Ka-Pow!
Alack and alas, too often do I find myself on a National or Provincial holiday in want of beer. Why? Well, because I don’t plan well. And thinking of things like buying beer the day before the holiday is just totally beyond me, most times. But do I have good news for you! Just because the LCBO and Beer Store see it fit to not sell beer on the few days a year when they really should, doesn’t mean all purveyors of beers are that close-minded.
For sure, we all know, most bars will be open. And no doubt, those blessed with a patio will be jumping. Those with a roof top patio with sight lines to fireworks (I’m looking at you, Murphey’s Law) will have patrons camping at tables from noon onwards. But to me (and call me romantic here), I prefer beer at home on holidays. I’m a lover of the pub, and certainly am not discouraging any of your from visiting my publican friends. But I just love the feeling of kicking back, either at home or at a cottage, with some nice cold beer and food, ideally prepared outside, on a BBQ, in a smoker or over a fire. Cliched, I know.
So enters the problem. Where to buy beer, when you’ve run out on the big day?
In short, breweries. Yep, breweries with retail stores are allowed to stay open on holidays, and most do. Bless their souls (as if they shouldn’t be blessed enough for making beer in the first place). So then, let me give you a list:
If you’re heading up the 400, you can stop by in Barrie, and hit up Flying Monkey’s. Don’t worry that Promenade Day has much of their area closed to car-traffic; you can access the road behind the brewery and get through easily enough. Stop for a tour, and a drink on their patio, if you’ve got the time. 107 Dunlop Street East On the Waterfront, Barrie, ON L4M 1A6, 1 (866) 393-4443, www.theflyingmonkeys.ca (check their website for a map to figure out how to get in via car).
Okay, you’re kicking it in Muskoka, Sweaty Bob comes by for a visit and clears out your stock of Coors Light. Good, he actually did something useful for once. Once the BBQ Lays chips are gone too, he’ll wander off like a bear in search of another garbage bin. Now you’ll need to stock back up. The good news is, you won’t be able to buy any Coors. You have two choices, either head to Bracebridge, to Muskoka Cottage Brewery, they’re located at 13 Taylor Road Bracebridge, ON P1L 1S6, (705) 646-1266. Or you can check out Lake of Bays Brewing Co, in lovely Baysville. They’re at 2681 Muskoka Rd. 117 Baysville, ON P0B 1A0. Give them a ring at (705) 767-2313 or visit their site at http://www.lakeofbaysbrewing.ca. Also, they are celebrating their anniversary on Saturday, so do stop by if you’re in the area, should be a lovely party.
So what’s that? You don’t cottage in Muskoka? That’s cool, I don’t anymore either. I’ll be spending a few days in Havelock this long weekend. If you don’t know where Havelock is, it’s about 40 minutes east of Peterborough, and about 20 minutes north of Campbellford. What this means is, it’s about 40 minutes from Publican House Brewing, right in Peterborough, and 20 minutes from Church-Key Brewing in Campbellford. Publican House is at 300 Charlotte St. K9J 2V5. Call them at (705) 874-5743 visit them at http://www.thepublicanhouse.com/; and Church-Key Brewing, is just outside Campbellford, at 1678 County Road #38, Pethericks Corners, call them at (877)314-2337 or check their site for info and directions at http://www.churchkeybrewing.com/.
But you’re headed west? If you pass Cambridge, why not stop in at Grand River Brewing? Their brewery store will be open tomorrow from 11am-4pm. Find them at 295 Ainslie Street South, Cambridge, ON N1R 3L3, 519-620-3233, www.grandriverbrewing.com. If you are in the Guelph area, Wellington Brewery’s store is also open, from 10am-6pm. 950 Woodlawn Road West, Guelph, ON N1K 1G2, (519) 837-2337 http://www.wellingtonbrewery.ca/
Now now, I hear you, you’re taking a stay-cation, or you’re stuck working. Well, the good news is, there are brewers in the city who are doing the same thing.
- Amsterdam Brewing Co. 21 Bathurst Street, Toronto, ON M5V 2N6 (416) 504-1040, http://www.amsterdambeer.com/ 11am-9pm
- The Granite Brewery and Restaurant, 245 Eglinton Ave. E. (at Mount Pleasant), Toronto, Ontario M4P 3B7 (416) 322-0723, http://www.granitebrewery.ca/ 11:30am-11:00pm
- Cameron’s Brewing Co. 1165 Invicta Dr. Oakville, ON, Canada, L6H 4M1 (905)849-8282, http://www.cameronsbrewing.com/ 12pm-5pm
- Black Creek Historic Brewery (both the village and brewery are open) 1000 Murray Ross Parkway Toronto, ON MJ3 2P3, 416-736-1733, http://www.blackcreekbrewery.ca/
- Steamwhistle Brewing Co. The Roundhouse – 255 Bremner Blvd, M5V 3M9, (416)362-2337, http://www.steamwhistle.ca/ 11am-6pm
- Mill St Brewery, 55 Mill Street, Building 63, M5A 3C4, (416) 681 0338, http://www.millstreetbrewery.com
So, that should keep you well covered. I’m still waiting to hear back from a few brewers, so will update this list if need be. Please, feel free to let me know if I’ve missed anyone.
