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Craft Beer

TGIF: 3 Barrie Craft Beer Ideas

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Freakshow Crush - Flying Monkey's

3 BARRIE CRAFT BEER SUGGESTIONS

As we still have a chance to eat inside somewhere that isn’t our own kitchen, dining room or bathroom (hey, don’t judge…it was a pandemic) we thought it apt to celebrate craft beers from all of the fantastic local brewers this week.

First up is…

FIRST CLASS – BARNSTOMERS

Ever been lucky enough to get upgraded to first class on a plane ride?

This is the beer equivalent!

First Class is a smooth tasting, German inspired golden ale that is ideal for any sitting.

The initial pour is a bright, yellow golden colour with a good size head that leaves just a bit of lacing. The first taste goes down gently, and emits balanced notes of grain, malts and citrus. It’s got a nice sweetness to it with definite flavour, although some beer advocates might find it a bit thin.

You can get it from Barnstormer’s or at the LCBO.

Number two on our menu is a lager so good the Germans would be envious.

IDLE COAST – REDLINE BREWERY

Most beer producers would die happy if their craft creations stacked up well compared to the essential Bavarian ales that have been the stuff of Oktoberfest for centuries.

And this pale from Redline does an admirable job of paying tribute, while not totally mimicking those great German lagers.

It’s vibrant gold colour and foamy head make for an effervescent first impression, while the bready undertones and aromas reflect classic Munich Malts. As you approach the bottom of the glass, it leaves a crisp and dry after taste, providing an ideal compliment to anything meaty or sandwich based  on the menu.

Find out lots more about Idle Coast right here.

Last, but certainly not least (sorry, we couldn’t come up with something spiffier to intro this…but c’mon, it’s Friday) is…

SMASH BOMB ATOMIC – FLYING MONKEY’S

The primary objective of any good beer is to present it’s drinker with a memorable sitting that combines taste and experience.

And this IPA from Flying Monkey’s accomplishes that mission in spades.

The initial pour is gentle and inviting, with an amber reddish hue that leaves about half an inch of thick creamy foam head.

Even though the name might suggest otherwise, this is actually a lighter tasting pale ale. The aroma hints at touches of grass spread across citrusy and bitter tones. The overall strength isn’t at all detracted by the lighter vibe, as the hops linger pleasantly among the tastebuds.

Find out more about the beer from Flying Monkeys right here.

What did you think of our 3 Barrie Craft Beer Suggestions? Let us know in the comments!  

Have a recommendation for TGIF? We want to hear it! Contact us, send a msg to our FB page or an email to [email protected]

TGIF: A Polarizing Beer

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TGIF: Apparently Blondes DO Have More Fun

Let’s be honest…there are worse ways to kickstart the weekend than with a cold beverage.

And yet, it’s easy to fall into a routine of buying the same couple of beers or spirits at your favorite watering hole or the LCBO. Of course, there’s always going to be your standard go-to’s. But mixing it up (get it…mixing???) makes for a fun outing.

With that in mind, we’re taking a shot (bet you thought we would stop with the drinking puns after that first one) at finding you a weekly selection of spirits to liven up your Friday.

This week why don’t you try…

Polar Pumpkin Spiced Ale – Barnstormer’s

The initial pour is a slightly clouded yellow with orange highlights, and a stuff egg white head that leaves a thick, egg power lace. The aroma following is an inviting rich pumpkin and spice notes overlaying light biscuit and grain.

As for the taste, expect a meaty pumpkin flavour, hidden behind a clean malt body. There is a definite spice component, but it’s handled well. Notes of cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg hit the roof of the mouth and linger in the finish. A surprisingly intense bitterness springs up when the beer hits the side of the tongue.

The after-taste is slightly grainy and a little bready. Unlike other pumpkin beers that taste like pumpkin pie, this one just tastes like pumpkin, which is a decided bonus.

Overall this is a refreshing and lighter kind of pumpkin ale. It’s light bodied, with crisp carbonation that gives way to a creamy sip that is easy drinking and sessionable.

Find out more about Polar Pumpkin on Barnstormer’s website!

What did you think of TGIF: A Polarizing Beer? Let us know in the comments!

And if you are a Barrie based business, looking to expand your digital footprint with unique, locally driven content, reach out today! We can help get you Uncovered!

TGIF – Drinking By The Moonlight

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Let’s be honest…there are worse ways to kickstart the weekend than with a cold beverage.


And yet, it’s easy to fall into a routine of buying the same couple of beers or spirits at your favorite watering hole or the LCBO. Of course, there’s always going to be your standard go-to’s. But mixing it up (get it…mixing???) makes for a fun outing.

With that in mind, we’re taking a shot (bet you thought we would stop with the drinking puns after that first one) at finding you a weekly selection of spirits to liven up your Friday.

This week why don’t you try…

Moonlight Chrome – Redline

The best beers taste just as delicious regardless of the time of day, but there is something more exciting about an evening drink. Say, by moonlight?

And this IPA from Redline delivers on both counts.

Starting with the appealing appearance: The pour reveals a hazy, golden rich color. Exactly what you want to see from a quality bevy. The initial pour leaves a finger plus of head, that is relatively short lived, but gives way to egg shell white in traces of spotty lacing.

As the session continues, the aroma takes over, in a positive way. The smell is a light citrus, with hints of candied pineapple and mango. It’s a subtle but inviting scent that heightens the first few sips.

The taste is an easy grainy flavor initially, backed up by sweetness ranging from mango to pineapple. There’s a definite weedy hop quality, and earthy tones come to the forefront the longer you drink.

The body and mouthfeel lean to medium-light bodied, with sharp and crisp carbonation. The dry finish edges up against chalkiness, but in a pleasant way.

Overall, this is a beer that comes together nicely and could be considered a slight improvement on the sum of it’s parts. At 4.3 ABV, you can stick with it for most of your sitting without too much of an impact.

If pairing some eats, be sure to get something snacky that won’t overpower the drink. Stick with white/light food, such as fish tacos or lemon chicken.

Find more about Moonlight Chrome on Redline’s website!

What did you think of TGIF: Drinking by the Moonlight? Do you have a recommendation for TGIF? We want to hear it! Contact us, send a msg to our FB page or an email to [email protected]

TGIF: Mango In Flight

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Let’s be honest…there are worse ways to kickstart the weekend than with a cold beverage.


And yet, it’s easy to fall into a routine of buying the same couple of beers or spirits at your favorite watering hole or the LCBO. Of course, there’s always going to be your standard go-to’s. But mixing it up (get it…mixing???) makes for a fun outing.

With that in mind, we’re taking a shot (bet you thought we would stop with the drinking puns after that first one) at finding you a weekly selection of spirits to liven up your Friday.


This week why don’t you try…

Mango Flight Delay – Barnstormer’s

As the motto on the can reads: “California in a glass made better by the north.” The reference is to the boldly hopped style of West Coast India Pale Ales, which this tasty bevy ably captures.

The mango comes through well, while the hops are understated so that at first, it expresses itself as more of a mango American wheat. At the end of the swallow, a low bitterness lingers briefly, bringing forth the IPA character. Moderate sweetness, with supporting malt, and dry overall.

The body reveals a thin lacey foam head and mild-ish carbonation. And at 85 IBUs, the peachy-golden, slightly hazy beer is bitter, to be sure, but appeals greatly due to the balance.

There’s a plump, fleshy core of peach and tropical fruit to anchor the pine-forest hop quality. With four hop varieties lending hints of tropical bitterness and three grades of complimentary golden malts that produce the beer’s golden harvest appearance, this one is a definite California vibe.

Best paired with a spicier dish, like tacos, or a burger with barbeque sauce. Of course Barnstormer’s terrific menu has plenty of good eats options as well.


What did you think of TGIF: Mango In Flight? Do you have a recommendation for TGIF? We want to hear it! Contact us, send a msg to our FB page or an email to [email protected]

TGIF: The Freak Show Comes To Town

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Freakshow Crush - Flying Monkey's

Let’s be honest…there are worse ways to kickstart the weekend than with a cold beverage.

And yet, it’s easy to fall into a routine of buying the same couple of beers or spirits at your favorite watering hole or the LCBO. Of course, there’s always going to be your standard go-to’s. But mixing it up (get it…mixing???) makes for a fun outing.

With that in mind, we’re taking a shot (bet you thought we would stop with the drinking puns after that first one) at finding you a weekly selection of spirits to liven up your Friday.

This week why don’t your try…

Freakshow Crush – Flying Monkey’s

“A bright, hazy body and pliable bitterness under an amusing head of ethereal foam. This unique IPA spectacle is animated by a plurality of succulent hops in a crushable array of melon, papaya, and spiky tropical notes.“

The initial pour is a hazy, pale golden yellow, with a tower of puffy and mildly bubbly off-white head. That gives way to some random splotchy and sudsy lace around the glass as it dissolves evenly.

The first scents are of gritty and grainy cereal malt, mixed domestic citrus fruit, some pineapple and kumquat fruitiness. There is also traces of leafy, almost piney green hoppiness. The taste comes across as grainy and crackery pale malt, with hints of orange, tangerine, and lemon citrus zest.

The carbonation is average as it comes to frothiness. The body is a decent medium weight, and mostly smooth. It finishes trending dry, as the hops percolate around the tastebuds

For best pairing, try Freakshow with a veggie selection. Spring greens, hummus or carrots and cool cucumbers. But hops and IPAs are great with classic pub fare like fish ‘n chips, curries or anything of the cheese variety.

You can catch the Freakshow at LCBO, the Beer Store and Select Grocers. And of course, in person at Flying Monkey’s.

What did you think of rhe Freakshow Crush – Flying Monkey’s review? Have a recommendation for TGIF? We want to hear it! Contact us, send a msg to our FB page or an email to [email protected]

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