Had a chance to do one of a few catch-ups with Kip and Shaz last night before they head off to Milwaukee. It was decided that we’d meet at the Woolwich Arms in Guelph, a great pub that appears to serve only Canadian microbreweries (with one exception – Moosehead) and several authentic cask ales, something Shazia had noted I hadn’t yet sampled on my journeys. This sister pub to Toronto’s Bow & Arrow also features above average pub fare and some great burgers. I had tried the Blackened Bison Burger with Tzatziki Sauce last December, and so I was driven to try to the Roasted Red Pepper and Garlic Bison Burger this time, with a side of Vegetable Black Bean Soup. All components were good although I was hurting from the sheer mass of garlic mayo. Very tasty, though.
The Wooly does 5oz samplers for $6 so you can try four different draught or cask brews for a reasonable cost. My first sampler consisted of a St Ambroise Oatmeal Stout, Wellington Arkell Best Bitter, Headstrong Munich Lager, and a house beer I assume to be Wellington’s contract brewed Big Hole Headstrong Pale Ale, based on the receipt name “HPA” and the fact they appear to have every other Wellington product on tap. The St Ambroise I’ve had before and it’s one of the world’s best stouts, hella-highly recommended. The hand-pumped cask best bitter was good as an experience but not my favourite taste – I do love to try something I haven’t done before, though. Second round brought McAuslan Apricot Wheat, Wellington County Dark Ale, Wellington Special Pale Ale, and something called Nickel Brook 80 Shilling. Odd because I’ve been able to find no reference to Nickel Brook offering a beer named 80 Shilling, but I continue to search. The Apricot Wheat is great for a fruit beer, with the sweetness only a component of the brew, not the main show. Oddly I prefer County Dark on draught than hand-pulled cask, it just seemed to be a muted version of itself. The SPA was nice.
Not sure if any of you can make it or not but Kip, Shaz, Shaz’s brother, and possibly Kip’s sister will be meeting Mary and I at the West 50 this coming Sunday at 5. We’d love to catch up with some more of you if you’re up for the trip to Mississauga!
Today’s Random Links
Finally, an ad that tells the truth about underwear ads! (NSFW)
Stephen Beaumont didn’t like his Beer Store calendar..
An amazing Japanese massage chair. (Thanks, Paul)