Local breweries shine on the national scene

It wasn't that many years ago that Durham's craft brewing footprint was minimal at best, with just a handful of breweries scattered around the region as little as two years ago.

Today there are 13 breweries in Durham and their impact is being felt far beyond our borders. All across the country, in fact.

At last month's Canadian Brewing Awards in Halifax four local breweries came home with medals, with Whitby's Brock Street leading the way with a gold medal and two silvers.

Not bad for the three year-old little brewery that always thinks big and Brock co-owner Mark Woitzek said he was feeling "blessed" after the team earned gold for its Chocolate Milk Stout and silvers for Traditional Bock and Amber Lager.

Falcon Brewery's head brewer Dave Draper was in Halifax as well and it's a good thing he made the trip as his brewery captured a gold medal in the Dry Stout category for its Salem Stout.

Brock Street Brewing and their Canadian
Brewing Awards hardware

I saw Dave the other night at the bar and forgot to personally congratulate him, so I'll guess I'll do that now: Congratulations Dave!

Little Beasts Brewing, which has been in business less than a year, also came away from Halifax with a medal, earning a bronze in the Flavoured Stout category for Hey Jupiter!

Considering Little Beasts is one of my favourite breweries - local or otherwise - because they make great beer AND because owners Erin and John are two of the best people in the industry - I'd say this award was well deserved.

"I'm not going to lie, winning a Canadian Brewing Awards is fairly satisfying," Erin said, tongue placed firmly in cheek. "Today is an okay day!"

And it wasn't just the newbies being honoured in Halifax. Old Flame got in on the action as well, taking a pair of bronzes for Dirty Blonde and Brunette in the Kellerbier and North American Dark Lager categories, respectively.

Old Flame has been brewing great beer in Port Perry for four whole years, which definitely makes them an OG in Durham Region.

Rouge River Brewing had a pretty good night as well, winning not one but two gold medals at the ceremony.

Erin and John at Little Beasts

Rouge River, located in Markham, is not technically a Durham brewery but they are just across the border in York Region and they are also a big favourite at my local in Oshawa, especially after their wildly successful tap takeover at Buster Rhino's last summer.

Rouge River  earned top honours for their Black IPA (American Black Ale), as well as a gold for their Apricot & Citra dry-hopped Sour - a big fan favourite out here.

B.C. breweries took home the lion's share of the prizes in Halifax this year, but Ontario breweries won a bunch as well, with gold medals for personal favourites Nickel Brook, Collective Arts, Rainhard and Beau's. Other Ontario winners included New Limburg, Woodhouse, Grand River, The Exchange (twice!), High Park, Walkerville, Tooth and Nail, Publican House, Floral Hall, Henderson and Anderson Craft Ales.

Congratulations to all the medallists.

Welcome Ben Gorry

While I'm on a congratulatory kick, I should give props to Chronicle Brewmaster Jim Gorry, who welcomed his baby son Ben into the world last week.

His best girl, the lovely Molly, helped with this accomplishment as well.

Molly & Jim

Jim popped in to Buster Rhino's on the blessed day and as I rose to give him a bro hug, he surprised me with a full-on bear hug instead. I, of course, was still blissfully unaware that he just became a dad - because I'm slow that way - until I got up to head home 15 minutes or so later.

I did remember that Molly was due any time so I asked Jim about the due date. "Today," he says. "That's why I'm here. I got restless at the hospital and I needed a beer."

For the record, Ben weighed in at eight pounds-something and measured 30 inches. At last report Mom, Dad and baby Ben are doing fine, unless you count lack of sleep.

You get used to it Jim. Eventually.

Cheers!