Pub's in Durham?

al · Post by al » Wed Feb 19, 2003 11:20 am

Hi This is my first post although I have been using the info on the site for over a year. My questionis can anyone suggest pubs in durham. I'm living in Oshawa and presently I travel to Ajax, to The Thirst Monk for Leffe Blonde. I'd like a little more varity. Belguim's are on the top of my list, but I enjoy trying anything not commonly available.

[ This Message was edited by: al on 2003-02-19 11:21 ]

[ This Message was edited by: al on 2003-02-19 13:01 ]

[ This Message was edited by: al on 2003-02-19 15:51 ]

Maudite · Post by **Maudite** » Wed Feb 19, 2003 11:03 pm

Whitby -The Tap & Tankard (Brock / Hwy 2)

Pickering - Harp & Crown (Kingston Rd).

The fox goes free - Kingston Rd.

If you are looking for Belgium beers in Durham good luck. Durham seems to be catching on to the Import scene of English and Irish beers that were trendy a couple of years ago. A little more time is needed for Suburbia. The places that I mentioned above you'll find beers such as: Guinness, John Smiths, Tetley's, stuff like that. Another bet is to perhaps send a post to the Esprit boys. Perhaps Geoffrey has done some work in Durham since his stuff is in Peterborough. Worth a shot. Good luck with your quest at finding any other decent pubs in Durham. Also send us a post should there be any development in these parts of Ontario. Cheers! Claude.

the_mad_brewer · Post by **the_mad_brewer** » Thu Feb 27, 2003 11:38 am

There are two pubs that have fresh micro that I can think of. Magwires in Ajax carries St. Ambrois Pale Ale and The Gryphon has Connors Best Bitter.

esprit · Post by **esprit** » Thu Feb 27, 2003 12:37 pm

Hey al, where is this Thirst Monk...I can't find a phone number or address for them anywhere.

al · Post by al » Thu Feb 27, 2003 12:46 pm

Sorry. My spelling sucks.

The pub is called "The Thirsty Monk"
There are two of them. One in Ajax and the other in Oshawa. The Ajax one is the one with Leffe and Hoegaarden
Address:
85 Kingston road east
Ajax Ontario
905 427-5859
Again sorry about the error

Also thanks for the other posts I'll check out all four places

fkokot · Post by **fkokot** » Mon Mar 03, 2003 5:45 pm

Hi - its frank from DURHAM brewing. We've been trying to get into Durham region pubs for over six years now. Toronto - amongst others surely like us. C'est What, Smokeless Joes, Bow and Arrow... amongst others have our real ales/drafts on tap. But Durham? - No way - very CANADIAN don't you think

al · Post by al » Mon Mar 03, 2003 11:28 pm

Hi Frank.

I'll make sure I suggest your beers to The Thirsty Monk the next time I'm there.

[ This Message was edited by: al on 2003-03-03 23:28 ]

fkokot · Post by **fkokot** » Tue Mar 04, 2003 8:55 pm

Thanks Al. BTW our Signature Ale (an Amber Ale) is now available in all BRI's as we have a full SKU. This is a mild HOPPY pale ale for all you hopheads. We have best before dated them 3 months from brewing/bottling. Those later seem to lose some of the hoppiness, although they are quite sweet, as we tried some returns from April/June last year. MMM good. good for you good for me. Also available in most Durham region LCBO's. - Check our website http://www.durhambrewing.com - Late breaker - whats going on with KLB ????

Maudite · Post by **Maudite** » Tue Mar 04, 2003 9:36 pm

Re-structuring is the word. I have very close ties with the brewery and this is what is happening. I only hope that KLB can get through this one. I spoke with Jon the brewmaster and they finally brewed their "Trent Valley Lager". Should be available in a month or so. No word If it will be made available to the BRI, however some licensees are sure to carry it. Claude.

jbarns · Post by **jbarns** » Wed Mar 05, 2003 3:36 pm

Durham Brewing was in Whitby as a "Real Ale" at the Gryphon. It was hit and miss for quality and over priced for the area.

Gunny · Post by **Gunny** » Wed Mar 05, 2003 6:15 pm

Monsieur/Madame Barns:
I have had occasion to visit the bars in the Oshawa/Whitby area and find your comments indicative of the "beer culture" in the "416 bedroom". I believe I'm infinately qualified to comment on this because I spent fully a third of my life living in the city that "motovates" Canada, part of which I worked at BRI. I visit regularly but after several episodes of "lunch bag let down" at local establishments, I have resigned myself to enjoying fine brews at my parents'. This is mainly because of lack of choice. It is unfortunate that an area with so few local breweries refuses to embrace what it has. Overpriced compared to what? Poor quality, I beg to differ. I regularly drink cask ESB at the Winking Judge in Hamilton and find it to be an exceptional ale. I have also been known to enjoy a bottled Signature Ale as I watch the sunset on Lake Simcoe. Perhaps the cask ale at the Gryphon was not properly treated, as cask ale lover's know is of paramount importance. So many possibilities, so few answers.

Regards from an expat 'Shwaer

[ This Message was edited by: Gunny on 2003-03-05 18:43 ]

fkokot · Post by **fkokot** » Wed Mar 05, 2003 7:03 pm

Thank you Gunny. I do praise the Gryphon for giving our cask ales (ESB and XXX) a try. The manager has left the Gryphon. So has Durham Brewing. We now have the Beer engine at Dora's on the 'Drinkforth'. If there is any doubt about our quality or pricing please check with Dora's customers or owner. The Gryphon is in the middle of a British enclave. It received little support from the local's. The biggest problem, however, was the staff at the Gryphon (There was enthusiasm from some of the staff), "pulling a pint" on the beer engine was abhorred by most (too much work, too difficult). The pricing was at the level of other beers. Yes we have to monitor for quality. However if the staff pulls beer sitting in uncleaned, warm lines where not even the sparkler has been cleaned, quality may be compromised. I suspect this may have been part of quality problems, but cannot say for sure. We at Durham Brewing need to get the message out that we are here and do make and sell a quality Ale.
Frank