Finalized Beer List for Cask Ale Crawl

Here is the finalized list of beers set to be served at the bars and pubs participating in the Cask Ale Crawl on Friday April 3rd to Sunday April 5th (barring any last minute changes, of course…):

Granite Brewery (245 Eglinton Ave. E.)
Granite Best Bitter Special
Granite IPA
Granite Hopping Mad

Mill St. Brewpub (Distillery District, 55 Mill St.)
Mill St. IPA

C’est What (67 Front St. E.)
County Durham Hop Addict
County Durham Hop Head
Grand River Curmudgeon IPA
Grand River Plowman’s Ale
Neustadt Big Dog Porter

Rhino (1249 Queen St. W.)
County Durham ESB
Black Oak Pale Ale
Cheshire Valley Dry Stout

Victory (581 Markham St.)
Compass Starlight Ale
County Durham Signature Ale
Nickel Brook Sour Cherry Ale

Volo (587 Yonge St.)
C’est What Chocolate Hazelnut Ale
Grand River Russian Gun Imperial Stout
MacLean’s Country Organic Ale
Neustadt Texas Tea Stout

As noted previously, the Crawl kicks off at 5:00 PM on Friday and continues all weekend (except at Volo, where they won’t be participating on Sunday due to their Cask IPA/Pale Ale Challenge event). There is no admission charge or schedule, just drop by any or all of the bars to enjoy some fine real ale, and don’t forget to grab a free passport and get it stamped at each location for your chance to win some great prizes.

Also, remember that all of the pubs are accessable via TTC, so please don’t drink and drive!

Pepperwood Asks for Cask Feedback

In his latest newsletter, brewmaster Paul Dickey of Pepperwood Bistro in Burlington writes the following:

The last Cask “Mild” was well received but nevertheless I had to empty 1/3 of the keg on Monday because I was not willing to serve it beyond its prime.

I need your input to make Cask viable at the Pepperwood.

Are you interested in Cask Ales?

What night is best for you?

Is there a particular style you are looking for?

How can this be framed as an event you would interested in attending?

Do I need to be present for this to be successful?

If you’d like to offer your thoughts, feel free to contact Paul with your answers.

Paul has also announced that the cask ale for April will be a Dry Stout, with the date of release to be announced.

Cameron’s Announces Details for March Cask Night

Cameron’s Brewing have announced the details for the February edition of their monthly “Let’s Drink the Cask” night. Here’s what they had to say…This month’s Cameron’s ‘Let’s Drink the Cask Night’ will be on Thursday March 26th from 6:00 – 8:00pm. Please note that we only have 40 spots remaining, so RSVP’s will have to be sent straight away. If you try to RSVP and get an auto-responder, we apologize, but we are full. If you don’t get a response, consider your RSVP valid.

Also, for this month’s Cask Night, Cameron’s has partnered with the Kerr Street Ministries to help gather non perishable food for their food bank. We encourage everyone to do what they can. We will be weighing the food upon arrival and the person who brings the most food will Win a Cameron’s Keg Party – complete with a draught unit, C02, cups and host t-shirt (value $200)

Cameron’s Cask Nights have become a monthly ritual at the brewery for beer lovers to try a ‘one off’ beer – different from anything they’ve ever had.

The guestlist only event is $5 for admission however, your admission covers a selection of food from Whole Foods Markets as well as a glass of the cask and two additional drink tickets. As well, your $5 admission can be applied to a beer or swag purchase on your way out. Pretty sweet deal.

Cask night is also a great chance to tour the brewery, meet your favorite brewer, talk about the industry and pick up some brewery fresh Cameron’s beer to get you through these chilly days.

We encourage everyone to invite a guest (or a few) to join us. Just indicate how many people will be coming with you on your RSVP.

For any questions or to RSVP email mike@cameronsbrewing.com

To get in the know on Cameron’s Cask Nights, sign up for our newsletter on our homepage.

More Details Announced for Volo’s Ontario Cask IPA/Pale Ale Challenge

Volo (587 Yonge St.) have announced more details for their Ontario Cask IPA/Pale Ale Challenge, which is taking place on Sunday April 5th from 12:00 noon to 6:00 PM.

There will now be 18 ales available, as opposed to the originally announced 16, including the following:

Durham Hophead IPA * Grand River Curmudgeon IPA * Mill St. Tankhouse PA * Durham Hop Addict IPA * Grand River Plowman’s Ale * Scotch Irish Sgt. Major IPA * Church Key West Coast PA * Publican House Square Nail PA * Granite Hopping Mad PA * Mill St. IPA * Black Oak PA * Great Lakes Superior IPA * Cameron’s Auburn Ale * F & M Maclean’s PA * Neustadt Double Fuggled PA * Magnotta IPA * Maclean’s Country Organic IPA * Cool IPA (Name TBA)

This will be a “pay as you go” event with no admission charge. The beers will be sold in 1/4 pint and 1/2 measures while quantities last, and there will be food available as well.

Also announced are the beers that Volo will be offering on the Friday and Saturday of that weekend for the Cask Ale Crawl:

Maclean’s Organic Ale * C’est What Chocolate Hazelnut Ale * Neustadt Texas Tea Stout * Grand River Russian Gun Imperial Stout

Details on the beers to be available at the other participating locations will be announced here soon.

Three Cask Ale Events in April

CASK! is pleased to announce that there are three exciting cask ale events happening in Toronto next month:

Cask Ale Crawl
Friday, April 3rd – Sunday, April 5th, 2009
various locations around Toronto

Gather your friends and join the Cask Ale Crawl – an informal trail around six of Toronto’s best cask ale pubs. There is no fixed schedule or sequence, and no admission charge, just show up at each pub and sample the specially selected cask conditioned ales that will be on offer, with up to 15 different cask ales available in total. Pick up a festival passport at any participating pub and collect stamps at each stop to be entered into a prize draw.

The event runs all weekend, starting on Friday April 3rd at 5:00 P.M. until Sunday April 5th (at each pub’s discretion and while supplies last). Participating pubs include C’est What (67 Front Street East), Granite Brewery (245 Eglinton Avenue East), Mill Street Brewpub (55 Mill Street, Building 63), Rhino (1249 Queen Street West), Victory Café (581 Markham Street) and Volo (587 Yonge Street). All pubs on the Crawl are accessible via TTC. The final list of beers available at each pub will be posted nearer the time.

Click here for a Crawl Map (PDF)

Ontario IPA/Pale Ale Cask Challenge
Sunday, April 5th, 2009
12:00 noon to 6:00 PM
Volo, 587 Yonge Street

Volo will not be participating on the final day of the Cask Ale Crawl so they can host the first in a series of tasting events to find Ontario’s best cask IPA or Pale Ale. For this first event, 16 different IPAs and Pale Ales available for tasting. Attendees will be asked for vote for their favourites, and the top 8 will proceed to the next round in May, where the top 4 will be picked for the June round, and finally the top 2 for July.

Keep an eye on the Volo website for more information.

Beer for a Cure Gourmet Cask Ale Dinner
Saturday, April 25th, 2009
7:00 PM
Granite Brewery & Restaurant, 245 Eglinton Avenue East

Come out and enjoy a four-course dinner matched with cask conditioned ales in support of Prostate Cancer Research Foundation of Canada. Featuring new cask ales from MacLean’s Ales and Grand River Brewing, plus additional cask ales from Granite Brewery, this event will be a real treat for anyone who likes good food and great real ale. And with St. George’s Day falling on April 23rd, this event is also being held in honour of England’s patron saint.

The evening promises to be hugely entertaining with a guest speaker, silent auction and door prizes. Tickets are $65 per person, and can be purchased by calling Caroline or Robert Hughey at 416.462.3788.