Taking our monthly Toronto Beer Lovers meet up on the road we went to Stout Irish Pub in Hogtown. It was my first time out there and have to say I liked it quite a bit. A sentiment echoed by most of the TBL as well. Great pub atmosphere, fun local beer on tap and from why I saw decent pub grub as well. Baking and cleaning all day I was a few drinks in well before I made it out to Stout. The atmosphere and some good beer and company capped off a productive day at home. Through the night I had one of my new favourites the Red Racer India Pale Ale out of British Columbia. One of my favourite from last year Beaus Lug Tread Lagered Ale and a St. Ambois Scotch Irish Ale to cap off the night. We had a great group out everyone animated and chatting with each other. Erin and the rest of Stouts staff were awesome and we had a superb night and everyone went home happy.

torontobeerlovers.com

http://www.stoutirishpub.ca/

Gladys one of our Toronto Beer Lovers campaigned to get us to go to Hrvati. She was really enthused about the place and thought it would be a great place for us to visit. She and I got together and booked a date and I made the reservation. It turned out to be a great night. We largely took over the bar. Twenty of us took over the long table. It was a good rowdy gathering. Lots of good conversation and switching seats chatting amongst fantastic food and an eclectic selection of beer from around the world. I’d say it was one of our best events in quite awhile. Thanks in no small part to Alan and the rest of the friendly enthused staff at Hrvati.

Started with Croatian beer the Karlovacko Lager or as it got to be through the night “the red can”. Nice well rounded beer. Excellent with the food. My second beer was my new beer love the Red Racer IPA out of British Columbia. It reminded me of the Black Oak Ten Bitter Years. Which is no small compliment. Strong hop flavour, slightly bitter. Excellent for being out of a can. Am going to need to find Red Racer on tap sometime. After that a Baltika Russian Lager, partially picked for the big green bottle. A very clean refreshing beer. Then the Affligem Blonde out of Belgium. Boasting to have been classically brewed since 1074. It had. Heady nose and smooth texture. Complimented by the colour. Personally not my favourite. Though that has to do with my general disinterest in wheat and Belgian beers. The majority of my night was spent consuming Red Racer and Karlovacko to great satisfaction. The food looked amazing. I split the veg sandwich with a friend it was amazing. The Burgers and sausages looked delicious. The fries were perhaps the best in the city. I’d say that I’d happily go back, but I already have. I went back for dinner the following night. The burger was just as good as it looked and went incredibly well with the Red Racer IPA. I also had a taste of the Goulash which was amazing as well. Thanks to Gladys, the Toronto Beer Lovers and Hrvati for a great night out.

http://www.hrvatibar.com/