that scent) and quickly found myself a seat in their
taproom with a flight of 4 beers. Beer flights are such a great creation
which allow us to explore what breweries have to offer. A flight of
beer commonly comes in a serving of 4 varieties of beer each in a
4oz glasses. It allows you to explore more of the styles of beer in one
sitting without having to have 4 large glasses. It was love at first
sight, smell & sip
Both owners are local middle school teachers (of science & music)
and have a long history of home brewing, so it seems only appropriate
that they would venture into opening a Craft Beer brewery, as its a
mix of science & art! Coming from teaching both owners relished the
challenge of opening up their own business.
I was struck by the incredible sense of community that I saw in this
place, surrounding business owners were popping in to say hi,
grabbing a growler, or taking the time for a chat & a pint. Though
they have been open for 3 years, Ryan (owner) mentioned how quickly
they developed a strong and passionate local fan base and, while
they generate a lot of business through tourism, they are delighted
to remain connected to the local community - youll find some of
their beers on tap in some of the tasty surrounding restaurants.
 Now onto the beer
With both a year-round and seasonal selection of beers, there is
no shortage of flavor. You can expect to see their 5 year-round
beers on tap, with an addition to 3-4 more seasonals or one offs
rotating through the year available in 12 & 20 oz pints.
Alternatively, you could grab a flight to taste a variety and choose
your favourite to take home.
With a nice variety of both malt forward and hop forward beers
the one I always love to indulge in is their Raspberry Wild Child a
Berliner Weisse, which is a German sour beer that uses natural
fermentation to produce a tart, citrusy, flavour. You would never
guess its 3.9%, but you can definitely tell it is award winning. Its
now available year round and, believe me, its a beauty, although
admittedly I may be a little bias towards the name as I am pretty
sure my parents called me that growing up. Or still do?
Their English Pale Ale (EPA) is a traditional, malt-forward, British
Style beer. It has that beautiful light copper colour and though it
is malt forward you enjoy the slight hop flavour and light bitterness
the hop selection provides. It begins with a mild toffee sweetness,
and moves to a nice, biscuity, toasted-bread from the malt, followed
with the grassy, leafy hop notes of a British Hops. It finishes
bittersweet and is Medium-light in body, with gentle carbonation
levels true to style.
Their packaged beer comes solely in growlers, both 32oz & 64oz.
There is a $4 deposit on the Growler and you can come in and
exchange their branded growler for another, though prices do vary
on the beer. Here at Black Swan they fill their own growlers to
ensure cleanliness and allow for their own quality control. The
brewery exchanges the used, dirty growlers for ones that have
been cleaned at the brewery, so you dont have to worry about
cleaning your own. As far as quality goes, their filling method is
to use a counter pressure C02 filler that purges oxygen out of the
growler before filling it with fresh draught. This keeps the beer
fresh for a longer time.

Though they dont have a kitchen on site, they occasionally have

186
 The brewery exchanges the used, dirty growlers for ones
that have been cleaned at the brewery, so you dont have
to worry about cleaning your own. As far as quality goes,
their filling method is to use a counter pressure C02 filler
that purges oxygen out of the growler before filling it with
fresh draught. This keeps the beer fresh for a longer time.
Though they dont have a kitchen on site, they
occasionally have local food brought in, such as
charcuterie boards, and there are some chips you can snack
on as well. Stratford is also renowned for its culinary
excellence, so be sure to ask what they have or where to
eat while youre there. They even have a gorgeous
selection of shirts, hats, glasses, and more in their retail
section to buy and wear with pride as you remember what
is sure to be a great day in Stratford at the Black Swan.

Website: www.blackswanbrewing.ca
FB: www.facebook.com/blackswanbrewingco/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/blackswanbrewing/

Hours: Monday 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Tuesday 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Wednesday 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Thursday 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Friday 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Saturday 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Sunday 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM

188
 Bandit Brewery
2125 Dundas St W, Toronto, ON
Springtime means the return of rain, mud, flowers, longer days,
and raccoons - the mischievous mascot of Bandit Brewery in
Toronto, ON. Though they just celebrated their 1st birthday, they
are far from craft brewing rookies. Co-owner Stephane pulls
inspiration from his home country of France and from time spent
living in Germany, and it seems only appropriate that he met
Shehzad (the co-owner) drinking Craft Beer at another brewery
back in 2012. He is to blame for introducing Shehzad to the whole
brewing process after they started to brew together in his
backyard, all while enjoying their previous batches. They soon
took the leap, quit their jobs, started Bandit Brewery, and havent
looked back since.
They converted a former auto shop into an open-concept
brewery, complete with a stunning taproom and patio, that brings
people together through great beer. Though Stephane and
Shehzad are great friends, they have opposite tastes in beer which
keeps things interesting, but the deciding vote lies with Julian and
Ben, the current brew-masters of Bandit. They have a focus on
IPAs and Saison styles and strive to never brew a beer too sweet
or one that exceeds 1000 IBUs.
Julian got his start in Montreal and brought some influence from
the wonderful beers in that area - he is currently enjoying creating
beer using fruit on the 10 barrel system at Bandit. Ben is another
great result of Niagaras Brewing program, he enrolled there after
attempting a PolyScience program at UBC which resulted in him
starting up a homebrew club on campus. These two seem happy
and at home here at Bandit, and they continue to make a variety
of beers that are worth exploring.
I particularly enjoyed their 8 Days a Week, single Citra Hopped
session IPA (and not just because of The Beatles reference). It was
crisp and refreshing with the aromas and flavours of tropical fruits
like pineapple and guava punching through - a very clean tasting
beer with smoothed out bitterness and a neutral malt bill, its an

191
 like pineapple and guava punching through - a very clean tasting
beer with smoothed out bitterness and a neutral malt bill, its an
IPA that really showcases the Citra Hops.
Bandits APA is a staple in the line of Bandit beers and comes
highly recommended for everyone. Pale Ales are generally straight
forward compared to other styles with a simple malt bill
highlighting the qualities of the hop varieties used. Bandits APA
has notes of honey and fruit aromas to add a little more depth to
this style.
At Bandit Brewery they have created a delicious menu of dishes
theyve enjoyed eating during their beer-drinking travels - you
need to try the beer-battered cheese curds!
Their bottle shop is stocked with a rotating selection of their
brews and, of course, there is branded glassware and shirts
available.

They have a great sized patio considering the limited space

192
 They have a great sized patio considering the limited space
Toronto sometimes offers, so grab a seat at a long table, get your
paws on their beer, and make some new friends.
Website: banditbrewery.ca
Facebook: www.facebook.com/banditbrewery
Instagram: www.instagram.com/bandit_brewery
Twitter: twitter.com/banditbrewery
Brewpub Hours:
Monday Thursday : 5PM 12AM
Friday : 5PM 1AM
Saturday : 12PM 1AM
Sunday : 12PM 12AM
Bottleshop Hours:
11AM to 11PM every day

193
 Cooks Book is a pocket-sized
quick reference guide that will
help you work even more
quickly and efficiently in the
kitchen.
It provides invaluable
information from sous vide
temperatures to butchery
diagrams, and you can even
add your own notes, ideas and
techniques.
The cover is made with YUPO
synthetic paper which is
waterproof, tear, chemical
and stain-resistant.
 Halo Brewery
247 Wallace Ave Toronto, ON
(416) 606-7778
Larger spaces are few and far between in Toronto and come
with a hefty cost, thankfully Halo Brewery has found a quaint
space to call home and brew some quality beers, just on the
other side of the tracks from the Junction Triangle. They may be
new to the Craft Brewing game, but it seems like they have been
around for years.
Owners Eric and Callum had grown tired of the fizzy yellow
selection labeled beer at our provincial beer stores, so they
decided to have a crack at homebrewing and over the stovetop
one night Halo was born.
The vivid icons on the bottles and slick looking labels are what
first caught my eyes, but its the flavor forward creativity of the
beers that keep me coming back. Instead of brewing by
traditional style guidelines, they tend to think about beer in
terms of flavours and aromas. Their style leans towards hop
present and fruity, spicy, sour beers, showing roots in the Belgian
and American brewing philosophies, but adding their own
experimentation along the way. They are also a proud open
source brewery and will gladly share all their recipes and
processes with the community.
They continue to demonstrate a passion for using fruit to create
experimental and delicious beer like their Double Lucky, an IPA
with mango. The tart sweetness of mango dances with the pine
from the hops and it has a glorious aroma from the dry-hopping.
A standout for me was their Tokyo Rose Saison with Rosehips,
its a sessionable beer with hints of rose, spicy floral notes, and
the lemony aroma from the Sorachi Ace hops. I was so intrigued
by this beer and it did not disappoint, the colour and aroma are
mesmerizing and the smooth flavour and peppery finish are
delicious - I cant wait till they brew it again.
Their taps are always rotating so tune into their website or

197
 social media for an update on whats pouring and
what is available in bottle shop. They serve the best
pepperettes and have local food pop-ups to satisfy
the foodie in you and the taproom is a cozy space
with hip decor and a community feel to it.
Overall, I love what these guys stand for, they are
geeks at heart, pushing the boundaries of Craft
Beer all while welcoming more breweries to join
the movement, and wont stop pushing the
envelope on styles until your grandma and her
friends start talking about sours. They have some
amazing creative flavours and unique recipes, my
only complaint is that I dont live next door.

Website: www.halobrewery.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/HaloBrewery
Instagram: www.instagram.com/halobrewery
Twitter: twitter.com/halobrewery

Hours:
Monday Closed
Tuesday 3pm - 9pm
Wednesday 3pm - 9pm
Thursday 3pm - 9pm
Friday 3pm - 9pm
Saturday 11am - 9pm
Sunday 11am - 9pm

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 Louis Cifer Brew Works
417 Danforth Ave, Toronto, ON
(647) 350 - 5087
Louis Cifer Brew Works is a brewpub with a mouth
watering menu for both food and craft beer and,
amongst the large selection of creations they brew
on site, they have filled the other taps solely with
other independently owned Craft Breweries. This put
a huge smile on my face as I love to see craft breweries
support and promote one another!
Danforth area is highly populated with restaurants
and brewpubs, so you need something pretty unique
to stand out from the crowd here. Husband and wife,
Craig and Erin, created Louis Cifer three years ago
with a flavour-packed, upscale pub menu and a bar-
full of craft beers, and it is safe to say it has been a
hit with the locals. It is a bright wide open space with
roll up doors in the front and a cool view of the brewing
equipment.
Though they all contribute to creative ideas behind
the beers, Connor is the current brewer, he takes the
ideas and turns them into reality, through both the
pilot system then onto the main 10 hec brew house.
They have already won several awards for their beers
across a range of styles from Belgian Wheat, American
Brown Ale, and Dry Irish Stout, to Lemongrass Thai-
PA, Spruce Tip IPA, and Experimental APA! Influenced
by the Craft Beer World to both keep it simple and
have fun with the flavour, there is no style they wont
try.
I couldnt resist ordering a Coconut Lemongrass
Thai-PA to go with my spicy chicken burger and it was
a match made in heaven. IPAs pair beautifully with
spicy dishes as the bitterness can increase the heat
and cut through the fattiness or richness of the dish.

200
This particular beer was so interesting, with an
intoxicating aroma of lemongrass and a slight sweetness
from the coconut. It wasnt overly bitter and finished
quite smooth with a lingering note of lemongrass. It was
fun to drink and reminded me of one of the many green
curry dish I enjoyed in Thailand
It is kid friendly atmosphere with a treasure chest to
choose from and every Sunday night at 7pm they host a
movie night with free admission and popcorn. Check
out their website to discover what is playing, July has
my name written all over it!
Currently you can just buy growlers to take home the
creative brews, but cans are coming in the near future!
If this is the direction brewpubs are going, then the
future will be lined with great food, tasty beer, and
awesome adventures.

Website: www.louisciferbrewworks.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/
LouisCiferBrewWorks
Instagram: www.instagram.com/louisciferbw
Twitter: twitter.com/LouisCiferBW

Hours:
REGULAR HOURS
MON - WED 11:30AM - 12:00AM
THURS/FRI 11:30AM - 2:00AM
SATURDAY 11:00AM - 2:00AM
SUNDAY 11:00AM - 12:00AM

BREW STORE HOURS

MON - FRI 11:30AM - 11:00PM
SAT - SUN 11:00AM - 11:00PM

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 Your group has 60 minutes to find its way out of a
mysterious room. This is accomplished by using logic,
searching for clues and using unique items in the room
to help you get through obstacles like locks and doors,
etc. Once your team makes it through all the of the
puzzles contained within the game you will find the final
key; and unlock yourself to freedom. Will you escape?

www.adventurerooms.ca
 Beaus All Natural Brewing Company
10 Terry Fox Dr., Vankleek Hill, ON
(866) 585-BEER
Beaus has been a household name for
Craft Beer Drinkers for some time now and
have gained local fame as a family-owned,
community driven, certified organic, and
totally independent brewery. However,
last year the father-and-son co-founders,
Tim and Steve Beauchesne, dropped some
big news on the craft beer fans across
Ontario that they were selling to their
employees that is, making Beaus one of
several employee owned breweries
starting to emerge across the province.
From the beginning in 2006, the focus
was on family, employees, and, of course,
crafting the best beer they can. I have had
the pleasure of watching them grow from
appealing to casual beer drinkers to real
beer geeks over the years.
Their rustic taproom/retail space sits next
to the brewery packed with shiny
equipment, wood, and decor covered in
Beaus branding, and they even have a
covered patio to enjoy their beers outdoors
- its grown a lot in five years from the retail
space originally being the size of a closet.
Some of their well known beers are of
course Lug Tread, the beer that started it
all and has recently been released into
355ml cans in the LCBO, but Tom Green
Milk Stout, Nordic Pale Ale, and Golden Vox
are right up there as regulars. I would also

207
like to shed some light on their Farm Table series, it features
sessionable beers inspired by tradition and brewed true to classic
style. The majority are available in 600ml bottles, making them
ideal for sharing or replacing the bottle of wine on your table at
dinner.
There is so much going on at Beaus that it can feel a little
overwhelming on where to start, but let them and their website
guide you through all that is available and soon youll relax as you
discover there is so much more to Beaus than Lug Tread.
I was eager to dive into the delicious and recently released Full
Time I.P.A , its a beautiful hazy deep gold with a dense white foam
that lingers. The aromas are of citrus, tropical fruit, and pine thanks
to the American and New Zealand hops. The flavour mimics the
aroma and bursting with juicy fruit. This long awaited ale finishes
dry with lingering traces of hop and fruit notes.
I was also fortunate to receive a Slideway Rauch Maibock
collaboration that they did with Side Launch while I was at the
Canadian Brewing Awards this year. Steve, the co-owner, was the
keynote speaker for the event and what a speech he gave, he kindly
reminded the young adults of today how lucky they are to be
surrounded with amazing beer as when we were growing up we
were not so fortunate. He wears his heart on his sleeve and is truly
brewing beer for the love of it, all whilst remaining keen to help
the industry as a whole and grow together in the fight against
larger corporations.
They currently hold a B Corporation certification, which requires
companies to adhere to specific social and environmental
sustainability standards (1 of 3 in Canada), and run a number of
fundraising projects to promote sustainable farming and brewing,
including a collab with David Suzuki Foundation, a farmhouse Ale
with organic honey and bee balm.
Their beer is readily available at the LCBO and has tapped into
many pubs and restaurants across Canada for you to enjoy and tell
friends about. The artwork and creative work is done by four full-
time artists that work in house and with some 200 staff now

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friends about. The artwork and creative work is done by four
full-time artists that work in house and with some 200 staff
now employed across the brewery, they are a fantastic
example of independence in a corporate dominated market.
Food is now available Friday, Saturday, and Sundays (May
20th -September 3rd) and their taproom and retail space is
filled with t-shirts, hats, posters, coolers and is open seven
days a week for tours and tastings. Bottles, assorted mixed
packs, and growlers are all available for purchase and they
run events throughout the year including a crazy
Oktoberfest, so be sure to check out their website to discover
what is coming up next!
I believe on my journey of learning more about Craft Beer
and what I enjoy Ive become more focused on IPAs, Sours,
Brown Ales and other flavoured beers. Before visiting Beaus
I wasnt aware that this was the direction that they had been
heading in for a couple years. Beaus is taking it up a notch,
making beer for every level of craft beer consumer, its
fantastic to see! I guess thats the whole point to what I do.
Their values and camaraderie are contagious, so lets raise
a glass to Beaus and to the independent Craft Beer
community too!
Website: https://beaus.ca
Facebook: www.facebook.com/BeausBrewery
Instagram: www.instagram.com/beausallnatural
Twitter: https://twitter.com/beausallnatural
YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/BeausAllNatural
Hours:
Monday - Sunday 10am-6pm
Events:
Oktoberfest Friday September 22nd Saturday
September 23rd, 2017

211
 Lake Wilcox Brewing Co
1033 Edgeley Blvd #3, Vaughan, ON
Named after a Lake Wilcox in the
community of Oak Ridges, that has long
been a spot to enjoy a day relaxing by
the lake, where time with friends and
family are as important as slowing
down in this busy world. Co-owners
Dave and Ray wanted to recreate that
feeling while enjoying a good beer so
they brought Lake WIlcox Brewery to
life and, though it is near the city, you
feel miles away from the busy streets.
Since opening the doors in the heart
of Vaughan in the fall of 2016 they have
been a welcoming community, with
people from all backgrounds attending
and enjoying their events. Being next
to Vaughn Mills its a great place to have
a beer break while shopping in the area.
Their line up of beer is fairly extensive,
with up to twelve beers on tap at one
time, so there's quite a selection to
enjoy. They have four regular taps, Mad
Quacker Vienna Amber Lager, Black
Hops Black IPA Belgian Style, Lake
House Craft Lager, and Bandit APA, so
there is plenty of room for seasonals
and one-off creations.
The Black Hops Belgian Black IPA
recently won silver at the Ontario
Brewing Awards and is my favourite
beer of theirs so far. Black IPAs are not
easy to come by but hold a special place
in my heart, itpours as indicated, black

212
 beer of theirs so far. Black IPAs are not easy to come by but hold
a special place in my heart, itpours as indicated, black with a tan
head and lures you in with a chocolatey aroma with citrus and pine
undertones To taste you get pronounced cocoa flavour which
disappears and turn into a nice hoppy bite in the slightly dry finish.
The Mad Quacker Amber Lager is a Vienna Style and uses a seven
malt, two hop combo, to create a beautiful amber colour with a
notable amount of toasted malt character and a rich flavour with
a low to medium hop bitterness.
Their Mad Quaker Lager and Black Hops IPA is available in some
Beer Stores and LCBOs, and their taproom sells cans, bottles, and
growlers to take with you alongside some shirts and glassware.
Their modern taproom has an open view of the brewery so you
may catch them hard at work creating your beer while you can
enjoy a 12oz glass of beer or a flight.

214
 Tours are offered every Saturday and Sunday at 12:00p.m., 1:00p.
m. and 2:00p.m and if you are an Oyster lover, like myself, they
have a freshly shucked Oyster Happy Hour every Saturday from
12-4pm.
Lake Wilcox surprised me, they had a great lineup of beer and
with friendly, knowledgeable staff, it was great for conversation
and learning more about the craft of brewing.
Website: www.lakewilcoxbrewing.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/LakeWilcoxBrewing
Instagram: www.instagram.com/lakewilcoxbrewing
Twitter: twitter.com/wilcoxbrewery
Hours:
Monday - Wednesday 11 am - 6 pm
Thursday - Friday 11 am - 9 pm
Saturday 11 am - 6 pm
Sunday 12 pm - 5 pm
 Stone House Brewing Co.
76050 Parr Line, Varna, ON
(519) 281-1167
This small charming stone house in Varna, ON,
is home to Stone House Brewing Company. Mike,
the owner, brewer, marketer, and sampler,
opened the doors in May 2016 and has been
brewing just one beer ever since, his signature
Pilsner.
He has some history in the beverage industry
and, after watching the craft beer industry grow
and develop over the past few years, he decided
to join in on the fun and build a brewery on his
property. Eight times last summer, he sold out of
his 2,000 litres of beer before the next batch was
ready, Pilsner takes much longer to create, so
timing is everything, but he is prepared this year
for another busy summer of brewing. Mike is the
owner, brewer, retail, marketing and sampler he
proudly gets it all done.
Now to some Pilsner may seem like a simple
beer but to perfect its crisp clean taste can be an
art.
The birth of the Pilsner can be traced back to
the city of Plzen (or Pilsen) which is situated in
the western half of the Czech Republic. Pilsner
beer was first brewed back in the 1840's and is
light straw to golden color, the hops are very
prevalent, usually with a spicy bitterness and or
a spicy floral flavour, and the aroma, one of the
defining characteristics of the Saaz hop, is not
the kind of citrus, piney hop youre used to in an
IPA.
Mike makes his Czech Pilsner with two-row

217
 Canadian Barley, Saaz hops, and water from his very
own well. There is more of an aroma to his beer than
you might find in some other Pilsners which
complements the slight sweetness you get when you
raise the glass to your lips. It does however still drink
to the characteristic of the Saaz, with signature spicy
undertones whilst still managing a crisp finish on some
bread crust notes. As I sip, nestled in this beautiful
brewery, Mike smiles from ear to ear. He is a man who
is clearly in his element when taking tours around the
brewery, never failing in his hospitality and always
showing his dedication to quality and tradition. Mikes
beer combined with his winning personality makes
Stonehouse Brewing a must to visit for any beer
enthusiast.

Website: www.stonehousebrewing.ca
Facebook: www.facebook.com/stonehousebeer

Hours:
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday 11:00 am - 6:00 pm
(closed Tuesdays)
Friday, Saturday 10:00 - 7:00 pm
Sunday 10:00 - 5:00 pm

218
 Innocente Brewing Company
283 Northfield Dr E Unit 8A Waterloo, ON
(519) 725-1253
What do you get when you combine a PhD Doctoral Fellowship
studying brewing yeast, with a brew making obsession for hopped
up beer? Steve Innocente!
Steve Innocente is the brewer and co-owner, alongside his
brother Dave, of Innocente Brewing Company. They opened in
the North East of Waterloo, ON, in May 2014 in a strip mall. Steve
did an eight year stint in Edinburgh, Scotland, doing his post-doc
and pursuing his love of Craft Beer whilst contracting out of
Alechemy Brewing. His first beer, "Innocente Bystander", a 4%
ABV, 125 IBU American Pale Ale, took local pubs by storm and,
upon returning home in 2012, Steve and his brother got to work
creating a diverse selection of full flavoured beers for their very
own brewery.
Their lineup consists of IPAs, Double IPAs, Porters, Dubbels,
Imperial Stouts, Scotch Ales and a Pilsener for fun. Though he has
dialed down a few of his beers to better suit the market around
him, his beers are a great way to explore the layers of flavours a
beer can have and learn what quality craft beer is all about. The
Bystandard now clocks in at 50 IBU rather than 125, but is still
accompanied by aromas of grapefruit and passion fruit and sweet
malt undertone of German malts, its delicious!
The Charcoal Porter is a great example of the collaboration beers
they do with local restaurants, with this being brewed with The
Charcoal Groups Beertown. With hints of roasted coffee and
chocolate, the earthy hops come through and leave you with a
crisp finish.
The Scottish influence is evident in their willingness to work
together with other local breweries, their impressive collection
of barrels that they brew in, and their love for creating cask
beers. Every Friday they tap a unique cask that gets poured until
it is gone.
 You can find the Bystandard and the porter in
some LCBOs and, of course, they happily serve
pints in the taproom and have both 500ml
bottles and growlers to purchase along with
some unique 2L and 4L Stainless Steel
Growlers that are insulated to keep your beer
cold and fresh.
I really admire the attention to detail they
have at Innocente as well as their willingness
to stick to their guns. They are creating bold,
awesome beers and the Craft Beer World is
ready to drink them.

Website: www.innocente.ca
Facebook: facebook.com/
innocentebrewingcompany
Instagram: innocentebrew
Twitter: @innocente_brew

Hours of operation:
Monday Wednesday: 11am-7pm
Thursday Friday: 11am-9pm
Saturday Sunday: 11am-5pm

223
 Brew Microbrewery
635 University Ave E, Windsor, ON
(226) 246-0720
Brew Microbrewery was founded
by brothers Jordan and Josh Goures,
and three years in they are still going
strong. Located at 635 University
Ave in Windsor, ON. The craft
brewery side of Brew launched in a
rather unconventional manner, by
brewing a Lager. They wanted bring
their own unique angle on this old
classic, giving everyone a reason to
try it! They have since created more
flavour forward beers, such as their
Canadian Maple Ale or Black and
Brew Chocolate Stout, but they are
always well balanced and easy to
drink!
They do pull some influence from
the US, as they are right across the
river from Michigan, and though they
are more inspired by sessionable
beers, they love what they can
discover and take inspiration from,
from their neighbours over the
border. The Black and Brew
Chocolate Stout, a tribute to the
chocolate factory that they now
occupy, beginswith strong and
lingering notes of dark chocolate and
finishes with a bittersweet balance
that leaves you licking your lips.

225
 Their Canadian Maple Brew is a malty yet smooth Maple Ale, with
a spice that comes from the fresh ginger root and finish drenched
in Canadian maple goodness.
There is a hip tasting room set up for pints, and a light menu
which features delicious pizza, that you can enjoy while
overlooking their 7bbl system that they brew twice a week on. If
you like to party then Unfiltered Fridays is the night for you, they
tap a keg of their beer and you can enjoy it until its gone from
7-9pm for just $10!
They also good use of their large basement, for example in
October they opened a Brew Basement Butchering, a haunted
house that has been labeled as one of the most extreme haunted
houses around - Ive heard and many victims, I mean people, dont
make it through. They even brewed a special beer for the season,
the Walking Red Spiced Amber Ale the Goures are huge Walking
Dead fans, hence the name, and this beer is overflowing with
enough scents of cinnamon, cloves, and ginger to calm your nerves
as you await your turn..
Their beer is for purchase solely at the brewery in eye catching
cobalt blue flip top bottles and they have some t-shirts they press
themselves for sale.
With a great vibe, vibrant blue bottles, interesting and delicious
beers, and some incredible Halloween spirit, it is evident that these
guys take time to pay attention to all the little details; thats what
makes this place so special. Thanks for the hospitality boys, I
promise Ill be back in October!
Website: brewwindsor.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/brewwindsor
Instagram: www.instagram.com/brewwindsor
Hours:
Tuesday Thursday: 12 pm 9 pm
Friday and Saturday: 12 pm 11 pm
Sunday: 5 pm 9 pm

226
 Craft Heads Brewing Company
89 University Ave W Windsor, ON
(226) 246-3925
As I took my first 7 steps descending down the stairs into Craft
Heads Brewing Company, I had so many things running through
my mind, but by the time I left I was utterly speechless. Whoever
coined the phrase "bigger is better" had clearly never set foot in
Craft Heads Brewing Company because here, small is beautiful.
When it comes to craft beer, brewing on a tiny system can yield
some huge advantages. In an industry where space is tight,
equipment is pricey, and being "local" is a major selling point,
these guys have an ideal set up. As I picked my chin up off the
floor in awe after seeing they had 30 taps of their own creations,
Bryan, co-owner, promptly took us to the 400 sq ft brewery room
(roughly the size of a 1 car garage) stopped and said proudly, This
is the operation. I stood staring at their 1/2 barrel homebrew
system (they brew a keg worth of beer each brew) and 6- 3 barrel
unitanks and 2- 2 barrel unitanks. The brewer is back there brewing
6 days a week and 4 batches a day to keep their taps stocked.
To these brewers, small batch means they can be adventurous
with their brews, brew with more variety more often, and, of course,
ensure the beer is as fresh as can be. The beer is good, really good,
and it comes in many styles; from hopped-up IPAs and imperial
blondes, to fruit themed beers and witbiers, they are talented
game-changers who have proved that the best things in life can
come in little packages, or at least be brewed in them.
As we returned to our long table and grabbed a seat next to our
colourful flights of beer, we started to chat
Bryan & Steve were handed the keys to this basement beauty in
2014 and opened the doors in 2015. They were inspired to brew
all the different styles of beer that you wouldnt usually find in
Windsor, perhaps taking some inspiration from their innovative
northern neighbours in Michigan. They wanted to create a
welcoming space where people could hang out and enjoy a beer
or a coffee from their Coffee Bar, and that is exactly what they have
northern neighbours in Michigan. They wanted to create a
welcoming space where people could hang out and enjoy a beer
or a coffee from their Coffee Bar, and that is exactly what they
have achieved, it feels so warm and welcoming from the moment
you step inside.
Bryan is also a man of many interests, along with beer he has an
obvious love for adventure & travel. He was quick to ask me one
of my favourite questions to ask others, What is one of the most
memorable beer experiences youve had? I spoke about an
experience I had waiting in line for 2 hours for a case of Heady
Topper early one morning in Vermont and one of dancing on a bar
in China (a story im happy to share any time), then it was his turn
to answer the question. He told me a story of an adventure he had
in home brewing with some new friends in Brazil. As we exchanged
stories of travel & life we sipped our way through our flights of
beer. The standouts for me that night were the Blues berry
Blonde, Turbulant Chocolate Peanut Butter Porter, and the Salted
Caramel & Feather Hat Guy-PA - it is named after a local man with
a majestic feather in his hat who actually happened to be sat next
to us that night. To be honest, I tasted all 8 beers and I havent got
a single bad words to share, I was seriously impressed and became
a fan girl almost instantly. If visiting I would suggest trying
something you have never heard of because no-one knows when
they will brew it again, and there is more than enough variety in
their selection that you are sure to find a handful that interest you.
Their impressive portfolio of small batch beers are available to
view on their website live menu, so you can tease yourself with
what you may be missing if you dont hurry over.
While you may have to travel all the way to the source to sample
their suds, they are now selling their well crafted creations in
bottles that can be enjoyed at home or shared with friends. There
is also glassware and clothing in the retail section.

Nestled in the taproom you will also find Craft Heads Coffee Bar,
its the perfect place to start your morning after a late night of
drinking their brews. They open at 10am to accommodate the
 Nestled in the taproom you will also find Craft
Heads Coffee Bar, its the perfect place to start your
morning after a late night of drinking their brews.
They open at 10am to accommodate the morning
coffee loving crowd, with beans freshly ground for
every cup served. From the community vibe,
language class nights, fun events, catered pizza, and
delicious beer, I cant wait to walk down those stairs
over and over again...

Website: www.craftheads.ca
Facebook: www.facebook.com/craftheadsbrew
Instagram: www.instagram.com/craftheadsbrew
Twitter: twitter.com/CraftHeadsBrew

Hours:
Mon-Thus: 10am 1am
Fr: 10am 2am
Sat: 11am 2am
Sun: 12pm 10pm

230
 Walkerville Brewery
525 Argyle Rd, Windsor, ON
(519) 254-6067
The first brewery to start up the Craft Beer movement in Windsor,
ON, was Walkerville Brewery in 2012. Windsor has a rich history of
spirits and beer beginning with Hiram Walker,the founder of Hiram
Walker and Sons Ltd, the manufacturers of numerous world famous
spirits including the Canadian Club. You wont visit a brewery in
this town without the mention of this man. What a lot of people
dont know is Mr. Walker also had a taste for beer and opened the
original Walkerville Brewery in 1890. Now a 120 years later,
Walkerville Brewery is appropriately housed in one of Mr. Walker's
original 18,000 sq ft warehouses and the beer is continuously
flowing.
Many of the beers and ideas are themed around prohibition and
with four flagships are always pouring theyre regularly brewing
seasonals and one-offs that add a variety of bold flavours to their
lineup, including some whiskey barrel aged brews that they keep
onsite!
Blayne Caron and Michael Beaudoin are the brewers in the
operation and we had the chance to tour around and share a pint
with Michael that day. As a recently certified Cicerone, he has a
wealth of knowledge about beer that makes for some great
conversation about beer, food pairings (but watch out, he is sure to
slip in a few Dad jokes).
As I sipped my way through a colourful flight of eight beers I was
particularly drawn to the Easy Stout, Milk Stout. The label depicts
a dapper man granting access to a speakeasy, it is a delicious and
silky offering with sweet notes and a glorious dark chocolate, slightly
dry, finish. It is medium bodied and easy sippin.
Their Geronimo IPA was another tasty creation named after a ship
that was seized during a bootlegging operation, that was then set
free by a storm and drifted all the way back to Canada. It is a coarsely
filtered IPA that is loaded with grapefruit, orange peel, and piney
notes, both on the aroma and to the taste.

233
There is a pronounced delicious bitterness that hits you
up front while waiting for the balance from the specialty
malt to balance it out.
They proudly placed second in this year's Great Ontario-
Hopped Craft Beer Competition (GOHCBC) with their
Belgian IPA created with Hayhoe Hops and received Silver
for both their Easy Stout and Scotch Ale at the OBAs.
There was an unexpectedly cozy feel to this otherwise
large warehouse space, the taproom is centered around a
bar that serves both pints and flights for tasting and they
host regular restaurant pop-ups to curb your hunger. You
can even learn about the history of the town through the
historic exhibit in the entrance being put together while
you wait to take a tour through the brewery.
Their bottle shop has cans, 32oz and 64oz growlers, and
some special bottles for sale alongside some swag. You
can find their beer at some LCBOs and grocery stores
throughout the province.
I love the feeling Walkerville Brewery gave me taking
me back through history, all while enjoying fresh beer and
some great conversation. Its a landmark site for the
Canadian spirit and brewing industries, and shouldnt be
missed by anyone with a taste for history and great beer!
Website: walkervillebrewery.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/walkervillebrewery
Instagram: www.instagram.com/walkervillebrewery/
Twitter: twitter.com/WalkervilleBrew

Hours:
Sunday-Wednesday: 11:00am-6:00pm
Thursday and Saturday: 11:00am-7:00pm
Friday: 11:00am-9:00pm

235
 Upper Thames Brewing Company
225 Bysham Park Dr #9, Woodstock, ON
(519) 290-0053
With breweries popping up across the province it was only a
matter of time until Woodstock, ON got in on the action with Upper
Thames Brewing Co. opening its doors in August 2016. The brewery
was named after the river running through the heart of the county
that provided for the original settlers.The four owners (Moe, Carl
and Chad and Josh) are craft beer enthusiasts who felt that there
was a lack of good beer in Oxford County and decided to do
something about it.
They take as much pride in their taproom as they do their beers,
their rustic taproom is decorated with old canoes and the fireplace
makes you feel right at home.The accent wall is full of growlers
from breweries across the country is a beautiful and great way see
where you have been and just how many more breweries there are
to explore. Drake and Josh take care of the beers, brewing traditional
ales that are sessionable and use quality local ingredients supplied
by the Tavistock Hop Company (Tavistock, Ontario) and Harvest
Hop and Malt (Puslinch, Ontario).
Pouring eight taps of their beer and one guest tap I was partial to
the Timber Beast Brown Ale which left a nice toasted toffee flavour
sitting in my mouth, I found it more full on flavour and body than
some Brown Ales and enjoyed going back for each sip.
Their Portage IPA is also a big seller and, with its flavour of classic
North American Cirtusy hops and aroma, it had a subtle malt profile
and wasnt overly bitter, so it is perfect for both IPA rookies or hop-
heads.
Upper Thames have even teamed up with Gunns Hill cheese and
released Dark Side of The Moo, a cheese made with their Come to
the Dark Side Chocolate Stout - it is delicious.
With the community supporting them and a strong regular base
of customers, they have quickly established themselves as a key
part of the town. By using local Tavistock Hops as much as possible
and malt from Barn Owl malt, they make sure to give back to the
community that has helped put them where they are today.

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 part of the town. By using local Tavistock
Hops as much as possible and malt from Barn
Owl malt, they make sure to give back to the
community that has helped put them where
they are today.
The recent addition of a new fermenter
makes it clear that business is good and, with
five year-round beers and four seasonals,
they continue to explore recipes and create
new brews for their growing band of thirsty
customers.

Website: upperthamesbrewing.ca
Facebook: www.facebook.com/
upperthamesbrewery
Instagram: www.instagram.com/
upperthamesbrewing

Hours:
Tuesday - Saturday 11am-7pm
Sunday 11-4pm
Monday Closed

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 Bad Apple Brewing Company
73463 Bluewater Highway, Zurich, ON
(519) 236-7908
Bad Apple Brewing was originally conceived as a cidry. Husband
and wife team, Jason and Sarah Ingram, bought themselves an
apple orchard in 2011, but eventually decided to try their hand
at some creative craft brewing instead. They opened their doors
in 2016 and are now creating small batches of craft beer as well
running an orchard open for the apple picking season: September
and October.
In a province where Craft Breweries are opening monthly, it is
important to find a way to stand out in the industry and Bad Apple
has done that with a unique twist of blending apple cider with
some of their beers. This was the first I had experienced or heard
of blending apple cider and beer, so I was intrigued about the
path that got them there and how they created their recipes. We
chatted over a few samples and it really was like nothing I had
ever had - my mind was blown. Jason and his father, Sandy,
started by experimenting and creating some interesting hard
cider recipes, Jason then ventured off in the direction of
homebrewing and now has found his groove by making Craft
Beer and cider beer blends.
With 10 varieties of apples on their 5 acre orchard theyre
pushing the boundaries and discovering what they can do with
darker malt and apple cider, rather than a typical lighter grain
bill and apples, and each bottle is corked for that special added
touch.
When it came to tasting I dived straight in with one of their
most innovative creations, the West Coast White, a fruit friendly
beer with a 4:1 ratio of Hefeweizen to cider. The addition of
cider brings a refreshing spin into the hefeweizen and a slight
tartness to the finish which simply begs to be drank in the
sunshine on the back deck.
 The Boss (named because they played James Brown
The Boss through the 3 weeks of fermentation) brings
some funky vibes to an Altbier with an IPA Grain bill
and Hefeweizen Ale Yeast. Again, the blend gave it an
incredibly unique taste, the yeast adding a touch of spice
whilst the mild hops left a little bitterness on the finish.
Jims Juicy IPA 1.0 brings us back to a more stylized IPA,
there is a distinct citrus hop presence and light malt bill
for some juiciness and a little bitterness on the finish.
And at 4.8%, itll work perfectly as a sessionable IPA.
Born in a Barn Farmhouse Ale and Rusty Hinges
American Brown Ale, make up the rest of their current
stock with more on the horizon, and are definitely worth
at least a sip if you have the chance!They serve samples
at their tasting bar and have 750 ml bottles and growlers
to purchase to go.
The couple are involved in the community through
fundraisers, donating apples to the food bank in the fall,
and, at Halloween, they donate the proceeds from their
Haunted Orchard to Jessicas House, a hospice in Huron
County.
Open weekends year round, they are always waiting to
greet you with smiles and proudly invite you into their
brewery. Its amazing what they are doing in a small space
so come for a taste and leave with a lasting memory of
this place.
Website: http://badapplebrewingco.ca
Facebook: www.facebook.com/
badapplebrewingcompany
Hours:
Sat-Sun 10am-5pm

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 anna@casamag.london

Tiffany@thetravellingpint.com