LCBO Food & Drink Early Summer 2023

MAKERS AND SHAKERS

SUMMER SIPS Wilson describes Upside IPA (LCBO 508580, 473 mL, $3.65) as “a contemporary take on a New England–style IPA” with juicy, fruity melon and peach charac ter. Helles Lager (LCBO 921296, 473 mL, $3.35) is a light German lager with a refreshing punch of hops—a little floral, a little citrusy. Special Pale Ale (LCBO 190439, 473 mL, $3.45), one of the brew ery’s oldest recipes, has a malty backbone and dark, fruity notes.

A Culinary Palate Jeff Wilson, head brewer WELLINGTON BREWERY, GUELPH

After attending culi nary school, Wilson thought he’d be come a restaurateur. Instead, he followed his passion for home brewing. “I was so obsessed with it,” he says. “I began hanging around breweries, sweep ing floors, packing boxes—whatever I could do.” Around 2012, he wound up at Wellington Brewery and built up his knowledge, before becoming head brewer almost 2 years ago. He has not wasted his culi nary skills. “I feel like I have a pretty good comes to developing flavours. Our beers are well balanced. I stick to my instincts to get them right.” palate,” he adds. “It helps when it

ALCOHOL-FREE INNOVATION Chinook Sparkling Hop Water is already a favourite among the brewery’s staff. It took six months of trial and error to develop, but what has emerged is a new bestseller: a non-­ alcoholic beverage made with Ontario hops and yeast to give it beer-like light bitterness and smooth mouth feel. Buy it at the brewery or online (wellingtonbrewery.ca) .

130 FOOD & DRINK EARLY SUMMER 2023