January 21, 2012

5/405)  C'est What:  Lone Pine IPA by Sawdust City of Ontario:  **; piney nose;  not overly hopped,  pleasantly aromatic;  on cask

6/406)  C'est What:  Harry Porter and the Bourbon-Soaked Vanilla Bean by Great Lakes Brewing of Ontario:  **1/2;  a vanilla porter aged in a barrel formerly used to store bourbon;  vanilla nose;  roasty bourbon notes;  on cask;

7/407)  C'est What:  First Draft Hoppy Mild by the Niagara College Teaching Brewery of Ontario:  **;  earthy hoppiness to the nose;  mix of earthiness and citrusy hop flavours with gingery notes;  on cask

8/408)  C'est What:  Porter by Great Lakes Brewing of Ontario:  **;  astringent coffee notes;  this and the next were on draught, not cask;

9/409)  C'est What:  White Beard Stout by Muskoka Cottage Brewery of Ontario:  **;  notes of vanilla and mocha;  a bit of a goof on their Winter Beard, formerly known as Double Chocolate Cranberry Stout, without the berries;

This was 2012's first Cask Social.  C'est What is located very conveniently nearby the Union Station bus terminal.  As per usual, there were half pints here. 

A highlight for me was that Mark was able to participate as a customer so I got to know him a bit better.  Mark is one of Toronto's finest servers and I am glad to finally know his name.  Even if he's not your server, he is quick to ask what you are drinking and, based on how you like it, just as quick to make helpful suggestions for your next glass. 

I also met our new neighbour when I got home.  He was even more effusive than I was and I am pretty sure he wasn't imbibing.  He shook my hand four (4) times during our conversation.