Flying Monkeys Craft Brewery 5
FEATURE: An Interview with Marissa Bégin from Flying Monkeys Craft Brewery
With the National Capital Craft Beer Festival on the horizon we thought it would be fun to preview some of the breweries making an appearance at the three day festival (August 15-17, 2014, Marion Dewar Plaza).
Flying in from Barrie, Ontario is the brewery with the flashy colours, crazy bottle art and the slogan – "normal is weird". Flying Monkeys Craft Brewery is now known for their big full flavoured beer now, but once upon a time they were known as the Robert Simpson Brewing Company and their beers (and logo) were almost a bit too ordinary. This year they're making a big splash at National Capital Craft Beer Festival and the Ottawa rep, Marissa Bégin, has let us in on what they have in store.
Ottawa Beer Events: Can you tell us a bit about the history of Flying Monkeys Brewery? How did it get started?
Marissa Bégin (Flying Monkeys Craft Brewery): Flying Monkeys started with
Peter's love of homebrewing! In 1981 Peter brewed his first beer in his grandfather's basement then a few years later he built his own home brew system. In 2001 his family turned their garage into a pilot brewery then a year later they started to break ground on construction of the new brewery. We were actually supposed to be called 'Simcoe Steam Brewery' but due to a potential lawsuit, we named ourselves Robert Simpson Brewery after Barrie's first Mayor. In 2008 we changed our name to Flying Monkeys Craft Brewery after Peter was inspired by a sign on his back porch that said, 'Don't Make me Get My Flying Monkeys'. Our mission is to brew fearlessly and challenge normal so the name seems to suit.
What are your flagship beers?
We have six flagship beers: Smashbomb Atomic IPA (Ontario's first West-coast style IPA), Hoptical Illusion Almost Pale Ale, Anti Gravity Light LAGER, Flying Monkeys Amber Ale, Netherworld Cascadian Dark Ale (now a seasonal which you'll be seeing in the fall) and our newest addition, Genius of Suburbia Session Ale.
What are some of your bigger beers that maybe aren't as well known?
Oh wow that's a BIG question. We actually have a ton of bigger beers that a lot of people never see down this way. We do a lot of pilot projects which are generally our extreme beers. Our Belgian Blend IIPA was absolutely delicious it held up at 9.4%, then we also had The Wolf (Dentist Stenson) which was a Barley Wine that came in at 14%. Now we do have some big beers you may have to hunt for but do/have come down this way; The Matador, The Matador 2.0, Green Man, & the newest release to the LCBO was Shoulders of Giants.
Which beers will you be showcasing at the National Capital Craft Beer Festival this weekend?
We have lots in store for this weekend! We're bringing our 10 tap bar which includes 5 of our core brands as well as 5 specialty beers. Most people will remember Orange Mungus (which we're bringing back) and we'll also have a lemonade! For a big beer we're bringing Sonic Elegance, our Belgian Imperial AND not one, but TWO pilot projects, but I'm going to keep those a secret… can't give away all of our surprises.
If we could only sample one Flying Monkey's beer at the festival, which one should it be?
If you could sample one of Flying Monkeys beer at the festival it should probably be one our pilot projects because really you can't get them anywhere else!
You can follow Flying Monkey's Craft Brewery on Twitter (@Flying Monkeys) or on Facebook (Flying Monkeys Craft Brewery).
TAP TAKEOVER: Kichesippi Beer Co. & Flying Monkeys at Corner Bar & Grill
Corner Bar & Grill Westboro (344 Richmond Road) – starts at 6pm, first come first serve.
FEATURE: Christmas Gifts for the Beer Lover – Last-minute gift ideas
With only 2 weeks left until Christmas it's time to pick up those last minute gifts. To conclude our Holiday gift giving series, we've compiled a list of some last minute gift ideas for that special beer-loving someone on your list.
Givopoly.com has Ottawa's best gifts with a fast and friendly gift delivery service serving the greater Ottawa area. We provide next day all occasion gifts delivery 7 days a week. Our gift concierge service works with locally owned businesses to ensure your contributions benefit our community. The dedicated team at Givopoly is working hard to help you save time and shop local.
From Beau's to Big Rig, Beer Soap to Beer Chutney, Givopoly has a great range of gifts for everyone on your list!
Brew Donkey is a craft beer focused liquor delivery service licensed by the AGCO to deliver all of the craft beer that the Ottawa Region has to offer. Their love of craft beer naturally extended to educating people about the amazing options that are available in our area. They offer brewery tours that highlight the local craft beer scene: brewing, brewpubs, and beer bars
You can pick up a gift certificate on their website for Brew tours, growler deliveries or craft beer swag.
Located in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada our team of caring professionals has been designing gift baskets in Canada for 25 years. That creative lineage is translated into each and every basket we design. We have a love of designing and creating with traditional, contemporary and unique products and containers. Our joy in what we do results in every gift basket being an exceptionally unique presentation.
Each basket is tailor-made to fit your occasion, and our bows and decorations add a real hand made and special feel to each basket. We are known throughout Canada for our custom designs and fabulous presentations.
With gift baskets from Beaus, Flying Monkeys and Wellington Brewery to name a few, you'll make the beer lover on your list very happy.
Beer Glasses – Half Full Glassware 
HALF FULL Glassware and Accessories in Westbor0 provides for consumers who look beyond basic entry-level products and who rather seek expressions of their individual personality and style
Although beer glassware can be purchased at multiple locations across the Ottawa Region, Half Full Glassware and Accesories has an impressive selection of hard to find beer glasses to add to the beer connaiseur's collection.
Versatile Coasters is the brainchild of the husband and wife team of Dan and Kelly Fallak. They found a creative way to transfer instagram images to stone coasters and the rest is history.
The have a range of stock coasters for the beer lover – however you can also order custom coasters or give the gift of a giftcard for that hard to shop for beer lover!
Naturally rich shea and cocoa butters are combined with olive, and castor oil to make this moisturizing yet cleansing bar. Gently scented with only it’s ingredients, this soap is nonirritating and perfect for those with sensitive or dry skin. The addition of real, locally brewed, Bierbrier Ale, boost lather, nutrients and gives it its signature scent. Try it, you’re going to love it!
We hope our gift ideas have helped you check the beer lovers off your list! Happy Holidays and have a beer-y Christmas!!!
BEER FESTIVAL: The Ottawa Brewery Market // October Edition
Join us Sunday, October 20 at Parkdale Park for the triumphant, suds-soaked, final return of the Ottawa Brewery Market!
Fill up on hometown pride by helping us empty kegs served by Ashton
Brew Pub, Clocktower Brew Pub, Kichesippi, Mill Street Brewery,
HogsBack, Whitewater and Barley Days. Flying Monkeys will be there
representing the lovely Muskoka and tapping cold ones too.
Murray Street + Absinthe will be back with their amazing beef + veggie burgers.
FREE admission.
We will be pouring rain or shine.
Children welcome — park features a wonderful play area.
Proceeds support Ottawa Riverkeeper — because you can't make great beer without clean water.
See more info at www.brewerymarket.com.
