It’s not often the most photographed item from a craft beer restaurant
are the pipes. Yet, one look on Instagram’s geotagging of Craft Beer Market and
you’ll see more than your fair share of these gleaming silver contraptions.
There’s a Willy Wonka factory feel to the place, except instead of transporting
melted chocolate these metal pipes move cold brew from the keg room to bars on
both levels.
I can understand the need for the high tech setting: with
over 150 beers on tap, who would want to be responsible for lugging the heavy
brew to the bars? There wouldn’t even be enough real estate at the bars to hold
all the kegs. This is what it takes to offer the largest selection of craft
beers in Ontario.
Making my way through a few brews, Old Tomorrow’s Light’er
Up lager ($6.75) helped quench my thirst and prepare my taste buds for more
beer.
There was plenty of drinks to be had at Craft Beer Market’s
opening event. Collective Arts Brewing brought in ten beautifully designed
cans, perfect for those who want something beautiful to behold other than a
frothy cap. Their Lunch Money brew also reminded me of the lovely summer
months. Meanwhile, Barrie’s Flying Monkeys served up a delicious crisp Antigravity
concoction that really helped cut the saucy food.
If you’re into something different, choose from their
“anomalies” section, the tangy Bandit Wizard of Gose ($6.75) had a lovely sour
taste that finishes savoury that paired oh so well with the freshly shucked
oysters. While these mollusks aren’t served on their normal menu, they can be
ordered for larger functions - make sure to ask for the tasty jalapeño
mignonette.
In fact, it’s all these crisp light beers that pairs well
with the Ocean Wise seafood dishes on their menu: the Baja fish tacos ($14.50
for three) are grilled to alleviate any fried-food guilt (to allow for another
beer, of course) and packed with tons of cabbage slaw. Meanwhile, the Hawaiian
Ahi poke ($16) incorporated tons of tuna, but could use more garlic and sesame
soya vinaigrette.
I can tell already the BBQ beer can chicken sliders ($14.50)
will be a popular pick for a small bite amongst the after work drinks crowd.
While it’s a typical slider, the house made BBQ sauce isn’t too sweet and the
meat isn’t too oversaturated so you can actually eat the sandwich cleanly.
The gaucho chicken flatbread ($17) has a light heat from the
jalapeños and chipotle aioli. Unlike some of the other beer market type
restaurants that tend to over season their foods (possibly to encourage more
drinking), Craft Beer Market’s dishes are less salty with flavours stemming
from the spices and ingredients incorporated into the food.
Thankfully, there seemed to be an endless supply of the Maui
ribs ($14); I had more than my fair share. Glazed in a black garlic miso BBQ
sauce, it’s an interesting savoury flavour, the coating in between a sticky
glaze and dry rub. Paired with a stout beer, the ribs would make for a great
hearty meal.
Craft Beer Market will be opened soon – December 6, right in
time for all the holiday parties. For beer lovers, this restaurant is one you don’t
want to miss. You can also join their CRAFT Club, where aside from getting
exclusive access to special events you can also rate and share beers with their
likeminded community. After downing 100 different ones, they’ll emblazon your
name on a keg on their Alumni Wall. As if you need another reason to drink.
How To Find Them
Location: Toronto, Canada
Address: 1 Adelaide Street East
Address: 1 Adelaide Street East
Website: http://craftbeermarket.ca/toronto
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