Beer and the Babes Who Love It

Hey ladies!! The sun is shining and it just happens to be Craft Beer Week in Ontario. No better time than now to take a Hot Pink field trip to Toronto’s Bier Market, on the Esplanade, to explore a worldly map of lagers and ales.

So what’cha what’cha what’cha want
(in your frosted mug)?

Kristina is ready to party.

JODI: Galt Knife Beer. Stumping for the old hometown.

AMANDA: I’m going to come clean and say I don’t actually like beer myself! However, my husband makes it all the time. We had a batch go sour a while back (introduced some natural yeast by mistake) so we bought some cherry concentrate and made a sour cherry beer. It soon disappeared, so I assume it was good!

DANA: I am hooked on the hoppy, strong IPAs right now. Seems to be the current trend among craft brewers – no complaints. When we landed in Texas last week (land of craft brewers aplenty), I tasted as many as I could get into my bloated self. Many excellent choices out there but I still consider Canada’s Amsterdam Brewery Boneshaker to be my beloved favourite beer right now. Chased by a pint of Guinness, of course.

The problem I’m having is feeling satisfied by anything that isn’t “over the top hops” now. It’s like an expensive fine wine, you have to only dabble otherwise you get hooked and what use to be reliable (and cheap) just isn’t good enough anymore. Everything in moderation – one day I’ll learn to listen to my own advice.

KIRSTY: I am loving hoppy IPAs as well! Yummy! I am digging Lake of Bays Brewing. While we were away in NC last month I loved Kona Brewing Longboard Langer

Trendsetters. Photo by Brian Hamilton.

REAGAN: It will always be Guinness for me. I just can’t get over that love affair. But did you know you can get the Steigl Radler (aka beer with grapefruit juice already mixed in) in tallboys at the LCBO? So delicious and refreshing for summer…and a very responsible 2% so you can drink them all afternoon.

Also, I bought a weird elderflower Swedish cider called Rekorderlig today solely because of Amanda’s homemade posts. It is delicious! But very sweet. And very strong.

CAITLIN: I’m not much of a beer drinker, but I’m a sucker for a good stout. Recently it seems like everywhere I go, I find the St. Ambroise Oatmeal Stout on tap, so I’m declaring it my official summer beer. Like Reagan I’ve also been all over the beer and grapefruit juice combo ever since our epic beer tasting afternoon at the Bier Market! Must source out those Steigls…

SHIP: Omission Gluten Free Beer kicks butt! Tastes like a real beer & has a great flavour.

KRISTINA: REALLY diggin the latest addition on the list at Ronnie’s local 069, RODENBACH Grand Cru. A Belgian blend of young ales with AMAZING fruity notes, a rich red colour and a lovely head. Served in a tulip-shaped glass, it’s my new favourite summer beer. At least to start off with, before I get bleary-eyed as one tends to at ole Ron’s….

Whatever your personal taste may be, beer has an incredible ability to bring people together. Let’s celebrate that.

A typical meal with Dana. Photo by Brian Hamilton.

Where there is great beer, there must be delicious food – don’t forget to eat! Top left to bottom right: steak wrap with wasabi aioli, crispy frites, steak tartar (perhaps not the wisest choice on a hot summer day), spinach salad with candied walnuts and stilton blue cheese, the meat and cheese sampler platter with house-made mustards and pickled veg.