LCBO Food & Drink Autumn 2019

Community When the couple set out to create the brewery, they knew they wanted more than just a place to brew beer. They wanted a space where people could come together in a fun and welcoming environment. They initiate lots of great events in the brewery, such as a weekly euchre night, yoga classes and one-off workshops on things like flower arranging and needleworking. They regularly host pop-ups by small food vendors, which gives their customers an ever-changing variety of delicious food to nibble on. And avid fans don’t just walk to the brewery, they run—as in the Toronto running group, RunTOBeer (runtobeer.ca). This group makes craft breweries their running-day destination, and Left Field is at the top of their list for number of visits.

Innovation One of the things Left Field has become known for is its innovation, and it shows in their beer. It’s often ahead of the curve in industry trends, using newer hop varieties such as Mandarina Bavaria or Huell Melon and new “super end” cans that use less aluminum and allow the drinker to remove the entire lid, thus turning it into something reminiscent of a glass. To keep things fresh and exciting, Left Field also has a cycle of seasonal LCBO releases that rotate between the two styles it has become known for, IPAs and Sours, letting the brewery showcase its diversity and creativity.

IPAs Two IPA regulars at the LCBO are Greenwood IPA ( LCBO 645416, 355 mL, $3.75)—which offers loads of citrus, peach and pineapple—and the hazy, New England-style Laser Show Double IPA ( LCBO 645424, 355 mL, $4.50), a juice bomb of bold tropical flavours and plenty of hopping for balance.     The brewery’s most recent LCBO release is its Big Train Zero IBU IPA ( LCBO 12383, 355 mL, $3.75), an IPA that places front and centre Azacca and Mosaic hops’ bold ripe flavours of papaya, guava and orange. Wheat and oats add flavour and texture and haze. For food matching, try something full of aroma and flavour like our Vindaloo Chicken (recipe at foodanddrink.ca). The dish complements the beer’s tropical flavours, and the beer’s sweet malt body helps temper the vindaloo’s heat.

Sours The trend of sour beers is something Left Field has embraced wholeheartedly, even buying a new Brite tank to be used exclusively for sours, and two American oak foeders just for sour ale production. Mark has plans for sours that incorporate Ontario peaches, apricots, raspberries and cherries in its future lineup. Slow-fermenting, these beers can take months to be ready, but they’re worth the wait!     Meanwhile, you can find the brewery’s dry- hopped Black Currant Sour ( LCBO 10759, 355 mL, $3.95), part of its Squeeze Play series of kettle sours that use fruits and aromatics in interesting ways. And this winter Go-Ahead Raspberry & Hibiscus Gose ( LCBO 644351, 355 mL, $3.75) hits LCBO shelves. Full of ripe raspberry and tangy hibiscus, it has a hint of light saltiness, typical of a gose.

For more information about the brewery visit leftfieldbrewery.ca or head to 36 Wagstaff Drive, Toronto, Ont., for a visit and a beer.

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FOOD & DRINK AUTUMN 2019