The Beer Store is under fire because of the privately owned multinational conglomerate’s non-competitive sweetheart deal with the LCBO and the province. Earlier this month, the New York Times heralded the Byward Market Wine Rack (one of 160-odd boutique-size Ontario wine shops owned by Constellation Brands of Victor, New York) as a notable destination in our nation’s capital. We can only hope the near future brings emancipation from the boa-constrictor-like grip of the booze monopolies on our wallets.
We can remain caged animals in Ontario’s booze zoo, whimpering for independence and pouncing on any choice liquids poured in the trough, waiting for the powers that be to loosen their multi-billion-dollar leash on beer, wine and spirits sales (though LCBO profits at least come back to the taxpayer), or we can take matters into our own cups by proactively supporting local producers and sellers closer to the source.
Yes, this means sucking up the mild inconvenience of sniffing out small-batch local products, but consider it a rewarding adult treasure hunt.
Shop local
Contact local wineries directly to purchase cases of vino (you can divide it amongst friends), check out their stands at farmers’ markets or sites like winewire.ca or kwaf.ca for exclusive bottles from Ontario and local wine agents.
Visit brew pub bottle shops at Indie Ale House (2876 Dundas West, 416-760-9691,
indiealehouse.com), Bellwoods (124 Ossington, 416-535-4586, bellwoodsbrewery.com), Duggan’s (1346 Queen West, 416-588-1086, duggansbreweryparkdale.com) and Granite (245 Eglinton East, 416-322-0723, granitebrewery.ca).
Or go knocking on the door of the awesome local breweries selling their beer on site, like Great Lakes (30 Queen Elizabeth, 416-255-4510, greatlakesbeer.com), Amsterdam
(245 Queens Quay West, 416-504-1020, amsterdambrewhouse.com) and Mill Street (21 Tank House, 416-681-0338, millstreetbrewpub.ca).
Visit wine country
And don’t play the “it’s freezing” card – snow is way more scenic in the country, and wine tours inevitably stoke warmth. Book a weekend in Niagara or Prince Edward County and pay a visit to smaller and lesser-known vineyards. Spend some time tasting and buy what you love. Map your outing at winecountryontario.ca.
Prefer structure? Check out iYellow Wine Club tours at iyellowwineclub.com.
Drink out
Where better to drink up local goodness than at the independent establishments helping to shape the bar and restaurant scene? There’ve never been more taps and lists devoted to Ontario, and out and about is where you can taste some of the best stuff.
