Local craft beers spice up holidays

By Thomas Hall and Shannon Lough The holiday season has traditionally been a time for mulled wines, eggnog and cider.  But some local beer makers are hopeful craft beers can make inroads on the holiday turf. “There’s a dramatic shift in the way the city views beer,” Patrick Fiori, Clocktower Brew Pub’s brew master said. “People who are willing to spend a little more on quality are craft beer drinkers.” Clocktower is tapping its festive holiday stout for the fifth year today. “It’s dark brown in colour and a little on the sweet side,” said Fiori. “We add nitrogen to it instead of CO2 to give it a creamy taste, similar to Guinness.” “It’s a nice beer after a long day of winter shopping, low in alcohol and creamy,” Fiori said. Across Ottawa a new player in the craft beer market, Beyond the Pale, has just released its first winter brew. “We have a number of different beers that we will put out every month or every other month. The Darkerness is one that we’ve just released, and will continue to put out throughout the winter,” said Robert McIsaac, a partner at Beyond the Pale. “The Darkerness is a 10.2 per cent oatmeal stout. It’s big, multi-flavoured and awesome. And if you drink too much of it, it may kill you,” McIsaac said with a grin. The Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) has been working with Ontario’s craft brewers for about ten years, Heather MacGregor, a spokesperson for the LCBO, said. “We have a very good relationship with the Ontario Craft Brewers Association. It’s been mutually very beneficial,” said MacGregor. “It’s a huge category for us, and we work very closely with the Ontario Craft Brewers.” “In 2006 we sold 2.5 million bottles of craft beer, which was about $4.5 million in sales. By last year sales were up to $40 million,” MacGregor said. According to an LCBO fact sheet on craft beer, last year craft beer sales grew by 33 per cent, the highest growth rate for all beer segments in Ontario. “Only ten per cent of beer drinkers are currently drinking craft beers,” said McIsaac. “There is a lot of room for the market to grow as more people are exposed to new types of beer.” Here are three Beyond the Pale brews: Their best seller  Pink Fizz, and two newer beers, including the holiday special the Darkerness. Craft Beers in Ottawa with Patrick Fiori, Clocktower Brew...