Opening on Friday, August 5th with a free concert from Dragonette and featuring special edition casks, pints of our favourite microbrews, and samples from the big beer companies, we could not be more excited for Toronto’s Festival of Beer. From August 5-7th, 2011, the 17th year of the event shows off the vibrant beer culture of Ontario and beyond at Bandshell Park, Exhibition Place.

The festival is a beer lover’s dream: 50 Breweries in one room; because they know you dream of a bar with 50 beers on tap. A complimentary souvenir glass; because they know you feel guilty when you find a sticky pint glass in your purse in the morning. 20 of your favorite late night food establishments, because they know you need poutine and ice cream to make it through that 4th pint.

Toronto’s Festival of Beer also recognizes that 40-45% of attendees are women. To keep stereotypes under wraps (because midriff and bottle opening aren’t the only adjectives for women + beer) Mirella Amato of Beerology is hosting a Girl’s Guided Beer Tour on Sunday, August 7th, supported by the Festival. Forget those arrogant male directed beer commercials and educate yourself on the history of women in the industry. Get a tutored tasting of beers from around the world, attend an after Party sponsored by Rickard’s. Two tours are available: 2:30 and 3:30.

So here’s to a great way to celebrating Canadian beer culture! Buy your ticket, and until August, stay thirsty, girl-friend. 

http://www.beerfestival.ca/

~ Vanessa Brazeau