With the cold weather on the way out and the warm weather and sunshine here, the team at the Great Lakes Brewery would like to formally announce plans for their 10th Annual Charity BBQ!

On Saturday May 25, 2013, the Great Lakes Brewery, located at 30 Queen Elizabeth Blvd in Etobicoke, will transform into a small fairgrounds of sorts for an afternoon of live musical entertainment, free BBQ food, kids games, raffle prizes, beer games and of course, a fully stocked Great Lakes beer garden.

“Our annual Charity BBQ is something that we look forward to each year and we’re planning on making the 2013 edition, which is also the 10th annual BBQ, the best one to date,” said Peter Bulut. Jr., the President and Chief Brewing Officer of Great Lakes.

As in years past, brewery employees and a number of dedicated and passionate volunteers will be on hand to provide free hot dogs and hamburgers, facilitate arts and crafts for children and to help organize games and activities. The BBQ will also allow individuals to sample some of Great Lakes award-winning beers like Crazy Canuck Pale Ale and Orange Peel Ale while listening to live local musicians.

“It also pleases us to announce that we’re very happy to continue our ongoing relationship with the amazing people at the Franklin Horner Community Centre, who give so much back to the community,” said Bulut.

All proceeds raised throughout the day will be donated to the Franklin Horner Community Centre in Etobicoke, which help fund programs and services to individuals in South Etobicoke.

- 2013 off to a great start at Great Lakes Brewery -

May 14, 2013 (Toronto, ON) – On May 11th, 2013 the 11th annual Canadian Brewing Awards was held at The Inn at Laurel Point in Victoria, British Columbia. Canadian breweries from all corners of the country were in attendance to mix and mingle over some of the best beer in the nation, including the team from Great Lakes, Toronto’s oldest independent craft brewery, who returned home with a suitcase full of trophies; including the most prestigious of all – the Canadian Brewery of the Year!

The 2013 Canadian Brewing Awards was the largest in their eleven-year history, as 746 beers from over 120 breweries were submitted into 38 categories for judging. Awards of gold, silver or bronze were given to the top three ranking beers in each category. The judging was conducted in Toronto over five days in April​ by 43 BJCP (Beer Judge Certification Program)-certified beer judges in a blind tasting environment.

“We couldn’t be happier with the results from the Canadian Brewing Awards,” stated Peter Bulut. Jr., President of Great Lakes Brewery. “There was a lot of competition this year and to receive an award of this magnitude is a testament to our entire brewing team.”

Great Lakes, who have had a strong showing in recent years at the Canadian Brewing Awards, took home the following medals:

Gold – Karma Citra India Pale Ale
Gold – Bourbon Barrel-Aged Robust Porter
Gold – Harry Porter
Silver – Crazy Canuck Pale Ale
Silver – Maverick & Gose (Collaboration with Amsterdam Brewery, ON)
Bronze – 25th Anniversary Bourbon Barrel-Aged Russian Imperial Stout

This has been the first time that an Ontario brewery has been named Canadian Brewery of the Year since 2009, and Great Lakes vows to continue producing high quality craft beer for the citizens of Ontario.

“It’s so great to be part of this great brewing nation, especially in Ontario, and we’ll continue to brew beautiful beers for years to come,” said Bulut.

Great Lakes’ David Bieman and Troy Burtch were in Victoria to accept the awards before a packed event full of brewery representatives from all over Canada, and both were amazed with the outpouring of congratulations and the camaraderie between breweries a​fter the award was announced. Great Lakes would also like to congratulate all the other medal winners, especially Powell Street Brewery from Vancouver for winning Beer of the Year with their Old Jalopy Pale Ale.

Fresh off 25th Anniversary celebrations in 2012, Great Lakes Brewery has started 2013 off on the right foot as they were named “Best Brewery in Ontario” by RateBeer.com to winning the highest honour in the Canadian brewing industry on Saturday May 11th.

For more information, images, or to arrange an interview, please contact Troy Burtch at (647) 400.7051 or by email troy.b@greatlakesbeer.com.

About Great Lakes Brewery
A fiercely independent owned and operated brewery, Great Lakes recently celebrated 25 years in the craft beer business, making them one of the oldest craft breweries in Ontario. Great Lakes specializes in producing flavourful beers that will be sure to awaken your taste buds with each sip. From unique seasonal ales and premium lagers to our Project X and Tank Ten Series beers, we produce a variety of products to be enjoyed by everyone! Based in Toronto at 30 Queen Elizabeth Blvd. we invite you to visit our brewery for a taste of our award winning beers.

To learn more about Great Lakes, visit www.greatlakesbeer.com.
We love social media, so join in on the conversation!
www.twitter/com/greatlakesbeer
www.facebook.com/greatlakesbeer

About the Canadian Brewing Awards
The Canadian Brewing Awards are the premiere competition for judging the quality of
Canadian brewed beer. The contest is the only truly national competition that invites
breweries of all sizes from across the country to compete in a blind tasting to see who
brews the best beer in a variety of style categories. A Canadian Brewing Award medal
is now a widely recognized symbol of brewing excellence in Canada.www.canadianbrewingawards.com. The Canadian Brewing Awards and the Canadian Craft Brewers Conference are owned and operated by TAPS Media.

The Canadian Craft Beer Collaboration – INCLUDES US BABY!! 

When breweries from around the country descend on Victoria for the Canadian Brewing Awards next week, competition will ferment into collaboration.

It’s the first national beer collaboration and 25 breweries stretching from coast to coast, and incorporating over 6 different provinces, are using the annual Awards event to brew a special Canadian Collaboration beer for a cause. It’s a project that reflects the uniqueness of the craft beer industry, where competition continues to be underpinned by a sense of collective community and a passion for creativity.

The beer itself will bring together ingredients from local brewing regions across Canada, like Red Fife wheat from Ontario and natural Wildflower honey from Alberta, into an imperial Witbier christened the ‘Red and White Wit’. Each brewery is contributing a little piece of the recipe, with the final draft-only release expected in the Victoria area in early June. Full proceeds will be donated to a cause but the specifics haven’t been worked out yet; being brewers the group resolved to answer that question the best way they know how: over a beer.

Media is invited to the actual brew, taking place at Phillips Brewing Co. on Friday May 10th from 2-5, to meet some of the brewers involved and get an inside peek at the collaborative project.

These are the breweries involved (alphabetically):
Canoe Brewpub (B.C.)
Church Key Brewing Co. (Ontario)
Coal Harbour Brewing Co. (B.C.)
Dead Frog Brewing Co. (B.C.)
Driftwood Brewing Co. (B.C.)
Garrison Brewing Co. (Nova Scotia)
Granville Island Brewing Co. (B.C.)
Great Lakes Brewing Co. (Ontario)
Half Pints Brewing Co. (Manitoba)
Howe Sound Brewing Co. (B.C.)
Jasper Brewing Co. (Alberta)
Lighthouse Brewing Co. (B.C.)
Moon Under Water Brewpub (B.C.)
Muskoka Brewing Co. (Ontario)
Parallel 49 Brewing Co. (B.C.)
Phillips Brewing Co. (B.C.)
Picaroons Traditional Ales (New Brunswick)
R & B Brewing Co. (B.C.)
Spinnakers Brewpub (B.C.)
Steamworks Brewpub (B.C.)
Tofino Brewing Co. (B.C.)
Townsite Brewing Co. (B.C.)
Tree Brewing Co. (B.C.)
Vancouver Island Brewing Co. (B.C.)
Wild Rose Brewing Co. (Alberta)

MEDIA RELEASE

Amsterdam Brewery and Great Lakes Brewery Collaboration a First in The LBCO

(Toronto, ON, April 24, 2013) – The Amsterdam Brewery and Great Lakes Brewery, two of Toronto’s oldest independently owned and operated craft breweries, are set to release their award winning collaboration beer – “Maverick & Gose” in the LCBO later this month.

Maverick & Gose is a Leipziger Gose Beer that has been aged in Ontario Chardonnay barrels for 4 months prior to packaging. A rare German brew of medieval origin, this 2012 Canadian Brewing Awards Silver Medalist beer is brewed with a mostly malted wheat base, pink Himalayan salt, and spices. Notes of lemon, herbs and a slight saltiness make this collaboration truly unique to Ontario.

What is even more unique about this beer is that it is the first all-Ontario collaboration to be released in the LCBO. Brewers Iain Mcoustra of Amsterdam and Mike Lackey of Great Lakes first developed the recipe for Maverick & Gose in early 2012.

“We came up with the idea whilst playing shirtless, greased up beach volleyball, you know, like in the movie Top Gun, and we thought it would be fitting to collab on this one of a kind beer,” says Lackey. “I’m super pumped to be part of the first Canadian craft beer collaboration that will grace the shelves at the LCBO. It was a pleasure creating this beer with Iain and the Amsterdam crew.”

“We wanted to take an old world style and put our own twist on it by using local Chardonnay barrels” says Mcoustra. “We didn’t want to go over the top with any of the flavours and it’s easy for a spiced beer to get away from you. The barrel brought everything together in the end, balancing out the spices with the salt giving a nice roundness to the finish.”

“It’s always a blast brewing with Lackey and Great Lakes” says Mcoustra of the collaboration. “They’re a big reason why there has been so much collaboration and innovation in Ontario recently and it’s an honour to brew and release this beer with them.”

Maverick & Gose is available for sale in 500mL bottles from select LCBOs starting April 29, 2013 ($6.95) and the Amsterdam Brewery Retail Store (45 Esandar Dr., 416-504-6882).

About The Great Lakes Brewery
A fiercely independent owned and operated brewery, Great Lakes recently celebrated 25 years in the craft beer business, making them one of the oldest craft breweries in Ontario. Great Lakes specializes in producing flavourful beers that will be sure to tickle your taste buds with each sip. From unique seasonal ales and premium lagers to our Project X and Tank Ten Series beers, we produce a variety of products to be enjoyed by everyone!
Based in Etobicoke, we invite you to visit our brewery for a taste of our award winning beers, including the Canadian Brewing Awards double Gold Medal Winner Crazy Canuck Pale Ale!

To learn more about Great Lakes, visit www.greatlakesbeer.com.
We love social media, so join in on the conversation!
www.twitter/com/greatlakesbeer
www.facebook.com/greatlakesbeer

About The Amsterdam Brewery
The Amsterdam Brewery is an independently owned and operated craft brewery that is deeply rooted in the city of Toronto. A pioneer of the craft beer revolution in 1986 and initially called the Amsterdam Brasserie and Brew Pub, The Amsterdam was the first of its kind in Toronto to offer patrons hand crafted lagers and ales that were brewed ‘in-house’. Today they brew over ten different beers including their flagship lager – Amsterdam Natural Blonde, the award winning Big Wheel Deluxe Amber, Boneshaker IPA and multiple year-round and seasonal brews. The Amsterdam Brewing Company uses only traditional brewing methods and their beers are made with four all natural ingredients – malt, hops, yeast, and water. All beers are GMO-free, without preservatives, and never heat pasteurized.

To learn more about the Amsterdam Brewery visit www.amsterdambeer.com
Or
Become a Fan on Facebook www.facebook.com/amsterdambeer
And Follow them on Twitter www.twitter.com/amsterdambeer

Join us for a four course, four beer wonderfully paired meal that will be a night to remember! We’ll be turning down the lights and bringing out the candles for the event. Brewery representatives will be available to answer any question about GLB that you may have and each pairing will be discussed between each course.

Tickets can be purchased by calling Morgans at 416.461.3020. $50+ tax.

GLB Beers:
Pompous Ass EPA
Orange Peel Ale
My Bitter Wife IPA
Harry Porter & the Fair Grounds Coffee Bean

Renee Navarro, 35mmMonkey on Twitter, has joined the GLB Retail Store to cover the always busy Saturdays! She brings a ton of beer knowledge to the position, along with enormous enthusiasm and passion for craft beer. Swing by the store on Saturday’s to say hi!

Nate Ferguson, ntferguso on Twitter, was the successful canadiate for the LCBO Sales Ambassador position and joins us after a stint working with the good people at the Grand River Brewing Co. in Cambridge, ON. Nate also teaches two courses at Niagara College in the Brewmaster and Brewery Management Operations program (Microbology and the Carbonation, Filtration and Finishing) and brings a wealth of knowledge to the position. Nate will be checking in at your local LCBOs and will be at various beer events across the province repping GLB!

Two great people joining us to help spread the GREAT LAKES word!

Join us in Guelph on Wednesday April 10th at the wicked good OX for a four course, four beer pairing dinner for only $60+tax!

Come meet Mike Lackey, GLB’s talented brewer, and Troy Burtch, sales representative with GLB, who will guide you through each beer and each course throughout the evening.

Call the OX to reserve your spot today at 519.821.9271

Reception
Pork Rillettes with orange-onion jam on sour dough
Beer: Orange peel Ale

1st Course
“Rarebit of house smoked cheddar and pork loin on challah with kale, roasted apple, radish and goddess dressing.
Beer: Pompous Ass English Pale Ale

2nd Course
Beer braised beef shank with fried capers and potato-leek cakes
Beer: Will announce shortly….

3rd Course
Chocolate brulee with salted pecan and blue cheese beignets
Beer: Harry Porter

We are once again pleased to announce that Great Lakes Brewery will be participating in the annual Brewers Plate event! A great evening with amazing food, terrific beer and all for a good cause!

Unlimited tastings from over 40 celebrated chefs, food artisans and fresh Ontario craft breweries create an extraordinary local sustainable, spring feast for you! Gourmet cuisine, a relaxed atmosphere and fine live music and entertainment, dancing and a silent auction create a foodies paradise!

This year, the beneficiary of the charity based event is Not Far From The Tree, a group who puts Toronto fruit to good use by picking and sharing the bounty.

When a homeowner can’t keep up with the abundant harvest produced by their fruit tree, they call us to mobilize volunteers to pick the bounty. The harvest is split three ways: 1/3 is offered to the tree owner, 1/3 is shared among the volunteers, and 1/3 is delivered by bicycle to be donated to food banks, shelters, and community kitchens in the neighbourhood. We’re putting an existing source of fresh fruit to good use by sharing with those most in need. It’s a win-win-win situation!

We’re rolling down the 401 on Thursday April 4th to Rock the Taps at Imbibe Food and Drink.

Come hang out with Great Lakes Brewery and some of their award winning beers, which we’ll announce closer to the date. Imbibe has been a great addition to the Kitchener craft beer scene and we at GLB are stoked to work together to throw a killer party at Kitchener’s hotspot for CRAFT BEER!

Great Beer
Free Swag
Good Times

Let us know if you’ll be joining us by RSVPing on our Facebook Event Page! https://www.facebook.com/events/439075449507073/?fref=ts

We at the Great Lakes Brewery would like to thank all the men and women out there who took the time to taste and review our beers on RateBeer. Without you this would not have happened. We brew the beers that we do because it’s what we believe in, and to be recognized by the passionate beer drinkers on RateBeer is a huge honour.

You keep drinking it, we’ll keep brewing it! Here’s to another great year!