Tonight Teena and I were at the sixth annual Sessions Toronto Craft Beer Festival at Yonge and Dundas Square. We have not missed one year, and as far as I'm concerned, it is the best beer festival each year.
The first was held during the G20 at Sunnyside Pavilion, the next two were at 99 Sudbury Street (nicely close to home) then went up to Wychwood Barns, and last year started a run at Yonge and Dundas Square, which is a fabulous location.
Teena and I bought Princess Passes, their term for VIP, and it is well worth it. We had a place to sit, food, private washrooms and a runner who, if we asked, would go out and get the beer for you. I like to look around and talk to people so never used that service.
Surprisingly this festival is put on by The Griffin Gastropub, which is located in Bracebridge. They have do quite a bit to promote Ontario's craft beer industry. Here we are with Jed, one of the Griffin owners.
Teena and I met up with a bunch of friends who also bought the Princess passes. To my left in the tiara is one of the princesses who will run for beer, Christine (behind Teena), Darlene, Jen and Bruce.
Here are some of the breweries I visited.
Flying Monkeys.
Sawdust City.
Whitewater Brewery.
Muskoka Brewery.
Although the square looked crowded, it was very easy to get around.
There was a beer collaboration competition and the breweries were trying their best to promote their beer. Beau's All Natural collaborated with hip hop artist k-os, who sang a tune, to create Golden Vox, a rye pale lager.
Beau's gave away sunglasses to promote their beer and they won.
Toronto Roller Derby teamed up with Side Launch Brewery to create a Syrah Barrel Aged Wheat Beer.
But my favorite was Olympic Gold medalist in the 2010 Vancouver Olympics for Skeleton and host of The Amazing Race Canada, Jon Montgomery. He worked the crowd and took pictures with everybody, including Teena and I. Of course this is now my FB picture!
Jon collaborated with Old Tomorrow for Monty's Golden Ryed Ale. It was delicious.
Try a beer, fill out your ballot and spin the wheel and you might win an Old Tomorrow tee shirt. I did!
More beer. I will be wrting about Session Gose from Sweetgrass Brewing in a future post.
Mill Street Brewery.
Oast House.
Big Rock Brewery had a white chocolate porter which was unusual and delicious.
An IPA from Junction Brewery.
The band, TooNice, was funky and great.
Teena and I made a new friend.
It was a great time and when tickets come up for next year's sessions, Teena and I will be right on it.
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