Toronto Brews: Granite Brewery

[threecb]

This is "Part 2" for those of you following at home!;)

New Year's Day we made our way by subway and a brisk 8 block walk to the Granite Brewery for an early Dinner. Since it was barely 5:00 on a holiday the place was pretty empty (but it started to fill in more as we were finishing).The front "Library" room off the main bar is where we sat, and were waited on by the bartender, who made it the best service experience we had in Toronto. Sampler's there were $.90 per beer, so we chose 3 from the 6 offered. They were:

Peculiar: A malty sweet ale. Brown with hints of red in the light. I found toffee like notes in the nose and throughout the sample. Medium bodied. Not my usual style, but a solid beer nontheless.

Winter IPA: This was more of a pale than an IPA. Pale golden orange in color. Citrusy hops, but not aggressive enough. A little thin. This was not a bad beer, but not an IPA. This was the disappointment of the 3 sampled.

Best Bitter Special: This is a dry-hopped cask conditioned version of their standard BB, and the best of the 3. It's what we ordered pints of. Deep GoldenOrange in color. Floral hop aroma abounds. This follows through on the palate, and a hint of citrus comes through in the finish. The smooth, rich body makes this very drinkable. This was not quite as special as the Al's at C'est What, but VERY close. And since we trekked so far to get to it, I had another before we headed back downtown!

Next up the 2 breweries...

[chazwicke]

How was the Dinner. In the branch in Halifax I had the best seafood chowder that I have ever eaten. The Best Bitter sounds tasty!

[MeridianFC]

Chaz,

I'm glad you mentioned Halifax, I remeber having the bitter there years ago and it was the best version, in North America, of true British style beer I'd ever had. Well there was one brewpub, in Indianapolis of all places, run by an ex-pat from Yorkshire that might give 'em a run for the money. Can't remember what it's called.


Threecb,

where in Toronto is this place?

[threecb]

The bitter rocked. The food was OK.

Not stellar in the food department, but all else made this
a place worth stopping into.

[threecb]

Originally posted by MeridianFC

where in Toronto is this place?

245 Eglinton Ave. E. (at Mount Pleasant)


Off the Eglinton stop on the subway. then 6-8 blocks east.
We walked it, but there are buses that run along Eglinton, too.
From Union Station it took less than 20 minutes to get there...

[chazwicke]

I have been to both and if I recall, it may be brothers who own them. The one in Halifax was definitely the best of the two. The food in Halifax was wonderful as well. I did eat dinner in the one in Toronto but cannot remember that meal

[evilredlight]

I think they have been recently sold
at least the granite in halifax was sold!
the beer is still brewed by the same brewmaster and the new owners don't plan on changing much.

I have always wondered about the sulphery smell of their beers.
I don't find it unpleasent, only unusual.

There is a new Tavern in halifax called Gingers. The Granite beer is brewed in the basement. I don't think they have a restaurant and it is more of a night life spot. Folk rock bands and smoking!

[chazwicke]

I always wonder when good places are sold or management changes, how long it will be until they start to go down hill.

[grainbrew]

I live in Halifax Nova Scotia.

The Granite Brewery, notably the Henry House, is what got me into beer.

Their Best Bitter Special is definately my favorite.

Anyone know what they use for hops?

J

[chazwicke]

Not sure but I liked the beers and food at the Nova Scotia Granite location.