With the growing market for craft beer in Ontario the Ontario Craft Brewers week has also flourished. This year the 29 member breweries have spread the events across 29 of Ontario's communities. This list can seem a bit overwhelming so here's the preview of the ones (especially in Toronto) that we think will be winners.
Father's Day:
Technically, June 17, Father's Day kicks off OCB week again this year and you could work up a serious buzz with Dad if you dropped by even half the events that day.
Beach, Brews and BBQ: The Beach, Toronto's most suburban downtown neighbourhood hosts this festival at Woodbine Park. The weekend-long schedule (it gets started on Friday the 17th) of ribs, bbq competition, and a craft beer garden culminates on Father's Day. Details
Brewmaster's Dinner at The Royal York's Epic Restaurant: Mill Street's Joel Manning will present his beers paired with the excellent food from the Royal York's flagship restaurant. Details, including menu, on the OCB week site.
Trafalgar Brewery's Open House: For the 10th year in a row, Oakville's Trafalagar Ales and Meads will open their doors for beer sampling and a pig roast on Father's Day.
Casks and One Offs:
As well as giving non-craft drinkers an opportunity to try OCB beers for the first time (that's this year's promotional theme) this is a good time for aficianados to sample unique brews or beer pulled from casks.
Great Lakes at Harbord House: GLB is back for the third time at the Harbord strip's local and this year they have four courses each paired with different one-off beers. Wednesday June 13, and Monday June 18.
Occupy BarVolo: Flying Monkeys is bringing a selection of their unique special brews down the 400 for a tap takeover at BarVolo. Thursday June 21.
The Big Show:
Session99: The week that starts in the Beach with a rib fest ends on Sudbury Street with Session99 on Saturday, June 23. This year the $42.50 price is an all-in cost for sampling the impressive list of craft beer from Ontario and some from the rest of Canada. Details.
