Your Ten Best GTA Beers?

Gavin · Post by **Gavin** » Wed Feb 27, 2013 7:17 pm

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 · Post by **Stroonze** » Wed Feb 27, 2013 7:23 pm

Karma Citra, GLB

matt7215 · Post by **matt7215** » Wed Feb 27, 2013 7:27 pm

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

JeffPorter · Post by **JeffPorter** » Wed Feb 27, 2013 7:38 pm

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

Tapsucker · Post by **Tapsucker** » Wed Feb 27, 2013 7:50 pm

The question arises: the best for what?

Is this a poll of favourites, or measured against something?

Gavin · Post by **Gavin** » Wed Feb 27, 2013 8:32 pm

Tapsucker wrote:The question arises: the best for what?

Is this a poll of favourites, or measured against something?

It's purely my subjective opinion, hence "best" being in quotes.

I should also add that the beers should all be available around May/June, which is when the piece will run.

JeffPorter · Post by **JeffPorter** » Wed Feb 27, 2013 8:33 pm

I think he just wants general "favourites right now" list. I don't think there's any criteria anyone's measuring against...

Gavin · Post by **Gavin** » Wed Feb 27, 2013 8:34 pm

JeffPorter wrote:(Oakville still counts, yes?)

Yes, definitely.

I'm also going to try to limit it to one beer per brewery and one or two per style.

midlife crisis · Post by **midlife crisis** » Wed Feb 27, 2013 9:46 pm

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 · Post by **JesseMcG** » Thu Feb 28, 2013 11:11 am

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 · Post by **JesseMcG** » Thu Feb 28, 2013 11:14 am

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 · Post by **PeenSteen** » Thu Feb 28, 2013 11:27 am

JesseMcG wrote: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?

If Boneshaker and Headstock don't count...then no

Belgian · Post by **Belgian** » Thu Feb 28, 2013 12:42 pm

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?

Gavin · Post by **Gavin** » Thu Feb 28, 2013 1:09 pm

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 · Post by **JesseMcG** » Thu Feb 28, 2013 2:43 pm

PeenSteen wrote:
JesseMcG wrote: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?
If Boneshaker and Headstock don't count...then no

Good call... yup I'd count those for sure. I like them too, but probably wouldn't have the in my top 10.