What's On Tap, Toronto - Volo

by Mike Pomranz, Posted Feb 25th 2009 @ 3:00PM

A weekly look at the draft selection at beer-friendly bars across the country (and this week, beyond).

It's been a couple weeks since I last dropped a "What's On Tap" post for inquisitive craft beer heads who can't travel across the entire country, so I figured I would have to go an extra mile to make it up to you. Hopefully using that extra mile to cross the U.S. border will do the trick as we take a look at the draft selection at Volo in Toronto, Ontario, Canada!

At the risk of offending some of our neighbors to the north, Toronto is probably Canada's most cosmopolitan city. One can only expect they have a few beer bars to back up such a reputation. Checking in at my old standbys -- BeerAdvocate and RateBeer -- a number of pubs got high marks. BeerBistro looks like it's worth a stop. And Smokeless Joe not only sounds like a healthy guy, he sounds like he has a healthy beer selection as well.

But both sites have Volo positioned at the very top of their lists. Seems like they way to go, right? Let's see what Volo has on tap...

King Pilsner, King Brewery.
Denison's Weissbier, Denison's Brewery
Tankhouse, Mill Street Brewery
10W30, Neustadt Springs Brewery
Double Chocolate Cherry Stout, Black Oak Brewery
West Coast PA, Church-Key Brewing Co.
Maple Porter, Nickle Brook Brewey
Amsterdam Framboise, Amsterdam Brewing Co.
John By Imperial Stout, Heritage Brewing Co.
Devils Pale Ale, Great Lakes Brewery
Delerium Tremens, Brouwerij Huyghe
Henry's Irish Ale, Publican House Brewery
Hop Head IPA, County Durham Brewery (Beer on Cask)

That's 12 taps and one cask selection: A bar that appears to subscribe to my "less is more if you pick 'em right" philosophy. And talk about keeping it local: 12 of their 13 drafts are Ontario beers. Even their West Coast Pale Ale and Amsterdam Framboise are from their home province!

Isn't it great to see a bar with such a strong local focus? It's like an entire Ontario brewery tour without leaving your barstool. It would certainly be refreshing to see more spots like this on U.S. soil. An outstanding craft selection from around the country and around the world is always great, but there's definitely something fun about plucking out the best beer from your own backyard.

Unfortunately, since I haven't spent much time in Ontario, I can't actually tell you much about most of these beers. Any Canadians interested in chiming in? What's your favorite on this list?

One thing I can tell you: Volo provides an RSS feed of what they keep on tap. There's something I'd like to see more of as well.

Volo is located at 587 Yonge St. in Toronto, ON, Canada. www.barvolo.com.

Source

Filed Under: Lists, What's On Tap?, Drink Recipes, Drinks
Tags: bar volo, beer, canada, canadian beers, ontario, ontario beers, speakin suds, toronto, toronto bars, toronto ontario, volo

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Reader comments (Page 1 of 1)

2-25-2009 @3:13PM Canadianfoodiegirl said... I don't go to Volo enough. This is a shame because a) It's got an impressive beer selection b) They run special beer appreciation events year round and c) I live nearby. Stumbling distance, actually.

I recommend going in the summer when the patio is open.
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3-06-2009 @3:57PM Monika said... Volo is excellent, although it can be a pain to find a beer you like -- it's hit and miss. But there's good food, and always an excellent beer around the corner. I'm just waiting for them to do an omelet and bacon special with their rauchbier.

It's a bit easier at Beer Bistro because they list their beer by flavor profiles. Then there's Abbot on the Hill, which has a small, but carefully selected beer list that is always delicious.
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