On March 26th, something pretty darn special happened. The folks from Great Lakes Brewery in Toronto and Beau’s All Natural Brewing Co. in Vankleek Hill came together to create an all-Ontario collaboration brew to be tapped at the 2018 Terroir Symposium. We were there to see all the magic happen.
So what makes this an all-Ontario brew you ask? The ingredients. The brewers were joined by VQH Farms (hops), Barn Owl Malt and Escarpment Labs (yeast). Everyone had a hand in the process — it really was a collaborative effort!
Before it all went down, we held an Instagram contest giving the beer community a chance to name this locally-inspired brew. The unanimous winner was “Yours To Discover” by James Hamilton, a slogan we as Ontario-ites are familiar with!
So what’s this brew going to taste like? What’s in it? The brew masters at Beau’s and Great Lakes decided on to a one-of-a-kind, crush-able Ontario Pale Ale (OPA!) for the 12th Annual Terroir Symposium. Like any Pale Ale, it will be hop forward but with restrained bitterness and the added funk of Ontario yeast.
During the mashing process, folks got the chance to pour four different grains into the copper mash/lauter tun – Barn Owl Pilsner, Pale Ale, Red Wheat and Munich. VQH Farms Chinook, Cascade and Centennial hops were then measured and added to the wort. There will be a touch of dry-hopping later in the process for good aroma measure. Last but certainly not least, “Wild Thing” wild Saccharomyces yeast from Escarpment Labs was added.
Now, we wait. We’ll get to try the final product at the 12th Annual Terroir Symposium being held on Monday, April 23rd at the Art Gallery of Ontario. If you’d like a taste of this unique, one off brew from two of Ontario’s favorite breweries, get your tickets before they’re gone!
In the meantime, stay tuned for a creative logo featuring the “Yours To Discover” name – another collaboration by both breweries’ creative teams.
