Visiting Toronto May 19-21..any Bottle Shops worth checking out?

I think the question would be how are you getting around while there? are you driving up or using Public Transit. The GTA is virtually the size of Chicago land and houses over 70 breweries now.

Bellwoods is a must and they are located in the city, Amsterdam brewhouse as well. Collective Arts is really good as well but is a little out of the way in Hamilton.

A good idea may be to check out Summerhill LCBO. It's their flagship store and has the best beer selection of them all. You should be able to find a bunch of Ontario crafts there as well as Some bigger Quebec breweries and even American and International beers. This place can be used as a one stop shop. Heres a photo that doesn't do it justice

The address : 10 Scrivener Square, Toronto, ON M4W 3Y9

 

To confirm, we don't have "bottle shops" in the sense that you may be used to in the US or which even exist in other Canadian provinces. Ontario has provincial government-owned liquor stores (the LCBO), which are only recently getting more heavily into the craft movement. Note that despite the name of our government/big beer conglomerate-owned beer stores (The Beer Store), the LCBO is almost always your better bet (i.e. no need to make a stop, unless you're looking for a case of Bud). Aside from these, you're left with the breweries themselves. Bellwoods should be at the top of your list in this regard. You might also consider Left Field, Blood Brothers, Rainhard, Burdock and, if you're able to get just west of the downtown area, Great Lakes (Toronto version, not the Cleveland brewery).

 

http://www.bellwoodsbrewery.com/124-ossington-ave/ use this link when you are here and you will get a list of current beers in the bottle shop.

 

Nothing barrel aged currently available, but that could change by the time you arrive. That said, either way, you may still be able to purchase several of their barrel aged beers for consumption on site (i.e. order in the brewpub) - just not in the bottle shop to take away (see their "Reserve Bottle" list on the brewpub menu).

 

You usually have a couple days at minimum for any of the limited release beers at Bellwoods. With the second production facility they have now, some stuff seems to be lasting quite long compared to previous years. I haven't seen mention of anything coming in the next couple weeks.

I have a depleted cellar at the moment, but send me a message and I can try to pass along a couple of the bottles I have if you would like.

Cheers.

I

 

I did a trade with someone from Buffalo who was looking for hoppy stuff for some local buffalo goodies. I'd happily hook you up with some bellwoods releases of the past or anything else you might be into.

 

The previous guys have given you the lowdown.
At that time you may get a BA but they do move quick.
Trading is your best option for getting the BA brews you are looking for. I have a modest cellar, but always interested in sharing good beers.

 

Also...if you are forced into the LCBO: Craft beer is a crapshoot at the LCBO. You have no idea whether it was canned yesterday or last year for the most part since most Ontario Craft Brewers do not date their cans. And the LCBO does not take any care of the beers they have. They store them as they see fit and will let them sit on the shelves until they rot.

As others have said, if you are in TO with a way to get from brewery to brewery, take that game. Don't leave your choices to the LCBO.