My favourite finds of the year:
Nogne Saison
Odell IPA
Most purchased from LCBO: Hoptical
Event: Had a blast at Mondial
Honestly can't wait to get back to Onterrible, as BSy as that might sound. Something exciting about being somewhere that's fighting the uphill battle for good beer. and that has an infant craft beer industry. The hunt for good beer is half the fun... okay, maybe an eighth, but still...
Looking for the original Bar Towel blog? You can find it at www.thebartowel.com.
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!
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
-
midlife crisis
- Beer Superstar
- Posts: 2037
- Joined: Thu Jan 08, 2004 7:00 pm
- Location: Toronto
Favourite beer of 2010: Phillips Amnesiac
Most purchased: Black Oak Ten Bitter Years
Best LCBO release: Fall/Hallowe'en/DDC feature (which tended to merge into one big release)
Favourite brewery: Great Lakes
Favourite event: Cask days/week. Still the king.
Best new thing: Toronto Beer Week
Who deserves more recogntion: Ralph, Tomas and Julian at Volo for a year chock full of fun events -- Stone launch, Black Sunday, J20, Charlevoix night, Black Oak night, cask IPA Challenge, Hopfenstark night, just to name a few. And of course a fantastic Cask Week at the end of October.
Most purchased: Black Oak Ten Bitter Years
Best LCBO release: Fall/Hallowe'en/DDC feature (which tended to merge into one big release)
Favourite brewery: Great Lakes
Favourite event: Cask days/week. Still the king.
Best new thing: Toronto Beer Week
Who deserves more recogntion: Ralph, Tomas and Julian at Volo for a year chock full of fun events -- Stone launch, Black Sunday, J20, Charlevoix night, Black Oak night, cask IPA Challenge, Hopfenstark night, just to name a few. And of course a fantastic Cask Week at the end of October.
-
phirleh
- Seasoned Drinker
- Posts: 1212
- Joined: Thu Nov 20, 2008 3:20 pm
- Location: Waterdown, Ontario
- Contact:
Favourite beer of 2010: 10 Bitter Years
Most purchased beer of 2010: Hard to say, mostly bought singles with lots of homebrew, statistically it's Equinoxe d'printemps
Best LCBO release: Fall was great, Lava, DDC for variety, Ola Dubh
Favourite brewery of 2010: Grand River
Favourite event of 2010: Grand River tastings (went to 3 in 2010, good variety and stories)
Best new thing to happen in 2010: Was the Miller vortex bottle this year? No.. Then the presence now of Ontario beer at the LCBO, a few years ago it was a pleasant surprise, now it's a given
Who deserves more recognition: Not to kiss butt, but Cass for the private order initiatives and bringing something like Garrison into stores and Bobsy for TBW, even though I didn't get out to any events this year, I only entered the homebrew contest (my kids take up 99% of my waking hours), its great to see something for true beer geeks by someone with the same passion. I look forward to getting out to some 2011 events.
Most purchased beer of 2010: Hard to say, mostly bought singles with lots of homebrew, statistically it's Equinoxe d'printemps
Best LCBO release: Fall was great, Lava, DDC for variety, Ola Dubh
Favourite brewery of 2010: Grand River
Favourite event of 2010: Grand River tastings (went to 3 in 2010, good variety and stories)
Best new thing to happen in 2010: Was the Miller vortex bottle this year? No.. Then the presence now of Ontario beer at the LCBO, a few years ago it was a pleasant surprise, now it's a given
Who deserves more recognition: Not to kiss butt, but Cass for the private order initiatives and bringing something like Garrison into stores and Bobsy for TBW, even though I didn't get out to any events this year, I only entered the homebrew contest (my kids take up 99% of my waking hours), its great to see something for true beer geeks by someone with the same passion. I look forward to getting out to some 2011 events.
Malam cerevisiam facieus in cathedram stercoris
"God don't want me yet, man, I got more feet to taste."
photos - http://www.flickr.com/photos/phirleh/se ... 039468171/
"God don't want me yet, man, I got more feet to taste."
photos - http://www.flickr.com/photos/phirleh/se ... 039468171/
Favourite beer of 2010: Upright 6 Farmhouse Rye. Deschutes Hop Henge Experimental IPA is a close second.
Most purchased beer of 2010: Probably a three way tie between Pilsner Urqeull, Hopfen-Weisse and Aventinus.
Best LCBO release: In terms of a single beer, with only a few days left in 2010 I'm losing hope for St. Bernardus. So for now I'd have to say Koenegshoven. In terms of a whole release it would be hard to pick between the winter and autumn releases.
Favourite brewery of 2010: Les Trois Mousquetaires. I've yet to have anything from them that wasn't completely stellar.
Favourite event of 2010: Toronto Beer Week. Not that I made it out for any of the events, much to my shame and embarrassment.
Best new thing to happen in 2010: I'd say either TBW or Smashbomb.
Who deserves more recognition: I'd echo the sentiments that HMH Negotiants, Cass, R+R, and others of their ilk deserve more recognition for helping improve the beer selection here in Ontario.
Most purchased beer of 2010: Probably a three way tie between Pilsner Urqeull, Hopfen-Weisse and Aventinus.
Best LCBO release: In terms of a single beer, with only a few days left in 2010 I'm losing hope for St. Bernardus. So for now I'd have to say Koenegshoven. In terms of a whole release it would be hard to pick between the winter and autumn releases.
Favourite brewery of 2010: Les Trois Mousquetaires. I've yet to have anything from them that wasn't completely stellar.
Favourite event of 2010: Toronto Beer Week. Not that I made it out for any of the events, much to my shame and embarrassment.
Best new thing to happen in 2010: I'd say either TBW or Smashbomb.
Who deserves more recognition: I'd echo the sentiments that HMH Negotiants, Cass, R+R, and others of their ilk deserve more recognition for helping improve the beer selection here in Ontario.
-
strowlands8
- Posts: 16
- Joined: Thu May 27, 2010 9:26 pm
- Location: Ottawa, Ontario
Favourite beer of 2010: Probably Lupulus or maybe Stone RIS
Most purchased beer of 2010: Hoptical Illusion by a mile.
Best LCBO release: Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout
Favourite brewery of 2010: Probably Flying Monkey's but I've also really enjoyed everything I've tried from Les Breasseurs Illimites in particular the imperial stout and the two smoked beers.
Favourite event of 2010: IPA challenge since I think it was the only one I went too.
Best new thing to happen in 2010: Volo house beers.
Who deserves more recognition: Great Lakes?
Most purchased beer of 2010: Hoptical Illusion by a mile.
Best LCBO release: Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout
Favourite brewery of 2010: Probably Flying Monkey's but I've also really enjoyed everything I've tried from Les Breasseurs Illimites in particular the imperial stout and the two smoked beers.
Favourite event of 2010: IPA challenge since I think it was the only one I went too.
Best new thing to happen in 2010: Volo house beers.
Who deserves more recognition: Great Lakes?
Favourite beer of 2010: Founders Double Trouble
Most purchased beer of 2010: probably Southern Tier IPA
Best LCBO release: DDC or the Fall release, also La Chouffe was great to see
Favourite brewery of 2010: Flying Monkeys
Favourite event of 2010: Volo IPA final or The evening with Fred from Hopfenstark
Best new thing to happen in 2010: I guess the LCBO brewery features
Who deserves more recognition: no idea
Most purchased beer of 2010: probably Southern Tier IPA
Best LCBO release: DDC or the Fall release, also La Chouffe was great to see
Favourite brewery of 2010: Flying Monkeys
Favourite event of 2010: Volo IPA final or The evening with Fred from Hopfenstark
Best new thing to happen in 2010: I guess the LCBO brewery features
Who deserves more recognition: no idea
Favourite beer of 2010: A tie between Victory Yakima Twighlight and Goose Island Bourbon County Stout
Most purchased beer of 2010: Dieu du Ciel barrel-aged Soctice d'Hiver
Best LCBO release: Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout, waiting for Southern Tier unearthly.... 2011?
Favourite brewery of 2010: Sierra Nevada (30th series, Tumbler, Harvest ales)
Favourite event of 2010: Beau's Oktoberfest. Will be back next year
Best new thing to happen in 2010: Opening of Beers of the World's new location
Who deserves more recognition: The friendly customs agents at a certain Ontario border crossing who generously let me through freely 4 times this year. A record year.
Most purchased beer of 2010: Dieu du Ciel barrel-aged Soctice d'Hiver
Best LCBO release: Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout, waiting for Southern Tier unearthly.... 2011?
Favourite brewery of 2010: Sierra Nevada (30th series, Tumbler, Harvest ales)
Favourite event of 2010: Beau's Oktoberfest. Will be back next year
Best new thing to happen in 2010: Opening of Beers of the World's new location
Who deserves more recognition: The friendly customs agents at a certain Ontario border crossing who generously let me through freely 4 times this year. A record year.
Ian Guénard
http://www.bieresetplaisirs.com/index.php
http://www.bieresetplaisirs.com/index.php
Favourite beer of 2010: Charlevoix Dominus Vobiscum Lupulus
Most purchased beer of 2010: Duggan's No. 9 (Interstore purchase so 2 cases) Hoptical is a close 2nd.
Best LCBO release: Autumn/Halloween.
Favourite brewery of 2010: Charlevoix (Lupulus, Hibernus, a few DIPAs, re-release of Flacatoune and Brut)
Favourite event of 2010: Only went to Beau's Oktoberfest so I don't have anything to compete against.
Best new thing to happen in 2010: I travel twice a year to both Vegas and NYC for work, bringing back a 2nd bag of beer each time rules!
Who deserves more recognition:
Beau's does a lot of interesting stuff when it comes to their Wild Oat and events but get enough recognition. I don't think Charlevoix gets enough recognition for the great belgians that they make. Everything in Quebec is either DDC or Unibroue but Charlevoix needs to be spoken in the same breath.
Most purchased beer of 2010: Duggan's No. 9 (Interstore purchase so 2 cases) Hoptical is a close 2nd.
Best LCBO release: Autumn/Halloween.
Favourite brewery of 2010: Charlevoix (Lupulus, Hibernus, a few DIPAs, re-release of Flacatoune and Brut)
Favourite event of 2010: Only went to Beau's Oktoberfest so I don't have anything to compete against.
Best new thing to happen in 2010: I travel twice a year to both Vegas and NYC for work, bringing back a 2nd bag of beer each time rules!
Who deserves more recognition:
Beau's does a lot of interesting stuff when it comes to their Wild Oat and events but get enough recognition. I don't think Charlevoix gets enough recognition for the great belgians that they make. Everything in Quebec is either DDC or Unibroue but Charlevoix needs to be spoken in the same breath.
Favourite beer of 2010: Hop Mess Monster by The Hart & Thistle
Most purchased beer of 2010: Red Racer IPA
Best LCBO release: Schneider Wiesen Edel-Weisse (It's really too bad this was delayed & sort of lost in the mix, I thought it was a great brew).
Favourite brewery of 2010: Duggan's. FINALLY Toronto got another good brew pub!
Favourite event of 2010: OCB week - Project XXX at Great Lakes... though the Bock tasting at Grand River was a lot of fun too.
Best new thing to happen in 2010: Toronto Beer Week (I missed it, but it was great for the community).
Who deserves more recognition: Amsterdam for continually hosting the SOBs and also brewing the TBW winner! (C'est What & Volo deserve recognition, but I think they get it).
Most purchased beer of 2010: Red Racer IPA
Best LCBO release: Schneider Wiesen Edel-Weisse (It's really too bad this was delayed & sort of lost in the mix, I thought it was a great brew).
Favourite brewery of 2010: Duggan's. FINALLY Toronto got another good brew pub!
Favourite event of 2010: OCB week - Project XXX at Great Lakes... though the Bock tasting at Grand River was a lot of fun too.
Best new thing to happen in 2010: Toronto Beer Week (I missed it, but it was great for the community).
Who deserves more recognition: Amsterdam for continually hosting the SOBs and also brewing the TBW winner! (C'est What & Volo deserve recognition, but I think they get it).
-
cratez
- Beer Superstar
- Posts: 2299
- Joined: Mon Mar 15, 2010 8:29 pm
- Location: Brantford, Ontario
- Contact:
Favourite beer of 2010:
Bell's HopSlam Ale - enjoyed several times throughout the year, first at Chancey Smith's courtesy of Chris Simmons (thanks dude!), then again in Michigan and Daytona Beach, Florida
Most purchased beer of 2010:
Southern Tier IPA
Best LCBO release:
Garrison IPA
Favourite brewery of 2010:
Flying Monkeys Craft Brewery - for getting their excellent IPA, Smash Bomb, into draught accounts throughout the province and for putting their Black IPA, Netherworld Cascadian Dark Ale, onto the shelves of Ontario's alcohol retail monopoly
Favourite event of 2010:
Great Lakes Brewery - The Project X Beer Tasting @ Chancey Smith's, London, ON (March 2010)
Best new thing to happen in 2010:
1) Toronto Beer Week - didn't get the chance to attend but all the folks involved with this should be extremely proud of themselves as beer weeks & festivals are well-known for raising awareness among the masses more so than any other form of advocacy
2) Chancey Smith’s finally getting their proper recognition at the 2010 Golden Tap Awards
3) Adil Ahmed and Peter Chiodo brewing the Bad Ass Chaos Theory Imperial Wheat Stout in November 2010 (the best imperial stout this province has seen in years) and their yet-to-be-released Imperial Baltic Porter, American Barley Wine, and Russian Imperial Stout this past December
Who deserves more recognition:
1) Haven't been yet (I'll be visiting at the end of this month), but just by the sounds of their always-rotating and gargantuan micro draught list, Augusta's Winking Judge in Hamilton, Ontario
2) Black Oak Brewing Company – for making several superb session beers that I always return to, and for brewing 10 Bitter Years
3) The King Edward Restaurant & Pub - for their dedication to local craft beer, clean draught lines, fresh and interesting cask ales, and extraordinary pub food.
Bell's HopSlam Ale - enjoyed several times throughout the year, first at Chancey Smith's courtesy of Chris Simmons (thanks dude!), then again in Michigan and Daytona Beach, Florida
Most purchased beer of 2010:
Southern Tier IPA
Best LCBO release:
Garrison IPA
Favourite brewery of 2010:
Flying Monkeys Craft Brewery - for getting their excellent IPA, Smash Bomb, into draught accounts throughout the province and for putting their Black IPA, Netherworld Cascadian Dark Ale, onto the shelves of Ontario's alcohol retail monopoly
Favourite event of 2010:
Great Lakes Brewery - The Project X Beer Tasting @ Chancey Smith's, London, ON (March 2010)
Best new thing to happen in 2010:
1) Toronto Beer Week - didn't get the chance to attend but all the folks involved with this should be extremely proud of themselves as beer weeks & festivals are well-known for raising awareness among the masses more so than any other form of advocacy
2) Chancey Smith’s finally getting their proper recognition at the 2010 Golden Tap Awards
3) Adil Ahmed and Peter Chiodo brewing the Bad Ass Chaos Theory Imperial Wheat Stout in November 2010 (the best imperial stout this province has seen in years) and their yet-to-be-released Imperial Baltic Porter, American Barley Wine, and Russian Imperial Stout this past December
Who deserves more recognition:
1) Haven't been yet (I'll be visiting at the end of this month), but just by the sounds of their always-rotating and gargantuan micro draught list, Augusta's Winking Judge in Hamilton, Ontario
2) Black Oak Brewing Company – for making several superb session beers that I always return to, and for brewing 10 Bitter Years
3) The King Edward Restaurant & Pub - for their dedication to local craft beer, clean draught lines, fresh and interesting cask ales, and extraordinary pub food.
"Bar people do not live as long as vegan joggers. However, they have more fun." - Bruce Elliott
-
Jon Walker
- Seasoned Drinker
- Posts: 1899
- Joined: Fri Jul 27, 2001 8:00 pm
- Location: Wherever you go there you are
The view from the west coast;
Favourite beer I had in 2010: Goose Island Bourbon County Imp.Stout
Most purchased beer of 2010: Probably Green Flash west coast IPA
Best locally made release: Howe Sound Wooly Bugger
Favourite local brewery of 2010: Central City
Favourite event of 2010: Alibi Room's 200th list
Best new thing to happen in 2010: Stone/Lagunitas begin to regularly ship to B.C.
Who deserves more recognition: Again, probably the guys who run Alibi. It's a standout beer venue for any city.
Favourite beer I had in 2010: Goose Island Bourbon County Imp.Stout
Most purchased beer of 2010: Probably Green Flash west coast IPA
Best locally made release: Howe Sound Wooly Bugger
Favourite local brewery of 2010: Central City
Favourite event of 2010: Alibi Room's 200th list
Best new thing to happen in 2010: Stone/Lagunitas begin to regularly ship to B.C.
Who deserves more recognition: Again, probably the guys who run Alibi. It's a standout beer venue for any city.
I don't always piss in a bottle but when I do...I prefer to call it Dos Equis.