HomeMeet Liam Moat from Nickel Brook Brewing, Curator of Craft Beer Crate Vol. 6.
We’re excited to have Liam Moat from Nickel Brook curate the Biergärten Craft Beer Crate Vol.6
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The Steam Whistle Biergärten Craft Beer Crate was born out of the idea that the Craft Beer Community in Ontario is like a family. At Steam Whistle, we wanted to bring that family together to give our customers the opportunity to get a little more acquainted with some Craft Breweries that they may not know too much about. The Steam Whistle Biergärten Craft Beer Crate was designed by craft brewers for craft drinkers like you, each Craft Beer Crate is complete with 28 unique craft beers from over 10 different craft breweries. Every month, the Steam Whistle Biergärten invites another Ontario Craft Brewer to curate an exciting new lineup of beers for the Craft Beer Crate.
This month, we spoke with Liam Moat at Nickel Brook Brewing about the selection of beers he and his team chose to be included in the Steam Whistle Biergärten Craft Beer Crate Vol.6. Check it out!
Introduce yourself! Who are you? What do you do? How long have you been at Nickel Brook Brewing?“Me?… I’m just a cook…” Whoops, How did that completely obscure early 90s action movie quote get in there? If that doesn’t tell you exactly who I am then nothing will. My name is Liam I do a little bit of everything at Nickel Brook, but I’m mostly just making sure the marketing team is staying focused and on task (Don’t tell Jenn I said that, she’ll hurt me).
Tell us a bit about Nickel Brook Brewing! Nickel Brook and Craft Beer, grew up together. Brothers, John and Peter Romano founded Nickel Brook in 2005. The brewery was born out of a passion and love of craft & community. They didn’t always have the wisdom that they needed, in fact, sometimes they still don’t. Wisdom comes from experience and energy, and they always had lots of energy. We’re 15 years old now, so our wisdom has arrived and our team of energetic dreamers keeps pushing us forward. Some call us trailblazers… we’ll take that! We’ll also pass on our wisdom and tasty dreams to our friends, our Craft Beer family, and those who are still getting to know us.
The craft brewing community is a close-knit one, what are some of your favourite aspects aboutthe Craft Beer community in Ontario?I truly love how the craft beer industry is encouraging people to start having conversations around racism, discrimination, and harassment. These issues have gone on for way too long, not only within the craft brewing industry but beyond these walls and in our everyday lives. I applaud all those breweries who take a stance on social injustice issues and aren’t afraid to speak how they feel, and what their brand stands for. In the words of a good friend of mine “We don’t simply accept difference, we applaud it, we support it and we believe it is necessary for the benefit of our team, our beers and our community. If this is not your belief, then we kindly ask that you enjoy a beer elsewhere”.
What made you want to join Steam Whistle in the curation of the Craft Beer Crate?Have you ever tried to say “no” to Lindsey Cassel? It’s nearly impossible. But in all seriousness, this idea is such a fun, and creative way for breweries to collaborate, which ultimately is the benefit of the consumer. It’s almost like a Beer Festival in a crate! What isn’t fun about that? We get to put work aside and become fans of our own industry again by choosing beers that not only inspire us but keep us loving what we do.
What inspiration did you have while curating the Craft Beer Crate?I’ll let you in on a little secret. These beers were chosen selfishly, and it’s what we at Nickel Brook want to drink on a regular basis. There’s a good mix of high & low alcohol, fruity, sour, easy, complex, far away, and just down the street. It’s a mix that will (hopefully) keep things interesting, and designed to show what Ontario craft beer is all about – innovation!
Would you recommend drinking the crate in a specific order?I’m not going to tell you how to drink or not drink this crate, that’s part of the fun. But if it were me, I recommend putting a blindfold on and pulling a beer out by chance (FUN!)! Oh, and best enjoyed with friends at the beach, or backyard BBQ – following provincial guidelines of course. Or, you could keep it all to yourself if you don’t have friends, that’s cool too!!
What do you consider when developing a mix pack?He drinks a Whiskey drink, he drinks a Vodka drink
He drinks a Lager drink, he drinks a Cider drink
He sings the songs that remind him of the good times
He sings the songs that remind him of the better times
Are there any other beers from other local breweries that you would have liked to include in thecrate that just couldn’t fit?Oh, so many! It’s a cruel game we’re playing curating this crate. So many had to get cut for various reasons, but ultimately the goal was for people to discover new breweries and beverages Ontario has to offer. Ontario Breweries are doing incredible things, and the best is yet to come!
Some of these beers you chose are not available at the Beer Store or LCBO – making thepurchase of this crate even more exciting for customers. What beers are only available forpurchase at their breweries?Without Scouring the LCBO/Beer Store website, I have to assume most of them. Liquor Distribution in Ontario is a harsh mistress, so it’s not easy to find a lot of these beers at the store. I always encourage people to buy directly from the brewery. Not only will you get the freshest beer, but you’ll also discover beverages you didn’t even know they made! Drink local, support local!
What are your favourite beer snacks? What other snacks do you enjoy while sipping on some ofthese awesome Nickel Brook beers?As our brewer, Ben once said (every time he’s asked) “that beer would go great with a 5 cheese blend Mac N’ Cheese”. I on the other hand keep my beer snacks crispy and salty. All Dressed chips from Covered Bridge, or the Dill Pickle Chip Nuts from Picard’s Peanuts – these hit the spot with any beer!
What Nickel Brook beers would you pair with what snacks?LOST IN ORBIT HAZY IPA: Two beef patties (or one), melty cheese, pickles, onions, the works… between two soft brioche buns? Yes please! Wash that down with the soft guava and tangerine notes from a Lost In Orbit. Gotta have the Cheeseburger at Cantina Mercatto with this tasty beverage. Find them at 20 Wellington St. East Toronto, ON M5E 1C5
Wicked Awesome IPA: Hands down the Classic Buffalo wings at The Dizzy go so well with a cold Wicked Awesome. There are amazing things in this world, and this pairing is one of them. Find them at 305 Roncesvalles Ave. Toronto, ON M6R 2M3
Head Stock IPA: If I could eat fish and chips every day I would, but I know that’s probably not good for me. That’s why when I do get the opportunity, I always go to 817 Sports Bar to get my fix. That perfectly crispy golden batter paired with the bitterness of a headstock just hits the spot every time. Find them at 817 Queen St W, Toronto, ON M6J 1G1
Naughty Neighbour APA: Alright if I HAVE to do one healthy option, I’m headed over to The Local for their Mediterranean Quinoa Salad. Something about that vinaigrette and feta cheese crumbles on top that makes the grapefruit from Naughty Neighbour really shine. It’s a light easy beer, perfectly paired with a hearty salad. Find them at 396 Roncesvalles Ave, Toronto, ON M6R 2M9
No Bad Daze Lager: This one is a no-brainer, but could be news for some. The Crispy Chicken Sandwich at Tall Boys is a work of art. Pair it with an ice-cold No Bad Daze Lager, well… I think you get the picture. Crispy battered Chicken, Creamy slaw, pickles, hot sauce on the side or on top, and wash that baby down with the crisp light golden slightly grassy finish of a No Bad Daze lager….Magic. You can find them at 838 Bloor St W, Toronto, ON M6G 1M2
To learn more about Nickel Brook Brewing, visit their website and follow them on Instagram.
***The Biergärten Craft Crate Vol.6 will be available on July 13th at 12 pm! Visit our Marketplace here to browse our artisanal Biergärten products.
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