The Bar Towel

napoleon wrote: The only people I ever bash are the Volo people....they're in it for the money, not the love of beer.

There's some stiff competition, no doubt, but this is the most patently absurd statement I have ever seen on BarTowel. Hard to imagine the beer scene here in Toronto without Ralph and his advocacy/love for good beer.

jrenihan wrote: Not to mention the broader costs that have to be made up through ticket prices. Event rental, equipment rentals, mandatory security (this is big), etc. Nobody's raking in cash through this event.
Ren

I would be happy to stand corrected. I've only been in the Toronto beer scene a couple years, and the info I got was from much more senior people in the Toronto beer scene. Several independent Ontario brewers have told me that they were not paid a dime for the beer they provided to the event. I've never met Ralph, but the plausibility of that information was reinforced by a couple incidents I've observed with his son at Bar Volo.

Like I said...I would be happy to be wrong. I would be incredibly surprised if this festival didn't make a profit though.

northyorksammy wrote:

Bobsy wrote:

northyorksammy wrote: Your search failed, please try again - BeerAdvocate.com

H but there's more to a great bar than a constantly turning over tap list.

tell us more about what makes up a good beer bar.

Sammy, as far as I can remember you've ticked more beers than anyone else on BA. If you don't know what makes up a good bar at this point in your life, my words can't help you.

Mr Bobsy. None of your bars are on BA and I never heard of them. Why are you promoting them? I have nothing to sell here.

northyorksammy wrote:Mr Bobsy. None of your bars are on BA and I never heard of them. Why are you promoting them? I have nothing to sell here.

I'm promoting them because they strike me as good bars, and going to good bars might be of interest to some people here.

Also Sammy, I used to be the beer fly guide for Ontario on BA. The reason a lot of places aren't on there is because 1) they're new, 2) a BA may not have been there and 3) BA is a pretty flawed resource for places.

I just want to compliment Cass and Indie Ale House on an excellent event yesterday. The barrel-aged beers were fantastic, the staff were super friendly, and the prices were very reasonable.

Thanks for organizing that!

Bobsy wrote:

northyorksammy wrote:Mr Bobsy. None of your bars are on BA and I never heard of them. Why are you promoting them? I have nothing to sell here.

I'm promoting them because they strike me as good bars, and going to good bars might be of interest to some people here.

Also Sammy, I used to be the beer fly guide for Ontario on BA. The reason a lot of places aren't on there is because 1) they're new, 2) a BA may not have been there and 3) BA is a pretty flawed resource for places.

I make regular visits to two of the four places mentioned, and I quite happily spend my money and time at them because, yes, they are good bars. If someone isn't willing to try them (or even hear about them), it's their loss.

Pretty good start to beer week so far for me. Lots of new beers at C'est What Fest though not many were standouts (Amsterdam TBW Saison was a highlight), Sacred Oak event was fun (Amsterdam Superstition was great, Indie 99 Luft Balloons benefited from more time in the barrel since last I had it, gaining Chardonnay character) but trying 3 of the four versions of Four Barrels Barleywine towards the end of the session may have been ill advised! (Hic!) Indie Homebrewer's Tap Takeover today was fun, Brett Lindroos Brett Pale Ale, and It's W'abbit Season were some of the better ones I remember.

Hoping to make it to lots of stuff next week as well but my liver is already protesting, so we shall see!

Bobsy wrote:

northyorksammy wrote:Mr Bobsy. None of your bars are on BA and I never heard of them. Why are you promoting them? I have nothing to sell here.

I'm promoting them because they strike me as good bars, and going to good bars might be of interest to some people here.

Also Sammy, I used to be the beer fly guide for Ontario on BA. The reason a lot of places aren't on there is because 1) they're new, 2) a BA may not have been there and 3) BA is a pretty flawed resource for places.

I like good new bars Bobsy. Keeps this city alive and interesting. A good reason to frequent BarTowel - if not BeerAdvocate. Please everyone keep posting them, thanks.

JerCraigs wrote:Hoping to make it to lots of stuff next week as well but my liver is already protesting, so we shall see!

not sure what you mean but if there is any hint of a health issue, you must take care of it now.

northyorksammy wrote:

JerCraigs wrote:Hoping to make it to lots of stuff next week as well but my liver is already protesting, so we shall see!

not sure what you mean but if there is any hint of a health issue, you must take care of it now.

Thanks for the concern, it was just a figure of speech - I just meant that it's a lot of drinking over a short period of time and it is daunting

For a mild thread jack.

I have been thinking about what makes a good bar.

And, top of the list, is ALWAYS good staff.

I'd rather hang in places with 6 craft taps and a good bartender than a place with 30 and a staff with no clue.

The number of places I've been to with both a bunch of taps and good staff is surprisingly small. And Toronto is blessed with a few of them.

And so, I deliver a shoutout to Wise Bar in Bloorcourt and Thirsty and Miserable in Kensington Market. Because you can be small and good.

Cheers!
Jason

Here's the latest list for the Golden Tap Awards tomorrow @ Beerbistro. May be a couple of last minute adds.

TAP
Great Lakes Thrust an IPA
Junction Brakeman's Session Ale
Spearhead Sam Roberts
Sawdust City Lone Pine IPA
Black Oak Oaktoberfest
Nickel Brook Le Paysan Saison
Amsterdam TBW Farmhouse Ale
West Avenue Spy: Northern Spy Apple Farmhouse Cider
Left Field Sunlight Park Saison
Boshkung Tart-an Spruce Ale
Beer Academy Rauchbier
Bellwoods Bounty Hunter Strong Porter w/ Vanilla + Coconut
Beau's Haters Gonna H8 Kolsch Bock
Spirit Tree Double Pagan Crabapple
Kensington FishEYE-PA
C'est WhatBurnt Offering Harvest Ale
Side Launch Wheat
Cameron's Roggenbier
Hop City Hopbot
Publican House Highnoon

CASK
House Ales Punters Gold
West Avenue Cider Wild Blueberry Scrumpy

BOTTLE/CAN
Spearhead Hawaiian Style Pale Ale
Spearhead Moroccan Brown
Steam Whistle Pilsner
Arch Dinner Jacket O'Red IPA
Creemore Springs Traditional Pilsner
Collective Arts Saint of Circumstance
Beau's Dial "Z" for Zwickel
Side Launch Dark Lager
King Dark Lager
King Pilsner
Oast House Biere de Garde
Brick Works Ciderhouse Batch: 1904
Innocente Bystander American Pale
Mill Street Nightmare on Mill Street
Mill Street 100th Meridian
Mill Street Oktoberfest