Our last day in Stratford started at my favourite coffee spot in the town Balzac's. Great coffee in a rickety old building. I had the "Las Rosas" a coffee produced by a Collection of 400 Female coffee growers dedicated to supporting women in the coffee industry. It was a perfect post-theatre buzz pick me up (seriously my body was still vibrating with excitement! it was such a good show!). The long trip home was supposed to include a couple of stops but The beer gods were not on my side. First I tried to get to Shakespeare Brewing Company which is in the nearby town of Shakespeare, just outside of Stratford. Sadly... they were closed. So I took a picture of their hops. Next year when we go to see "Little Shop of Horrors" we will stop in... and maybe make an appointment. So after some careful GPS reconsideration, we pointed the Beermobile North- East to Kitchener-Waterloo and headed to Innocente Brewing... which was open. Later we tried to have lunch at Elora Brewing Company, however, the Town of Elora must have been having the busiest day of the year and we could not find a table... In the WHOLE TOWN! the streets were super crowded with tourists, we just wanted a beer and a burger... but no dice. We ate pate and cheese with grapes in the Beermobile and bought some beer to take home (No drinking and driving kids!).
Innocente Brewing Company
Another non-descript brewery stuck in a suburban commercial development that totally belies the hidden beauty of this little spot. Such a warm and cosy space despite the noise and traffic and construction outside. The leather couches are comfy and inviting and the brewery gleams. The panoramic shot above does not even properly convey how nice this place is. You may have to click the picture and blow it up... better yet head out on a road trip and check this place out.
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| Tafelbeir |
ABV: 3.1% IBU: ?
Cloudy blonde with a grain-forward nose. Clove and banana with a wheaty, green, herbal and citrus body.
Beer # 453: Inn O'Slante Irish Red
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| Inn O'Slante Irish Red (almost forgot picture) |
ABV: 5.0% IBU: 18
Very dark crimson with a lacy head. Nose is sweet smoky malt. the first sip is all smoke and deeply roasted malt spice, wood, and caramel round out the body. The finish is a nice clean bitter green hops.
Beer # 454: Charcoal Porter (Forgot Picture)
ABV: 5.1% IBU: 25
Very dark chestnut with a thin lacing of head. Smoky malt nose with an underlying sweetness. The initial attack is smoked meat a big round umami flavour. Smoke, malt, and caramel fill ou the middle. Very well balanced with a light mouthfeel. Finish is quite fruity.
Beer # 455: Two Night Stand Double IPA
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| Two Night Stand Double IPA |
ABV: 8.5% IBU: 100
Brassy gold in colour with a light lacy head. Intense pine and citrus nose. Very warming, well-balanced pine and malt. Lips are left sticky with a pineapple and guava finish spiked with hints of bitter hops.
Final Thoughts
Such a neat place, and wonderfully crafted beers. Just go there... you will enjoy it.
Cheers
CJT
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