You might be spending another COVID New Year’s eve alone or in a very small group this year. But being stuck in the same old spaces with the same old people doesn’t mean you can’t try something new for New Year’s when it comes to drinks. Ring in 2022 with these beer, cocktail and sparkling wine selections.
Guilty Remnant (Blood Brothers Brewing)
If you’re looking for a traditional, dark, brooding, thick stout, well, this isn’t it. Guilty Remnant is a silky-smooth white stout and sweeter than most of its style, with upfront vanilla and coffee character. Its sweet nature makes for a slow sipping treat, something you’ll probably only want to have one or two of. It’s a great beer to start the evening off with as you warm up. 6 per cent alcohol, 473 ml
Ice Cold Beer (Left Field Brewing)
From summer crusher to New Year’s eve companion, Left Field Brewing’s Ice Cold Beer never fails to deliver. This subtly sweet, crisp, beery Ontario ale is refreshing at any time of the year. 4.5 per cent alcohol, 355 ml
It’s About Bloody Time (Saulter Street Brewing)
Want something a little more seasonal? How about a malty, light low carbonation amber ale? It’s About Bloody Time from Saulter Street Brewing is a wonderful English ale with hints of toffee, caramel and biscuit. This beer would be perfect at an outdoors New Year’s eve celebration next to a firepit! 5.2 per cent alcohol, 355 ml
Château De Montguéret Crémant de Loire (Château De Montguéret)
Chances are you’re going to need some kind of bubbly. You can go ahead and spend $150 on that fancy bottle of name brand champagne. Or you can game the system and get something just as satisfying for under $20. Château de Montguéret is a Crémant, which uses traditional methods of carbonation to create a crisp, dry and medium-bodied sparkling wine with flavours of pear and lime. If you’re not into overly sweet or expensive bubbly, then this is an excellent bottle to pop at midnight. 12 per cent alcohol, 750 ml
The Negroni (make it yourself!)
Everyone loves a Negroni. Okay, almost everyone. And if you don’t, just bear with me – it’s worth it. The hints of wine, cherry and citrus balanced with acidic bitterness make the Negroni a classic cocktail found at every bar worth a damn.
The classic recipe is near perfect: one ounce each of Campari, gin and sweet Vermouth garnished with an orange peel. What could make the classic even better, you ask? A little bubbly of course!
A Negroni Sbagliato, or “mistaken Negroni,” is rumoured to have been created when a bartender grabbed a bottle of Prosecco instead of gin, which I admit sounds like a ridiculous proposition. But the drink is deadly tasty, so let’s just roll with it. I’ve found it works just as well with the dryer Chateau de Montguéret (which you already grabbed, look how smart you are!). The latter retains the bitterness of the Campari that Prosecco can mute with its sweetness.
Cheers to a better or at least buzzy 2022!
Nick Lachance has worked in the Ontario craft beer industry since 2017. He has been employed by Henderson Brewing Company and currently works part-time for Collective Arts Brewing.
