TORONTO, ON – Last night at Queen’s Park, The Honourable Steve Peters, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, led MPPs, Queen’s Park staff and selected guests and media in his fourth annual tasting of craft beers from across Ontario.
61 beers from 18 members of the Ontario Craft Brewers were available for sampling, and tasters cast ballots to choose their favourites in six categories, with a seventh category – the “Speaker’s Selection” – chosen by the Speaker himself. The winning beers will be available in the dining room and at catered events & receptions at Queen’s Park for the 2011-12 year.
The winners for this year were:
Golden Lagers, Pilsners & Light Beer – Mill Street Organic Lager
Refreshing Ales – Beau’s Lug Tread Lagered Ale
Amber Lagers, Ales & Honey Beer – Old Credit Amber Ale
Malty Dark Lager or Ale – Kichesippi 1855
Bold Flavoured Ale, Stout or Porter – Railway City Dead Elephant Ale
Wheat Beer & Specialty – Nickel Brook Green Apple Pilsner
Speaker’s Selection – Flying Monkeys Hoptical Illusion Almost Pale Ale
The event also featured a special tribute to Speaker Peters, a strong and long-time supporter of Ontario craft beer (as well as other Ontario produced food and drink) who is retiring at the end of the current legislative session. Gary McMullen, Chair of Ontario Craft Brewers, presented the Speaker with a small beer cask signed by representatives from breweries all across the province, as well as a key providing ceremonial access to every craft brewery in Ontario.