LCBO Food & Drink Early Summer 2022

LESS IS MORE

The craft brewing industry has revolutionized lower-alcohol and non-alcoholic beer by finding creative ways to make lower-strength beers that still have rich and complex flavour profiles, be it a zero-proof pale ale or a light and tart fruit sour suitable for afternoon session drinking. Session Beers

Ontario premier George Howard Ferguson was a pioneer in low alcohol drinking. In 1925, when, following a plebiscite, he made an exception to the province’s Prohibition laws to allow lower-alcohol beer—under 4.4%. The thirsty public loved it, calling it “Fergie’s Foam.” His government would go on to repeal the anti-alcohol laws and establish the LCBO in 1927. Fergie’s Foam (0.4% ABV) LCBO 25636, 4 pk, $10.95 A collaboration between PEI’s Upstreet Brewing and Canadian singer-songwriter Serena Ryder, Libra is a summery beer that comes alive served ice-cold with lime. It also makes an excellent Michelada with fresh lime and Walter Caesar mix. 5. Upstreet Libra Pale Ale

TASTING NOTES

2. Nickel Brook Jam Stand Raspberry (4% ABV)

1. Waterloo Grapefruit Radler (2.5% ABV)

4. Clausthaler Premium Non-Alcoholic (0.45% ABV) LCBO 589549, 500 mL, $2.25

3. New Standard Original Lager (3.2% ABV) LCBO 635243, 473 mL, $3 All-natural and organic, this golden lager has a creamy top and a nice full body—exactly the drink you want for celebrating

LCBO 12858, 473 mL, $3.25

LCBO 19258, 473 mL, $3.85

Similar to a beer shandy, radlers are refreshing

This fruited, ruby-red and superfizzy wheat beer walks a fine line between sweet and tart, with a lovely hint of vanilla tying it all together.

Over 40 years ago, pioneering German company Clausthaler launched this classic clear and refreshing non-alcoholic beer, made with a patented technology that stops alcohol in its tracks.

and low in alcohol. This one, brewed in southern Ontario, is particularly bright and twangy.

the return of patio season.

1922 BY THE NUMBERS

THE YEAR FRANZ KUGLER IS SAID TO HAVE INVENTED THE “RADLER,” A LIGHT AND REFRESHING MIX OF JUICY SODA AND BEER DESIGNED TO LURE HEALTH-CONSCIOUS CYCLISTS TO HIS BAR ON A BUSY BICYCLE TRAIL OUTSIDE MUNICH.

ILLUSTRATION BY DAVID SPARSHOTT

64 FOOD & DRINK EARLY SUMMER 2022