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It’s been heartening over the last couple of weeks to see adjustments to the way that the beer industry functions go into effect. It just goes to show that reform has always been possible, although the alacrity with which some moves have been made will require a little thinking time […]

Contract Brewing in the time of Corona

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Perhaps you’ll recall that a few weeks ago I wrote a piece about the state of the beer industry in Ontario in 2020. I would not blame you if you didn’t remember that because it has been a busy few weeks here in existence. You probably own either all of […]

What the Government Can do to help save the Beer ...

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In the mid-afternoon downtime, the taproom feels practically solemn. Down the steps from King Street in the brightly lit strip across from Roy Thomson, Mascot Brewing seems an odd fit for the neighbourhood. At least, it does until you realize that all the other tastes are catered for. I keep […]

In Which I Visit Mascot King Street

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I spend a lot of time thinking about the state of the Ontario beer market. When I’m trudging about town between various activities, I’ll run into brewers and reps and they will quietly and confidentially intone things to me that make me wonder whether there isn’t a little bit of […]

Some Thoughts About the State Of Play In Ontario Beer ...

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Ed. Note: I stopped by Rorschach the day we got our advance copies of the second edition of the Ontario Craft Beer Guide. I’d been dropping off a copy for Nicole Crozier at The Auld Spot and the night seemed young. The kind of high spirits that surround having your […]

In Which I Visit Rorschach

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(Ed.Note: I mentioned previously that it is sometimes hard to know when it is fair to review a brewery. It’s more difficult when there’s a paucity of rumour and innuendo floating around. Some breweries exist as hype beasts and every release is dissected on twitter. Some breweries you don’t hear […]

In Which I Visit The Six Brewhouse

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Editor’s note: Just going and reviewing a brewery is seemingly an old fashioned idea. When was the last time you saw someone do it? That’s a legitimate question, by the way. If you can picture a Maslow’s hierarchy of beer journalism, reviewing a brewery is somewhere towards the bottom of […]

In Which I Visit Black Lab

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The Go Train is familiar, but I’m usually pushing on to the end of the line, either Burlington to transfer to Niagara College or Aldershot for Hamilton. The stations between Exhibition and that distant west end of the line dot the landscape between unfamiliar supermarkets and big box stores; the […]

In Which I Visit Stonehooker

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Last week, I blogged so angry I made the Toronto Star. In 2019. When blogs aren’t a thing. I’m not really that guy. I just act out when I’m frustrated by incompetence.  This is going to be a little more reflective of normalcy. Did you know I took finite math […]

Fun with Numbers: Diversity is Important

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Hi there. You may notice that I am blogging more than once this week. You may also notice that I don’t get paid to do that. This may explain some of the tone that is about to emerge. I apologize in advance for any cussing. You know I hate cussing.  […]

Some Advice for Ontario Craft Brewers On The Recent Kerfuffle.