LCBO Food & Drink Holiday 2017

BEER  EASY AFTERNOONS

[ MEDIUM FLAVOUR SESSION BEERS ] These beers are more pronounced in flavour than light ones; you may want to enjoy them with food, but of course they’re also great on their own.

The term session has been around for years, but as of late it’s popping up more often on craft beer labels. As the craft scene exploded, new breweries put out beers that were made to impress—beers with heavy-handed hopping, huge fla- vour and ceiling-smashing alcohol levels. As with all trends, there is eventually a turning of tables. Breweries began creat- ing session beers as a more drinkable option, beers that allowed for partaking of more than one. It’s a trend in smaller- sized packaging, but it is also a conscious movement on the part of consumers to search out beers that themselves offer more drinkability and balance. ON-TREND

Great Lakes Pompous Ass LCBO 408054, 473 mL, $2.65 (4.2% ABV)

Newcastle Brown Ale LCBO 12047, 500 mL, $2.70 (4.7% ABV)

This British-style ale pours a rich, creamy head leading into an earthy, dried leaf and requisite toffee nose. Some orange zest and brown bread toast round out the mix. Exceptionally well balanced. Collingwood Rockwell Pilsner LCBO 498840, 473 mL, $3.00 (4.6% ABV) This Czech-style lager offers up dried hay, biscuit and a subtle touch of floral. Its rich maltiness is balanced with the ideal amount of hops to lead it to a clean finish.

This British brown delivers a fruity, dried cherry and mineral nose, then leads into a refreshing mouthful of dark toffee and savoury earthiness. Finishes clean and with a lingering hop flavour.

THE “NON- TRADITIONALS” English pale ale is known as the father of the session ale, but there are so many other beers that fit the bill. English porters and Irish stouts are typically considered session ales. And looking towards the east of Europe you’ll find radlers, gose and a dizzying array of lagers that check in well below 5%. While back in North America there are end- less versions of session beers found in the form of IPAs, black lagers, pilsners, smoked ales; pretty much any style imaginable. And the low ABV allows you to taste many and find your favourites.

Smithwick’s Ale LCBO 270439, 500 mL, $2.50 (5% ABV)

As an Irish Red should be, it’s not overwhelmed by the hops or the malt. Just an easy-drinking, even-handed beer with subtle notes of apple, caramel and roasted malt and a clean finish.

Meatball Sub with Basil Butter recipe on page 252

166  FOOD & DRI NK HOLIDAY 2017