And the Ontario Brewmaster’s Cup goes to...
Steam Whistle?
Nothing against the current occupants of the John Street Roundhouse, but when beer nerds Ben Johnson, Greg Clow, Crystal Luxmore and Jordan St. John named the 16 beers to compete in the first Ontario Brewmaster’s Cup, we didn’t think that Steam Whistle stood much of a chance against a slate that included three IPAs, the craft beer world’s current darling. “Steam Whistle is possibly the perfect pilsner,” wrote Johnson in his nomination for the beer in the iconic green bottle. “It’s got a mild aroma and a great balance of sweetness and just a little hoppy bitterness, making it arguably the ultimate Toronto beer for patio season. I think it will be a popular choice among voters.” Clearly, he was onto something.
The pilsner didn’t have an easy ride to victory, facing stiff competition throughout. It beat Beau’s Lug Tread by only two per cent in the first round and faced a fearsome squad in the finals, going up against Wellington’s Imperial Stout, Denison’s Weissbier and Muskoka Brewery’s super-bitter and super-trendy Mad Tom IPA. Kudos to Toronto’s “Good Beer Folks.”
