Canadian Beer News has announced the continuation of the Canadian Beer News Dinner Series. This ongoing series of dinners brings together some of Canada’s top craft breweries and beer importers with outstanding chefs and restaurants to create unique and exciting beer and food pairing experiences. Following on the success of the debut dinner in December, the second dinner in the series on Tuesday, February 21 will celebrate the art of experimentation, as the adventurous beers of Great Lakes Brewery will be paired with the unique ‘cucina moleculare’ (modern Italian cuisine with a molecular gastronomy twist) crafted by chef Howard Dubrovsky in the kitchen of his L.A.B. Restaurant.  Read the rest of this entry »

Now that Dogfish Head has Delware’s approval to move along with their 40 acre brewery expansion the real work will begin. Sam Calagione is planning a major expansion on this land that will boost the production capacity up to 600,000 barrels a year – at that level they would be sitting along side Sierra Nevada, Boston Beer Co, and New Belgium as some of the largest craft breweries in North America. The new land will be used to build a new warehouse and bottling facility allowing the existing building to be reorganized to more efficiently use the space, and add a second brewhouse. More capacity should mean that Sam will continue to create new and innovative beers styles, produce more of their more exclusive brands, and will hopefully also allow Dogfish to bring beer back into markets that they’ve had to pull out of. ehem… LCBO please?

Straight from the West Coast of Canada comes the Red Racer India Pale Ale from Central City Brewing Co. Probbaly the best example of the West Coast American IPA produced in Canada. The LCBO has been more aggressively purchasing cases of this beer for distribution across stores all throughout Ontario recently – hopefully this trend will lead the Red Racer to a regular listing. Red Racer perfumes with vibrant and fresh pine, spice and citrus aromatics that are paired with clean malt characters perfectly on the palate. This beer can stand proudly side by side any American IPA. Read the rest of this entry »

Central City Red Racer IPA, one of Canada’s most highly regarded beers will exist in the US under a slightly modified new brand, the Red Betty. In early 2010 Central City brought the Red Racer south of the Canadian boarder into the US, and soon Californian brewery Bear Republic filed a lawsuit again the Red Racer for alleged trademark infringement of their own two brands, Racer 5 IPA, and Red Rocket Ale. Both breweries have been around for a long time, and both are hotly acclaimed in their own right. After 2 years of legal dispute though Bear Republic won the rights to the name, and from now on, at least when seen in the United Sates Central City’s Red Racer will be branded as Red Betty. The great beer wont change, and the label really hasn’t either – so I don’t think anyone really has any reason to be upset. As long as the beer is great that whats important. Right? Right!

Enter one of the few Russian Imperial Stouts brewed by an Ontario Brewery – Wellington Brewery’s Russian Imperial Stout fits the bill amazingly well. My only hope is that these cans find themselves stocked on LCBO shelves soon. At 8% abv it is on the lower to average strength of an Imperial Stout which can go from 7& to 10%, or even high for some extreme versions. Welly’s RIS has a creamy and elegant mouthfeel and texture that compliments warm roast, chocolate and toasted marshmallow flavours and aromas beautifully. Serve this beer cool to cellar temperature around 10C. Read the rest of this entry »

Hogan’s Goat is number 15 in the Wild Oats Series by Beau’s All Natural - with this series Beau’s challenges their own creativity and palates by entertaining and developing flavours outside of traditional styles. The 15th entry in this category is no exception. Hogan’s Goat is classified as a Spiced Bock and is brewed with a portion of rye malt, but also peppermint, orange peel, and juniper berries. It is 6.9% abv, just 15 IBUs, and presents a complex and very sensational array of aromas and flavours. Only 1000 bottles were produced. Read the rest of this entry »

The hotly acclaimed and highly rated India Pale Ale from Central City Brewing Co. has teased us before on LCBO shelves. Last summer the Red Racer IPA came in limited supply to Ontario and cans flew off the shelves before people even knew they were here. A couple more shipments came with the same result later in the year. This up and down supply may continue for a while, but at very least the Red Race India Pale Ale has again been re-ordered by the LCBO. If a store near you does not carry it, speak with the manager and ask him/her to get it. Red Racer is one of the top rated IPAs in Canada, and rightly so. It is 6.5% abv, and near 80 IBUs – clearly designed as an American Style IPA. The aroma and flavour reflect that aswell. Hop focused with clean malt sensations, it is brimming with pine, citrus, grapefruit and spice. 355 ml cans are available for $2.95.

For a long time Bar Volo has been THE place to go in Toronto to experience new beers, find new flavours, and get education on real beer. Less than one year ago Bar Volo added brewing to their list of talents that include service, knowledge, entertainment and fun. The launch of House Ales, a small nano-brewery located within Bar Volo’s walls, added a new dimension to Ontario’s craft beer culture. The small (100L at a time) system and creative minds at work at House Ales allows them to constantly play with new flavours, experiment with different styles, and collaborate with both experienced and novice brewers. What is has become is an ever changing and always exciting opportunity for beer geeks and fresh-to-the-scene beer lovers to expand their palates and minds with unique and unheard of beers. On December 30th, 2011 House Ales brewed their 100th batch (since Launching in June 2011), Fermium Imperial Black IPA, which will be available on draught at Bar Volo this Friday January the 20th. Keep your eyes on these guys to see what the future holds.

One of Muskoka Brewery’s oldest beers is still powerhouse for the brand – the Dark Ale has is going on in every sense of the matter. Its a 5% English Style Brown Ale with richer flavours and an smoother body than most. Its actually darker than a typical brown ale which lends it greater toast, roast and chocolate character bringing out wide depth and smooth flavours. Read the rest of this entry »

Probably London’s most enthusiastic and passionate beer bar, Gambrinus, also acts from time to time as Flying Monkeys‘ not-so-secret research facility for new products. Lucky Londoners. Over the years Gambrinus has played host to unique one-off tastings, special collaboration beers, and even pre-production prototype experimentation. I remember having the first tastes of this crazy hopped beer with a wild and citrus/funky hop called citra years ago – a beer that we know now as Smashbomb. On Saturday January the 28th Gambrinus will again host Flying Monkeys for a full 17 line Tap Takeover. Every draught line at Gambrinus will be cleaned and reserved for Flying Monkeys’ beers – some of the usual suspects, some prototypes, and some special one-offs brewed in collaboration with Gambrinus’ own brewing genius, Adil. The event begins at 6pm, and, if like the previous events, beers will not last long – so show up early to ensure you get to try what you are looking for. Below is a list of the beers that will be served. No cover.

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The Amsterdam Brewery is one of Ontario’s oldest brewers, and the Nut Brown is a classic. This sessionable, malt focused brown ale is smooth and creamy with elegant nutty, caramel and biscuit character with hints of toast and a soft and light earthy hop aroma. It is 5% abv and is available at the LCBO and Beer Store regularly, as well it can be found on draught throughout southwestern Ontario. Let this beer warm just a touch of of your fridge and enjoy the round and gentle malt sensations. Read the rest of this entry »

Duvel, one of the world’s most renown Belgian Breweries, began an art show on their iconic glass called The Duvel Collection. It showcases a series of international artists most creative designs on the Duvel glass itself. Each year beginning in 2010 three glasses would be released, with two sets currently out in the wild. This glass shown is from the original launch, and is among the most outrageous of all 6 so far produced. It was created by a Dutch artist named Parra, and stand out clearly with its bright colors, and surreal esoteric characters. This glass entertains themes that range from sarcastic and introspective to ironic and bold, and even pure nonsensical. These glasses are mostly available in Europe, but I did come across this one in Michigan, so you can find these puppies around. Below you will find clear pictures of the 5 characters found on the glass. Read the rest of this entry »

This India Pale Ale from Dugan’s Brewery declares that 9 is the new 10. Dugan’s #9 IPA was originally brewed at the Brewpub on 75 Victoria, but is now crafted exclusively at the Cool Brewery. This IPA has been brewed with 9 malts and American-style hops to bring it to 6.2% abv and somewhere around 50 IBUs. It is warming and round focused on malt character with a balancing bitterness and gentle hop aroma and flavour. Read the rest of this entry »

After much debate in Delaware’s city council Dogfish Head Craft Brewed Ales has been given the OK to proceed with their on-hiatus brewery expansion. Dogfish Head has been planning a $50 Million expansion that would encompass 39 acres of land next to the existing brewery which they purchased a few years ago. This major expansion could be big step in DFH’s continued growth as the existing facility cannot meet current demands for their beer – so much so that they have had to cease production of amazing beers like the Squall IPA. This expansion will allow DFH to immensely increase their production capacity which means that the demand for existing beers can be met, beers that have been axed may be seen again, and more new and exciting projects will come down the pipeline. Read the rest of this entry »

On January 19th Beau’s All Natural Brewing Company will launch the 3rd beer in their Pro-Am Series; the Doublewide Double IPA. This beer, brewed in collaboration with award winning homebrewer, and the 2011 Great Canadian Homebrew Competition winner, Brad Clifford of Toronto Ontario, will only be available in bottles at the brewery and home delivery for the Ottawa region. Maybe Toronto will get lucky and see a keg or two somewhere. There is a launch Party planned for January the 29th at The Rhino starting at 7pm. Doublewide is an 8% and 100 IBU+ American Style India Pale Ale packed with citrusy and zesty American hop character. The last beer in this series was the Boomerweiss and set the precedent for quality and distinction in this unique and collaborative series of beer. I expect nothing less from the Doublewide Double IPA.