The Regional Guide to Canadian Craft Breweries

The Wellington Brewery, located in Guelph, is an Ontario Pioneer in the craft brewing business having opened its doors for business in 1985. Founded by a trio of British-style cask-conditioned beer lovers, Wellington set out to produce fresh cask-conditioned ale for the Western Ontario draught beer market. Twenty years later, Wellington is still producing world-class "real" ale which is served on tap at pubs across the province. Wellington also produces a range of excellent bottled beer. These include the popular County Ale and the Arkell Best Bitter which are both also available on tap as cask-conditioned ale in select pubs. For a complete list of Wellington's product list, visit www.wellingtonbrewery.ca.

Cameron Howe opened the doors to his Toronto brewery in 1997. He quickly made a name for the company by packaging his beer in brightly coloured, square cases of 9 bottles, selling it with the endearing slogan "brewed by a connoisseur, instead of an accountant". Cameron's produces two beers, a Cream Ale and an award winning Auburn Ale (my favourite of the two). The Cream Ale is, appropriately, creamy with a fruity-caramel flavour. The Auburn Ale is darker and drier than the Cream Ale, with a pleasant toasted nut flavour. I particularly enjoy the Auburn Ale in the fall and early winter months. Visit Cameron's on-line at www.cameronsbrewing.com.

The Church-Key Brewing Company is located in Petherick's Corners on the outskirts of Campbellford. The brewery is situated in a renovated Methodist church which was originally built in 1878. John Graham purchased the church in 1999 and has been slowly building his business ever since. Churchkey's flagship ale is the Northumberland Ale which is a traditional Ontario ale. It's a flavourful beer that's refreshing on a hot day. Churchkey also produces the truly unique, award winning Holy Smoke Scotch Ale. The Holy Smoke Scotch Ale derives its smokey flavours from natural peat smoke and the addition of Scottish smoked whiskey malt. This is one to sip by the fire. Rounding out the trio of Church-Key's all-season beers is Liftlock Lager which was developed to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the Peterborough Liftlock in 2004. Church-Key also produces 3 excellent seasonal ales including the delicious Decadent Coffee Porter, the flavourful Ginger Rosemary Spiced Ale and the Cranberry Maple Wheat, flavoured with local cranberries and maple syrup. Church-Key is available in bottles from the brewery and on tap from area pubs. You can pay them a visit on-line at www.churchkeybrewing.com.