Yum! Touring Ontario's breweries

Friday, Oct. 13, 8:15 a.m.
During a typical week, this early hour would find me riding the elevator to work, up to the Canadian Living Test Kitchen -- but today was different. As I opened the doors to The Granite Brewery in Toronto, I knew it was going to be a good day, despite any Friday the 13th-type superstitions.

The Ontario Craft Brewers had invited me to spend the day visiting the Lake Country craft brewers.

A warm coffee (too early for beer) and introductions by the organization's president, John Hay, opened the day of visits to Hockley Valley, Barrie and Bracebridge.

A tour of the Granite revealed a brewing room not much bigger than an average-size living room and sheltered behind a wall of glass. Ron Keefe, owner and brewmaster, works his magic here while happy drinkers and diners watch. Nine extraordinary brews come out of this tiny space, all delicious, especially the Peculiar Ale.

Next stop was the Hockley Valley Brewing Company. Owner Tom Smellie and brewmaster Andrew Kohnen have truly embraced craft brewing. Like the Granite, the brewing room is tiny. Both beers, Hockley Dark and Hockley Gold, are completely hand-crafted, from the mashing of grains to canning. And the fine attention to detail comes through in the beer. Fortunately, it was late enough to sample, and while Andrew talked passionately about beer, we drank. I have come to believe that there is not much finer in life than a good beer enjoyed right in the brewing facility.

Sadly, we had to press on. We headed to Barrie and the Robert Simpson Brewing Company. Seen from the street, the brewery resembles an old-fashioned general store. But one step inside the door reveals just the opposite. A sampling table and showroom set the stage for the grand glass doors leading to the brewing room. Skylights and floor-to-ceiling windows flood light onto the huge stainless steel tanks. Computers monitor temperatures and specific gravities, and a room in the basement houses the bottling line. While the size (and fanciness) of the Robert Simpson is enormously different from the Granite and Hockley Valley, the passion and attention to detail remain the same. Brewmaster Gordon Slater, together with owner Peter Chiodo, have spent years developing and evolving their Confederation Ale. Until it is perfect by their standards, it will remain the only beer coming out of this pristine brewery.

We were treated to a fantastic lunch with dishes prepared with Confederation Ale and paired with King Brewery Pilsner and King Brewery Dark beer from the King Brewery in Nobleton. Hot smoked maple salmon salad, crispy duck confit and an apple cherry crisp made for a beautiful lunch on a blustery fall day.

Back on the bus, we headed to the last stop on the tour: Lakes of Muskoka Cottage Brewery in Bracebridge. The newest beer from this brewery, the Organic Hefe-Weissbier, is made in traditional German wheat beer style. This white, lightly cloudy, clove-and-citrus scented brew conjures up images of summer patios and sunshine. The brewery's four other beers are also delicious, and the humble, cottage-style brewery feels a little like home.

Sadly, the day ends. A long trip back to Toronto and a belly full of great beer and good food has me looking forward to stretching out on the bus and taking a wee nap. This beats a regular Friday at work, hands down!

For more information, check out the Ontario Craft Brewers website at www.ontariocraftbrewers.ca for a complete listing of their award-winning beers and maps to plan your own brewery day-trip (designated driver required!).

Cheers!