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Search found 239 matches

by chris_schryer
Wed Feb 12, 2014 4:52 pm
Forum: General Beer Discussion & Random Talk
Topic: Mediocre Beer
Replies: 163
Views: 33111

Cratez I agree that there's lots to agree to disagree about, but I will say this: Distribution has no value whatsoever on the quality of a beer. If Bellwoods makes a single carboy of truly sublime beer, the fact that nearly nobody gets to try it doesn't negate it's quality. It was still amazing. The...
by chris_schryer
Wed Feb 12, 2014 4:02 pm
Forum: General Beer Discussion & Random Talk
Topic: Mediocre Beer
Replies: 163
Views: 33111

@TheSevenDuffs, I want to ask you what are some of these very poor barrel-aged beers from Ontario you've had, but don't want to start a pissing-on-breweries line. So instead, I'll say that perhaps you need to drink more barrel-aged stuff? Great Lakes, Amsterdam and Sawdust are all doing some amazing...
by chris_schryer
Wed Feb 12, 2014 1:27 pm
Forum: General Beer Discussion & Random Talk
Topic: Mediocre Beer
Replies: 163
Views: 33111

I still get hung up on this idea that we don't produce a wide variety of styles. Yes, what you can generally get at the LCBO is limited, but direct from the brewery is a different story. As I noted a moment ago, that's not a weakness of brewing, just distribution. Bellwoods, Indie, Great Lakes, Amst...
by chris_schryer
Wed Feb 12, 2014 1:09 pm
Forum: General Beer Discussion & Random Talk
Topic: Mediocre Beer
Replies: 163
Views: 33111

Hmmmm, some more thoughts: Cratez: First off, I'm not trying to start something, I swear. That being said: I think it important to say that the term "World Class" is, of course, totally subjective. I actually agree with your feeling that there may well be 100 World Class beers in the US. G...
by chris_schryer
Tue Feb 11, 2014 3:31 pm
Forum: General Beer Discussion & Random Talk
Topic: Mediocre Beer
Replies: 163
Views: 33111

Woah, anger and accusations! First off, does Ratebeer say what percentage of it's users are American? I bet it's pretty high. Citing ratebeer is pretty weak sauce anyway.... Gary's point, and one that I agree with, though I assume we have different standards for the term "World Class", is ...
by chris_schryer
Tue Feb 11, 2014 11:13 am
Forum: General Beer Discussion & Random Talk
Topic: Mediocre Beer
Replies: 163
Views: 33111

Wow, thanks for all the feedback guys. I'm not going to go one by one through topics brought up, but here are some things rattling around my brain having read through the thread: There is absolutely a need for "negativity", if by that we mean criticism (which I don't think is actually nega...
by chris_schryer
Mon Feb 10, 2014 4:24 pm
Forum: General Beer Discussion & Random Talk
Topic: Mediocre Beer
Replies: 163
Views: 33111

Mediocre Beer

Hey all, I just posted an article on something that has been bugging me recently. Namely, that with the explosive growth of brewing in Ontario, the overall median in terms of quality is dropping, and that's a bad thing. I'm not looking for people to call out specific brewers, but I'm interested if a...
by chris_schryer
Thu Feb 06, 2014 3:11 pm
Forum: General Beer Discussion & Random Talk
Topic: Hogsback Brewing on Dragons Den
Replies: 11
Views: 2810

A bit late to the dance, but here's some thoughts: Within about an hour of the show airing, I saw an uptick in pageviews and search terms regarding Hogsback on my blog. It wasn't earth-shattering, but it was definitely notable. Lasted for about 3 days. I have a friend who was legal counsel for a bus...
by chris_schryer
Tue Jan 21, 2014 9:55 am
Forum: General Beer Discussion & Random Talk
Topic: Left Field's new brewery
Replies: 8
Views: 2204

Left Field's new brewery

Mark and Mandie announced today that they have secured their own space to house Left Field. S/W of Danforth and Greenwood, the space should be ready in early 2015. Here's their official announcement: http://www.leftfieldbrewery.ca/news/were-building-a-brewery I'll leave it to them to set-up the even...
by chris_schryer
Thu Jan 16, 2014 9:03 am
Forum: General Beer Discussion & Random Talk
Topic: Keg at licensed establishment in Ontario
Replies: 10
Views: 2957

Delivery shouldn't matter, regardless of serving type, as long as somebody is at the location to receive it, it's fine. I agree that unless the manager is just misinformed, it's likely some type of liability issue (or not wanting their license number on a different invoice or some such silliness). B...
by chris_schryer
Wed Jan 15, 2014 3:08 pm
Forum: General Beer Discussion & Random Talk
Topic: Spencer Trappist Ale
Replies: 6
Views: 2587

I'll confirm Jordan's story, and description. I would say it was in line with other Trappists in terms of quality. A very nice beer, and one I'd pay for. I've got a semi-secret love for monks as well as members of the Order of the Garter, so a "local" Trappist brewery gets me pretty jazzed...
by chris_schryer
Thu Dec 26, 2013 1:29 pm
Forum: Beer Events & Festivals
Topic: NYE at Amsterdam BrewHouse
Replies: 0
Views: 1169

NYE at Amsterdam BrewHouse

Hey everyone. Amsterdam is hosting a New Year's Eve party at the BrewHouse. Doors are at 9PM, tickets are $50. LTM Connection will be playing live funk and soul, and there will be the usual epic selection of beers. Tickets are $50, and are on sale now, but I happen to have a pair to give away on my ...
by chris_schryer
Sun Dec 22, 2013 9:30 pm
Forum: General Beer Discussion & Random Talk
Topic: Last orders looming for Trappist beers...
Replies: 6
Views: 2422

Well actually, to maintain ITA certification, the beer (or wine, cheese, etc) must be made on the premise of a monastery, be over-seen by monks, and the full proceeds must go to support the work of the monastery (I'm paraphrasing somewhat here). So, yes, there can be non-monastics brewing the beer, ...
by chris_schryer
Thu Dec 19, 2013 10:05 pm
Forum: LCBO, Beer Stores, Grocery & Indie Stores
Topic: Saison Dupont
Replies: 61
Views: 24030

Belgian, I would add to the retirement-die-off, that there is a generation of LCBO workers, many of whom feel they are entitled to a great-paying job, so doing the bare minimum or less is fine. They're entitled and protected, there's precious little anybody can do. On the other hand, anybody who lan...
by chris_schryer
Thu Dec 19, 2013 9:32 am
Forum: LCBO, Beer Stores, Grocery & Indie Stores
Topic: Saison Dupont
Replies: 61
Views: 24030

Guys, by feeling like a pesky nuisance and not acting because of that, you're empowering people to maintain the status quo. It is their job to serve you. If they make you feel like a pesky nuisance, or else don't honour your requests to get a better/different product, complain. Belgian's point, whil...