LCBO Food & Drink Early Summer 2023

WORTH THE TRIP

WILLIBALD 75 P. 135

Willibald Dry Gin LCBO 28368, $39.95 Infused with juniper plus farm-grown lavender, citrusy Mosaic hops, ginger and other botanicals, this crisp and lightly astringent gin has an herbaceous and floral aroma.

WILLIBALD FARM DISTILLERY & BREWERY, AYR DRINKWILLIBALD.COM Founders John and Nolan van der Heyden have surrounded themselves with a team, largely made up of long-time friends, at a modern flavour factory on their family farm near Ayr. Not only spirits, but also beer and hard seltzers are made here, then bottled and canned in a former barn that holds colourful stacks of cans and bottles with Ontario artist–designed, plant and farm-inspired labels. A big beer garden– style tent holds overflow from the lofty, wooden raftered restaurant, which dishes out crusty pizzas and hearty pastas that customers drive from Toronto and beyond to enjoy on leisurely afternoons. Pair plates with any of the Willibald bevvies, or with delicious cocktails crafted by co-founder and mixologist Cameron Formica, like this Willibald 75.

LOCAL BITES

Look no further than the farm-distillery’s own restaurant for everything from a seasonal Caesar salad to beef and chicken burgers or 12-inch pizzas—the Cacio e Pepe white pizza is a staff fave.

116 FOOD & DRINK EARLY SUMMER 2023