LCBO Food & Drink Autumn 2022

LOCAL ATTRACTIONS

Responsible for bitterness, texture and aroma, hops are the flower of climbing bines that reach maturity in August. Depending on the individual variety, they can express themselves as citric, tropical, peachy, berry-like, herbal, grassy, woody or even spicy. We’re still learning what tantalizing aromas will emerge when they’re transplanted into Ontario’s various terroirs. Ontario’s hopyards supply all of these beers with locally grown hops. Ontario Hops Brewed with a century-old variety from Tavistock Hop Yards, Hespeler Brewing Canadian Heritage Gold Pilsner (LCBO 13240, 473 mL, $3.50) is a snappy lager that noses a green florality, with laurel, sage, sandalwood and a touch of raspberry fresh from the cane. Burnished chestnut in colour, GoodLot Bighead Amber (LCBO 15871, 473 mL, $3.25) features pine on the nose, but around that dance pepper, nutmeg and star anise. The dark toffee depth of the body matches the intensity of the bitterness in this balanced amber ale. Pleasant Valley Hops from Hillier, in Prince Edward County, contributes to Matron Brewing’s Janky IPA (LCBO 22021, 355 mL, $3.95) with their Chinook, Centennial and Cascade hops lending candied lemon zest, Ataulfo mango and caramelized pineapple to its juicy body. Wellington Brewery’s Upside IPA (LCBO 508580, 473 mL, $3.55) features Cascade hops from Hayhoe Hops, near London, which contribute grapefruit to a nose that also includes peach, mango and a touch of cantaloupe. A modern New England-style IPA with throwback bitterness.

Using hops grown on their own farm in Oro-Medonte, Quayle’s Brewery’s Fiddle & Field Pale Ale (LCBO 23124, 355 mL, $3.25) is full of sweet pink grapefruit and ripening peach with a light caramel sweetness in the body that contrasts a piney, resinous bitterness on the swallow.

HAYHOE HOPS hayhoehops.ca

Based out of Aylmer, Ont., southeast of London, Hayhoe Hops was established in 2014 by brothers Scott and Todd Hayhoe. As hop bines take three to five years to reach maturity and produce desirable cones for making beer, Hayhoe is currently hitting their stride. With four varieties transplanted from the Pacific Northwest (including the floral Chinook), Hayhoe is increasingly a staple for Ontario breweries looking to support local.

70 FOOD & DRINK AUTUMN 2022