“I was worried that it might be tough to top the first dinner’s combination of the all-natural organic beers of Beau’s Brewing and gourmet vegan cuisine by chef Doug McNish,” said Canadian Beer News publisher Greg Clow. “But as soon as I brought Howard together with the folks from Great Lakes, I could tell that this next dinner will be something special, as they share a sense of adventure and exploration of flavours that should make for a perfect match.”

That exploration was especially evident earlier this month when Howard and Greg joined Great Lakes brewers Mike Lackey and David Bieman for an afternoon of collaboration at the brewery. The result of their brewing session with be unveiled at the dinner as one of the six Great Lakes beers being paired with Howard’s dishes.

Only 20 seats are available for this instalment of the Canadian Beer News Dinner Series, priced at $95 per person (including all taxes and gratuities). Reservations can be made by calling L.A.B. Restaurant at 416.551.5025.

More information about the series can be found at at www.canadianbeernews.com/dinner-series. For further details, contact Greg Clow at greg@canadianbeernews.com.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Little Red – Late-hopped Red #1
Weizen Doppelbock
Galaxy IPA
Test Batch – Pre-Divinity
Imperial Stout
Big Red – Late-hopped Red #2 (Imperial)
Test Batch – Stereovision
Test Batch – Genius of Suburbia (American Wheat)
Milk Stout #1 for nitro tap
Belgian Pale Ale
Double IPA
Rye PA
Beer Geeks Stout
Smashbomb
Antigravity
Netherworld
Hoptical Illusion

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.

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.

The reason this project has been on hold for nearly a year is because DFH had to apply to rezone the land that they purchased from residential to light-industrial. This raised concerns among neighboring towns of increased industrial traffic and future use if DFH moves. In the end Delaware Council has agreed that Dogfish Head has been a good neighbor and consistently contributes positively to the community and strengthens surrounding town economies. The plans still must be approved before construction can begin, but Dogfish Head is finally moving forward on a positive note.