When discussing my beer obsession with less beer savvy folks, one thing that always seems to confuse them (assuming I don’t bore them to death first) is my disappointment over the lack of American microbrews at the LCBO. Years of urban myths about Canadian beer being stronger than the stuff available south of the border and jokes about American suds being like making love in a canoe have brainwashed most people into believing that the USA is a complete wasteland when it comes to decent beer.

On the contrary, our American friends are on the forefront of the craft beer revolution, with over 1000 breweries making every beer style under the sun, and even creating new ones on a regular basis. No less than world renowned beer and whisky expert Michael Jackson declared on numerous occasions before his death last year that the American craft brewing scene is second to none, and microbrewers around the world - including here in Canada - are constantly looking to them for inspiration. Yet here in Ontario, we have access to a larger selection of mediocre lagers from Eastern Europe than to the innumerable fantastic beers that are being created just over the border.

Thankfully, things are starting to improve, as the LCBO will be adding a number of American craft beers to their general list through the spring and summer. One of the first to be arrive will be the flagship IPA from Southern Tier, a four year old brewery in Lakewood, NY (90 minutes south-west of Buffalo). While they haven’t been around for long, they’ve quickly developed a reputation as a great brewery, and their popularity amongst in-the-know Toronto beer geeks led local import agents Roland + Russell to start representing them in the province last year, first on a private order basis, and then cutting through the red tape to get them onto LCBO shelves.

Local beer drinkers should welcome the arrival, especially as the weather gets warmer, since Southern Tier IPA is an excellent example of the refreshing, hop-forward version of the style that is increasingly popular in the US. Pouring a ruddy and slightly hazy orange-amber colour, it has a big aroma of pine & spruce, orange zest, and some fruity malts in the background. The flavour is initially milder than might be expected based on the aroma, with caramel and nuts off the top, but some peppery notes come through in the middle, and the finish has a long and lingering hop character that will make you long for the next sip or gulp.

While it will likely be a couple of weeks before Southern Tier IPA arrives in stores, an advance taste can be had this Friday, April 25th at The Academy of Spherical Arts, when Roland + Russell along with Taste T.O. and The Bar Towel present a dinner pairing four Southern Tier beers - IPA, Porter, Phin & Matts Extraordinary Ale, and Raspberry Wheat - with four gourmet food courses. Southern Tier co-founder Phin DeMink and his brewmaster will be on hand to introduce the beers, and diners will be welcome to stick around after dinner to play pool on the Academy’s legendary tables. Visit the event details page on the Roland + Russell website for more information.