Our top four picks for Toronto Beer Week

Our top four picks for Toronto Beer Week

The third annual Toronto Beer Week kicks off this Friday, with over 50 bars and restaurants, 25 breweries and two importers participating during the nine-day celebration of the city’s craft beer scene. After the jump, we assemble a four-pack of some of the more buzz-worthy events.


Spearhead Moroccan Brown Ale Launch Party
Spearhead Brewing Company, brewers of the popular Hawaiian Pale Ale (a West Coast–style American pale ale brewed with pineapple), are launching their next brew at Bar Hop. Inspired by the Maghreb region of northwest Africa, their Moroccan Brown Ale is an American-style brown ale that goes further than mere pineapples—this one is brewed with dates, figs, raisins and a dash of cinnamon. It’s unfiltered and naturally carbonated with notes of plum, brown sugar, and dried fruit. Sept. 14. Bar Hop, 391 King St W. Find out more »


Ontario Brewmaster’s Cup Awards Party
When the LCBO held its Brewmaster’s Cup earlier this year, they pitted 16 beers against one another and polled the public to choose their favourite. There was one problem, though: the lone Canadian beer chosen by the LCBO, Moosehead Lager, wasn’t even from Ontario. In response, four Toronto beer writers, Greg Clow, Ben Johnson, Crystal Luxmore and Jordan St. John, came together to host their own all-Ontario competition. The four finalists, one from each of four categories, are Steam Whistle Pilsner, Muskoka Mad Tom IPA, Wellington Russian Imperial Stout and Denison’s Weissbier. The winner will be announced at this awards party. Sept. 16. Rhino Bar and Grill, 1249 Queen St. W. Find out more »


Rogue Beer Dinner and Tap Takeover
The various creations from Newport, Oregon’s award-winning brewery Rogue Ales are finally available on tap in Ontario (we’re hoping at long last to be able to curl up with a pint of their exceptional Chocolate Stout). To celebrate, Beerbistro is hosting a 10-course dinner and tap takeover. Tickets are $125. Sept. 19. Beerbistro, 18 King St. E., 416-861-9872. Find out more »


We Live for the Funk
Bar Volo is hosting its second edition of We Live for the Funk, a night of “funky tunes and funky brews” where 25 funky barrel-aged and sour ales will be available on draught with food from chef Guy Rawlings. Sour ales are brewed by introducing wild yeast strains or bacteria during fermentation, which sours the beer in unpredictable and often delicious ways. Breweries from Ontario and Quebec—including Toronto’s Amsterdam Brewery, Bellwoods Brewery, Great Lakes Brewery, Indie Ale House and House Ales (Bar Volo’s own nano-brewery)—will have their experimental brews on offer, all limited to one keg of each. Sept. 20. Bar Volo, 587 Yonge St. Find out more »