Eatdrink #39 January/February 2013

52 www.eatdrink.ca
№ 39 | January/February 2013
Beer beer matters
A Forward and Rearward Glance
The 4th Annual eatdrink Craft Beer Awards
By The Malt Monk
January is so aptly named after the
Roman deity Janus, god of new
beginnings and transitions.
He’s usually depicted with
two faces — one looking forward,
one looking back. The month
of January is thus a Gregorian
acknowledgement of the fact that
at the change of the year, it is
human nature to reflect on the past
year while looking at the future.
In keeping with this ideal, the annual
craft beer awards column reviews the
highlights of the local craft beer culture
and industry in the past year, and also
Highly Recommended
Garrison Spruce Beer — A wonderful revival of a longneglected
traditional Canadian favorite from Halifax’s
premier craft brewer. Absolutely mind-blowing flavour
amalgamation.
Cameron’s RyePA (Rye Pale Ale) — A wellcrafted
West Coast-style pale with the spicy
dryness of rye complimenting the citrusy bite of
Cascade hops. A well-deserving award winner.
Mikkeller Fresler Triple Bock — A big,
rich, fat, black chocolate and fig Bockbier from
Copenhagen Brewing artisan Mikkeller. Originally, monks
brewed Bockbier for a strong and filling beer during Lent
looks at trends that will shape the future
of the local artisanal brewing community.
So much is happening
so quickly in the local craft
beer market, and so many
praiseworthy brews and venues
are emerging, that it has become
difficult to assign merit and
achievement awards to a limited
few beers or brewers.
So here (in no particular
order) are the beers that stood out in this
market in 2012, that merit praise and
recommendation as being fine examples of
both style and the brewer’s art:
fasting. Don’t drink this beer instead of a meal, though, as it
contains 11% alcohol (but you’d never know it).
Flying Monkeys’ Effinguud, Lil’ Red and Big Red —
Three of the wonderful brews FMB created for the
London Tap takeover — a rich double milk stout,
an American Red Ale, and an Imperial Red Ale.
We can only hope they release them again as
draft or bottle offerings this year.
Cameron’s Deviator Doppelbock — Another
fine offering from this Oakville brewer. This dark rich
Doppelbock is as good as any German samples I’ve tasted —
probably better because it’s local and always fresher.
Home-made Food • The Area’s ONLY Hand-pulled Cask-conditioned Ale
Friendly Staff • Charming Heritage Building • 5 miles north of London
A REAL English Country Pub Just Minutes from the City!