London Tap House

[fastcarsfreedom]

I've been through the brewhouse in Creemore several times--it's worth it if you're up in the Wasaga Beach/Collingwood/Huronia area--it's in a reno-ed hardware store with hardwood floors--Creemore's a beautiful town in a beautiful part of Ontario. The tour is informative (warm as hell if you go in the summer)--and if you're 19+ you get a little sippy-cup of pilsner at the end...nice folks up there, check it out. I tried the urBock last year, it was great.

There is nothing wrong, of course, with mass produced pasturized beer--it's perfectly acceptable--but the purity of taste of the all-natural product is incredible. The trick with Creemore is to keep it cold at all times and consume it within 6 weeks of buying it--I suspect the canned varied has a longer shelf life, not sure.

I don't know much about Rickards or it's formulation--aside from the fact that it's terrible--I'd bathe in Canadian before I'd drink that Rickards swill--it was hot when I was in University and I could never understand it's appeal. I do recall the Molson v. Labatt scuffle over Kokanee--Labatt had owned Columbia Brewing (Kokanee's maker) since the mid 1970s--but when it expanded the brand nationally it began selling "Kokanee" in Ontario that was not BC-sourced and didn't contain mountain stream water as the genuine article did--hence Molson ran full-page ads that said "BC or BS?" pointing out that "Kokanee-BC's Mountain Beer" was being cranked out in London, Ontario using muncipal-source water. Labatt ultimately took the "BC" descriptor off the label--and--I believe (but am not certain)--that all the brewing went back to BC, and out of London.

[FairHamilton]

Not anti-Molson indignation, just a statement of fact.

Hey, the first keg of beer I got for my 1947 Fridigaire keg fridge was a keg of Creemore. That was before the Molson purchase, and besides the fact Creemore was a pain-in-the-ass to deal with to get (and return) the keg, the beer was fine.

Fact remains something changes when a micro-brew is gobbled up by a major. The change may only be perception, but sometimes that's enough.

[beanmedic]

Originally Posted by fastcarsfreedom

I've been through the brewhouse in Creemore several times--it's worth it if you're up in the Wasaga Beach/Collingwood/Huronia area--it's in a reno-ed hardware store with hardwood floors--Creemore's a beautiful town in a beautiful part of Ontario. The tour is informative (warm as hell if you go in the summer)--and if you're 19+ you get a little sippy-cup of pilsner at the end...nice folks up there, check it out. I tried the urBock last year, it was great.

There is nothing wrong, of course, with mass produced pasturized beer--it's perfectly acceptable--but the purity of taste of the all-natural product is incredible. The trick with Creemore is to keep it cold at all times and consume it within 6 weeks of buying it--I suspect the canned varied has a longer shelf life, not sure.

I don't know much about Rickards or it's formulation--aside from the fact that it's terrible--I'd bathe in Canadian before I'd drink that Rickards swill--it was hot when I was in University and I could never understand it's appeal. I do recall the Molson v. Labatt scuffle over Kokanee--Labatt had owned Columbia Brewing (Kokanee's maker) since the mid 1970s--but when it expanded the brand nationally it began selling "Kokanee" in Ontario that was not BC-sourced and didn't contain mountain stream water as the genuine article did--hence Molson ran full-page ads that said "BC or BS?" pointing out that "Kokanee-BC's Mountain Beer" was being cranked out in London, Ontario using muncipal-source water. Labatt ultimately took the "BC" descriptor off the label--and--I believe (but am not certain)--that all the brewing went back to BC, and out of London.

from what I understand, rickard's red is molson export with caramel added to the wort

[highwater]

Originally Posted by beanmedic

from what I understand, rickard's red is molson export with caramel added to the wort

[DC83]

Here's my review:

Sat on the rooftop at the Main/John corner on one of the tall bar tables which were really comfy. Oh ya, the view was pretty damn awesome, too!! haha The rooftop was probably about 80% filled, but this was a little later around 8pm.

Service was great. Friendly servers, knowledgable staff. Our Hostess even gave us a tour of the bldg while bringing us up to the roof. 'Security' opens doors for you which makes a Hamiltonian feel pretty special! haha The place is gorgeous inside! I LOVE how they decided to stick w/ the exposed stone walls.

I ate the Butter Chicken Wings which were awesome, and my bro had the Grilled Thai Chicken Wrap which I would also recommend. OH and a loaf of garlic cheese bread for the two of us. After all that and a beer each, it came to only $32! What a deal! I was expecting the place to be super expensive (I bet the drinks in the club are tho haha).

Key Point: GO!!!! You'll love it! Even if you sit in the downstairs resto, it's worth it. What a fantastic addition to this city and Downtown especially. I want to meet these guys and bow down to them. I didn't think they'd make this place so 'Hamiltonian', but alas they succeeded!

[raisethehammer]

awesome review DC!! I'm going tonight to check it out!
the more stuff like this that happens downtown, the better.
I bet the Spec HATED printing that piece last week where the LTH guys did nothing but rave about downtown Hamilton! As downtown continues it's recent turnaround, it will attract more and more development and shut-up all the naysayers in our media (and on boards like this hopefully).

[fastcarsfreedom]

Excellent review--great to hear that the place is doing so well. What Hamilton needs more than anything else, is the repetition of this sort of investment/development--these are the businesses and the people who will rebuild the core block-by-block.

[HAMRetrofit]

I look forward to visiting this place this weekend on my trip into Hamilton. Are reservations needed for rooftop patio?

[raisethehammer]

WOW!!! Just got back from LTH. AMAZING!
I had a "Hamilton moment" while waiting for a friend to arrive.
I was in the front bar area watching the Jays and admiring the place. It was dusk and the speeding ( I emphasize 'speeding') lights of Main St actually had a cool, urban vibe to them coming past the windows. On the TV screens the TD commercial filmed in Gore Park came on. Then, it hit me - Hamilton rocks!!
Being in there tonight and seeing the crowds, the laughter, the fun...it was awesome.
I wanted to go find every suburban squelcher and not say a word to them (which I'm sure they'd appreciate. lol), but just bring them down and have them stay for the evening.
Nobody can say that downtown is dead when you see this place.
Dead downtowns don't ever get this sort of development.
Dead downtowns don't fill up this sort of place with the urban, hip, professional types that were crawling through it tonight.
If Stinson wants to sell condos, he needs to advertise the heck out of LTH clientele.
This was a great night...one that made me proud to call Downtown Hamilton home.

[JT Jacobs]

Originally Posted by raisethehammer

WOW!!! Just got back from LTH. AMAZING!
I had a "Hamilton moment" while waiting for a friend to arrive.
I was in the front bar area watching the Jays and admiring the place. It was dusk and the speeding ( I emphasize 'speeding') lights of Main St actually had a cool, urban vibe to them coming past the windows. On the TV screens the TD commercial filmed in Gore Park came on. Then, it hit me - Hamilton rocks!!
Being in there tonight and seeing the crowds, the laughter, the fun...it was awesome.
I wanted to go find every suburban squelcher and not say a word to them (which I'm sure they'd appreciate. lol), but just bring them down and have them stay for the evening.
Nobody can say that downtown is dead when you see this place.
Dead downtowns don't ever get this sort of development.
Dead downtowns don't fill up this sort of place with the urban, hip, professional types that were crawling through it tonight.
If Stinson wants to sell condos, he needs to advertise the heck out of LTH clientele.
This was a great night...one that made me proud to call Downtown Hamilton home.

I can feel your energy all the way out here, RTH! Awesome! I'm flying into Hamilton this Friday and one of the first things my wife and I will be doing is to check out the urban vibe at the LTH.

[raisethehammer]

Originally Posted by JT Jacobs

I can feel your energy all the way out here, RTH! Awesome! I'm flying into Hamilton this Friday and one of the first things my wife and I will be doing is to check out the urban vibe at the LTH.

Awesome! It's supposed to be 31 and sunny on Friday. Enjoy the patio!

[thistleclub]

Nightlife enthusiasts often find ragging on suburbanites is a bit tricky. They can be the most obnoxious components of a given scene, because they tend to behave like tourists. But the downtown club (and to a lesser extent bar) circuit has always been largely driven by suburbanites. It's their escape. The land above the escarpment isn't famed for its nightlife, generally managing no more than mini-mall bars and power centre "pubs". Stoney Creek and Burlington aren't doing much better (the latter lost the massive Kingdom/NRG in january, which was a boon for Hess Village, but recently gained the even-more-out-of-the-way Zu Bar, formerly Splash). It's a bit of an economic tango -- projects like LTH and areas like Hess Village inevitably seem to be sustained by suburban pocketbooks. This was the case in the era when Fever, Texas Border and Tailgate's were the extent of downtown nightlife, and it's true now. That doesn't make any of the developments any less significant.

BTW, the office space just east of LTH was lit up tonight and it looks great.

[fastcarsfreedom]

Ain't that the truth thistleclub...I love your point. I've lived almost my entire life in exurban and suburban areas--and have always loved the change of pace/scenery that comes with downtown nightlife--nothing beats it. People can live and love their suburban homes and still enjoy and patronize downtown--in fact, getting those folks downtown only means more nightlife, better venues, more jobs, etc. Now, your mention of Tailgates and The Border has got me doing some serious and painful reminiscing--wasted a lot of the latter years of my youth in those places--straining to watch Hockey Night In Canada through the smoke and my own beer-fueled myopia at The Border...does anyone remember when the downstairs at Tailgate's was called "Rockabilly's"? In addition to lifting my mood with your great reviews of the Tap House you've also reminded me of a lot of fun and carefree days as a kid bouncing around Downtown H.

[Jon Dalton]

Any updates on the draught status? I'm back in commission and should be there this friday.

[raisethehammer]

yea, that building next to LTH is friggin sweet! I looked in last night when it was all lit up.
would be a killer cafe/bistro/jazz club etc.....

[oldcoote]

Oh man,

I could go for a cold pint of Stella right about now.

[Jon Dalton]

I just remembered it's cheap beer night at Rebels Rock today. For anyone who likes real tap houses.

[DC83]

Originally Posted by oldcoote

Oh man,

I could go for a cold pint of Stella right about now.

No pints yet But they have bottles, luckily (awesome beer, ps)!

[IronWarrior]

Originally Posted by fastcarsfreedom

Ain't that the truth thistleclub...I love your point. I've lived almost my entire life in exurban and suburban areas--and have always loved the change of pace/scenery that comes with downtown nightlife--nothing beats it. People can live and love their suburban homes and still enjoy and patronize downtown--in fact, getting those folks downtown only means more nightlife, better venues, more jobs, etc. Now, your mention of Tailgates and The Border has got me doing some serious and painful reminiscing--wasted a lot of the latter years of my youth in those places--straining to watch Hockey Night In Canada through the smoke and my own beer-fueled myopia at The Border...does anyone remember when the downstairs at Tailgate's was called "Rockabilly's"? In addition to lifting my mood with your great reviews of the Tap House you've also reminded me of a lot of fun and carefree days as a kid bouncing around Downtown H.

I remember going to 'Rockabillys' and the Texas Border and Monopoli at the corner of Main and James which later became Sydicate nightclub, I remember it best as Monopoli..lol those spinning coins hanging from the ceiling and the Vault! that place had a great sound system! I could remember walking past city hall on my way there on a Friday nite and hearing the beats just rattles those windows of that old bank...to be young again....

[fastcarsfreedom]

Monopoli--wow...I hear you brother...went there a couple of times, at some point I had to cave in and own something other than jeans they heavily favored black there--a funny story the urbanists here will enjoy--I distinctly remember stopping to talk to someone in line once (I wasn't going in)...and was wearing my 'uniform' at the time of jeans, a plaid shirt and a ballcap--and a girl actually saying to me "Where are you from, Ancaster?"...

Mostly went to Rockabilly's and The Border--I think Rockabillys was Friday night, The Border was Saturday...I actually remember back in my pre-19 days when Tailgates first opened, downstairs was called Aztex...I think it was a nightclub with some sort of southwestern theme. Went to Fever once I think, it was a bit 'edgy' for me...and I remember someone there thinking I was plainclothes HWPD...the memories are very patchy...not sure if it's the passage of time or intoxicants at the time.

I can't believe NRG was still around...wow...as a kid reared in the burbs I remember thinking that place was utterly lame and a terrible and uninteresting location...only place I liked in Burlington was Emma's Back Porch. Heck, anyone remember Crobar in the westend?