Golden Tap Awards 2009 Voting Commences

We are proud to announce the launch of voting for the 2009 Golden Tap Awards. The awards, now in its seventh year, recognizes the best in breweries, bars and beer in Ontario

This year the Golden Tap Awards has undergone a significant restructuring and expansion. Awards are no longer segmented as Greater Toronto Area and outside of Ontario - all categories recognize the full province.

All voting will take place online at www.goldentap.com. Winners will be announced at a special event and Ontario-only beer festival at beerbistro on August 29th.

Volo Ontario Cask IPA Challenge: The Final Showdown

Volo (587 Yonge St.) have announced details for the 4th and final round of their Ontario Cask IPA/Pale Ale Challenge.

Starting on Thursday, July 9th and running through the weekend, the two beers that made it through the previous rounds - Durham Hop Addict and Mike Duggan Number 9 - will be going head-to-head. Both beers will be available in a blind tasting, and once the votes are tallied, the champion Cask IPA in the province will be crowned.

Great Lakes Project X

Great Lakes Brewery have announced the launch of Project X, a monthly event at the brewery (30 Queen Elizabeth Blvd, Etobicoke) that will feature a new and limited cask beer only available for the night. They invite all to become a member and experience these unique and adventurous beers.

Entry to each monthly event will include samples of the monthly cask conditioned beer, 2 drink tickets, and beer-themed food. Admission is only $10, and requires a membership ($10). All members will receive an exclusive t-shirt and membership card.

Held on the second Thursday of each month, the first event is July 9, from 6:30-9:00. Great Lakes staff will be on hand to tour, taste, and talk about the world of beer.

To get on the list, email info@greatlakesbeer.com or sign up in our retail store.

The brewery is a short walk from the Mimico GO Station or a quick bus ride from the Royal York Subway, so please don't drink and drive!

Pepperwood Beers of the Month for July

Pepperwood Bistro & Brewpub (1455 Lakeshore Road, Burlington) have announced the details of their special beers of the month for July:

Pepperwood Monthly Feature –
German Style Wheat Beer
Available Friday, July 3rd

Moderate banana and clove flavor. The soft, grainy flavor of wheat is complementary, as is a slightly sweet Pils malt character. Hop flavor and bitterness is very low. A tart, citrusy character from yeast and high carbonation is present. Well rounded, flavorful palate with a relatively dry finish.

Pepperwood Cask -
English Mild
Available Friday, July 24th

A malty beer, with flavors including caramel, toffee, toast, nutty, chocolate, coffee, and roast. Low bitterness, enough to provide some balance but not enough to overpower the malt. Fruity esters moderate.

Brewfest 2009 at Capers Brasserie

Capers Brasserie (272 Front Street, Belleville) will be hosting Brewfest 2009, an evening of microbrews and ciders, on Thursday June 25 from 7pm - 10pm.

Come sample locally produced beer and ciders, as well as featured brews from Premier Brands (importers of Warsteiner and Bavaria) and a special selection of international premium beers sourced from the LCBO.

Participating suppliers: County Cider Co. (Prince Edward County), Church Key Brewing (Cambellford), Barley Days (Picton), Premier Brands, and specially selected brews from Capers' sommelier, Astrid Young (there will be some 'under the table' items available for tasting, details only at the event)

$40pp (inclusive) for entry gets you a glass, unlimited sampling of all products and paired food items. Call 613-968-7979 for more details.

First Annual Father’s Day BBQ at Cameron's Brewery

Cameron’s Brewing (1165 Invicta Drive, Oakville) will be opening their doors on Sunday June 21st from 12noon - 5pm for their First Annual Father’s Day Brewery BBQ. Stop in for brewery tours, grade ‘A’ burgers from Whole Foods Markets, educated tastings with Brewmaster Jason Britton and brewery fresh Cameron’s.

Bring your dad, bring your son, bring your family and friends or come on your own. All are welcome.

For more information, call the brewery at 905.849.8282

Upcoming Ontario Beer Events

The Bar Towel Ontario Beer Events Calendar has just been updated with a bunch of events taking place this summer throughout the province.

Here's a quick list of what's coming up:

Sat Jun 13 - Great Canadian Homebrew Conference and Competition - Rhino Bar & Grill, 1249 Queen St W, Toronto
Sun Jun 14 - June Tasting at Castro's Lounge - Castro's Lounge, 2116 Queen St. East, Toronto, ON
Wed Jun 17 - Summer White Beer Dinner - St Veronus, 129 Hunter Street West, Peterborough
Fri Jun 19 - Brewmasters Dinner with Cameron's and Mill Street - Holiday Inn Kitchener, 30 Fairway Road South, Kitchener
Sat Jun 20 - Ontario Cask I.P.A Challenge Round 3 - Volo, 587 Yonge Street, Toronto
Sun Jul 12 - Victory Summer Cask Ale Festival - The Victory Café, 581 Markham Street, Toronto
Fri Jul 17 to Sun Jul 19 - Downtown Kitchener Ribfest & Craft Beer Show - Victoria Park, Kitchener
Thu Jul 30 - Hart House Craft Beer Festival & Summer BBQ - Hart House, 7 Hart House Circle, Toronto
Thu Aug 6 to Sun Aug 9 - Toronto's Festival of Beer - Bandshell Park, Exhibition Place, Toronto
Sat Aug 29 - Golden Tap Awards - beerbistro, 18 King Street East, Toronto
Sat Aug 29 - Muskoka Beer Festival - Annie Williams Park, Bracebridge

For further details on all of these events, check out the Calendar.

Pepperwood Beers of the Month for June

Pepperwood Bistro & Brewpub (1455 Lakeshore Road, Burlington) have announced the details of their special beers of the month for June:

Pepperwood Monthly Feature –
Ginger-Lime Summer Ale
Available Friday, June 5th.

Loosely based on a Cream Ale style, this beer is neither dominated by malt nor hops. A generous amount of ginger with a hint of lime makes this a refreshing beer for easy summer drinking.

Pepperwood Cask -
English Ordinary Bitter
Availability to be announced - hopefully mid-month.

A low gravity, low alcohol level and low carbonation makes this an easy-drinking beer. Noticeable malt with complementary hopping makes this a session beer. Enjoy!