Breweries from Whitby to Hamilton celebrate newest Beertown Public House with ‘First Pour’ event

The beauty of the craft beer vibe is the sense of collaboration that is at its heart, an ethos not always common in the bars and restaurants that carry the breweries’ ales and lagers.

Enter Beertown in Whitby to throw that notion out to the street, with no less than 14 breweries from around Ontario – including three from Whitby – helping the restaurant celebrate its grand opening  last weekend at the Whitby Entertainment Centrum on Consumers Drive.

The festivities began on August 16 with a ceremonial ‘first pour’ event, bringing together brewery owners, brewmasters, and staff from across the province to celebrate the newest Beertown Public House, the 11th location of the Charcoal Group’s popular craft beer restaurant brand.

“One of my favorite things about Beertown Public House is the longstanding friendships we forge with our brewery partners,” said Charcoal Group Beer & Beverage Director Jennifer Tamse. “Bringing these breweries together for a ‘first pour’ to debut their fantastic beers in Whitby felt truly magical. As the newest members of the Whitby beer community, we are committed to ensuring every beer we pour is just as the brewmaster intended.”

The event featured brews from local breweries Little Beasts, 5 Paddles and Town, as well as Ontario brewing icons like Collective Arts of Hamilton.

“Beertown has become a beer & food institution, period. We are beyond proud to have Collective Arts Life in the Clouds New England IPA pouring on opening day,” said Collective Arts Head of Sales Daniel Johnston. “We value community and creativity – and Beertown has always embodied both.”

Each brewery brought a unique brew to the tap, showcasing the rich diversity of the Ontario craft beer scene, something the local brewers were excited about.

“Beertown is a fantastic addition to our local restaurant and craft beer scene. Great food is always enjoyable, but when paired with better beer, it elevates the entire dining experience,” noted Little Beasts owner and Chief Financial Officer Cherie Kerr.

5 Paddles owner Tristan Jeanneault summed up the community pride sentiment, saying it was “awesome” to join other great craft brewers at the first pour. “We are thrilled to finally have them in our own backyard.”

Other breweries in attendance included Fairweather of Hamilton, Nickel Brook of Burlington’s Funk Lab, Third Moon of Milton, Toronto’s Bellwoods, Amsterdam and Mill Street, Muddy York of Stouffville, Cowbell of Blythe and McLelland Premium Imports.

With a 5,145-square-foot dining room and an 806-square-foot patio, Beertown Whitby promises to be a new hotspot for craft beer lovers in Whitby and the surrounding areas. The location will feature Beertown’s signature ‘Collaboration Nation’ offerings, including their latest international collaboration with Short Finger Brewing of Kitchener: French Fuse.

The eclectic menu includes appetizers like Truffle Parm Fries and Mongolian Pork Belly Sliders; soups, salads and bowls (including an Asian Salmon Bowl); mains such as Beertown Pad Thai, Mahogany Chicken Wraps, Scampi Rose Linguine and Fish Tacos; and burgers and sandwiches for days. Gluten-free and plant-based menus are also available.

Charcoal Group, with 65 years in the hospitality industry, also includes Solé Uptown, The Charcoal Steakhouse, Martini’s, Dels Italian Kitchen, Wildcraft Grill & Long Bar, The Bauer Kitchen, The Bauer Bakery & Café, Moose Winooski’s and Sociable Kitchen & Tavern, along with ten other Beertown Public House locations.

1. Beertown Whitby