The art and craft of 5 Paddles Tortured Artist Vanilla Porter

The Whitby Station Gallery’s Tortured Artist collaboration with 5 Paddles brewery was launched Friday Feb 10 2017. Tortured Artist is a vanilla porter created by the Whitby based craft brewery in collaboration with the gallery who sourced the label artwork. The label artwork was created by 14 year-old Jade Wysotski and the label itself has been designed by Kate Carson, the gallery’s in-house graphic designer. The launch featured DJ Lawless spinning some tortured artist tunes, a talk by 5 Paddles co-founder Ian Mills and a taste-testing of the porter itself.

Mills related a tale about the initial brewing of the porter saying the smells brought him back to his childhood, in particular summer mornings eating breakfast cereal while watching ‘Gilligan Island’ and ‘I Dream of Genie’ on the telly before heading on his bike for the day; the vanilla in particular was the trigger. He went on to say he believes his brewing method is in a manner a trip back in time through his memories and thus the beers brewed at 5 Paddles are really created from their brewer’s own unique authentic experiences growing up in the Region. The trick is to be mindful in the activity, to slow down and live the experience and enjoy the moments.  

Brewing becomes less work and more art in effect. I found it a very interesting talk and the idea of beer in terms of its effects on the senses rather than the ingredients, the art rather than the science, is well, really quite attractive. 

The label is also featured on T-shirts available at the Gallery. They have been created by Shirtpunch, deepening the collaboration with local businesses and growing a community from the art out.

The SG Tortured Artist Vanilla Porter is a limited brew but MIlls says he is very happy with the beer and the collaboration so 5 Paddles will be making more.

Manantler points to Bowmanville with pride and gratitude

The secret’s out, Manantler Craft Brewery is located in Bowmanville, Ont. The brewery announced today a change to their logo, which now includes the line Bowmanville Ontario.

Brewery president Chris Allot says they added the location because of how the town has reacted to the brewery since its inception.

“Bowmanville has opened their arms to us from the minute we opened our doors.  We want to pay tribute to that every time someone looks at our logo,” says Allot.

Many craft breweries place themselves firmly in a particular location; Bobcaygeon Brewing, Royal City Brewery, Muskoka Brewery, Perth Brewery. Others don’t: Beau’s, Steam Whistle, Flying Monkeys for example. Allot says it was important to them to anchor themselves in Bowmanville.

“Our biggest fans are the people that live in close proximity to the brewery," he says, "and they were the ones that supported us before anyone even knew if our beer was good.  We will stay in Bowmanville until they ask us to leave.”

We say if you keep on making the fine brews (in particular that Root Beer Porter) you won’t ever be asked to leave.

Manantler Craft Brewery is proudly located at 182 Wellington St in Bowmanville. Free tours are available between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m.

Sackville Americana Kenny James at Manantler Oct 1

Beauty Americana on tap at Manantler Craft Brewery with Bagtownie Kenny James stopping by Oct 1 2016. His “Tougher Than Nails” album has it all, sweeping vistas of Western twang, shuffle beats, and a delivery that calls to mind Blue Rodeo with a chunky chunk of Dwight Yoakam's sidestepping rockabilly. The Sackville NB based artist plays what we used to call cowpunk back in the Queen St. days but whatever you want to call it don’t call it too late.

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Americana Review weighs in on TURF highlights this weekend, Sept 18-19

By Americana Review

A huge weekend of music in the Greater Toronto Area takes place over the next few days with the fourth edition of the Toronto Urban Roots Festival, a musical celebration of roots music and independent artists taking place at Historic Fort York, just east of downtown Toronto. 

Okkervil River by Fionn Reilly

Finding its permanent home on the festival schedule, the third weekend of September, the Toronto Urban Roots Festival (or TURF as it’s more commonly known), has taken its rightful place among the top music festivals not just in Toronto, but North America. TURF offers a wide variety of artists that represent many musical tastes.  Veteran artists and relative newcomers will take the TURF stages over the weekend, with many acts taking the stage at the Legendary Horseshoe Tavern and Lee’s Palace as part of the TURF Club Series. The Series kicked off in strong fashion on Wednesday night with Limblifter and Overnight at the Horseshoe, and the Sheepdogs and Adam Baldwin playing to a sold out Lee’s Palace. 

Among the highlights of this coming weekend, be sure to check out some great Canadian acts like Matt Andersen and the Bona Fide, The Sadies, Whitehorse, Corb Lund and Lee Harvey Osmond.  TURF will also showcase some incredible acts from south of the border with two legendary alt-country bands the Drive-by Truckers and the Dropkick Murphy’s performing on two different stages on Friday night.  Fortunately their sets are back to back, so you can catch full sets from both bands.  Margo Price, whom some music journalists tout as one of the female saviours of traditional country music, will perform Friday afternoon. The Felice Brothers highlight a solid lineup on Saturday, with Death Cab For Cutie at the top of the bill to close the Fort York portion of TURF on Sunday night.

A vendor section and some of the best food trucks in Toronto contribute to what is one of the best weeks and weekends on the musical calendar in the GTA.  Whether you take in one day, all three days, or take in a club show, the Toronto Urban Roots Festival is the areas’ best showcase of independent artists showcasing their gifted talent. Check out the TURF web site for full lineup and scheduling.

Crepe House serves up Norfolk County Beerstock in Powell Park, Oct 1 2016

The Norfolk County Beerstock takes place this year Oct 1 at Powell Park in downtown Port Dover. In past years the event was held at the Crepe House on Park Street. The change of location reflects the growth of Beerstock and allows for more vendors for more people. Vendors include Beau's All Natural Brewing, Bell City Brewing, Black Oak Brewing Company, Blue Elephant Craft Brew House, The Cider Keg, Collective Arts Brewing, New Limburg Brewery, Ramblin' Road Brewery Farm, South Coast Wines, Wellington Brewery as well as Dover Cheese Shop, David's Restaurant, Erie Beach Hotel , Klassy Kettle Corn, Lago Trattoria , Matz Fruit Barn, Schofeilds Bistro, Two Eleven Mainand Urban Parisian. Entertainment is provided by The Dudes, Jesse Murphy Trio, Lower Ground and others. Tickets are $25 in advance, $35 at the gate. Tickets include five sample vouchers and a Festival sample cup. Beerstock runs 11 a.m. to 6p.m. Tickets available here.