on tap
Grillin’ and chillin’
Take barbecue season into fall with these beers by Ro bi n LeBl a nc I don’t know about you, but one of the things I look forward to most about summer is stepping out into my backyard with a few choice meats, cracking open a fine beer and spending the next hour or two by my old Weber charcoal grill. I can’t quite explain it, but being outside in this beautiful country with nothing more to focus on than how well the food is cooking – and how properly “refreshed” I am while at my “post” – just puts me in a state of absolute Zen. Whether it’s just for you and yours or a
large group of friends, absolutely nothing beats being the “grillmeister” and seeing the look of appreciation on the faces of the people you’re feeding. So why not take that feeling into the fall with this list of beers that pair well some of the more common barbecue dishes? Robin LeBlanc is an award-winning beer writer and owner of thethirstywench.com. She is also the co-author of The Ontario Craft Beer Guide, available in stores now
Grilled Chicken Absent Landlord Kolsch ABV: 5.3% LCBO#469981 A recent arrival to the Ontario beer scene, Blythbased Cowbell Brewery has opened up with their incredibly accessible Absent Landlord Kolsch, inspired by the man Blyth was named after, a wealthy English landowner who never made the trip to visit his Canadian namesake. Distinct notes of lemongrass cut through even the driest chicken’s flavours rather nicely, creating a wonderful companion. 50 | GoodLife • September - October 2016
Collingwood Brewery Saison ABV: 7% LCBO#466201 If you like a little bit of spice added to your birds, Collingwood Brewery’s Saison, with its sweet orange blossom character, distinctive hint of clove and very subtle fennel notes in a dry finish will go exquisitely with Chinese five-spice or a soy-and-honey-glazed barbecue chicken.