The COMDB Guide to the Fine Art of BBQing (Formerly “The COMDB Guide to the Manly Art of BBQing”) gives lots of entertaining (although at times questionable) advice on basting, searing, braising, frying, boiling, scorching, and burning. It also tells us that a BBQ without beer is just a BBQ. But it doesn’t tell you what beer to swill while you grill. So out of 363 brews drank and ranked, here are the top 5 BBQ beers to date from Ontario based craft breweries. Since we always hope our next sampling will be the GOAT, this list is “fluid” in nature. We have a few honourable mentions in there too, its always good to have options if your go to isn’t on the shelf. Grill, swill and chill with these top notch BBQ brews.
Ace Hill Pilsner: Pilsner Perfected? A Pilsner from the Ace Hill Beer Company at 4.9% ABV. A great pilsner. Just like Maxwell House coffee*, it was good to the last drop. An ideal summer suds on a sunny day. A Near Perfect Pil at 18 out of 20
Party Sharks: Party Sharks Rule! A Foggy IPA from Refined Fool Brewing Co. at 6.5% ABV. The burgers are burnt, the brood is brooding, but I don’t care, because this foggy IPA is so good. Party Sharks Taking Care of Business at 17 out of 20
Drifter: Hazy Daze. A hazy pale ale from Muskoka Brewery at 5.8% ABV. A great beer for a hot day, delicious and mellowing, left me in a hazy daze with a grin on my chin. Possibly the best Mad Tom offering to date. Hazylicious 17 out of 20
North of 41: Hockey in June? A blonde ale from Hop City Brewing Co. at 4.4% ABV. Once I started drinking this blonde ale from the Barking Squirrel brewers at Hop City, my crankiness melted away. What a great beer! Smooth and easy drinking, with a nice flavour to it. Exactly what you would hope and expect from a blonde ale. Great summer suds. North of Sixteen, 17 out of 20
Ten Mile Point: Bright Idea. A pilsner from Manitoulin Brewing Co. at 4.5% ABV. This is a great summer drink. If it is a scorcher of a day reach for a Ten Mile Point. This beer is all about refreshing. Crushing It at 17 out of 20
Honourable Mentions: On any given day these brews could well be at the top of our list too.
Beach Freak: The Beach Ball Program™. A pale ale from Black Bellows Brewery at 5.1% ABV. This is an easy drinking crisp minimal hops mild fruit pale ale. Very refreshing, ideal for a hot day BBQ session. A Crisp Shark Fin-ish 16 out of 20
Tree Topper: Among the Pines. A red ale from New Ontario Brewery at 5.2% ABV. Down a tree, down a beer, I always say. Well I have actually never said that but if I was a lumber jack I definitely would have said that at some point. A Well Red 16 out of 20
Czech Tap Lager: On Tap: A Czech Lager from Sawdust City Brewing at 4.7% ABV. A nice mild malt taste to go with it, coupled with a crisp clean finish. Very easy drinking with a nice flavour. I was BBQing the chicken and my beer was done before the meat was even seared let alone burnt. A Clear and Easy 16 out of 20
The Starter: Don’t Get Me Started. A session IPA from Four Fathers Brewing Co. at 4.8%. I recruited the starter to provide moral support and hydration during an intense BBQ session and it didn’t disappoint. A First Stringer at 16 out of 20
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