Surely we are long overdue one of those year end wrap-up posts? Here's a few questions to see what you thought of 2010 as far as beer was concerned. Feel free to add any more insights or oppinions you had on a soon to be departed 2010.
Favourite beer of 2010:
Most purchased beer of 2010:
Best LCBO release:
Favourite brewery of 2010:
Favourite event of 2010:
Best new thing to happen in 2010:
Who deserves more recognition:
I'll start things off...
Favourite beer of 2010: Cantillon Fou' Foune
Most purchased beer of 2010: Southern Tier IPA. Its still the only consistently available American-style IPA.
Best LCBO release: Ola Dubh 40, though for value the Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout cannot be beaten.
Favourite brewery of 2010: Cantillon - so many great ones this year... Mamouche, Fou 'Foune, Cuvee des Champions, Vigneronne, Lou Pepe Kriek, Lou Pepe Framboise, Lou Pepe Geuze...
Favourite event of 2010: Mondial de la Biere. This was my first time and I got to try some great brews and meet some great people. Plus Schwartz's, satellite events and DDC.
Best new thing to happen in 2010: Toronto Beer Week - Brew Dog dinner was awesome, and I really enjoyed the C'est What fest going over two days.
Who deserves more recognition: Great Lakes - they already get a lot of praise, but I think the work thet've done with their one-offs and casks is something special.
Looking for the original Bar Towel blog? You can find it at www.thebartowel.com.
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Introducing Light Mode! If you would like a Bar Towel social experience that isn't the traditional blue, you can now select Light Mode. Go to the User Control Panel and then Board Preferences, and select "Day Drinking" (Light Mode) from the My Board Style drop-down menu. You can always switch back to "Night Drinking" (Dark Mode). Enjoy!
We have a trivia question in order to register to prevent bots. If you have any issues with answering, contact us at cass@bartowel.com for help.
Introducing Light Mode! If you would like a Bar Towel social experience that isn't the traditional blue, you can now select Light Mode. Go to the User Control Panel and then Board Preferences, and select "Day Drinking" (Light Mode) from the My Board Style drop-down menu. You can always switch back to "Night Drinking" (Dark Mode). Enjoy!
2010 in review
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Torontoblue
- Beer Superstar
- Posts: 2136
- Joined: Fri Dec 24, 2004 6:12 pm
- Location: Edmonton via Toronto via The Wirral
Favourite beer of 2010: Howe Sound King Heffy
Most purchased beer of 2010: Pike's XXXXX Stout
Best LCBO release: Agree with Bobsy, Black Chocolate Stout
Favourite brewery of 2010: Howe Sound followed closely by Alley Kat
Favourite event of 2010: My 40th trip to Portland & Walking Man Brewpub, and meeting my friends from Toronto who travelled across to help me drink
Best new thing to happen in 2010: Toronto Beer Week, and long may it continue and grow. Plus, Cask Ale being served in Edmonton on a regular basis, and continuing to expand
Who deserves more recognition:
Most purchased beer of 2010: Pike's XXXXX Stout
Best LCBO release: Agree with Bobsy, Black Chocolate Stout
Favourite brewery of 2010: Howe Sound followed closely by Alley Kat
Favourite event of 2010: My 40th trip to Portland & Walking Man Brewpub, and meeting my friends from Toronto who travelled across to help me drink
Best new thing to happen in 2010: Toronto Beer Week, and long may it continue and grow. Plus, Cask Ale being served in Edmonton on a regular basis, and continuing to expand
Who deserves more recognition:
Last edited by Torontoblue on Thu Dec 23, 2010 2:08 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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SteelbackGuy
- Beer Superstar
- Posts: 4613
- Joined: Sun Feb 06, 2005 12:11 pm
- Location: Hamilton, ON
- Contact:
Favourite beer of 2010: Three Floyds Bohem. Barleywine
Most purchased beer of 2010: Wernesgruner
Best LCBO release: Fall 2010
Favourite brewery of 2010: Flying Monkeys
Favourite event of 2010: DDC evening at Chancey Smith's
Best new thing to happen in 2010: Chancey Smith's Getting a GTA
Who deserves more recognition: Gary at Gary's Mattress
Most purchased beer of 2010: Wernesgruner
Best LCBO release: Fall 2010
Favourite brewery of 2010: Flying Monkeys
Favourite event of 2010: DDC evening at Chancey Smith's
Best new thing to happen in 2010: Chancey Smith's Getting a GTA
Who deserves more recognition: Gary at Gary's Mattress
If you`re reading this, there`s a 15% chance you`ve got a significant drinking problem. Get it fixed, get recovered!
Favourite beer of 2010: Probably Bruery's Black Tuesday, hard to measure it against anything but it was truly fantastic despite the hype.
Most purchased beer of 2010: Toss up between Black Oak's Ten Bitter Years and Creemore's Keller - both really drinkable.
Best LCBO release: The March release of St. Ambroise's RIS - really nice beer, glad we got some of the limited release.
Favourite brewery of 2010: Tough call. Going to go with Trois Mousquetaires because this year I had a good # of their beers and there was some really fantastic offerings at a reasonable price.
Favourite event of 2010: C'Est What Cask fest, always a good time and good value.
Best new thing to happen in 2010: Better LCBO seasonal releases.
Who deserves more recognition: Those who get recognition deserve it, those who don't, don't. If anything, here in Ontario we have 'over appreciated' brewers...
Most purchased beer of 2010: Toss up between Black Oak's Ten Bitter Years and Creemore's Keller - both really drinkable.
Best LCBO release: The March release of St. Ambroise's RIS - really nice beer, glad we got some of the limited release.
Favourite brewery of 2010: Tough call. Going to go with Trois Mousquetaires because this year I had a good # of their beers and there was some really fantastic offerings at a reasonable price.
Favourite event of 2010: C'Est What Cask fest, always a good time and good value.
Best new thing to happen in 2010: Better LCBO seasonal releases.
Who deserves more recognition: Those who get recognition deserve it, those who don't, don't. If anything, here in Ontario we have 'over appreciated' brewers...
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walkfargetbeer
- Posts: 24
- Joined: Sat Aug 07, 2010 9:27 pm
- Location: Kitchener
Favourite beer of 2010: St-Ambroise Citrouille
Most purchased beer of 2010: Flying Monkeys' Hoptical Illusion.
Best LCBO release: DDC Aphrodite
Favourite brewery of 2010: Flying Monkeys
Favourite event of 2010: N/A didn't go to any
Best new thing to happen in 2010: Smash Bomb
Who deserves more recognition: no idea.
Most purchased beer of 2010: Flying Monkeys' Hoptical Illusion.
Best LCBO release: DDC Aphrodite
Favourite brewery of 2010: Flying Monkeys
Favourite event of 2010: N/A didn't go to any
Best new thing to happen in 2010: Smash Bomb
Who deserves more recognition: no idea.
Favourite beer of 2010: Fantôme Printemps
Most purchased beer of 2010: i actually have no idea, Pilsner Urquell??
Best LCBO release: winter
Favourite brewery of 2010: Jolly Pumpkin
Favourite event of 2010: Cask Days West @ Grand River Brewing
Best new thing to happen in 2010: Cask Days West @ Grand River Brewing
Who deserves more recognition: the whole crew at volo for their bar, import company and nano brewery
Most purchased beer of 2010: i actually have no idea, Pilsner Urquell??
Best LCBO release: winter
Favourite brewery of 2010: Jolly Pumpkin
Favourite event of 2010: Cask Days West @ Grand River Brewing
Best new thing to happen in 2010: Cask Days West @ Grand River Brewing
Who deserves more recognition: the whole crew at volo for their bar, import company and nano brewery
Great topic Bobsy.
Favourite beer of 2010: New Glarus Wisconsin Belgian Red, had it again for the first time in a few years and it's still one of my faves all-time.
Most purchased beer of 2010: Likely a combo of ST IPA/Anchor Steam & Brooklyn Lager.
Best LCBO release: Garrison Imperial IPA, of course
Favourite brewery of 2010: Probably Three Floyd's, solely based upon my first visit there this year.
Favourite event of 2010: Craft Brewers Conference in Chicago.
Best new thing to happen in 2010: LCBO's Brewery Feature program is pretty cool.
Who deserves more recognition: The Bar Towel community, thanks for making this what it is!
Favourite beer of 2010: New Glarus Wisconsin Belgian Red, had it again for the first time in a few years and it's still one of my faves all-time.
Most purchased beer of 2010: Likely a combo of ST IPA/Anchor Steam & Brooklyn Lager.
Best LCBO release: Garrison Imperial IPA, of course
Favourite brewery of 2010: Probably Three Floyd's, solely based upon my first visit there this year.
Favourite event of 2010: Craft Brewers Conference in Chicago.
Best new thing to happen in 2010: LCBO's Brewery Feature program is pretty cool.
Who deserves more recognition: The Bar Towel community, thanks for making this what it is!
Great topic.
Favorite beer of 2010 = Pliny The Elder
Most purchased beer of 2010 = probably Pilsner Urquell
Best LCBO release = St. Bernardus if it comes, BBCS otherwise
Favorite Brewery of 2010 = tie: Bear Republic and Great Divide
Favorite event of 2010 = Mondial de la bier
Best new thing to happen in 2010 = Utopias lottery. It's an innovative idea which should be considered for other high demand releases.
Who deserves more recognition = Wellington Brewery. Had some Iron Duke last night. Those guys don't get the props they deserve for some of their beers.
Favorite beer of 2010 = Pliny The Elder
Most purchased beer of 2010 = probably Pilsner Urquell
Best LCBO release = St. Bernardus if it comes, BBCS otherwise
Favorite Brewery of 2010 = tie: Bear Republic and Great Divide
Favorite event of 2010 = Mondial de la bier
Best new thing to happen in 2010 = Utopias lottery. It's an innovative idea which should be considered for other high demand releases.
Who deserves more recognition = Wellington Brewery. Had some Iron Duke last night. Those guys don't get the props they deserve for some of their beers.
"Always do sober what you said you'd do drunk. That will teach you to keep your mouth shut. "
-Ernest Hemingway
-Ernest Hemingway
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TheSevenDuffs
- Beer Superstar
- Posts: 2584
- Joined: Fri Sep 17, 2010 3:40 pm
- Location: Mississauga
- Contact:
Favourite beer of 2010: Tie between Hopslam & KBS.
Most purchased beer of 2010: GL Edmund Fitzgerald Porter.
Best LCBO release: Peche Mortel
Favourite brewery of 2010: Founders
Favourite event of 2010: Hart House Craft Beer & BBQ in July.
Best new thing to happen in 2010: Toronto Beer Week (although I was unable to attend any events)
Who deserves more recognition: Flying Monkeys, for pushing the boundaries and creating some great new brews that are or will be accessible to all (Netherworld, Smash Bomb)
Most purchased beer of 2010: GL Edmund Fitzgerald Porter.
Best LCBO release: Peche Mortel
Favourite brewery of 2010: Founders
Favourite event of 2010: Hart House Craft Beer & BBQ in July.
Best new thing to happen in 2010: Toronto Beer Week (although I was unable to attend any events)
Who deserves more recognition: Flying Monkeys, for pushing the boundaries and creating some great new brews that are or will be accessible to all (Netherworld, Smash Bomb)
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teichertbier
- Posts: 110
- Joined: Sat Oct 03, 2009 5:19 pm
Favorite Beer of 2010: Red Racer IPA
Most Purchased Beer of 2010: I have beer ADD.. . Creemore Pilsner?
Best LCBO Release: DDC Focus
Favorite Brewery of 2010: Great Lakes (Ontario)
Favorite Event of 2010: Beau's Oktoberfest. I wasn't there but heard it was very well run this time around.
Best New Thing to Happen in 2010: Kichessippi launches, buys Heritage Brewery 6 months later.
Who deserves more recognition: HMH Negotiants for bringing in great products on time. Nice work!
Most Purchased Beer of 2010: I have beer ADD.. . Creemore Pilsner?
Best LCBO Release: DDC Focus
Favorite Brewery of 2010: Great Lakes (Ontario)
Favorite Event of 2010: Beau's Oktoberfest. I wasn't there but heard it was very well run this time around.
Best New Thing to Happen in 2010: Kichessippi launches, buys Heritage Brewery 6 months later.
Who deserves more recognition: HMH Negotiants for bringing in great products on time. Nice work!
drinkvine.com - a better way to find your beer and wine.
Favourite beer of 2010: Russian River Sanctification
Most purchased beer of 2010: Mikkeller Beer Geek Brunch. I bought a case.
Best LCBO release: Ola Dubh
Favourite brewery of 2010: Russian River.
Favourite event of 2010: Nothing stands out. Wish I could have been in TO for beer week.
Best new thing to happen in 2010: Marcos losing market share/craft making big gains. This was the first year I noticed Canadian craft beer in the public consciousness beyond just my beer geek friends.
Who deserves more recognition: Craft breweries that put their heart and soul into making super flavourful, sessionable beers you would want to drink everyday. I'm not talking about bland gateway beers. I'm talking about finely designed, exquisitely balanced beers of average alcohol that are absolutely perfect for what they are.
Most purchased beer of 2010: Mikkeller Beer Geek Brunch. I bought a case.
Best LCBO release: Ola Dubh
Favourite brewery of 2010: Russian River.
Favourite event of 2010: Nothing stands out. Wish I could have been in TO for beer week.
Best new thing to happen in 2010: Marcos losing market share/craft making big gains. This was the first year I noticed Canadian craft beer in the public consciousness beyond just my beer geek friends.
Who deserves more recognition: Craft breweries that put their heart and soul into making super flavourful, sessionable beers you would want to drink everyday. I'm not talking about bland gateway beers. I'm talking about finely designed, exquisitely balanced beers of average alcohol that are absolutely perfect for what they are.
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icemachine
- Beer Superstar
- Posts: 2637
- Joined: Mon Mar 12, 2007 11:20 am
- Location: Aurora, ON
- Contact:
Favourite beer of 2010: Westvleteren 12
Most purchased beer of 2010: Hoptical Illusion
Best LCBO release: DDC Feature
Favourite brewery of 2010: Gouden Carolous
Favourite event of 2010: Session: A Craft Beer Festival; shame about the weekend it happened on
Best new thing to happen in 2010: Toronto Beer Week
Who deserves more recognition: Jed Corbeil
Most purchased beer of 2010: Hoptical Illusion
Best LCBO release: DDC Feature
Favourite brewery of 2010: Gouden Carolous
Favourite event of 2010: Session: A Craft Beer Festival; shame about the weekend it happened on
Best new thing to happen in 2010: Toronto Beer Week
Who deserves more recognition: Jed Corbeil
"Everything ... is happening" - Bob Cole
OK I agree with so much of the above, I'm just gonna nod a bunch and add that the best thing I did this year was go to Montreal three times with countless bar visits.
I think last year the best thing was going to countless NYC bars and Coles Buffalo a bunch of times, so we're onto something good here.
And is it me or is beer getting much, much better at our own doorstep? People like Ralph and Cass and Roland-Russel, all the great brewers, all the great initiatives and events - we have finally eclipsed the old days of Red Baron and infected Upper Canada being 'the really good stuff.' And Towel has made a lot of people go out seeking beer and this helped make the new Ontario reality happen. Ra ra ra...
I think last year the best thing was going to countless NYC bars and Coles Buffalo a bunch of times, so we're onto something good here.
And is it me or is beer getting much, much better at our own doorstep? People like Ralph and Cass and Roland-Russel, all the great brewers, all the great initiatives and events - we have finally eclipsed the old days of Red Baron and infected Upper Canada being 'the really good stuff.' And Towel has made a lot of people go out seeking beer and this helped make the new Ontario reality happen. Ra ra ra...
In Beerum Veritas