The Griffin Gastropub – Bracebridge

Growing up, we used to have a cottage about half an hour from Bracebridge.  While we would pop into Bala or Port Carling for quick shops, when we needed to buy big items or lots of anything, it seemed like we always went to Bracebridge.  While I was aware there was a quaint area in the older part of town, I always envisioned it was a cafe/crafty-shop type area.  So I was pleasantly surprised when I heard some time ago that a pub had opened with good food and a killer beer list.  When it transpired that they were organizing a craft beer festival, I felt even better, and made a serious note to get up there as soon as possible.  Still, despite a few Muskoka trips this summer and last, it wasn’t until last week that we finally got to the Griffin.  Visiting friends in Huntsville, we said we absolutely had to go, and I’m really glad we did.

The Griffin Gastropub

The Griffin Gastropub

The Griffin is a small pub located on Chancery Lane,  a small pedestrian walkway off Manitoba St in Bracebridge.  Originally a building built in the 1930s for a law firm (their massive safe is still installed in one of the walls), Jed Corbeil and Curt Dunlop took over the pub that was there in 2008.  After a bit of a renovation, they let the kegs of Molson run out, and replaced them with good craft beer.  Yes, a good number of regulars left, but they’ve seen many more new faces come in, both for their amazing beer selection and their tasty food.  Their beer related events and frequent live music also draw crowds into the fairly small bar.  With 10 taps and a variety of OCB bottles, it’s the kind of place where I immediately feel comfortable.

Griffin Taps

The Bar

We arrived damp from rain and with a sleeping two year old in tow, but found the bar warm and welcoming.  Jed glanced around and said we’d be about a ten minute wait for a table, so we happily shuffled to a corner and chatted until our table was ready.  Conveniently, there was a good stretch of bench seat which we plonked Ben onto so he could continue his nap.  The table had a little handbill with the schedule for the month, including live music, featured brewery, hours and special events.  It noted that that evening they were featuring McAuslan Citrouille, serving a spatzle and playing Josh Ritter music all night.  So already things were looking up.  The spatzle was brought as we were seated and was lovely and savoury.  Went great with my pint of Muskoka Harvest Ale.  We drank our selection of beers and looked around for a food menu.  When Jed came back  we asked, and he ran us through what was on that night, which included roasted quail legs and fried risotto balls.  Not much in the way of vegetarian options though.  We ordered a plate of their mixed fries (half regular and half sweet potato) and some of the risotto balls (which had sausage in them, but half of us ate meat).  The fries were killer, I have to assume cut and made in house.  The report on the risotto balls was equally good.  We munched and chatted after I’d geeked out and walked everyone through what they were drinking.  As the pints and food got low, we ordered more, this time a cheese and sausage platter which was also excellent, and a different selection of beers; this time I got the McAuslan and was impressed with how much I liked it.  It was great in bottle, but on tap it hit new levels of delicious.  All too soon Ben started to turn into a pumpkin, and we had to head home to get him to bed, so we paid our bills, made our farewells and headed out.  Not before I got to chat with Jed for a bit, and promised to come back sooner then later.

Cheese

Cheese and Sausage Board

All in all, the place is amazing.  Jed and Curt are massively welcoming hosts, friendly and knowledgeable and so passionate about their business.  That it is helping people in Bracebridge engage in the craft beer scene makes it all even better.  The decor is warm and friendly, a perfect spot to chat and enjoy great beer.  The food was excellent, and while I would certainly have liked more non-meat options, I can understand keeping the options limited in the off-season.  They operate on a reduced-hours schedule from Thanksgiving to May, so call or check online before you go (for instance, they’re closed Mondays and Tuesdays), but make sure you check this place out.  I want to go back for one of their brewmaster’s dinners and also for some of their live music (everybody recommends it).

Cheers to Jed and Curt.  Keep up the great work boys!

Check out the Griffin’s website here

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