October 19, 2013

Fall is here.

Fall has firmly set in and a variety of events have come up occupying our time and leaving us with little chance to sit down to write it all up.

At this moment we are in Windsor, Ontario about to attend their first craft beer festival.  This is a big deal for us here at Barley and Wort as it is our hometown and we love to support new festivals.

Over the last month we have hit a wide range of events from awards to Oktoberfest, beer launches and lots of planning for events to come.

September found us at the Golden Tap Awards in Toronto, Ontario.  The beer and food pairing before hand had some great combos. Try Muskoka's Mad Tom and curry. Or Amsterdam's Autumn Hop and ice cream.

While there I managed to pop into Bellwoods Brewery, Amsterdam's new Brewhouse and the Beer Academy. A whirlwind trip that ended with a stop at 5 Paddles Brewery.  I managed to get my hands on Midnight Paddler, Home Sweet Home and Keep It Simple Smash.

We attended the launch of ClockTower's Pumpkin beer.  They had some great food combos incliding sweeten popcorn, an autumn soup and cheesecake.  They had pumpkin beer and some served right from pumpkins.  The beer itself was quite flavourful with just the right mix of sweetness and spice notes.

Next event on the list was a great tap takeover at The Branch restaurant in Kemptville, Ontario. The featured brewery was Church Key Brewery from Campbellford, Ontario. On hand was John Graham, head brewer.  We got to spend some time with him chatting beer.  Featured beers were Holy Smoke, Northumberland Ale, West Coast, Honey Oat Stout and It's the Great Pumpkin Ale.  The food was fantastic including their sloppy joe, soup and curry.

The end of September and beginning of October kicks off Oktoberfest all over.  We made the trip out to Beau's Oktoberfest in Van Kleek Hill, Ontario.  So many wonderful food vendors and great beer selection.  The cask area was a hands down favourite by the crowd.

Highlight cask beers for us were: Pissed Off Pete's Pumpkin Porter, Damf Punk, Hellwoods, Country Bumpkin and Mommy Kissing Santa Claus. 

Next on the list was some down time with a vacation into Prince Edward County. Wineries as far as the eye can see but we did manage to stop at the local brewery-Barley Days.  Some of their Lager, IPA and Oyster Stout came home with us.

The trip home was completed with a stop at Kingston Brewing Company.  They are one of the oldest brewpubs and the entire place is covered with beer posters, tap hands and signs.

Next up for us?

Well as I said we are here in Windsor for the craft beer festival.  With ten breweries in the line up, including two from the Ottawa area it promises to be a fun time. 

After that we are hosting the first Ottawa Bottle Share.  Ottawa Beer Events is putting it on and we are opening our home to some craft beer fans to share rare bottle.

Finally Monday, November 4th together with Stoneface Dolly's we are happy to be hosting a meet up for Ottawa craft beer bloggers and beer lovers in general.  Chef Jeff is putting together a special food menu for us. 

Want to join us?  Reserve your space here:

https://www.eventbrite.com/event/8610106059

That is September, October and the beginning of November in a nutshell for us here at For Barley or For Wort.  Lots to do, lots of great beer and many wonderful people.

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