Collective Arts Brewing: Lunch Money

Collective Arts Brewing: Lunch Money

Hops: German Magnum, Centennial

ABV: 4.8%

IBU: 18

Available: Year-round

@untappd says: 3.46/5

Let’s discuss some Ontario Politics on the Windowsill today!

When conservative Doug Ford—yes, the brother of the embarrassing former Toronto mayor Rob Ford, who is no longer with us—won the election in April, he promised to lower the price of beer. This month, Buck-A-Beer was made official, and the price of beer went down, as promised. However, certain socially beneficial programs (like the basic income pilot program) began disappearing under the new conservative regime. Although paying $1 for beer might seem like a cool thing, the new policy is controversial. Many of Ontario’s craft breweries have decided not to participate—they can’t afford to sell their beer that cheap—and alcohol experts warn that lowering the price will lead to lots of terrible things, like hospitalizations, deaths, domestic violence, sexual assaults, etc.

Where do I stand? I think if the government is using sleight of hand to take away a programs that might benefit society by promising cheaper beer—and other superficial benefits—it’s is bad news. I stand with breweries like Collective Arts. I’d rather pay more for local, quality beer than support a program like this. I believe that you’re only as strong as your weakest link, and making that link stronger makes the whole chain stronger. I do, however, hope that the Ontario-based breweries not participating in Buck-A-Beer will find a way to donate money to organizations that will continue to benefit their province’s people. You can keep your $1 beers, Mr. Ford.

Today’s Windowsill beer is, appropriately enough, the Lunch Money—an American (Canadian?) blonde ale from Collective Arts Brewing. There’s not much to this brew. It’s an easy-drinking blonde ale brewed with German Magnum and Centennial hops. It’s crisp, refreshing and nice. Nothing special, but the Lunch Money is still definitely worth more than a dollar.

Check out a video of the label, and Collective Arts’ stance on Buck-A-Beer on my Instagram, now!

Collective Arts Brewing’s State of Mind: What Is a Session IPA?

images of beer–Collective Arts Brewing: State of Mind Session IPA

Have you heard the term “session IPA,” or “session beer” thrown around your local craft beer watering hole? Are you unsure of what it means, but too scared to ask, lest you be revealed as a beer novice? Don’t worry, I’m here to answer that question for you, and I’ll even recommend a delicious one with which to wet your whistle after you read.

If I’ve learned anything from my day job, it’s that, before the last 40 years or so, people were extremely dumb. From letting kids to play with plastic bags on their heads to smoking on airplanes to using led paint on baby toys, we used to do some stupid shit. The origin of the session beer is no different, it just takes place even earlier, when people were that much more idiotic. Continue reading “Collective Arts Brewing’s State of Mind: What Is a Session IPA?”