Neil: My friends in beer, I can hardly believe that it’s time for me to leave. I like to believe that Dan and I have contributed to the beer revolution, or at least had fun trying to convince you folks to spend more than $2.00 a bottle. Alas, the road to becoming beer deities has been rocky and full of douchebaggery (mostly on Dan’s part). I still remember when Dan stated that Rogue Brutal Bitter was nothing but a senseless hop bomb, and now the guy thinks Tree Hophead Double IPA is not bitter enough… Tisk tisk Dan, times do change you hypocritical bastard (just kidding bud). Regardless, the fact of the matter is that we are finally able to sample some diversity in Ontario, and that’s a true cause to celebrate.
What’s next for Neil? Continue adventures in brewing beer, or join the crowd and become a (sigh) responsible human being? Sadly, it will probably be the latter option; supporting the beer scene from the underground, but only after fighting the daily traffic jam. Apparently, brewing dreams do not come true – at least right away. It isn’t all bad though, as the new graduate job (once I find one) is sure to be legit. Tons of training, becoming a competent engineer, and a budget for some sweet home-brew equipment. Bling bling! So as to not to overdo my part, I’ll let Dan have his rant, which is sure to be full ‘o spite. Remember to keep the hops fresh and the brew chilled, but only slightly.
Dan: I may have called Brutal Bitter a hop bomb two years ago, but Neil didn’t know the difference between gueuze and fruit lambic until two weeks ago. Some ‘brewer’. (Love you, buddy.)
In the documentary Beer Wars, Greg Koch of Stone Brewing, one of America’s most respected breweries, exclaims that he is angry about beer. This can seem like an absurd statement. Beer should be a joyous beverage for times of relaxation and celebration. Anger is for Neil when he’s sucking ass at Call of Duty. But when I consider our current situation, beer does bring quite a bit of anger to mind. Aside from the public’s general apathy when it comes to mass-produced, flavourless beer, we Ontario drinkers must also endure the ever-frustrating practices of the LCBO and The Beer Store. Despite this anger, I am hopeful and optimistic about beer’s future in our province. Breweries like Flying Monkeys, Beau’s, Great Lakes, Mill Street, Black Oak, and Grand River are developing distinctive, high quality beers that are slowly becoming more and more widely available. And equally significant, beer drinkers are demonstrating a demand for unique brews by snatching up the special releases at the LCBO. We may be a decade behind our neighbours to the South, but things are looking up.
What gets a person into craft beer? For me, the credit would have to go to my older brother. Like most, I began my drinking career with Keith’s/Canadian/somecrappylager, but toward the end of high school I was introduced to Hoegaarden and Blanche de Chambly: two Belgian witbiers that completely shattered the conceptions I had about how beer could taste. I didn’t instantly become an obsessive (hard to do at 17), but the seed for beer curiosity had been planted. That’s all it took for me to end up with a basement full of bottles, a column about my favourite beverage, and a high-maintenance home-brewing housemate (who I respect like mad).
I can only conclude that it’s those you’re surrounded by who will get you into craft beer. The other day in class, two friends mentioned that the night before, they had each drunk a bottle of La Fin du Monde. Then another friend brought one to a party a few days later. Not to jeopardize my manliness, but I damn near shed a tear. I’d like to think I played some role in persuading them to select such a fine brew, but in the end it really doesn’t matter. What matters is that great beer is getting more and more support these days. So grab a beer, dear readers, whether it be a 9% espresso-infused oak-aged imperial stout or a plain ol’ lager, and raise a glass as The Brew Man Group bids you adieu.
And for the last time…
Props to hops // Dan and Neil
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