Ontario beer recommendations, please

Discussion in 'Canada' started by The-Jolly-Imbiber, Aug 20, 2013.

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  1. The-Jolly-Imbiber

    The-Jolly-Imbiber Crusader (469) Aug 20, 2013 Antarctica

    Hi! New BA member here. I am just beginning to get into beer appreciation, and would like some recommendations of beers that I could begin exploring. As you can see from my BA "Hads" page ( http://beeradvocate.com/user/beers?ba=The-Jolly-Imbiber&order=ratingD&start=0&view=H ), my current preferences lie with Red / Amber beers. I just recently picked up a box of Spark House Red Ale, and really enjoyed my first glass of it.

    Can I get any recommendations for beers that can be purchased in Ontario which are similar to the ones I've tried and liked? I would like to support local breweries, so feel free to mention any beers from them, but if there are North American or International beers that are worth trying, I'm open to that.
     
    #1 The-Jolly-Imbiber, Aug 20, 2013
  2. mtomlins

    mtomlins Pooh-Bah (1,585) Mar 12, 2010 Canada (ON)
    Pooh-Bah

    Distribution across Ontario isn’t always the best; craft brewed in Toronto may not be available in Ottawa and vise-versa. Therefore, some of the province's real gems (e.g., Bellwoods, Beyond the Pale) are only available in their respective cities (and definitely not in Antarctica). Here are a few of my recommended breweries that are a bit more widely available: Beaus, Great Lakes, Muskoka, Flying Monkeys, Nickel Brook and Mill Street. Given that you are just starting out, a few safe bets are Beau’s Lug Tread, Great Lakes Crazy Canuck or Nickel Brook Naughty Neighbor.
     
    #2 mtomlins, Aug 20, 2013
  3. CanuckRover

    CanuckRover Initiate (0) Jul 10, 2007 Canada (ON)

    Welcome to the world of beer JI. Whereabouts are you (assuming it's not Antarctica)? We can list of LCBO offerings, but if you're in downtown Toronto you'll have a lot more choice.

    Sounds like you're a fan of good malty beers like myself. I'd start off with some of the English offerings at the LCBO, maybe some London Pride (see left!) to begin. Follow that with some ESB, which is bigger, but a classic.

    Plowman's Ale from Grand River is a good Ontario offering that you might enjoy. Great Lakes Devil's Pale Ale (666) is a bit more challenging, but will give you something to chew on.

    I'd also throw in:
    -Mill Race Mild
    -King Brewery Vienna
    -Neustadt 10W30
    -Sam Adams Boston Lager
    -Rogue Dead Guy

    None of these are way out there, just generally consistent, good takes on classic styles. Some good gateway beers that will, inevitably, lead you towards the expanding IPA selection at the LCBO and learning about hops.

    You should be on the lookout for styles like Reds, Bitters, Browns, Milds, English Pales and India Pale Ales, ESB, Altbier, Scottish Ale, Marzen, Vienna Lager.

    Also try a Belgian like Duvel, or Saison Dupont, and see if you have a taste for that kind of thing. It will take you in a different direction (for awhile anyway).
     
    #3 CanuckRover, Aug 20, 2013
  4. The-Jolly-Imbiber

    The-Jolly-Imbiber Crusader (469) Aug 20, 2013 Antarctica

    Thanks for these recommendations, guys! I'll have to write down or print out a short list to take with me when next I go beer shopping.

    I'm just a beginner, so maybe I don't know what I'm talking about, but from the dozen or so beers that I've tried so far, I can say that the taste of the lighter-coloured beers I've tried just don't appeal to me. Too bitter for my noob tastebuds, I guess? I tried a Weihenstephaner wheat beer at a friend's house once and (sorry if I offend anyone by saying so) I really disliked it. It could just be psychological, but the appearance and taste of the dark red ones I've tried are just great to me.

    I think my next direction of exploration would be to go darker. I've had Rickard's Dark, and it seemed okay to me. Since I liked the Spark House Red Ale so much, I was aiming to try that brewery's Old North Mocha Porter (http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/22439/86625) soon/next.
     
    #4 The-Jolly-Imbiber, Aug 20, 2013
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