Silly things like work get in the way of Toronto Beer Week. I missed the Golden Tap Awards and really hadn’t taken the time to check what’s out there this evening. While it certainly won’t be an overly late night   I thought I’d head back out to the Danforth and check out the Wren which has become one of my favourite new watering holes since the Danforth pub crawl. After that I thought I’d head down to the only cafe as  Barley Days is releasing a new pale ale.

http://www.thewrendanforth.com

Another really cool Toronto Beer Week Event with the Toronto Beer Lovers. Not a big crowd in the bar but it was a good night out. F&M Stone Hammer and Wellington beers are not regularly available on tap lists. You get the odd one but it's not very often in Toronto that you get a bunch of different Stone Hammer and Wellington offerings. That being said I had recently tried a lot of of the beer on offer at other recent events so I went with drinking pints of favourites.

While the other Toronto Beer Lovers had a great time trying flights of five different beers at a time. Flights are smaller glasses of beer.

Fantastic for trying a bunch of different beers. I wasn't aware that the Only provided tasting flights but it is good knowledge to have as they always have a good collection of beer on tap.

*while this is another breweries glassware the sentiment fits.

Cheers to both Wellington and F&M Stone Hammer. We had great beer and a great time at the Only for Toronto Beer Week. Mind you the next morning was a bit rough.

http://www.theonlycafe.com/

http://torontobeerweek.com/

http://www.torontobeerlovers.com/

http://www.wellingtonbrewery.ca/

Turned out to be quite the evening. I left work as a thunderstorm was starting. One of those ones where nature gives us a reminder of who is really in charge. On the way I ran to the courier for a drop off and made a side trip to grab a red velvet cupcake.

Over to the Only cafe where I found a pint and the patio where some friends and I stood out in the light cool rain. Which was just incredible after the heat we had been experiencing. From the patio we could hear the live music. As the rain got harder we found a spot under the umbrellas.

The Battle of the Brew Bands was a competition of bands all of whom had at least one member from the various breweries who were featured on the Only Cafe taps that night. I was there especially to see the Beaus band. I used to follow Steve the Beaus rep's former band Constable Brennan years ago. His new band was pretty great and he continues to be one of the nicest and coolest people.( A trait he shares with many of his Beaus Brewing cohorts). From what I recall the breweries represented were Beaus, Sawdust City, Wellington and Steamwhistle.

In a way I'm chastising myself for not tackling the event and blogging about the ins and outs of the competition and the beer. Direct reporting which can be fun in its own way. On the other hand just being out and enjoying the night was fantastic. Good company, good beer in a bar I'm fond of. I got to cheer on an old acquaintance and spent a rainy cool summer evening on a patio.

After the Only cafe a bunch of us crossed the Danforth and headed to Square Boy for burgers and onion rings an occurrence which happens often among my friends when out to the Only Cafe.

http://www.theonlycafe.com/

I've been to the One and Only a few times over the last few years. The Toronto Beer Lovers has had events there. It's where I first tried Black Oak Beer and met their brewer and owner. Both of whom I count as friends to this day. I enjoy both the bar and the cafe side and find the place eclectic and pleasant. It usually smells like coffee in the cafe which is excellent. When I was in there one day and they were barbecuing on the patio, the crosswind mixed across from where I was sitting with my pint. So all I could smell was bbq and coffee. The cafe, serves locally roasted Ideal coffee.  It has a nice little array of baked goods. Which I only avoided through strength of will. It's a place you need to come out and experience. Have a coffee find a comfy chair and lazily watch the disco ball. Then pass through the curtain to enjoy the wide selection of beer.

http://www.theonlycafe.com/theone/index.html

On my way to the Kings tap take over at the Only cafe. Pretty excited for this one as I've greatly enjoyed the Kings beer I’ve had. Earlier In the summer I had declared their Dark Lager to be my summer beer so I'm looking forward to having it on tap tonight. Only one other Toronto Beer Lover made it out to the event. She and I had a pleasant couple of drinks together. Some nice conversation and wandered off to see what else the night had to offer.

http://www.kingbrewery.ca

http://www.theonlycafe.com