Raise a Glass to Session Muskoka!
by Jason Wentzell
On Saturday, July 30th, we had the great opportunity to join the boys of Griffin Gastropub and their crew at Session Muskoka in the pristine town of Bracebridge, ON. An annual event that we eagerly anticipate, this festival represents the pinnacle of summer beer celebration — a great outdoor venue, merrymaking in the sunshine, jams by artists such as K-OS and the Tokyo Police Club, and most importantly, the best summer brews from dozens of Ontario’s most creative and renowned breweries.
This year’s festival offered an amazing variety from seasonal lagers to IPAS and farmhouse ales to sours. There was also a people’s choice brew which featured 10 local and inspired offerings — the chosen one was Huntsville’s Death & Taxes and will be featured in LCBOs throughout Ontario later this year.
Although an ever difficult (but delicious) decision, I have narrowed my top three festival brews down to (in no particular order):
- The Mountie: and rich, full and sultry Bière de Garde by Sawdust
- An Ale of Two Cities: A spirited, refreshingly acidic and sought after collaboration Ale between Sawdust and Stone City
- Saucy Pigeon: A hazy, light, tart and crisp Berliner Weisse by Muskoka with an added woody complexity imparted through tequilla barrel aging.
As in prior years, Session Muskoka delivered — not only as a thoughtful and well coordinated event, but the festival continues to promote a sense of camaraderie and collaboration that bolsters incredibly unique, delicious and imaginative local brews.
Thank you Session Muskoka and we look forward to next year!
The Brew Box Team
