Pints with Ponyboy

While there are many things to enjoy about the winter, let’s get real—life, and beer, is better enjoyed in sunlight and shorts. This will be my last beer review for the Fulcrum, and I’ve decided to leave you all with four spring and summer pints that can be found at an LCBO near you. Remember me as you sip your summer ales somewhere warm and beautiful in the coming months, and never forget the good times alcohol and I brought you. Stay golden. Amsterdam Framboise This beer, brewed seasonally in small batches, is best enjoyed among friends on a sweltering summer day. Surprisingly smooth for a fruity ale, the Framboise manages to walk a fine line between sour and sweet. This strong beer won’t overwhelm you, but it’ll give you and your friends something to …

I’ve never been able to say I’ve had St. Petersburg’s best of anything, so it was with great excitement that I tried my first Russian beer at the stylish Moscow Tea Room.

Augustiner Bräu’s Lagerbier Hell Despite Germany being home to many of the world’s top-rated beers, Berlin’s reputation for quality brews is surprisingly poor. Lucky for me, I stumbled upon one heck of a clean and crisp lager while out for dinner at a local student hotspot. Augustiner’s lager is exactly what a confused Canadian wants …

Where to find it: Arrow and Loon Pub and Restaurant in the Glebe There’s nothing wrong with hops. As an ingredient, hops can bring delectable bitterness and sharpness to an ale or lager. But since the great hops movement began a few years ago — scholars maintain that the exact date of its origin is lost …

Where to find it: Clocktower Brew Pub in the ByWard Market (also in Westboro and the Glebe) This beer is like Dan Mangan. I’m really happy it exists and that people support it, but despite my efforts, I cannot help finding the overall product a little lacking. The prospect of finding a solid, local, fruity …

Where to find it: 1848 Don’t be turned off by the name. I know winter memories are the last things U of O students need right about now, but this beer is refreshing and tasty enough to warrant your time, even if you’re not wearing a parka. This is a mild winter ale. Rather than …

Where to find it: Pub Italia at 434 Preston St. There comes a time during every semester when I feel I should take a step back from university life and pay my respects to an institution that helped build this city. It is with great reverence that I then make my way to the great …

Where to find it: Chez Lucien This beer is a hidden gem, just like the bar I found it at. It’s a simple formula — barley, hops, yeast, and water — with a simple, smooth taste, not dissimilar to your common Keith’s or Canadian, but this beer just does it right. It doesn’t have preservatives, …

Where to find it: Café Nostalgica (that’s right, they serve something stronger than water again) First of all, regardless of your taste, drop your plans for one night this weekend and go to Café Nostalgica. They recently regained their liquor license and the full range of beers they have on tap is second to none …

Unibroue’s Éphémère Apple Where to find it: C’est What?, a fantastic bar in downtown Toronto, at a convenience store or SAQ in Gatineau, and at a few special LCBO stores. Comparable to: Blanche de Chambly, which can be found at any bar in Ottawa worth going to.  This is a glorious drinking experience. Any hesitation you …

Where to find it: The Draft Pub at 801 King Edward Ave. Don’t be fooled by the rich brown colour — this is a smooth, easy-drinking classic that hails from England. Missing the bitterness and hops of most English ales, the Newcastle Brown Ale is the perfect choice for someone looking for a low maintenance …

WHERE TO FIND IT: LA MAISON First of all, I want to commend any establishment that sells pitchers of beer for $10 to students. Such an act of charity is worthy of many a high five, even if the quality of that beer is questionable. It’s amazing how different La Maison’s draught of Canadian tastes …

Where to find it: Sir John A Pub (284 Elgin St.) This is a very strong, very hoppy ale from the Toronto-based Amsterdam Brewery. I highly recommend this beer for only tried and tested IPA fans, but even then a pint of the unfiltered and striking flavour is probably too much. In a world where …

The holidays are almost upon us and what better way to celebrate than by cozying up indoors and celebrating God’s gift to man: ice-cold beer. The following list can be drunk (or sung) in any order, but I highly recommend Waupoos Cider as the antidote for Christmas Day, and the inevitable extended hours sitting with …

Where to find it: Sandy Hill Lounge and Grill (just east of  Chapel Street on Somerset) I hate to admit it, but like quality television, sometimes you have to rely on our friends south of the border to get a winter ale done right. For folks searching for a staple beer of the season, look no further—this beer …

Where to find it: La Maison Drinking Granville Island Brewery’s seasonal beer is like sitting down for a meal of pancakes. After one sip you’re ecstatic, marvelling why you haven’t done this more often. After a few more you never want to see it again until the day you die. A dark beer with hints of sweet toffee, …

Where to find it: Café Nostalgica and Pour Boy (on Somerset just west of Kent) This is the excitement of coming home after a semester away battling exams, essays, and malnourishment trapped in a bottle. Blanche de Chambly is the best of Quebec brewer Unibroue’s unique selection of finely crafted beers. It’s a Belgian-style wheat beer with hints of …

Where to find it: The Royal Oak on Laurier Avenue or pretty much anywhere in Ottawa This local beer is a staple at almost every bar in Ottawa, but just because it’s always on the menu doesn’t mean it should be taken lightly. This is one complex lager. It has the polished taste and golden colour of your average easy-drinking …