LCBO Food & Drink Spring 2022

WONDER WOMEN

ROBYNWEEKS’S FAVOURITE WELLINGTON BREW IS THE UPSIDE IPA (LCBO 508580, 473 ML, $3.45), WHICH CHEF SAELZER HAS PAIREDWITH PIRI PIRI SWEET POTATOES WITH VEGAN BLUE CHEESE DIP (RECIPE P. 109), A VEGAN SNACK THAT PLAYS OFF THE BEER’S NOTABLE HOPS.

MORE BREW QUEENS

Robyn Weeks Brewer, Wellington Brewery, Guelph Queen of Craft

Jamie Shillow, co-founder and brewer, Shillow Beer Co. This brewery’s co-founder graduated from the Niagara College Brewmaster Program, then established one of Canada’s only kosher-certified craft breweries.

When people first meet Robyn Weeks and find out she’s the brewer responsible for some of their favourite craft brews, they’re excited to get to know her, and how she came to have everyone’s dream job. Funnily enough, though, when Weeks started working as a keg-washer at Wellington Brewery more than a decade ago, becoming a brewer wasn’t even on her radar. She became fascinated with the

“magic” of the process, and it quickly became apparent that she was destined to become an important part of the “Welly Family.” When she’s not having fun making deep, rich malts, one of her favourite parts of the job is taking part in Queen of Craft, a women-centred tasting and education series founded by Wellington’s own Karyn Boscariol. Through these workshops, Weeks has

expanded her understanding of the history of beer, includ- ing the role women played in the art of fermentation. “Brewing was basically started by women back in the day, since women were making the beer for the household,” she says. “I don’t think most people know about that and I wish it were more widely known.”

Andrea Mulligan, CEO and co-founder, Sleeping Giant Brewery Last year, Mulligan won North- ern Ontario’s Business Person of the Year—a recognition for her outstanding commitment to the Thunder Bay commu­ nity, her staff and, of course, the excellent beers, many of which are also award winners.

Miijidaa is Ojibway for “let’s eat,” something that everybody wants to do once they start reading chef Vita Saelzer’s mouth- watering locavor-ish menu at this Certified B Corp restaurant. Saelzer has worked closely with Wellington Brewery, coming up with innovative recipes that use its craft beers as an ingredient. Vita Saelzer Chef de cuisine, Miijidaa, Guelph Local Fare

50

SPRING 2022 FOOD & DRINK