I visited Day One of the Gourmet Food & Wine Expo last night, and what I reported here earlier in the week turned out to be abundantly true: Beer has now officially arrived at this notoriously wine-centric event.
(Okay, I admit that wine is in the title of the show, and so does deserve top billing, but years past have still been frustrating for fans of gourmet beer.)
Some of the familiar stalwarts of years past are present – Creemore, Mill Street, McAuslan, Steam Whistle and all – but this year they are joined by a wealth of others, including for the first time McClelland Imports, Premier Brands and even the good folks from Rickard’s. Gosser was being poured here, Radeburger and DAB there, Pilsner Urquell down this aisle, Great Lakes Brewing down that one, and Cameron’s Brewing back near the cheese. Hell, I’ve seen beer shows with less beer representation!
All told, there is more than enough beer to keep the budding cervesaphile happy, although if you’re overly familiar with what’s currently available on the Toronto beer scene, you’ll likely find little new. For budding beer aficionados, though, this show is a perfect chance to try a bunch of different brands in one place and at relatively low cost. Beats trying to drink your way through the voluminous tap selection at the West 50 Pourhouse, at least.
Best finds for me were the new edition of the Great Lakes Winter Ale, which tastes like faintly orange-accented gingerbread and demonstrates an emerging maturity on the part of this Toronto brewery, and the Reposado tequila from Clase Azul, a remarkably round and sophisticated spirit aged for a year in sherry wood.
Biggest disappointment: Gaymers Original Cider, which I found sweet and cloying, and which cost me three bucks to try!
The Gourmet Food & Wine Expo continues in downtown Toronto through the weekend. Admission is $15 per session.
