I'm launching on Father's Day because it, rather brilliantly, marks the first day of Ontario Craft Beer Week. There are a slew of dad-themed beer events (or "beervents") going on today - if it weren't so miserable out, I'd be begging someone to accompany me to Beau's Father's Day barbecue in Vankleek Hill where they're launching their 2013 Pan Ontario beer, a collaboration with Amsterdam, Flying Monkeys, Great Lakes and Wellington breweries. There are lots of things going on all week - for example, basically every restaurant, everywhere, ever is hosting at least one Mill Street Beer & Sampler Paddle tasting event. Check out ocbweek.ca for a full list of who's doing what, where & when.
Beer drinking with my own father will be done later this week, when I head to Southwestern Ontario. Though generally a Blue drinker while I was growing up, there was a period when Dad took to buying whatever the person ahead of him in line at the Beer Store was getting. One of my uncles (a Bud/Canadian/Coors Light kind of guy) was thoroughly traumatized by one such purchase, and will bring it up at any family dinner where the beer selection is suspiciously eclectic.
It seemed fitting to follow my dad's lead for a maiden post on Father's Day. My local Beer Store is one of the new-fangled, go-ahead-and-touch-the-product kind of places, so I needed to finesse his technique a little - I decided I would buy the first beer I saw someone carrying. I can't tell you how relieved I am that the sad soul with two cases of President's Choice Light was the second person to cross my path.
Luckily, fate smiled and there is now a glass of Creemore Spring's Kellerbier before me.
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| I got all artistic with a plaid shirt in honour of my dad. |
Lacking the traditional earthenware mug, I'm making do with my standard lager glass (and, no, I didn't know off the top of my head that an earthenware mug was recommended. I looked that up to be all edumacational for you.) I'll shamelessly quote a description from the packaging, rather than attempt to trickily rephrase what I learned there:
"Kellerbier is an unfiltered medieval German lager known for its naturally cloudy appearance. Served straight from the brewmaster's cellar, it was a true honour for special guests visiting a brewery to be offered a taste."
It's a beautiful red-amber colour. I'm told (yes, again by the can) to expect citrus and spice flavours from the German hops. Those notes are there, but I'm especially tasting a pine needle quality, particularly in the dry finish. It's crisp and delightful, a great patio session sort of beer (she says wistfully, tugging at her cardigan as torrential rain pours beyond the window) especially since its ABV is 5%. My baby carrot food pairing probably isn't especially ideal, but I'm not going to get ahead of myself. Once I'm actually any good at tastings we'll start worrying about the supporting cast.
Cheers!
Emily
Kellerbier
Creemore Springs Brewery Ltd. in Creemore, Ontario
Available year-round in Ontario at the LCBO and Beer Store
5.0% alc./vol.
473 ml cans
1 Can $2.80, 8 Cans $21.80, 24 Cans $59.40
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