Author Archives: chris

Lava – Ölvisholt Brugghús – 2010 and 2011 Vertical Tasting

By chris | Published: February 13, 2012
Lava – Ölvisholt Brugghús Vertical Tasting 2010 and 2011

For those of you following along, you will know I am a big fan of Ölvisholt Brugghús, from Iceland.  A young brewery in a country with a young brewing heritage (they had prohibition on beer until 1989.  Yeah.  I know….) these guys are making at least two really incredible beers. Lava, their smoked Imperial Stout, and Skjálfti, their pale ale have both been available at the LCBO.  Lava was available in both this past year’s Winter Warmer’s, as well as the year previous.  I had review it as well as Skjálfti in the past.  A very friendly fellow from their importing agency, Kevin, got in touch with me this year to let me know Lava was coming back, and asked,….  [Read More]

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Irish Red – Cheshire Valley Brewing

By chris | Published: January 16, 2012
Cheshire Valley Irish Red

Know what I like?  Beer.  I think that goes without saying.  I am particularly fond of Cheshire Valley, the “virtual brewery” of Paul Dickey (his words).  Paul makes some of my favourite beers in Toronto.  His mild might well be my desert-island beer now.  It’s that good.  His Robust Porter (which will be arriving at your local bar this week, if your local bar doesn’t suck) is just amazing.  I could go on.  So when I started planning the beer selection for my mother’s 64th birthday (which she had decided would be her “big” birthday, as opposed to 60 or 65, “Will you still need me? Will you still feed me? When I’m 64″.) an immediate thought was “I wonder….  [Read More]

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Project X – Great Lakes Brewery – January 12 2012

By chris | Published: January 12, 2012
Mike Lacker, king of the oak

So Project X is not really a new thing.  Indeed, I’ve talked about it various times on this very blog.  If you don’t know, every month, Great Lakes Brewing Co. hosts an amazing party called Project X.  The idea is, people head down to the brewery to drink awesome great lakes beer, usually including a few one-off or specialty brews, often on cask.  It’s a really great time, and it breaks my heart how often I miss it.  But none more than tonight. You see, tonight, it seems they’re taking this overly warm spring-like weather as an opportunity to do a little spring cleaning.  This list of beers on offer tonight is just off the hook.  Doubt me? Here you….  [Read More]

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Here comes the sun (do do doo dooo).

By chris | Published: January 11, 2012

If you missed it or don’t remember, Beau’s All-Natural Brewing Co. started a really cool idea last year, of a subscription beer service, where they send you crazy cool special beers, and use the money raised to add solar panels to their brewery.  So easy.  If you were lucky (and smart) enough to take part, then this is great news for you.  If not, this will make you jelous, but mindful the next time they offer up the program, because, let’s be honest, it’s a killer idea.  Here is the press release just in from Beau’s this morning. Local Brewery’s “Beer for Solar Power” Program Continues with New Beer Release Beau’s fall beer Dunkelbuck, now aged in bourbon barrels, available….  [Read More]

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Nøgne Ø Imperial Stout

By chris | Published: January 9, 2012

If you’re not familiar with Nøgne Ø brewery from Norway, don’t worry. I think most average folks in Toronto would be surprised to see a beer from Norway at the LCBO, but for this year’s winter release, that is exactly what we got. Nøgne Ø has been producing excellent bottle-conditioned ales in Norway since 2002. These beers are quite sought-after here in Ontario, so when the list of beers for winter was released, this was one of the most talked-about bottles on the list. While I’ve had other products of theirs, this is the first time I will have had the Imperial Stout. Needless to say, I’m pretty excited. As a side note, Nøgne Ø also makes saki. I know,….  [Read More]

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January 5th Resolutions

By chris | Published: January 5, 2012

So, I never really do the whole “resolution” thing.  I lack resolve, what can I say?  Erika always gets annoyed during Lent, because I give up stupid things.  Like the year I gave up swimming (success), or the year I gave up fasting (also success). So I find New Year’s resolutions kind of silly. Often fueled by a dangerous combination of alcohol and low self-esteem, it’s no wonder most don’t see the light of Valentine’s day.  Another significant problem with them is the type of goal.  I have had my own experience with corporate leadership training, seven habits, fish principles etc, so I’m no stranger to S.M.A.R.T. goals, and at risk of destroying my hard-won type-B personality, allow me to….  [Read More]

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A New Blog For the New Year

By chris | Published: January 5, 2012

Nearly two years ago to the day, I started Toronto Beer Blog, not so much as a resolution, but as a New Year project.  Because you’re reading this, I would have to say it’s enjoyed some success.  And so I’m super excited to see another blogger enter the fray as a New Year’s resolution.  A beer-minded fellow named Greg in New Brunswick has started up the Atlantic Canada Beer Blog, and certainly has a great market to cover.  The beers coming out of the East Coast are exciting and continually growing.  It will be great to follow along! So head over to http://atlanticcanadabeerblog.wordpress.com/ follow his .rss (if you’re geeky like me) and enjoy. Cheers, Greg! Here’s to the future.

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Old Rasputin – North Coast Brewing Co.

By chris | Published: January 4, 2012
Old Rasputin - North Coast Brewing Co.

In the world of American Russian Imperial Stouts, there are many notable versions, from right across the USA.  The first one that really came to my attention, via chatting to beer geeks around Toronto and reading threads on beer forums, was North Coast Brewing’s Old Rasputin.  Aside from the awesomeness of the name, it was regularly referred to in reverential terms that enticed me, to say the least.  This is not a beer you can get at the LCBO, even seasonally.  However, Gatineau isn’t that far away, and while I would never ever endorse transporting alcohol across a provincial border (even if the law against it is being contested as against the charter), I will mention in passing that it….  [Read More]

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Christmas Shopping 2011

By chris | Published: December 22, 2011

Well, it’s about that time of year again.  Head down to the local shop, and prove how much you love your friends and family by spending money on them.  Don’t send the wrong message; spend up! Seriously, I would encourage you to have thought about this about 6 weeks ago, and have considered either making a gift (we made a handsome set of building blocks for Ben this year), or have sought out some interesting hand-made items, either at a local artisinal shop or market.  This would be a good way to “occupy” against corporate grossness.  But it’s probably too late for that.  You could (and should, if possible), still check out local possibilities, but if you’re like me, you’re….  [Read More]

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St Ambroise Scotch Ale – McAuslan Brewing Inc

By chris | Published: December 10, 2011
St Ambroise Scotch Ale - McAuslan Brewing Inc

The last bottle of my McAuslan care-package that I got a while back, and really a perfect beer for today, for more reasons than one.  Yes, it’s true, Scotch ales are generally big and hearty ales that warm the cockles of your heart, etc, on cold blustry days like today.  But it fits for another reason.  Today is Opa’s funeral, my wife’s grandfather who was 91 when he passed away earlier this week.  With a 8 children, a herd of grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren, it’s fair to say Opa lived “to a ripe old age”.  Today we will get to celebrate his life, which was incredible and, at times, unbelievable.  But as you’ve probably guessed, Opa was Dutch.  So why….  [Read More]

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  • Chris Schryer

    Chris SchryerI regularly describe myself as an "ardent supporter of beer", which pretty well sums it up. While I'm not working or busy being a husband and dad (okay, honestly, sometimes while I'm doing those things), I am drinking beer, attending events, visiting pubs, and thinking about beer. I work at Castro's Lounge, my local bar in the Beach, where I host beer events and take part in most things beer-related.

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