TORONTO & PICKERING, ON – One of Toronto’s original craft beer bars and one of Ontario’s oldest craft breweries have announced that they have “turned [their] common-law marriage of convenience into a bigger commitment.”

C’est What has been offering Torontonians local beer and made-from-scratch comfort food since 1988, and for most of those years, its house beers have been produced at County Durham Brewing, which has been brewing British-style ales in Pickering since 1996.

The two have now officially joined forces, and are launching canned versions of beers that have previously been available on cask and draught under their respective labels.

First to be released is C’est What Al’s Cask Ale (4.3% abv), a long-time favourite at C’est What that is described as “an all-Cascade hopped, malt-forward, smooth, sessionable pale ale in the tradition of an English bitter.” In keeping with its name, the beer has a softer and less carbonated body similar to a cask ale thanks to the nitro-infused can.

Seven more beers will be following in coming months including:

C’est What Hemp Haze Juicy Pale Ale (5% abv) – “A new take on our traditional homegrown recipe which features toasted hemp seed in an unfiltered “juicy” style that shows subtlety is both bitterness and alcohol.” [June]

County Durham Extra Special Bitter (5.2% abv) – “A balanced English-style ale that is nitrogen-infused for a creamy, smooth reminder of your favourite local.” [July]

C’est What Ginger Wheat Ale (4.5% abv) – “A New World wheat beer that features a real ginger snap balanced by soothing green tea and aromatic blood orange.” [July]

County Durham Hop Addict Pale Ale (5.6% abv) – “Big left-coast hopping complements a malty loyalist backbone.” [July]

County Durham Red Dragon Red Ale (5.2% abv) – “An Irish-style Red with the hop forward character of an American IPA.” [August]

County Durham Blak Katt Stout (5.7% abv) – “A dry, Irish-style stout made with the goodness of oats.” [September]

C’est What Mocha Porter (5.6% abv) – “The love child of Coffee Porter and Steve’s Dreaded Chocolate Ale. A creamy, smooth, mellow roasted symphony of complementary flavours.” [September]

The canned version of Al’s Cask Ale debuted last week on the menu at the C’est What Beer Garden, located at Farquhars Lane and The Esplanade, just around the corner from the original bar/restaurant.

Cans of Al’s – and all future releases – are also available for takeout and delivery from C’est What (67 Front St. E., Toronto), and the brewery retail store at County Durham Brewing (1885 Clements Road, Pickering) when it opens on June 25th.

For more details, see the Brewery page on the C’est What website.

Source & Photo: C’est What