Simple Math: Tomato Salad

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Simple Math Tomato
Simple Math Tomato

After taking a week off and then promptly following it with a long weekend, I returned to work with the distinct impression that a salad, with actual vegetables, would be a great life choice. Luckily for me, our chef is able to communicate telepathically and psychically, anticipating not only the culinary needs and wants of Toronto at large, but also those of my tiny pea brain. And because we all know that food loves the company of drink, I thought, what better time to whip up one of our strongly worded Simple Math 'encouragements' to put 2 and 2 together?

But first, ask yourself, am I human? Do I live on planet Earth? Will I fight for the army of deliciousness? If you answered yes to all three questions like any self-respecting person would, then you are on the right track. Please proceed to paragraph #3, where we finally arrive at the point of this meandering message.

We feel [quite strongly] that it would be in your best interest to order our fresh and delicious tomato salad with a bright glass of Wizard Wolf. The salad, made with heirloom Ontario tomatoes, croutons, red onion and basil, capers, white anchovy, and pecorino fresco dressed simply with olive oil, and a little salt and pepper, is simple but delicious. To balance the range of fresh, acidic, and salty flavours of the salad -- without overpowering it -- we find that the lightly hoppy Wizard Wolf, characterized by subtle citrus and pine notes, is a real winner.

So stop denying what you know in your heart to be true...just drink a Wizard Wolf, eat a tomato salad and welcome the light into your life.

Jamie Pentland

This Saturday we are releasing Bine Hunter. A rare seasonal treat — this year’s version utilizes whole Comet hop flowers that we overnighted from @northwesthopfarms in BC's Fraser Valley. $5.50 per bottle. Blue/Green bell wrap glassware will also be available at both shops, $10 each.
We’re still daydreaming about our trip to Washington state at the beginning of the month. Thanks to @yakimachief, we were able to select specific lots of so many of our favourite hops: Citra, Simcoe, Mosaic, Ahtanum, Centennial, Columbus, Cascade and Ekuanot. We were also able to tour the amazing @carpenterhops, where some of our hops were grown.
Skeleton Key, our velvety, spiced imperial stout aged in rum barrels, is ready for its 2018 debut -- headed to our retail stores this Saturday, October 13th. The 3 variants are: . . . OG -- Rich notes of dark chocolate and caramelized malts are balanced by lively spices, subtle spirit barrel, and vanilla. $16/BTL, limit of 12pp. . . . COFFEE -- We take the already delicious barrel aged spiced stout, and then circulate it through Propeller coffee beans for a smooth, cold brew effect. If you have doubts about this pairing, there may not be hope for you. $17/BTL, limit of 4pp. . . . SCOTCH BONNET/DULCE DE LECHE/LACTOSE -- Rumoured to be the only beer that could weather the apocalypse. The heat here is evident and obvious, but perfectly balanced by the sweet, smooth, and spiced notes from the supporting roles. $17/BTL, limit of 2pp.
On Monday we shared the exclusive line up of bottles that'll be released during Witchstock, but we have to let you in on a little secret about that Barn Owl #16 -- it's not exactly a Barn Owl per se, but the OG un-fruited Motley 2018 blend. Let us explain... . . . Back when we were gearing up to release our line up of 2018 Motley's, we encountered a common set back: one of the variants (the OG un-fruited) hadn't conditioned enough in bottles and would need more time. Instead of holding back Motley further, we decided to omit this version, knowing there would be another good opportunity to do so. Enter Witchstock! . . . With the anniversary long gone, we felt the time had passed to merit a Motley label, and opted instead for the most recent Barn Owl. After all, Barn Owl is a series of one-off barrel aged wonders and the beer definitely fits that bill. . . . So, that brings us to the not so secret secret that the esteemed Barn Owl #16 is actually Motley in disguise. You know, a skull dressed up as an owl, taking flight at a festival named after a shark headed witch.
A few quick notes about this weekend: •Hafis Road bottle shop will be closed Friday 9/28 and Saturday 9/29 •Ossington Brewpub will be closed Friday 9/28, but retail will remain open; regular hours on Ossington Saturday 9/29 •Remaining bottles from Witchstock will be available at Hafis on Sunday 9/30, and both bottle shops on Monday 10/01