Beer and spirits writer Stephen Beaumont is bringing his impressive resume to Wines In Niagara and we couldn’t be hoppier!
Beaumont will take a regional approach to the burgeoning beer and spirits industry unfolding in Niagara and surrounding area. His first column will be posted here on Nov. 16.
Beaumont joins a Wines In Niagara team that includes local food writer Michael Lowe, Ontario cider writer Tass Fraser, and, of course, all things wine in Niagara, Ontario and Canada.
“I’m incredibly excited that such a knowledgeable and respected writer such as Stephen will be providing his take on beer and spirits for Wines In Niagara,” said publisher of the site, Rick VanSickle. “I’ve admired his work for a long time, chased a lot of his recommendations, and consider him the authority on beer in Canada. Not only is Stephen a gifted writer, but he’s also a respected journalist in the drinks community.”
“One of the very few positive effects of this year’s lockdown is that it has forced me to focus more on local beers and spirits, and I’m very much liking what I’m tasting,” says Beaumont, “I’m delighted that Rick has agreed to provide me with an outlet so that I can share my discoveries with Wines In Niagara readers!”
Beaumont, above and very top photo, began writing about beer and spirits in 1990 and hasn’t stopped since. At last count, he has authored or co-authored 15 books, including 2019’s definitive Canadian distilleries guide, Canadian Spirits (with Christine Sismondo) and the new, fully revised and updated third edition of The World Atlas of Beer (with Tim Webb), expected out in North America in the spring of 2021.
Beaumont began his career writing the first-ever beer column to appear in a major Canadian daily, the aptly titled Brew for The Toronto Star, and has since gone on to write articles and columns for publications as diverse as Esquire, The Globe and Mail, Playboy, Food & Drink, and Wine Enthusiast. His column in Whisky Advocate, The Thinking Drinker, is the longest running feature in the magazine, now entering its 27th year.
Beaumont’s first book was 1994’s Great Canadian Beer Guide, which he reprised in 2001, each time covering every brewery in the country. He later applied his detailed knowledge of Canadian and international beer to the menu at Toronto’s beerbistro, which he helped open as co-owner and beverage director in 2003, six years later documenting that experience in The beerbistro Cookbook, co-written with chef and co-owner Brian Morin.
In normal times, Beaumont travels almost incessantly, researching breweries and distilleries and hosting tastings and dinners from Vancouver to Beijing and London to São Paulo. Recently, out of necessity and interest, his focus has grown more local, as he acquaints or reacquaints himself with the beers of Ontario’s over 400 operating breweries.
Beaumont is active on Twitter as @beaumontDrinks and also Instagram as @BeaumontDrinks, which is also the name of his website, BeaumontDrinks.com.
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