Podcasts about ontario beer

It's always a pleasure to give flowers to the OG breweries as they paved the way for the industry we all know and love today, so we were stoked to finally get the folks from Steam Whistle (and Beau's) on the pod. President Bromlyn Bethune and Brewmaster Erica McOustra joined Cee and Nate to chat about the Steam Whistle story, why they continue to do one thing really, really well, the expansion to other styles (and the retraction), the acquisition of Beau's and the impact Beau's has had on the craft beer industry in Canada, how they've been able to transition Beau's recipes to the larger Steam Whistle system, their partnership with New Belgium and why they've moved on from that setup, how they've been able to innovate and continue the Beau's brand, and their take on the current tariff situation. We got into a great lineup of beers: Steam Whistle Pilsner, Beau's Lug Tread Lagered Ale, Beau's Juiced AF Hazy IPA, Beau's Lug Lite Light Lager, Beau's Barn Burner Amber Ale, and Beau's Crème Brew-Lée Dessert Stout. This was a gem, cheers! BAOS Podcast Subscribe to the podcast on YouTube | Website | Theme tune: Cee - BrewHeads

One good thing to come out of the pandemic in Ontario was the ability for existing businesses to add a craft bottle shop element to their offerings, and it's about time we did a deep dive for this series. Chris Redmond of Durand Bar & Bottle Shop in Hamilton, ON, and Marc Lecompte of Sidewalk Beer Shop in Waterloo, ON, joined Cee and Nate to talk about the law change and how it works, their approach to curation, how they work with breweries, what they can and can't sell, the much-debated pricing structure for indie stores, any impacts from other beer and wine sales points, challenges with breweries and shipping, how they set up their fridges, and what they think the future holds for independent bottle shop. They got into four expertly-curated beers from breweries that can regularly be found in both of their stores: Sonnen Hill RGLR Beer Lager, Fine Balance Oats & Honey (HBC 1019), Badlands Fog (2024), and Third Moon Each Beast A God Coffee Stout (El Salvador Washed Red Bourbon). This was incredibly insightful - cheers!   BAOS Podcast Subscribe to the podcast on YouTube | Website | Theme tune: Cee - BrewHeads

Red Tape has made a serious splash in their East Toronto neighbourhood since opening in the depths of the pandemic. Sarabeth Holden joins Cee and Nate to chat about her beer journey from Ottawa to Toronto, their humble homebrew origins, how the brewery came about, her love for golf, why they started creating bespoke beers for clients and how that makes their taproom extremely unique, their fun loyalty program, why they've made their taproom family-friendly and accessible, Sarabeth's award-winning writing career, the bureaucratic process for opening a brewery in Toronto, and how her Indigenous heritage influences her business. They got into Red Tape's Birdie Pilsner, a true crusher. This was really fun - enjoy! BAOS Podcast Subscribe to the podcast on YouTube | Website | Theme tune: Cee - BrewHeads

We say this every time, but this annual episode is easily our favourite to consider and to film. Reflecting on the past year in craft beer in Ontario is always rewarding as we recall some of our favourite podcasts, brewery visits, beers and moments, and 2024 was a truly phenomenal year. While we had some closures, overall the level of quality and competition was the hottest to date, and putting together our collective Top 10 Ontario breweries was incredibly difficult. As with the Top 10 Quebec Breweries episode, we implemented a new point system where we actually put them in order from 1-10 and allocated 10 points for #1, 9 points for #2 and so on. As always, no spoilers allowed here - grab some of your fave Ontario craft beer and drink along with us! Cheers to a fantastic year, and we're excited to see what 2025 brings. BAOS Podcast Subscribe to the podcast on YouTube | Website | Theme tune: Cee - BrewHeads

Offering a gateway destination for new craft beer drinkers is arguably one of the most important things any beer scene can possess, and thankfully Ontario has Beertown. Jen Tamse jumps back on the pod to catch us up on what's been happening with Beertown in the 18 months since she was last on, their epic 12-location tap takeover with Bellwoods, how she thinks about her collaboration beers, her approach to structuring their beer menu, her trip to Belgium to brew a collab with Brasserie Huyghe (Deliria), the legend of Mikkeller's Beer Geek Breakfast, the sheer value of what Beertown brings to Ontario, she tells the story of becoming a Belgian Beer Knight, and the importance of Untappd. They got into four impeccable beers that had a direct tie-in with Beertown - Bellwoods x Beertown Beer Belly Pale Ale, Short Finger x Beertown French Fuse Saison, Brasserie Huyghe Deliria (2024), and Mikkeller Beer Geek Breakfast (brewed in Ontario by Craft Brand Co.). This was epic - cheers! BAOS Podcast Subscribe to the podcast on YouTube | Website | Theme tune: Cee - BrewHeads

Niagara Falls is home to one of the most versatile breweries in the province, who not only brew killer beer but their taproom experience and food is also top tier. Counterpart was our favourite discovery of 2023, so we were well overdue to catch up. Greg hung out with Cee and Nate to chat about their major Halloween drop for 2024 (7 beers!), their approach to distributing their products, the pros and cons of the convenience store system in Ontario, they did a deep dive into their barrel program and how they've delivered some of the best barrel-aged stouts in the country, Greg's experiences at some of the Western New York beer festivals and the love they get south of the border, and their brand new venue opening next door, Counterpie Pizza. They got into 5 of the brews from the Halloween drop - Monsters In My Head IPA, Where Dreams Go To Die Double IPA with Rouge River, Mars Roller Oatmeal Stout, Kit Kat Roller Oatmeal Stout, and The Kids Aren't Alright Fruited Sour. This was a phenomenal convo - enjoy! BAOS Podcast Subscribe to the podcast on YouTube | Website | Theme tune: Cee - BrewHeads

Independent bottle shops were one of the biggest wins from the pandemic for Ontario craft beer drinkers, and in this latest episode of The Business of Beer, we catch up with two bottle shops x contract breweries that approached it completely differently. Michael of Gather Brewery & Glassworks and Alexander of Lovebird Snack Club joined Cee and Nate to chat about the logistics and challenges of opening a bottle shop in Ontario, why it's so difficult to maneuver around the laws, the benefits and downsides of both approaches (starting a contract brewery then a bottleshop vs starting a bottleshop then a contract brewery), the limitations of contract brewing, working with the LCBO, the bureaucracy of alcohol sales in Ontario, how it works with licensees, and their future plans for their beers. The fellas delivered a killer lineup of crispies for the pod: Lovebird Good Things Rice Lager, Gather Dam Good Lager American Lager, Lovebird x Emmer's Proof Sourdough Helles Lager, and Gather Big Pants Pilsner Czech-style Pilsner. This was fascinating - cheers!   BAOS Podcast Subscribe to the podcast on YouTube | Website | Theme tune: Cee - BrewHeads

Ayr, Ontario is an unlikely town to find some of the best beer and spirits in the province, but the lords at Willibald have been taking care of the community for years now. Cam and Gordo joined Cee and Nate to catch up on what's been happening with them for the last two years, why they chose their Hell Lager as their flagship and the thinking behind the move into 12-packs, the importance of travel for inspiration, the LCBO strike and their thoughts on it, the optimal time frame to drink their IPAs, the popularity of their seltzers, why Copenhagen is one of the best cities in the world for beer and coffee, and their love for barleywines. The fellas got into some killer brews: Hell Helles Lager, Lazer Land Pale Ale, City Slicker IPA, Ill Gotten Gains Double IPA, and Vesterboro Barleywine with Prolog Coffee. This was a gem - cheers! BAOS Podcast Subscribe to the podcast on YouTube | Website | Theme tune: Cee - BrewHeads

One of the most important aspects of marketing in craft beer in recent years is Social Media. We've spoken about it at length via the original The Business of Marketing Craft Beer three-part podcast series, but we figured it was time to really dive deep into all things social. Tiffany Alexis, Co-Founder of both BAOS and High Season Co., joins Cee to get into the origins of the Business of Beer season, how they've created relationships with beer brands and businesses via social, examples of breweries and businesses both doing social really well (and some doing it kinda terribly), best practices for Social Media (content pillars, hashtags, Reels, metrics, Stories, algorithms), AI tools, and Influencer Marketing. They both got into some great bevos - Perennial Artisan Ales Pils, Willibald Fruit Punch Seltzer, Kahnawake x BAOS Podcast x Nathan Does Beer x Beerism x Vox & Hops Fake NewZ, and Willibald Strawberry Seltzer. As mentioned in the episode, here are all the helpful links:   Social Strategy Video + Downloadble Template: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-nDgTm82As ManyChat (automation software): https://manychat.com/product/instagram?utm_campaign=HIGHSEASON and use code HIGHSEASON at checkout for a free month of their Pro plan How To Sell On Instagram: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y91bT520Xt4 SubMagic (caption software): https://submagic.co?via=highseason and use code HIGHSEASON at checkout for 10% discount Canva (design software): https://partner.canva.com/highseason High Season YouTube Membership: https://bit.ly/HSInsidersYT BAOS Podcast Subscribe to the podcast on YouTube | Website | Theme tune: Cee - BrewHeads

Prince Edward County is one of Ontario's most exciting craft beer scenes, and the jewel of PEC is Slake Brewing - both for its view and quality brews. Co-Founder and Brewer Nick joined Cee and Nate to chat about beers that you don't have to think about (ie No Thinkies), their barrel program and why they dialled it back, their approach to beer, hop contracts, how they've diversified their taproom offerings, the connection between Ontario craft brewers, their incredible view, why their canned beers last so long, and why they're so popular with Quebec drinkers. They got into a bunch of killer brews - Yellow Flowers Table Beer, Whisper Grapefruit Gose, Mosey Pilsner, Hatch Pale Ale, Slow Slow IPA, and Darren The One-Eyed Cat Barrel-aged Sour. This was amazing - cheers! BAOS Podcast Subscribe to the podcast on YouTube | Website | Theme tune: Cee - BrewHeads

The second episode of our new season, The Business of Beer, brings in the Co-Founders of the breweries represented in Episode #1. Jeff Talmey of Town and Andrew Silver of Fine Balance join Cee and Nate to chat about the current state of the craft beer industry, being a boutique craft brewery versus a growth-oriented craft brewery, the pros and cons of selling craft beer in the LCBO, brewing and selling flagships or mainstays versus producing one-off releases every week, the different distribution options (bars, indie bottle shops, LCBO, grocery, The Beer Store), selling kegs to craft beer bars versus regular bars, and the variation of ingredient costs. They got into some gems from both breweries - Town Quick One Lager, Fine Balance x Heist Bankroll Italian Pilsner, Town Outside Jokes Pale Ale, and Fine Balance Wander Double IPA. This was jam-packed with gems - cheers!   BAOS Podcast Subscribe to the podcast on YouTube | Website | Theme tune: Cee - BrewHeads

While Toronto's Henderson Brewing feels like they're Ontario OGs, they're only 8 years old and it's well overdue that we have them on the pod. Co-Founder Adin Wener joined Cee and Nate to chat about their gateway approach to beer, their incredible partnership with Rush, how the expiration of the Master Framework Agreement isn't going to be the craft beer boom a lot of people think it will be, why they're ending their Ides series and the upcoming book, the importance of winning over your local crowd, their unique partnership with Bench Brewing, Pickle Fest and their awesome Pearson Airport bar collab with Rush. They got into a bunch of Hendo gems, including Henderson's Best Amber Ale, Meek Joe Mild IPA (Ides of April 2024), Super Joe Strong IPA (Ides of April 2024), Rush Canadian Golden Ale, Rush X-1 Xanabrew II Belgian Black Ale. This was a beaut - cheers! BAOS Podcast Subscribe to the podcast on YouTube | Website | Theme tune: Cee - BrewHeads

In 2024, it's never been a tougher time for craft breweries and brewpubs, but for Toronto's Laylow Brewery, the recent closure of their taproom opened up amazing new possibilities. Co-Founders Dan and Colin joined Cee at home in Hamilton to chat about their first canned beer ever thanks to Avling Brewery, the pivot from brewpub to beer and lifestyle brand, the impact the community has had on them, why they chose to brew different beers to what's currently hyped, how they work with the Hip Hop community, how they approach their clothing brand, their next steps and their Top 5 rappers and rap groups of all time (one of our favourite segments if it ever comes up). They crushed their brand new Zenith Belgian Golden Ale and a relic Lightworks Hibiscus Wheat Beer bottle. This was fire, enjoy! BAOS Podcast Subscribe to the podcast on YouTube | Website | Theme tune: Cee - BrewHeads

A brewery owner who has to be one of the most featured guests on the podcast, Shehan De Silva is now the owner of not just one craft brewery but two, plus a new taproom. Shehan joins Cee and Tiff to discuss the recent acquisition of High Park Brewery and the merged taproom with Lost Craft, their foray into ready-to-drink beverages and spirits, why the liquor industry is one of the hardest to break into, the future of craft beer, the current Ontario beer taxation issue and his take on it all, the Beer Store Master Framework Agreement ending, why craft breweries should all be focusing on securing new drinkers rather than only appealing to the current crowd, and they answered some of the questions Tiff and Cee had from Episode #154. They got into six bangin' bevvies, including their Dejado Tequila Soda Lime, Dejado Tequila Soda Grapefruit, Pink Gin Fizz, Peach Gin Fizz, Dejado Spicy Margarita and Lost Craft Coastal Wave IPA. This was a great one - cheers! BAOS Podcast Subscribe to the podcast on YouTube | Website | Theme tune: Cee - BrewHeads

It's our favourite time of the year... Looking back at the year that was is always a blast, so when Cee and Nate got together to select, chat about and, of course, drink beers from their favourite breweries in 2023, they knew it was about to go down. Twenty-twenty-three was a spectacular year for Ontario craft beer, with some phenomenal new breweries opening their doors, some legendary breweries saying goodbye, and there were even some breweries that had been around a while but were new to BAOS. We announced our Brewery of the Year, too, which was a first for this amazing company. No spoilers here, just watch or listen and enjoy some Ontario craft beer. Cheers! BAOS Podcast Subscribe to the podcast on YouTube | Website | Theme tune: Cee - BrewHeads

Kingston, ON has a fantastically bright craft beer scene, and no brewery has taken that more literally than Daft. Co-Founder Adam and brewer Rich joined Cee and Nate to chat about what's changed since we spoke to them last in late 2021, the move to cans from bottles, aging their dark beers, how amazing West Coast IPAs are, where the Kingston beer scene is at, the challenges of distributing beer, their LCBO switch out, and some of the stories behind their beer names. They got into a gang of Daft brews, including Barenaked Light Lager, Thirst Trap DDH IPA, Day Off Strawberry, Peach & Cream IPA, Throwing Shade Black Lager, Down By The River West Coast IPA, and Dad Bod DIPA. This was super fun, cheers! BAOS Podcast Subscribe to the podcast on YouTube | Website | Theme tune: Cee - BrewHeads

Ontario is a province rich in legendary breweries that paved the way for the incredible liquid that blesses our glasses today, so it was an honour and a privilege to speak with the man behind Nickel Brook Brewing. Co-Founder John Romano joined Cee and Nate to talk about their humble beginnings as a home brew and wine store (Best Bitters), their work ethic in the early years, the fascinating story behind their cucumber gose, how their Italian heritage influences the brewery, the challenges being an Ontario-based brewery as far as taxes and purchase points, and how their Green Apple Pilsner and Gluten Free beers saved the company. They got into their Naughty Neighbour American Pale Ale, Creeper Reaper NEIPA, Uncle Goose West Coast IPA, Head Stock West Coast IPA, Maple Porter and Root Beer. This was brilliant - cheers! BAOS Podcast Subscribe to the podcast on YouTube | Website | Theme tune: Cee - BrewHeads

Whitby, ON's beer scene started booming when Town opened in late 2018, and since then they're gone from strength to strength with both their beers and their branding. Founder Jeff Talmey joined Cee and Nate to chat about what's been happening since his last appearance on the pod in 2021, their lease on Whitby's Pumphouse and their upcoming beer garden, their side project cider brand Safe Bet, the changes in the industry since the pandemic and how breweries have to work harder for the same results, how to attract new consumers and make them feel welcome, and his love of collabs. They crushed their Quick One Lager, Microdose Session IPA, Square Wheels IPA, Fidelity Pilsner, La Push West Coast IPA collab with Fairweather, and Low Tide Coconut Milkshake IPA. This was jam-packed with gems, enjoy! BAOS Podcast Subscribe to the podcast on YouTube | Website | Theme tune: Cee - BrewHeads

Markham, ON lies just north of downtown Toronto, and it wasn't particularly known for fire craft beer until Rouge River hit the scene. For the past 7 years and change, Jordan has produced killer hazy IPAs that rival anything in the province and beyond, and as it's been 4 years since his last podcast appearance, a catch-up was long overdue. Jordan chopped it up with Cee and Nate to chat about his move into lagers, why they landed some beers in the LCBO, their abandoned barrel program, indie bottle shops and his passion for haze. They crushed their Ridges Lager, Little Rouge Pale Ale, Holy Trinity IPA, 60 Percent Of The Time IPA and Groovy Fruit (Strawberry Watermelon Margarita) Sour. This was dope, cheers! BAOS Podcast Subscribe to the podcast on YouTube | Website | Theme tune: Cee - BrewHeads

Niagara Falls hasn't historically been known for its fire craft beer, but all that changed a few years back when Greg and his Co-Founder Joe opened Counterpart Brewing at the north end of town. Greg hung out with Cee and Nate to chat about the West Coast beginnings of his beer journey, how deep he is (or was) in the trading game, their Untappd-breaking first attempt at a barrel-aged stout, why food is so important to them, their interesting approach to being served at the brewery, why their beers evolve with their palates, and their upcoming fourth anniversary (March 4th, 2023). We crushed Full Circle (dry-hopped Kölsch), Spill (Pale Ale), Soul To Squeeze (IPA), Rhythm (Double IPA), Dream On (Double IPA), and Rise (Black Sheep Coffee) (coffee Brown Ale). You'll love this chat, cheers! BAOS Podcast Subscribe to the podcast on YouTube | Website | Theme tune: Cee - BrewHeads

It's that time of year again, folks. Cee and Nate sat down and did their best to figure out the best and brightest craft breweries in Ontario for the year that was 2022. With Cee's move back to Ontario in the summer of '22 giving him unlimited access to the most killer cans in the province, it's been an extra big year for the boys soaking up all the killer ON brews. The top 10 are listed in no particular order, and it's based on the beers and breweries that Cee and Nate were exposed to throughout the year. With almost 300 breweries in the province, there's no way they could try them all so please excuse us if your fave didn't make the list. They got into a handful of beers from breweries in the Top 10, and we won't spoil them for y'all - enjoy the episode, and cheers to another great year of Ontario beer! BAOS Podcast Subscribe to the podcast on YouTube | Website | Theme tune: Cee - BrewHeads

London, Ontario has been slowly growing its reputation for fire craft beer over the past half a decade or more, and one of the breweries leading the charge is Anderson Craft Ales. Founder Gavin Anderson joins Cee and Nathan from NathanDoesBeer to chat about the growth of the craft beer scene and industry in London, why brown ales aren't popular these days (but are so fire), how their beers have evolved over the years, their approach to their seasonal beers, which styles are gateway beers, the value of short cans, and the disturbing lack of prevalence of West Coast IPAs. They crushed Anderson's Cream Ale, Aussie IPA, Brown Ale and West Coast IPA. Cheers! BAOS Podcast Subscribe to the podcast on YouTube | Website | Theme tune: Cee - BrewHeads

On this episode the boys had the opportunity to try a bunch of beers Mike brought back from Toronto as well as 2 Ontario brews that Jordan had purchased.  There were beer from Indie Ale House, Bandit Brewery, Bar Volo, Bellwoods Brewery, Blood Brothers Brewing and Third Moon Brewing.Podcaster Involved:Jordan of Pitt Craft Beer Dad Mike of Pacific Beer ChatWarren of Pacific Beer ChatSteve of Pacific Beer ChatIntro By Conundrum – Website, Facebook, Instagram

This week, the guys get blessed by the presence of Luke Pestl. Luke owns what many would say is the best brewery in Canada and it was a blast talking to him, particularly on our home turf in Milo. After addressing the obvious question of how he wound up in Piscataquis County with his wife and three children, we get into a wide variety of topics like his history in beer, Bellwood's philosophy. and what makes Canadian beer culture unique. Luke shares a ton of insight on the value of food in a brewery, maintaining company culture, and grinding to become the best beer maker in the world. The fact that he does this all so well in the face of Noah's excessive use of the word "kinda" and Matt's even more excessive Drake questions is a true miracle.

In this episode we visit the impressive Cowbell Brewing in Blyth, Ontario and have a chat with Stephen Rich, their Brewmaster and Director of Brewing Operations. We chat about Stephen's start in beer and how he got involved in Cowbell, the beer program and some of the unique methods and equipment that Cowbell employs at the brewery, and what's in store for Cowbell now and in the future.

In this episode we share a few beers and many beer memories with acclaimed beer writer Stephen Beaumont. Catching up at Toronto beer hall WVRST, we chat about how Stephen got into beer, the past and present state of the beer industry, his beer travel adventures crossing the globe, his writing and publishing and more.

In this episode we have a chat with longtime friend Carl Milroy, founder and partner of the Red Thread Brewing Co. We share a beer and discuss how Red Thread came to be, and what it's like to launch in Ontario without a bricks and mortar brewery.

In this episode we have a chat with beer historian Gary Gillman and brewer Cody Noland about Amsterdam's 1870 AK Bitter, a special collaboration beer between Gary and Amsterdam that was a recreation of an historical recipe from nearly 150 years ago.

In this episode we chat with Aaron Spinney, one of the founders and head brewer of Merit Brewing, a new brewery set to open in Hamilton, Ontario.

In this episode we have a fireside chat with Gary McMullen, Founder of Muskoka Brewery. Gary discusses the origins of the Muskoka Brewery, some of their early beer adventures, the importance of their branding and some of their latest beer releases.

In this episode we chat with Ontario beer writers Ben Johnson and David Ort about the past, present and future of the Golden Tap Awards.

Recorded at the Craft Brewers Conference in Portland in April 2015, a conversation with Steve Beauchesne of Beau's, Ben Love of Gigantic and Anders Kissmeyer of Kissmeyer Beer about the B-Side Brewing Label.

Recorded live at the Craft Brewers Conference, a roundtable discussion with Ben Johnson, Jason Fisher, Dimitri van Kampen, Rob McIsaac and Shane Clark about the news that beer is coming to grocery stores in the province.

We joined Tim and Steve Beauchesne from Beau's Brewery to talk about all things from the starting of Beau's, Oktoberfest and to the future! Music by Andrew Vincent.

We joined Tim and Steve Beauchesne from Beau's Brewery to talk about all things from the starting of Beau's, Oktoberfest and to the future! Music by Andrew Vincent.