The Bar Towel

Gavin · Joined: 02 Sep 2011 Posts: 76

I've been asked to write a piece on the ten "best" beers being brewed in the GTA and thought I'd crowdsource a little to see if you guys think of something I don't, if there's consensus around any in particular, or if any other ideas surface.

The beers can be available anywhere -- the LCBO, breweries, brew pubs, etc... -- they just need to be brewed in the GTA.

Stroonze · Joined: 09 Jun 2011 Posts: 183 Location: Aurora

Karma Citra, GLB

matt7215 · Joined: 05 Sep 2008 Posts: 2582 Location: Cambridge

here is my list:

1 - House Ales Swag Out Stout (Canadian Oak-Aged)
2 - Great Lakes Brewing 25th Anniversary Imperial Black IPA
3 - Amsterdam Teichert Smoked Porter
4 - Bellwoods Monogamy (Nelson Sauvin)
5 - Black Oak Nutcracker
6 - Great Lakes Brewing Crazy Canuck Pale Ale
7 - Great Lakes Brewing Karma Citra (single hop)
8 - Amsterdam The Nightman Cometh
9 - Junction Craft Cascadian Dark Ale
10 - Granite Brewery Gin Lane Ale
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JeffPorter · Joined: 26 Jul 2011 Posts: 2122 Location: Brampton, ON

Nice list, Matt - like the Gin Lane Ale at the end.

Here's mine in a general order, but the order is a little fluid:

Amsterdam Jack Daniels Tempest
GLB Stalin's Choice
Bellwoods Hellwoods
Belwoods Nelson Sauvin
Amsterdam Calm Before the Storm
Cameron's RPA (Oakville still counts, yes?)
GLB Robust Porter
GLB Karma Citra
GLB Pompous Ass
Granite Best Bitter
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"What can you say about Pabst Blue Ribbon that Dennis Hopper hasn’t screamed in the middle of an ether binge?" - Jordan St. John

Tapsucker · Joined: 28 Apr 2006 Posts: 1278 Location: Toronto

The question arises: the best for what?

Is this a poll of favourites, or measured against something?
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Gavin · Joined: 02 Sep 2011 Posts: 76

JeffPorter · Joined: 26 Jul 2011 Posts: 2122 Location: Brampton, ON

I think he just wants general "favourites right now" list. I don't think there's any criteria anyone's measuring against...
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"What can you say about Pabst Blue Ribbon that Dennis Hopper hasn’t screamed in the middle of an ether binge?" - Jordan St. John

Gavin · Joined: 02 Sep 2011 Posts: 76

midlife crisis · Joined: 08 Jan 2004 Posts: 1139 Location: Toronto

OK, I will not list beers like Amsterdam Teichert Smoked Porter and the Nightman Cometh, which were fantastic but are not currently available, unless I'm missing something. And I'll try to keep it to one beer per brewery, as you've asked, and try to mix up the styles a bit. So here are mine:

Bellwoods Roman Candle
House Ales Robust Porter
Camerons RPA
Granite Darkside IPA
Get Well Vienna Lager
Great Lakes Apocalypse Later
Nickelbrook Bolshevik Bastard
Black Oak Ten Bitter Years
Indie Ale House Barnyard Belgian IPA
Amsterdam Spring Bock

other possibilities might be something from Junction (I haven't had a chance to try many yet), King Pilsner, Durham Red Dragon. Lots to choose from!

JesseMcG · Joined: 24 Sep 2008 Posts: 387

I'd like to add a couple widely available, and maybe sometimes overlooked beers (because of all the new offerings in the last year or so)

Greak Lakes Crazy Canuck
Denisons Weissbier

and Mill St Cobblestone Stout.

JesseMcG · Joined: 24 Sep 2008 Posts: 387

This got me thinking...

I almost listed a few Muskoka beers here, then realized it was GTA only. Which brings me to my point..

There really isn't a widely available (read: in LCBO) American IPA made in the GTA, is there?

PeenSteen · Joined: 09 Aug 2010 Posts: 449 Location: Toronto

Belgian · Joined: 04 Jul 2004 Posts: 7003 Location: I Heart TO

I would not overlook as additional considerations:

Black Oak 10 Bitter Years, Nutcracker Porter and Double Chocolate Cherry Strout
Nickel Brook Saison, Bolshevik Winey Pinot Barrel Aged and Bolshevik Old Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Aged
Amsterdam Goedenavond aged in Flat Rock Pinot Barrel was pretty exceptional.

^^^ To contribute fuel to the overall debate. It would take me hours to weigh my 'ten best' and I don't feel that cynical today. Haha.

And what IS a meaningful 'ten best GTA' list that includes some beers that came and went, or were nearly impossible to get even for devotees VS beers anyone GTA-ish can get reasonable access to?
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Gavin · Joined: 02 Sep 2011 Posts: 76

On your last point, I'd like to include a few of both...but lean more heavily towards beers that are more accessible. I have to give a nod to a few of the more exceptional but limited ones available at the time of publication...but a list that would still be relevant a few months from then would be more useful.

As always, I need to consider my audience.

JesseMcG · Joined: 24 Sep 2008 Posts: 387