TWS took a day trip to Hamilton in July for something a little different.
Aquanova Brewing Co.
First stop: a tour at Aquanova Brewing Co. where owner a brewer, Kevin Cao, makes beer with 4 ingredients: water, grain, hops and love (we that’s code for yeast).
We had a look at the tanks (all brand new!), nibbled on some grains and tried some beer at various stages of the brewing process.
There was lots of choice on tap and in cans, and Kevin is trying new brews all the time. Apart from a few specialty malts, it’s all sourced in Canada. Bonus: Hamilton’s city water is great for brewing because it’s not hard.
Aquanova also does contract and private labelling, including house beers for Ramen Isshin. Kevin’s also hoping to get a distilling license one day.
Hot tip: the waves design on their cans and signs represent the colour of the beer!
Steel Town Cider Co.
Second stop: a flight tasting at Steel Town Cider Co. with owner and cidermaker, Alex Hamiton.
All ciders are made from 100% Ontario apples. They stay away from classic dry cider styles – instead the menu features lots of flavours, funk and wild ferments, capturing the local yeasts of Hamilton!
Steel Town Cider is celebrating 10 years in 2026 (just like us!) – congrats!
TWS Heels Party
TWS loves a heel party! After our Hamilton crawl, we hosted a BBQ and shared some bottles. Here are a few highlights, including Gordon & MacPhail, Two Brewers, Proper No. Twelve, Single Cask Nation, Laphroaig, Bruichladdich, and our first TWS exclusive bottling from 2016 from Tobermory Distillery!
Discover more from Toronto Whisky Society
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
