I need to tell this story backwards.
Twenty or so years ago at my first Mexican restaurant in Chicago, friends all ordered Coronas, which I thought was bland. I got the beer in the cool red can with a lime, Tecate, and ever since, although I will try ANY Mex food (veg, anyway), I always have Tecate and lime. I know nothing about that beer, but I tend to figure "when in Rome, do as the Romans do" therefore Mex food with Mex beer. So, friends from out of town took us OUT on the town, to Viva Cantina in Ithaca which is probably my new favorite restaurant on the planet Earth. I have no idea what I ate, but it was delicious, full of stuff, and I don’t have to tell you I had a couple of Tecates and limes. All of this, and a whopping hot day too. Most authentic, most fantastic.
Move back a day. Our old pal cm comes down from Toronto for fun in the sun, and I am pretty handy with a tortilla. There were beans and rice, quesadillas, Dinosaur Habanero Sauce and thanks to cm, nacho chips and Canadian beers. cm brought Mill St Organic Lager, which marks a first for me. I know very little about lagers, and nothing about organic beers. These little ponies were wicked tasty, smooth and foamy, even with no lime. It was a hot day, more Mex food is on the menu, and today the Mill Streets will have lime. Let’s work on this "when in Rome..." stuff. Perhaps it makes more sense to eat hot food with beer from a cold climate.
I see from their website they are creative and clever. There is a handsome new pub. There is a variety of ales and such. We have planned a vacation to TO.
Comments
beer lover in Toronto - October 12, 2006 12:25 pm
Mill Street is putting out some amazing beers. Their Tankhouse Ale has been tops on my list for a while (make sure that's on your list for the vacation). It's got great colour and a nice bitterness to it. Quenches. Their Coffee Porter is also great. Nice to see the word's getting out!
gr - October 12, 2006 6:12 pm
I believe Alan wrote up the coffee porter once. I would like to try these other ales and and beers, preferably onsite. When Alan scehdules the gen x at 40, beer blog reunion party in TO I hope you and your friends can come!
Brodie - October 13, 2006 10:58 am
Ok, I've passed the Mill Street bottles on my Friday tour of the LCBO too many times now. I'm actually getting excited about this afternoon's trip. Is that normal? perhaps a question better posted on genX. Cheers, BR.
gr - October 13, 2006 11:23 am
Brodie, check out what our man Brian comments above. Fill your basket with as many choices as possible and report back.
Wow, my typos in that comment up there....what an illiterate fool, or maybe I wrote that after cocktail hour...
Brodie - October 16, 2006 4:27 pm
Ok, here's my report: tankhouse ale - great, coffee porter - yummie. Not big on tasting notes as you can see but I'll give it a shot.
The Tankhouse Ale is the first Ontario beer that I've tried that reminds me of a real IPA (Sgt Major was good but has let me down most recently) - I don't think Mill Street calls it an IPA however. Moderately (?) bitter, with nice spicy hops but not as much as the big hop bombs from the states that Al has been good enough to share.
Coffee Porter - at this time of year I think this style is my favourite. I'm a choco-holic and coffee fiend so I like this one alot. Smells great - just as you would expect coffee and beer to smell like. Flavour has a dark chocolate bitterness and a long coffee finish/aftertaste.
That's it - I'll try the the stock ale next - if it is what I'm expecting I might have a new cottage favourite for next summer. Cheers, Brodie
gr - October 16, 2006 7:30 pm
Brodie: I speak for toastmaster Alan here, and myself, when I say: WELL DONE. I am jealous. My wife and I should have spent the weekend on a stool at the brewery taking notes, but since we couldn't, I am glad you did the leg work for us.
Sandi Carmichael - October 26, 2006 11:54 pm
If you are wanting to try these bodacious batch craft beers, Please feel free to visit us at the Mill Street Brew Pub, Located at 55 Mill Street, Building 63 Toronto, ON M5A 3C4. Sampling availiable at the Mill Street Beer Store.