The event expects approximately 150 attendees and professionals to gather at Toronto’s Evergreen Brickworks happening March 28 and 29. The goal of this event is to help break down barriers that have limited the representation and advancement of the many underrepresented voices in the industry. With a focus on education, advocacy, and networking, this unconference is poised to become a major catalyst for progress in the Canadian hospitality industry.

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Now in its fourth year, Brewfest has fast become a Toronto winter festival favourite and the sense of occasion is increased in its new home which comes complete with fairy lights, an ice rink and a speak easy, if you can find it, that is.

With 19 brewers on sight and a beer list of hundreds more, there is so much to try across the festival. This year, I am very happy to say, I feel like the price point was finally spot on. Entry to the festival will cost you just over $20, or $30 if you want ten tokens to spend on tasters. This year there are tasters available from exhibiting brewers for as little as $1 which is a massive bargain. My insider tip is that the exhibiting brewers tend to be more cost efficient and gung-ho with their pours.

There are so many lagers, ales, stouts, IPAs, all of it, that it seems almost pointless to tell you my favourites, but I will anyway. I absolutely adored both festival offerings (a coco nib stout and a fruity spiced sour) from Black Lab Brewery, an East End darling. I also very much enjoyed Nicklebrock’s blood orange table beer and Oast House’s chestnut ale. The winner of the evening though was Muskoka Brewery as a whole. Their prices were great and their beers delicious. I loved the Black  Raspberry Thunder, a 6% Milkshake IPA and the Ginger Brewed Man, which was a surprise to me as it wasn’t on the original beer list.

Brewfest offers an Ecocup tasting glass with entry, but for those who want something a bit more commemorative there are glass tankards available for purchase, or as part of VIP entry.

Brewfest is obviously a place for beer lovers; there is even an opportunity to talk in depth with an expert onsite, but if you aren’t into beer there are a good number of ciders as well as wines and spirits on offer too.

There are food vendors, although I would have liked a few more as towards the later part of the night the lines were getting pretty long and there weren’t many areas to actually stand and eat your meal. I can recommend the vegan hotdog stand, but eating a hotdog with all the garnish whilst yielding a beer in the other hand is a pretty hard task and I think perhaps more tables were needed.

I wish Brewfest was offering Sunday day sessions as well as Saturday as I imagine the day session would be a slightly more chill affair. The evenings are a lot of fun with a pumping DJ and some impromptu dancing, but I can’t help but think many people in the city may enjoy a slow amble with their stout so I would recommend more day options to the festival in future!

All in all I spent roughly $25 after admission and managed to taste 8 different beers and eat a hotdog, which I think is pretty great. Plus also supporting local brewers and a cool festival? Well that’s priceless in my opinion.

Get your Brewfest tickets now.

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Toronto Light Fest at The Distillery District runs January 27 to March 12. This new event will fill the cobble stone lanes and buildings with lots of pretty lights including installations from artists locally and globally. We think this will be something pretty special and will make us emerge from our cocoons and into the warm glow of night lights.

Bundle up and head to The Beaches: for the second year of checking out the Winter Stations Art Installations. Dates are set for February 20 until March 27, 2017.  This free public exhibition dots the shoreline with art over the lifeguard tower and somehow makes winter more appealing and absolutely stunning.

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Baldwin Street: is teeming with foodies options so it will be easy to stumble upon something heartwarming whether it be a soul nourishing bowl of ramen to French and Mediterranean cuisine.

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Get School’d: at one of the fun workshops at the Gladstone Hotel. How about joining the Ukulele for Rookies class that will have you both somewhere over the rainbow in no time. Or join in the Chocolate & Beer pairings night! Then book a room.

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Explore artful hotel rooms: Gladstone Hotel’s incredible “Come Up To My Room” (CUTMR) design exhibition and events. Dubbed as the “alternative design event” the annual show encourages spatial exploration within the historic hotel. The event has featured the works of hundreds of artists and designers from Canada and abroad. January 19 to 22, 2017.

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Get Hooked: at a hands-on cooking class at Hooked Inc. Together you can learn how to shuck oysters, make chowder, or even learn Caribbean or Middle Eastern Fish cooking techniques.

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Get lei’d: well sort of! Warm up at one of the Tiki Bars in the city and escape the cold with a pineapple and coconut anything check out Miss Thing’s or The Shameful Tiki Room. Impress your date and learn some Hawaiian. Aloha au ai ‘oe (I love you).

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Spa date: is ideal at the Hammam Spa on King Street West has a steam room that is used by both men and women. Here you can unwind a busy day and maybe enjoy one of their signature services. Then relax in their candle lit lounge.

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Take a ferry ride: and head over to Ward’s Island and go for a stroll. Head towards the Rectory Cafe for a cozy brunch in this historical house. Open year round and makes for a memorable date.

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Walk in the Park: Take a beautiful walk through Sherwood Forest amongst the tall trees or wander through Evergreen Brick Works and you’d be amazed that you’re still in the city.

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Stroll through the Distillery District’s galleries and shops. Bring your love lock and add it to the permanent love sign. Explore the Toronto Christmas Market from November 18th until December 22nd with a hot cocoa surrounded by colourful lights.

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Editor’s Note: This post was updated for Winter 2016/2017 on December 4th, 2016.

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