COTTAGE OPENING BEERS
For the last 20 years, almost without the shelves just in time for summer. fail, my wife and I have headed to her The raspberry and lemon both bring family cottage to help with the annual opening. Thankfully, it’s a fairly small cottage and things are left in very good order after we close up at Thanksgiving. Sure there can be the odd (potentially awful) surprise, but my Father-in-law is quite meticulous with his lists so very little gets overlooked. The one thing that can be a huge variable up in the Haliburton region in May is the weather — I’ve seen it all up there. Very rarely is it balmy but it can be quite comfortable, and it can also snow. Preparing my cooler for the potential wide-range of temperature fluctuations is a challenge that I am fully up for.
Great Divide Strawberry Rhubarb Sour:
I was just in Denver at the Craft Brewers’ Conference so I had a chance to drink this beer straight from the source just a day or two before it was going to ship to Ontario, and boy was it tasty. Beautifully balanced with strawberry sweetness and rhubarb tartness, this sour is part of a seasonal release to the LCBO and the perfect antidote to quench your thirst after some sunny dock work at the cottage. Pick up a couple of bottles – this one won’t last long.
Omnipollo Aniara Raspberry Lemonade Pale Ale:
This raspberry lemonade pale ale from Omnipollo has almost as much fruit puree in it as malt and is hitting the shelves just in time for summer. The raspberry and lemon both bring sweetness and tartness with the hops peeking in here and there. This beer pours the most amazing pinky-rose and drinks surprisingly easy for its 6% ABV. This pale ale would make the perfect companion to any hearty lunch salad to refuel you for some more work.
Mikkeller Peter Pale and Mary Pale Ale:
This staple from the Mikkeller family has been reimagined for Canada and is launching as a year-round listing at the LCBO. This classic pale ale has American hops with a hint of British dryness on the finish. This style is one of my absolute favourites and I will be cracking quite a few of these around the BBQ as the reward at the end of a good day’s work.
Mill Street Tankhouse Ale:
One of my all-time favourite beers. Tankhouse pairs with any cottage task or time and is just a classic ale that isn’t too hoppy or malty or boozy — it’s just right. I will be raising this one to the memory of Mill Street’s former Brewmaster, Joel Manning, who passed away in April. Though this beer wasn’t his recipe, he certainly helped to perfect it over the years along with a great deal others. He was a generous brewer who was always available to help others hone their craft. He will be missed.
