LCBO Food & Drink Holiday 2022

INSIDE SCOOP

Beer and Cider at the Holiday Table With the focus on wine at the big feast, it’s easy to forget about beer and cider drinkers. Here are a few to pour for them throughout the night. MATCHMAKER

COCKTAIL HOUR

A light, crisp lager is a great start to any evening, and the large format Ace Hill Pilsner Mini Keg (LCBO 27831, 5 L, $29.95) will serve a crowd. Crisp, dry Pommies Farmhouse Cider (LCBO 418582, 473 mL, $3.40) will awaken the palate and pairs well with cheese and charcuterie.

LOCAL SMART COOKIE Mixed gift tins, boxes and plates of cookies have become all the rage during the holiday season. Here are three worth seeking out. ROSELLE DESSERTS Roselle’s holiday cookie box is coveted by Toronto pastry hounds. The tempting selection includes faves like candy-cane shortbread or ginger-cardamom sandwich cookies. Released two weeks before Christmas, the boxes are available for walk-ins only. roselleto.com cookies in boxes of one or two dozen. Fan favourites include Linzer cookies with homemade raspberry jam and mincemeat tarts. They’re available starting November 20 by order and retail. breadandbutter.ca REVALEE BRUNCH CAFÉ This Vineland café spearheads a cookie box collab with five other bakeries and restaurants in the region. You get two from each, and a portion of the proceeds go to Community Care, a local charity. By order only with pickup shortly before Christmas. revalee.ca Pictured is Roselle’s 2021 box. An exciting new one will be out for 2022! BREAD & BUTTER BAKERY This Kingston bakery offers

DINNER

Beer aficionados will salivate when you offer Rochefort 8 (LCBO 676569, 330 mL, $3.95) , a dark Trappist ale with rich flavours of caramel and dried figs. Medium-dry Reinhart’s Red Apple Strong Cider (LCBO 107342, 473 mL, $3.55) is reminiscent of a full-bodied Chardonnay—it’s terrific with pork, turkey or goose.

DESSERT

Rich, spicy Big Rig Busted Sled Gingerbread Stout (LCBO 28637, 473 mL, $3.35) is the perfect pour with Christmas classics like fruitcake and plum pudding. Sweet, fruity Somersby Blackberry Cider (LCBO 15564, 473 mL, $3.50) is especially suited to apple, pear or chocolate desserts.

42 FOOD & DRINK HOLIDAY 2022