LCBO Food & Drink Autumn 2025

INSIDE SCOOP

SEASONAL SIPS Straight with a Chaser

Enjoying a small beer alongside a tiny dram of whisky dates back centuries to the early public houses in the U.K. In Scotland, this practice is still called a “half and half”—i.e. a half-serving of beer with a half-shot of whisky. Since both beverages are made from grains, the two can be wonderfully complementary. Here is a trio of match-ups to try at home. —CHARLENE ROOKE

IRISH WHISKEY + DARK IPA

Unmalted barley gives Powers John’s Lane 12 Year Old Irish Whiskey (LCBO 34641, $79.95) the leathery, spicy and choc olatey notes you’ll also find in Lake of Bays Scorpius Dark IPA (LCBO 47824, 473 mL, $3.95). WEST COAST PALE ALE Made on Vancouver Island, Shelter Point Classic Single Malt (LCBO 46232, $87.50) has a mineral, seaside influence that pairs nicely with the bright Cascade and Comet hops in Wellington Fresh Off the Wire (LCBO 47446, 473 mL, $3.95). Tame the big, smoky flavours of a peated whisky like limited- release Ardbeg Smokiverse (LCBO 45282, $188.50) with a big, smooth and creamy beer like Woodhouse Stout (LCBO 485425, 473 mL, $3.65). WEST COAST SINGLE MALT + PEATED SCOTCH + STOUT

THANKSGIVING HACKS

Sauce Boss The first thing you should tick off your Thanksgiving prep list is Classic Cranberry Sauce (find the recipe at LCBO.com/ fdautumn25). This dead-easy, three-ingredient recipe can be made and frozen months in advance, and it’s infinitely better than the canned stuff.

Gravy Train For one less pot on the stove, try this simple hack. Make your gravy a few hours in advance then pour it into a thermos. When dinner is ready, transfer it to a gravy boat and you’re good to go!

Brighter Shade of Stale If you’re stuck with a stale

baguette, there is a simple trick to revive it. Briefly rinse it under cold water, then pop it into a 375°F (191°C) oven for 10 minutes. Now you’ve got a hot, crusty baguette ready to be slathered in butter. This trick works for bagels, too!

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———————— AUTUMN 2025