Cameron's Brewing Cask Night - Raising Pints and Sharing Laughs!

Everyone of these is a moment I cherish. What a night!

Make your way with me this past Friday to Cameron's Brewing Company and their quarterly Cask Night. Some of my favourite people in Craft beer work here and I always feel like I'm coming home whenever I get the chance to stop by. This night was a little more special because so many of the folks I know and love from Instagram were there and it made for an epic evening and a wee bit of a tired Polkaroo the next day.

From the moment you walk in the door you are welcomed with enthusiasm and a personal touch you find only in this community. The brewery is spotless and the music was pumping from the back. Eyeing the casks, I settled on Unfiltered Steamwhistle first and was pleasantly surprised by how much more malty it was. The regular is a ubiquitous selection in our house as it can be enjoyed by even the non craft drinkers who visit. Mrs. Polkaroo is a huge Steamwhistle fan and returned again and again for this treat of a beer.

I headed back toward the front and the Cameron's table next. They had a refreshing saison and one of my faves of the night in a Lager Noire that will be exclusive to Craft beer delivery service The Brew Box coming out soon. If you want to know what its like, I was lucky enough to get a bottle from Beer Saint Mike (Kanobi2000 on IG) and enjoyed it with relish. Review as always on my IG, Drunk Polkaroo So many more choices awaited and I ventured off to explore even more.

Two beauties right here.

It did seem every time I turned around, more friends, new and old, came into my path. Fellow beer writer Don Redmond (Check out his blog here) was already there with his pal from BC, Liz. His infectious joy at all things craft and his ever present smile made the start to my evening go up over the top and it was only 7:30. We haven't been able to spend a lot of time outside of our online friendship so it was wonderful to be able to actually talk beer with one of my favourite beer bloggers.

Great beer minds think and apparently dress alike! Donny is the best!

Moving a little forward into the brewery, past the bright tanks and fodder, I encountered my old friend from Innocente Brewing, Craig, manning the casks of strawberry Conscience and a Peach Hefe. The nose on the Conscience was so full of the berry and it was a pleasant way to enjoy a great IPA. Hefe with peach is a great idea and one I might bring to the table for our next homebrew project.

These two were spot on. Innocente does things right!

As always, I encountered even more friends and for the first time came face to face with Danielle (Fiona Face on IG) and fellow beer geek Brett, whose IFindBeerEnjoyable Instagram is full of the most amazing pictures of Craft beer. Meeting in the real world, I was immediately drawn in by their pure happiness and smiling faces. So wonderful that the people I meet are exactly like they are online and  I cannot wait to head up north in the fall to spend some real quality time with these two fine folks.

The beer was awesome, but these two were even better. Raising glasses and friendship in the barrel room.

 Someone who I had been lucky enough to spend a little time with before, Robin (BeerCoreDroid on IG) is another explorer of the world of craft. His palate is one of the best I've encountered and we keep trying to make plans for a collaboration homebrew. It will happen and it will be delicious. He also had the Beer Saint moment of the night when he dropped 2 bottles of Halo Brewing's beer into my hands as well as a whale of a beer in Oskar Blues Ten Fidy. I can't tell you how overwhelmed I still am by his generosity and cannot wait to raise a few next month with my good friend.

The man who has taken being a Beer Saint to a whole other level.

Onward into the night we travelled and when I saw that Ash Ritchie (loads of great pics of her Insta here) had arrived I was so happy. I haven't had much time to chat with her lately and she is recovering from a rather nasty bout with something that knocked her out of commission for a while. She was back to to her old self Friday night and it was my pleasure to be able to spend time with this positive force in the craft beer world.

The undefeatable Ash Ritchie.

What night out would be complete without some time spent with two of our first friends made in craft beer, Joan and Steven (CraftBeerandBacon on IG). We have raised pints and shared meals with these amazing people, talked late into the night and traded our favourite beers. They were the inspiration for Beer Saints and continue to be two of my favourite people whom I've had the pleasure of getting to know.

Four beer friends reunite and all is right with the world

We didn't come alone to Cameron's as my decade long beer drinking pal Brett (WobbleyMoose on IG) and his pregnant wife and DD Leanne joined us. They've been there for the hell of macro over consumption and with their world about to change forever, I am glad the light has dawned and I am here to see it happen. We may grow old, but never apart

We don't get wobbley much anymore, but better beer makes us smile!

 What night out would be complete without the lovely Kat by my side. As Mrs. Polkaroo, she is the perfect companion to my travels and it is a great joy for me to watch her try new beers. It might get a little more expensive on my beer runs as she is coming to love so many more craft beers. She's my anchor in the storm and these events are even better when she is with me.

 

All smiles and with Kat by my side, there isn't anything more I need in the world.

 There were so many more beer friends that we ran into but of course I am a talker and not a photographer, so I will try to catch you all at the next event for a picture. Big thank you again to the people who work at Cameron's. From owner and president Bill Coleman and his passion for making great beer to the guys and gals working the front and back, you made my night with this one. Truth be told, the rebrand, new beers and direction taken by this 19 year old brewery speaks volumes about all of you. I can't wait to see what the celebrations are going to bring when you turn 20 next year. You know the Instagram crew will be there, cheering and drinking with you as we raise pints to one of the finest Ontario Craft beer brewers out there.

Cheers!

 

Raise your glass and your standards with great beer and people at Cameron's Brewing Cask Night!

Winning Never felt so Good!

Late last night as I was getting ready to head to bed, my phone buzzed with a notification from the Facebooks and when I opened it, I found out that I had won tickets from Cameron's Brewing to the 1st ever Brew Fest in Toronto this Friday. To say I was excited would be an understatement. We couldn't really afford to get the tickets this month and I was resigned to just following my friends on social media as they experienced yet another event. But the fates have shone upon this Polkaroo and now I get to immerse myself in all that a beer festival entails.

The first time I went to an event was last month at the Burlington Beer Festival. It was a real hoot and even nicer than the beer was getting to finally meet some of the people I had met only online. There is something about Craft Beer that makes everyone a little friendlier, willing to help out and cross promote each other. Not only the breweries, but us, the humble bloggers, reviewers and travelers of this road have a love for great beer and want to share that with everyone.

I am certain that I will have fun. We can't really drink much, but for me that is okay. It is not just about the beer, but the culture that surrounds it that intrigues me. I want to meet the people that help create the great beer I try on a daily basis, maybe grab some new glasses or other branded items and hopefully meet even more of the people I have come to think of as friends.

It is a surprise to me how much I have come to look forward to seeing what beers some people are posting on Instagram at night when I get home. Their reviews help to shape what I search for, especially for those people who are not in my area. When I see a beer that someone I respect reviews well, I try to find a way to acquire that brew. I am always pleased when I can return the favour and turn someone onto a beer they haven't had yet or remind them of an old favourite.

I am by no means discounting real life experience by touting my online presence. I suffer from anxiety and depression and the struggle to push myself to get out of the house is one I refuse to lose. The whole interacting through social media has given me a boost in confidence and helped me to believe I will be able to go out and have new experiences, without suffering from some unknown disaster. I used to mask my problem with copious amounts of crappy macro beer. Now I try to understand and take my time with my beer to help me slow down and appreciate all the great flavours available from Craft Beer.

My advice to you is to find all your favourite Ontario Craft Brewer on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter and give them a follow. Share your thoughts on their beer with them and you will be surprised at how often they respond. Play in their contests, most of the time it is as simple as liking a post and commenting on it. For this win, I just had to tell them my favourite beer that they make, on a post about the Brew fest.. It is the Dry Hopped Tripel by the way and it is delicious.

Before I forget, I just got tickets to Cask Night tonight at Collective Arts here in Hamilton. Only $20 and it is going to feature 6 breweries and some really unique and one off beers. You still have time to get some for yourself. Hope to see you there!

This is shaping up to be a great weekend.

Cheers!



Cameron's Brewing - A Quick Visit and an Amazing Deal

Mrs. Polkaroo and I had an appointment in Burlington on Thursday and I figured since we were only 15 minutes away, why not drop in to Cameron's Brewing Company and check it out. They only do tours on Saturday, so we were out of luck for that, but I had a beer to drop off for a friend from Instagram and he had one for me, so at least there was some fun to be had.  When we got there, I scoped out all they had in their showroom at the front while I waited for the ladies in front of us to finish their purchases. I had already decided to get a Growler ($6), which is a refillable 64 ounce glass container with the sweet Cameron's logo on it, and have it filled with their Dark 266 lager.

So damn good.

When I saw the deal they had, I got two (the 266 and a Tripel). For $55, you get 6 growler fills. That is a savings of over $25 and who doesn't like a bargain when it comes to beer.  The next time you come in for a fill, just present your card and they'll use the hole punch to mark it off and give you a refill. This is ideal for me, since Kat works nearby and can grab one for me whenever I need it, without having to pay for anything else. Just remember that this is fresh beer and you need to consume it within 4 or 5 days unopened and within 24 hours once you crack it open. Sharing is caring!

Get one today! Great deal.

I also bought a Cameron's pint glass with a logo for $5 and should have bought all of the styles. I am such a sucker for different shapes and sizes in my beer glasses. So that is something I will be getting next time I am in. Plus, they will look great on the shelves.

Great logo.

The service was friendly and quick. Very helpful people who clearly love what they do. This is going to be a recurring theme I imagine. It seems that this industry attracts a certain type of personality and it shows in their dedication to helping people understand their products. Being passionate about Craft Beer has changed my life and as I go forth on my journey around the province and the Year of Beer, I am so happy to meet other people who share my love of a well made brew.
As for the beer, The Dark 266 lager had a roasted malt flavour that combined chocolate and coffee notes with a crisp and refreshing texture. Not heavy and low in ABV (4.5%) this beer is an easy drinking, but flavourful, alternative to your regular choices. I finished my first growler last night and will be getting a refill soon. The Tripel (7.5%) will have to wait until the weekend.
I will find a way to get back for the tour as well. I work most Saturdays, but when I do get one off, my travels will take me where the beer is made. I have only been on one brewery tour (Steamwhistle) and as it was back in my binge drinking days, I don't remember much about it. This time, I plan on being present and learning all I can about the process of making great beer.
I endeavour to drink local and hope to make Cameron's a regular in my fridge. You should too. They have a good selection of different styles and seasonal offerings that will delight and challenge you. Here is a link to their website, check them out. The next time you are driving around and see a sign for a local brewery, do yourself a favour and stop in for a taste. It might change your opinion and as in my case, save your life.
Cheers!