Cheers! Beer tasting at Amsterdam Brewery

My co-workers and I found ourselves at the Leaside area for a teambuilding event. On our way to the trampoline place where we were supposed to go, we passed by Amsterdam Brewery. We found out later on that most of us made a mental note to check it out on the way home. So, after our afternoon activity, all of us decided to extend our team-building and check this place out.

It was an on-site brewery with a retail area and even a seating area. We did a beer tasting—7 in all, starting with the lightest, of course. We tried their Natural Blonde, Big Wheel, 416, Boneshaker, Nut Brown Ale, Raspberry Wheat, and their spring seasonal, Spring Bock. They also do tours on weekends. While most of their beer is available at LCBO, there were some which were not (or so we were told).  I normally don’t like beer, but if I do take it, I prefer the dark malts. The beer we tasted all had 5% - 7% alcohol content except for the 416 which had…4.16%. These were available in bottles, cans and some in draught.

We all enjoyed the different draught beer served from the pitcher to our small plastic cups. Most of us ended up getting some more at the retail section, which proves that sampling does work! They also offer other merchandise such as shirts, mugs and the like. After our shopping spree, the weekend began with me lugging home some Spring Bock to share with hubby.

One interesting thing I learned is that bock beers were originally brewed in monasteries for the monks’ consumption during Lent. As they have high nutritional content, it provided the monks with sustenance during their fasting. Well, with 7.2% alcohol content, am sure it made the fasting quite bearable. Plus, it tasted great! This dark brew had a perfect balance of sweet/malty and bitter. It also had the aroma and taste of caramel and coffee. I loved it and Hubby did, too! Spring has come! Here’s to drinks at the patio! Cheers!