The Bar Towel

House brand of a supermarket chain, U. From "BL Alsace", which is Brasserie Licorne, earlier Saverne, an old regional in eastern France. Owned for some years now by a regional German group. All-malt lager and label states Alsace hops give an aroma. It does, a nice floral note, probably Str...

I meant it is as good - this sample especially was often better - compared to our IPA norm but not especially local French in any way. But for me that's okay, part of craft beer world wide today is working with established styles like IPA, Imperial Stout, Berliner Weisse, etc so when I find a partic...

IPA shown, Trois Chariots from Normandy, was great. As many today it is a kind of a mash up (sorry) between West Coast and NEIPA. A fine orchard fruits taste from the hops mixed orange, tangerine, grapefruit and lemon flavours. Light amber in colour. Unlike a few years ago IPA quality here easily ri...

Excellent, Cass. I think you've pioneered a genre of beer coverage and tourism here.

Craft has spread through the nation including the North and Paris. Maybe 10-12 old family breweries survive in North that are bridges to craft like Jenlain whose biere de garde is spicy and malty, more English than Belgian. The later craft ales generally have either Belgian influence, or American fo...

Travelling in the South currently and this beer bar and brewery at Nice, called Beer District, is a good example of the current craft scene here, with excellent house, and other French brewery, selections. One encounters this regularly now in France. It co-exists with the older scene in the North an...

All good discussion and I take the further points made. I do think the cozy intimate bar including those focused on beer will continue to exist, not as many perhaps as before, but a certain number will stay. Also, more bar owners in the future, seeing the non-replacement factor Cass noted, may seek ...

Much appreciated Cass. Travelling in France currently and may post some notes soon, e.g. wss much impressed with old classic Jenlain biere de garde the other day.

It depends what you look for. I am primarily interested in beer - for example, Beertown has Mountain Lager and I can have one at the bar, patio in good weather, and am very happy. Not all old school is cozy type, Granite never was really, not sure C'est What is either. Depends what you want.

I may participate again, from time to time, as timing seems opportune. I hope you do Gary. I recall enjoying reading your thoughtful posts when you were active here. I always think of you as the guy that experimented with mixing two or more beers together. It made me laugh at myself when I carefull...

For the modern buildings that harbour a good beer bar, GLB was mentioned and I agree, but also Craft, Beertown, the beer bar in First Canadian Place, the one down the street from it on Bay - all fine beer choices. Ambience will differ from the old low-rise blocks but that's progress - at least excel...

Happy holidays everyone! Hope you have some unique & delicious beers lined up for the holiday weekend. Thanks for sticking with the Bar Towel. As social media platforms get weirder it’s always nice to know that our old school forum is still here to provide a place for beer folks like us to chat...

It reminded me of an early Ontario craft beer but I couldn't place it exactly. Later, I remembered, Algonquin, the special ale or dark ale - which I always liked but had the same reaction to as here: more taste needed.

I think they'd have great beer if they ramped up the profile.

Gary

Yes, thanks for correction. This is the website by the way: www.vonbugle.ca

Gary

Found it at King Taps, the beer bar built into First Canadian Place on King Street. In business about a year, it's part of the cluster of new-generation beer bars in the area, of which Craft down the street is one. The Walrus Beer Hall is another, down Bay at Wellington. All three places are first-r...