Those who know me well, even those who don't cause I usually make it known, I'm a cider drinker. I discovered my love for the beverage while living in England back in 2004. Many pubs had local ciders and scrumpies available on tap, I never had to drink the same thing twice (but of course I did). Returning to Canada I could only find Strongbow in a can. I still don't mind drinking Strongbow now and again, but I'm super loving this craft cider development that has been going down in this city for the past few years. The TO Cider Fest has definitely come around at the right time, selling out sessions all three years they've been running. Just like for me, I think the festival is becoming one of Toronto's must do summer activities.
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| One of the pairings: pulled pork taco with Brickworks 501 |
This year, as part of a media package, I attended the VIP pairing session, which took place from 5-6pm, an hour before the general admission of the evening session.
The pairing consisted of 3 'courses' with food and cider provided by Brickworks Ciderhouse. It was a little disorganized and some servers appeared to be a bit frustrated, you know how people get with food, but with a little pro-action everyone got their food and pairing samples. I've tried all of the Brickworks samples before with the exception of the Mint and Basil Cider and whoooo boy was it ever good. It was paired with a crostini topped by apple, brie and prosciutto.
Next was a pear and goat cheese salad, paired with their pear cider. Last was the pork taco paired with the Brickworks 501.
The theme for this year's fest, like many things this year, was Canada 150 in honour of this fair country's confederation.
Maple leaves, cottage games, a campfire, a photo booth with a canoe, a lakeside location and sharing what 'being Canadian means to you' were some of the things present this year that pulled this theme together. The atmosphere is super chill; uber urban-city-summer meets cottage country.
This year's fest was the biggest one to date and the largest one of its kind in Canada with over 70 cider tastings offered by a variety (28!) of local and international vendors. It's a fun place to try new ciders and talk to the passionate people who actually make them.
We left the fest already looking forward to next year's event--actually we left the event looking for more poutine, but the excitement for next year's event soon followed.
*full disclosure* The VIP admissions for myself and a friend was complimentary from TO Cider Fest. Opinions are entirely my own.
Maple leaves, cottage games, a campfire, a photo booth with a canoe, a lakeside location and sharing what 'being Canadian means to you' were some of the things present this year that pulled this theme together. The atmosphere is super chill; uber urban-city-summer meets cottage country.
This year's fest was the biggest one to date and the largest one of its kind in Canada with over 70 cider tastings offered by a variety (28!) of local and international vendors. It's a fun place to try new ciders and talk to the passionate people who actually make them.
Regular session tickets cost $30 and with it you receive a commemorative sampling mug, 4 drink tokens plus access to live entertainment, contests, games and some sweet food trucks.
Along with all the games and tastings there is entertainment. During the afternoon session was an art battle where artists have 20 minutes to produce a painting and the evening session had a flair competition (think Tom Cruise in Cocktail).
The location was new this year, moving from Dundas Square, which had been the home for the past two years, to Sherbourne Common (near Sugar Beach) along the waterfront. It's a bigger, greener space that didn't feel too big nor too cramped with the size of the crowd. I always love being able to see the lake when I'm in the city, so this location was ideal for grabbing a cider sample and finding a Muskoka chair to admire the view from. (Same complaint as last year though, more Muskoka chairs!)
Along with all the games and tastings there is entertainment. During the afternoon session was an art battle where artists have 20 minutes to produce a painting and the evening session had a flair competition (think Tom Cruise in Cocktail).
The location was new this year, moving from Dundas Square, which had been the home for the past two years, to Sherbourne Common (near Sugar Beach) along the waterfront. It's a bigger, greener space that didn't feel too big nor too cramped with the size of the crowd. I always love being able to see the lake when I'm in the city, so this location was ideal for grabbing a cider sample and finding a Muskoka chair to admire the view from. (Same complaint as last year though, more Muskoka chairs!)
*full disclosure* The VIP admissions for myself and a friend was complimentary from TO Cider Fest. Opinions are entirely my own.
Yay Cider Fest!!
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