Wanting something different…
Sitting with Bryan Woods from Big Rock Brewery in the restaurant portion of the their brewpub in Liberty Commons, Toronto, I questioned him on what “craft beer lifestyle” might mean to him. “It’s about avoiding pretentiousness and finding out for yourself what you like. It’s wanting something different, and something that’s produced by the ‘little guy,'” he responded.
“One engages a craft beer lifestyle when they want to support something different than the usual – and this is exactly how Big Rock Brewery began: wanting something different from the norm.”
…and produced by the “little guy.”
Opening in Calgary, Alberta in 1985, Big Rock Brewery was the vision of a barley farmer by the name of Ed McNally. Ed was well-travelled and his experience far and wide had encouraged a love of beer that was not satisfied by the offerings in Alberta in the 1980’s: lagers and… well, just lagers.
Knowing his environment proved valuable for Ed: he knew that from the Rockies flowed hard water, and from the fields of Alberta grew incredible barley. Both ingredients were perfect for, not lagers, but ales, and Ed wanted a more traditional ale. His first brews were a porter, ESB and an English brown. The latter would become Big Rock’s flagship beer: the “Traditional Ale.”
To Toronto
Fast forward 30-something years, and Big Rock Brewery is now well-established, not simply in Alberta, but in Toronto as well. They house a large brewery in Etobicoke, just outside of Toronto, which opened in September of 2016. Only a few months later, in January of 2017, Big Rock opened a brewpub in Liberty Commons, close to the downtown core of the city.
Upon entering the new small batch facility, I was greeted by a funky Big Rock sign that announced the space: “This way to the taproom and bottle shop;” “This way to the restaurant.” Large glass windows cover the front facade of the taproom, allowing a bright, natural light into the comfortable space. Big Rock Brewery beer swag decorates beautiful brick walls and sleek, wood shelves.
Heading downstairs to the restaurant, event space and production area sees hip murals on the walls, repeating the rooster motif of Big Rock’s logo. With the history of the brewery dating back decades, the rooster is a nod to Ed’s work as a craft beer pioneer: Big Rock was an early riser to the craft beer scene.
In the brewpub basement
Once in the basement, you are welcomed by a photo op, with old schoolroom desk-chairs underneath a neon sign that reads, “I don’t give a sip.” Going behind the sign opens one to a large restaurant and bar area. Big Rock has partnered with Oliver and Bonacini to ensure the restaurant and food side operates with the sort of precision their beer is brewed with.
Down a long hallway resides a private event space that can be booked for birthdays, wedding parties, business celebrations and the like. When it’s not housing such events, the brewpub often uses the space to host beer pairing dinners. (See the full Big Rock Brewery photo gallery here.)
Brewing with a conscience…
Big Rock Brewery, whether in Toronto or Calgary, works to leave as little of a ecological footprint as it can. I’ve found, since beginning this project, that most breweries are intent on being eco-conscious, but most of the small operators have a difficult time doing this, as their operations are often too small to be able to make use of recycling channels.
Big Rock’s scope and size allow them to skirt this issue much more easily. Spent grain from the mash is shipped to farmers to be reused as feed for livestock. Water usage is restricted during the brewing process to save as much of it as possible. Heat is reused from certain processes to heat the brewery’s hot water tanks. And all of the cups they use at festivals and events are biodegradable. This philosophy follows in the footsteps of the brewery’s founder, Ed McNally, who put as many similar processes as he could into practice in the early years of Big Rock Brewery. Every other brewery, as far as I have learnt, aims to achieve what Big Rock has here.
…and with the community
As a brewpub, Big Rock at Liberty Commons serves as a place the community can come together. And they understand how important the community is: in conjunction with its older brother in Etobicoke, the Big Rock family has worked with local businesses on a number of collaborative projects.
Currently a sponsor of the Toronto Wolfpack, the local rugby team, Big Rock brews can be found at the games and many fundraising events connected to the team. Last October, in 2018, Big Rock partnered with Drink Inc., a Toronto-based events company, to produce the “Barn Burner,” a concert featuring Canadian bands, the Darcy’s and Girlfriend Material, at the Opera House in Toronto.
They then took the relationship they built at the concert to produce the “Poolside Lager” made with grapefruit, a collaboration they accomplished with the Darcy’s. Other collab brews have been made with other local business, such as the Craft Brasserie, a restaurant only a block away from the Liberty Commons brewpub, and the Craft Beer Market, a new and massive craft beer restaurant and bar in the financial district of Toronto. Surely, Big Rock and the Craft Beer Market have worked together before: they’re both businesses coming to Toronto from Alberta.
The people at Big Rock Liberty Commons
Before taking off for the day, I had a quick chat with Kurt Bickell, a brand ambassador for Big Rock Brewery. Kurt’s favourite Big Rock brew is its original, the “Traditional Ale.” I asked him what movie would pair well with the beer, and he suggested Interstellar, “but the parts on the ground, not in space… It seems like a fitting setting for a traditional beer.”
Not bad, Kurt, but I liked more his response to what a ‘craft beer lifestyle’ might be: “‘Craft beer lifestyle’ to me revolves around the way that the industry treats people. I have never felt anything but welcome in any brewery I’ve visited. The industry is full of really great people… other breweries aren’t necessarily competition. Everyone just wants the industry to continue growing.” And I don’t see it slowing down, Kurt: let’s drink to that one!
An old friend…
I spent more time chatting with Bryan Woods. He’s a sales rep now at Big Rock, but he started with the brewery as a brand ambassador almost 2 years ago. I know Bryan from when we worked together as restaurant managers at a large, chic bowling alley in downtown Toronto. Bryan’s a goofy guy with a big heart – he has a great sense of humour and a solid knowledge of the industry.
Neither of us, besides liking to drink it, were much into beer at the time we worked together, so it’s an interesting point to note how the craft beer scene has made such an impression on both of us. Bryan found himself managing at Batch, a new small batch brewer downtown, overseen by Creemore Springs. It was here that Bryan’s interest in beer evolved into a proper appreciation for the craft of brewing and the product it created.
…to beer enthusiasts
Bryan’s love of beer grew stronger, and to the point that he understood the craft beer landscape. Big Rock wasn’t simply a job for Bryan, he chose Big Rock over many others because of how the brewery positions itself as a gateway brewery for those who are unfamiliar with craft beer.
The rationale for his affinity for Big Rock beer mirrors Bryan’s understanding of a ‘craft beer lifestyle’: he criticized some beer drinkers, claiming some are “pretentious” and “pass too many judgements of style.” Which equates to the truth of a few: “Some people can be assholes about it.” One thing Bryan certainly liked about Big Rock Brewery it seemed to me was the very fact that Big Rock does not attempt to be pretentious. To be sure, it brews a Traditional Ale made for all to drink.
While Bryan and I take our beer drinking seriously, we also know full-well that beer drinking is first and foremost meant to be fun. We experiment with styles and flavours to bring fun to our mouths, and we share this experience with friends, family and the community. Craft beer helps build communities, and knows how to make them fun.
And then, of course, I like to go off with a few of the Big Rock beers Bryan hooked me up with to have some of my own, particular fun: fun pairing them.
Pairingwith… Big Rock Brewery’s “Grasshopper” Kristallweizen
The “Grasshopper” kristallweizen is a signature brew from Big Rock Brewery, available year round. It is an excellent pairing with this Bombtrack “Arise Geared” bike from Velotique in the east end of Toronto.
The beer is a filtered wheat ale that provides a much lighter bodied beer than a typical weizen, and this is a good thing for riding a bike. The grassy aromas and sweet corn flavour of the Grasshopper provides a drinking experience that alludes to prairie fields and the home of many hopping friends. The crispness of this beer may in fact make one want to start hopping themselves.
The thing about a grasshopper is that they can only hop forward – they don’t jump backwards, or even to the side. Hop on your bike, and try to ride it backwards: nope! Like a grasshopper, your bike will only move you forward. This is all a good thing: grasshoppers are signs of luck, propelling you into your future – and if you can ride a Arise Geared bike from Velotique there, then you’ll arrive in the future in good time, and with groceries and beer in tow.
Indeed, the front rack on the bike is perfect for hopping back from grocery shopping, with, of course, a stop at the brewery to bring back some delicious kristallweizen from Big Rock. The beer’s clean, refreshing flavours are sure to quench your thirst upon return, offering an excellent complement to biking.
With tube heights dropped on the Arise Geared bike, it makes hopping onto the bike all the more easier. Similarly, the Grasshopper kristallweizen plays out like a cross between a lager and weizen, making it more approachable for one who is not particularly familiar with weizens: don’t be afraid to let your lips hop onto one.
To think that raddlers were invented specifically for bikers: those bikers were clearly wimps, as this kristallweizen can work the same way without needing to add any juice. Whether your hopping on or off your Velotique bike, you’re prepared for your journey with a Grasshopper in your hands. To be sure, this is the sort of pairing that’ll keep you moving forward.
Velotique
Velotique is a bicycle shop and repair store that was founded in 1987. Located on a corner just west of Coxwell Ave on Queen St East, the building stands out in the neighbourhood, with the giant bicycle painted on the side of the building.
Originally though, the shop was a destination for skiers, offering ski selection and fitting services, along with expert staff. Rob Bartel changed the direction of the shop when he took over as owner in September of 2013. Rob has an undergraduate degree in environmental studies, and had worked at a bike shop during university to help fund his education. The connection to bikes was an obvious complement to his degree.
When Rob took Velotique over, he moved fast to change the vision of the shop. He immediately added bike sales and a repair service, hiring accredited mechanics to do the job right. He brought bikes in, but kept the skis for the winter season. The new focus was to have a selection of bikes that could satisfy any cyclist: from bikes for kids and families to recreational, sporting, touring and elite-level racing bikes, Velotique prides itself on having a selection for all.
Rob’s changes, and his intent on making Canadian bicycle brands the primary offering, came with quick success. In 2015, Velotique expanded to the neighbouring store, nearly doubling their floor space, offerings and services. In the summer, you can even rent bicycles at their kiosk set up at Ashbridges Bay from May 24th to Labour Day.
The key to Velotique’s success comes from the passion of its staff and owner. Rob speaks incredibly fondly of bicycles and what they can mean for their riders. “I started cycling as a toddler when my grandfather taught me and my sister to ride up and down the garden path. Every Summer we would expand our frequent ‘bike tours’ to ever more distant destinations, packing lunches and dressing for weather, rain or shine. It became a symbol of freedom and joy for me that I think a lot of people relate to.”
Indeed, Rob is clear to know that Velotique’s customers share a special connection to their bicycles. A bicycle can stand as a connection to the rider’s childhood – one “never forgets how to ride a bike” just as one never forgets the falls it took to learn how to ride one. Cyclists often name their bicycle, and they hold it in high regard, like an old friend or a small child they need to look after. Rob understands this connection well, and focuses the Velotique business to encourage this connection.
As an environmental studies grad, Rob hopes the Velotique project works towards encouraging more cyclists on the streets, less pollution and more connections to one’s childhood as a result.
Pairingwith… Big Rock Brewery’s “Citradellic IPA”
“Citradelic” is a single hop (citra, of course) IPA that is offered year round from Big Rock Brewery. The clear nod in the beer’s name to the psychedelia culture of the 1960’s had me pairing this beer with vinyl hunting at Antikka Cafe & Records.
The amber-coloured beer with faint haze is a well-balanced brew that gets its legs from its grapefruit and citrus aroma, toffee sweetness and balanced bitter finish. The muted bitterness in the middle, that plays out almost like an ESB, then properly reveals itself in the end, providing the drinker with a lovely medium bitter aftertaste. The smooth and creamy mouthfeel round out the beer quite nicely.
While sipping on the beer, I was shuffling through an incredible vinyl collection at Antikka: Jimi Hendrix, Pink Floyd, The Doors, Jefferson Airplane… I really needed a few cans to get through the collection properly. The interplay of citrus and toffee, grapefruit, lemon and caramel that coated the inside of my mouth by the beer would only be matched by a jam session out of 1967 – or, matched by a road trip on the Honda motorcycle that resides within Antikka: like I’m Jack Nicholson in Easy Rider.
The cozy atmosphere with trippy, psychedelic artwork on the walls and humming classic rock in the background was a perfect space for experiencing Big Rock’s Citradelic IPA. Antikka is where trendy meets cool, and the Citradelic from Big Rock provides a delicious ‘bass’ for the experience.
Flip the lid on the can; flip the switch on the turntables; and find an out-of-body, psychedelic moment to rock out to.
Antikka Cafe & Records
Antikka Cafe & Records is a trendy cafe just west of Trinity Bellwoods Park on Queen St West in Toronto. I say it’s “trendy,” because I can’t think of anything more trendy than a record shop which serves artisan, Armenian coffee and alcohol in an area of Toronto that has been at the forefront of “trendiness” in the city for at least a decade now.
The concept of a record shop-cafe came to Antikka’s owner, Razmik Tchakmak (Raz), in 2015. Raz grew up an avid music lover, playing instruments himself from the age of 10. When he was 16, his uncle passed down to Raz his prized turntables, and Raz’s love of vinyl was nearly instantly born. From then forward, Raz has always wanted to be a part of the music industry in some way, and part of the motivation that inspired Antikka’s concept was for Raz to re-engage this industry, after spending too much time working in an industry that paid the bills but was of little to no interest to him (insurance).
Intent on creating a space where people not only come to shop for vinyl but can also sit and chat music over a drink, Raz enlisted his brother, and Antikka was born shortly thereafter. The cafe focuses on authentic Armenian coffee. Not only are the beans sourced directly from Armenia, but so are the special mugs used to serve the coffee. Using a traditional “jazzve” (a sort of very small ceramic pot with wooden handle), the coffee is slid into a pan of hot sand to bring the coffee to a boil, and then served in the unique, Antikka cups.
Adding to the trendiness of this cafe is the fact that they acquired a liquor license recently, meaning you can enjoy a chat about your latest vinyl find over a pint in the afternoon or evening without being confined to coffee that may keep you up later than you intend to be. And then Antikka also hosts live music nights, really putting their liquor license to on-brand, excellent use. (Did I not say this place was “trendy”?!)
The cozy decor, which includes a Honda motorcycle and prints of classic rock albums on the walls, provides a perfectly inviting space to unwind in. A small retail section near the back of the shop, selling mostly band/music shirts and sweaters rounds out the one-of-a-kind cafe that you won’t find anywhere else, I assure you. Make a stop there in the morning for a coffee, and you may find yourself still there, sipping on a pint of craft beer, in the late afternoon hours later.
Pairingwith… Big Rock Brewery’s “Traditional Ale”
The “Traditional Ale” from Big Rock Brewery is an English-style brown ale and the brewery’s flagship beer. They have been producing the ale since Big Rock’s founding, over 30 years ago, and the recipe remains identical to the initial batches they produced back then. Consistency counts – you know this is good.
The Traditional Ale is a wonderful pairing with this leather journal from Manufactus. The dark amber, red-brown beer matches well with the dark brown leather of the journal. The malt-forward, nut and caramel flavours of the beer provide a comfortable, full-flavoured, easy-drinking experience that is excellent for working through the thoughts in your head as you jot them down in your journal.
The self-proclaimed “traditional” brew is a nice reminder of a time when beer was less concerned with being the ‘next big thing,’ adding all sort of crazy adjuncts and attempting to create wild new flavours, as the trends in beer culture today seem to consistently push towards. This beer, instead, aims to be, simply, great beer. Similarly, the leather journal harks back to a time when writing with a pencil or pen was a regular occurrence. The journal harks back to when language was simply written words and proper grammar, rather than all the adjuncts we now see on a daily basis. In other words, put your emojis away for this pairing.
Sipping on the Traditional Ale from Big Rock Brewery is a deliciously easy experience, one that you can take your time with to enjoy the balanced beer, and to collect your thoughts on a page. Flip open your journal, pop the cap off your pen, crack open a can, and pour a pint of Traditional Ale: it’s time for a moment away from the madness that is today.
Manufactus
Manufactus is an artisan leatherwork shop in Rome, Italy, that was founded in 1910. They produce binding products, including address books, diaries, journals and special registers for hotels, exhibitions and other events. They also produce writing utensils, such as pens and pencils.
The leather products are hand-crafted at their shop, and use leather cut from full-grain, vegetable tanned calf leather, which they source from six tanneries from the surrounding Rome area. These tanneries have been supplying Manufactus with leather since the company’s inception over one hundred years ago.
Manufactus takes its inspiration from history, intending to revive styles from past centuries that had the largest impacts on their respective eras. From these historic design they then purpose them for modernized use.
My own Manufactus journal is special to me. I received it as a gift, which, at first, sat in wait, but when I began to take the PairingwithBeer project more seriously, it was the journal I turned to to start jotting down my thoughts and plans for this very blog. Personally, I like to physically write notes when I brainstorm: the editing abilities of typing on a laptop mean you often rewrite things over again, and lose the sense of urgency and uniqueness that comes with scribbling with pens and pencils. It’s also a super-chic journal, and trés cool.
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