Open Mondays
As Toronto returns to something approaching pre-pandemic normal we are extending our open hours to include Mondays from 4 pm to midnight.
Leah’s Beer School: Lesson 47
History of Oktoberfest The first Oktoberfest took place in 1810, a five-day celebration in honour of the wedding between Crown Prince Ludwig of Bavaria and Princess Therese of Sachsen-Hildburghausen. Abandoning regal tradition, the royals turned the wedding into a public event, inviting the people of Munich to celebrate the union in the fields in front of the city gates, where free food and beer flowed through the city. The “October Fests” concluded with a public horse race at a meadow between Munich and Sendling. The formerly unnamed meadow was given the name “Theresewiese,” or Theresa’s Meadow, still the official site of …
Take The Pub Home
If there is any silver lining to the pandemic, it is that you can now bring a bit of the pub home with you. We offer all of our brews and a list of a couple of dozen other choices for purchase to take with you. Please check out our offsale list.
Neighbourhood News
Where To Support Local This September C’est What is featured in the Old Town Newsletter this month: Back to the Office? Reconnect at C’est What? If you are headed back to the office this month, we have a great place for you to reconnect with your fellow workers: The C’est What Beer Garden. An outdoor temple of draught beer and good times in the fresh air at 94 The Esplanade. Featuring: Individual table heaters, a fire table, covered bar, TVs, and an open kitchen serving fresh grilled sandwiches. Contact Maggie, to book your group. I Heart Market Street You are encouraged …
Leah’s Beer School: Lesson 46
What is an Irish Red Ale? By the 18th century, Kilkenny was established as the brewing mecca in Ireland, as producing beer had become a commercially viable industry. Despite its commercial success, Irish brewers were constantly struggling financially and were forced to rely on their own ingenuity to lower production costs. In making stouts, brewers opted to use unmalted roasted barley over expensive black patent malt, giving the beer style its signature dry Irish character. Similarly, Irish brewers also offered their own interpretation on an English Bitter, popular in the mid-late 19th century, using unmalted roasted barley in place of …
Endless Summer?
Our beer garden at 94 The Esplanade, in the parking lot just down the lane from C’est What, is a great way to enjoy the great outdoors this summer without sacrificing creature comforts. It has all of the essentials: Draught beer, a summer fresh grilled sandwich menu, TVs, and canopies for shade and shelter from the occasional rain shower. Summer won’t last forever so take advantage of our little oasis while you can. Open daily at 4 PM and from noon on Saturdays. Closed Monday.
At The Festivals
C’est What Durham Brewing will be at the Roundhouse Beer Festival Saturday August 13 and at the Leslieville BeerFest Saturday August 27. We will also be wishing our friends at The Granite Brewery a happy 31st birthday on Thursday August 25 at their celebratory barbecue. If you happen to be attending any of these events, come by a say hello.
Leah’s Beer School: Lesson 45
What is Malt? Beer is comprised of four essential ingredients: water, malt, hops and yeast. While newly developed yeast strains and novel hop varieties are constantly at the forefront of beer news, the role of malt in beer is often understated. In reality, malt is the backbone, or essential support system, of beer. Malt can be derived from a variety of grains, but barley is the most frequently used grain in beer. Malt-based wort offers both sugars and nutrients that yeast requires for fermentation, hop bitterness relies on malt sweetness as a counterpoint to achieve balance. Starches contained in barley …
Pick Me Up, Take Me Away
One of the better outcomes of the pandemic is the change in rules that allows us to sell beer for take-away. We have a couple of dozen options including C’est What favourites like Mocha Porter and Hemp Haze from our Pickering brewery. Eclectic selection, reasonable pricing, and oh so convenient as you head out after meeting up with friends. This pick up line can never be overused.
Summer Garden Season
Summer is officially here and we are ready to embrace it. Our beer garden at 94 The Esplanade, in the parking lot just down the lane from C’est What, has all of the essentials: Draught beer, a summer fresh sandwich menu, TVs, and canopies for shade and shelter from the occasional rain shower. So, settle in with a Ginger Wheat beer and a grilled cheese with seasonal house-pickled vegetables to enjoy the great outdoors. Open daily at 4 PM and from noon on Saturdays. Closed Monday.
