Ontario's craft beer scene has grown up over the years, columnist says

On The Coast beer columnist Rebecca Whyman usually keeps things local, but this week, she is highlighting that most exotic and mysterious of beer destinations: Ontario.

Well, maybe Ontario isn't that exotic or mysterious, but Whyman told On The Coast guest host Gloria Macarenko it has a lot to offer.

"It used to be that I didn't look forward to trips to Ontario because there just wasn't as much craft beer to choose from as I can find in Vancouver. Which is strange, as there are more craft breweries in Ontario than there are in British Columbia," she said.

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"I found most of the beer to be lagers and malty pale ales. Good beers, definitely, but there didn't seem to be as much experimentation going on. It felt to me like Ontario was way behind the West Coast in its craft beer revolution."

But on this trip, Whyman says craft brewers are embracing hoppier beers in a big way and also brewing a better variety.

But since you're probably not reading this from Ontario, Whyman kept her beer picks B.C. focused.

Powell Street Brewing's Simcoe Sour

"This is the fourth instalment in their series of kettle sours. It is dry-hopped with Simcoe hops to give it a whole lot of citrus and pine aromas. Very tart and refreshing! Six percent alcohol, available in 650 ml bottles at the tasting room and liquor stores, and on tap at the tasting room."

Main Street Brewing's Naked Fox IPA

"Tropical hop flavour with a piney finish. Nicely balanced malts and hops. It is a deceptive 6.8 percent so be careful with this one! Available in 650 ml bombers at the tasting room and liquor stores. Sometimes you can also find a cask version at the tasting room alongside the regular version."

Central City's Sour Kriek II

"Following up on the success of its Sour Brown I, this is a Belgian-style sour red ale, infused with cherries and aged for two years in Cabernet Sauvignon oak barrels and French oak foeders. Lots of cherry and oak notes in this tart beer. 10.8 percent alcohol, available in 750 ml bottles at private liquor stores."

With files from CBC Radio One's On The Coast