Craft Brewers’ Summer Gathering in Muskoka

An annual summer culinary event gets even bigger and better.

Explorers’ Edge is a region chock full of exceptional craft beer purveyors, including Lake of Bays Brewing Company, Muskoka Brewery, Highlander Brew Co.and Sawdust City Brewing Co. So what happens when a busy pub (and culinary hot spot) forms strong partnerships with said breweries, local food vendors, and bearded musicians? Join us Saturday, August 3, 2013 to see how the Griffin GastroPub has a good time at home in cottage country.

Kick of the August long-weekend style on Saturday from 1pm to 7pm at Annie Williams Park Bracebridge at the 5^th annual food, drink, and music festival, Griffin Session Muskoka. Previously known as Muskoka Beer Festival, we have seen the event grow to encompass cider, wine, and spirits (all local) as well. While beer is still the main event, our patrons have demanded a broader range of drink options and we have answered the call.

The delectable food comes from Savour Muskoka members, who will be offering high quality, hand-made bites as a precursor to their signature “Field to Fork” event on Sunday, August 11 at Johnston’s Cranberry Marsh in Bala (also home to Muskoka Lakes Winery).

Our entertainment includes great bearded Bluesmen (Alfie Smith, Dan Walsh, Sean Cotton), a tent shared by the Cottage Country Comedy Festival and beer education by the Ontario Craft Brewers Association. The breweries will compete in the wildly entertaining ‘Brewmasters Olympics’, and there will be a dunk tank on-site.

We also are excited to announce that we have four unique beers to taste at our Griffin booth. Sawdust City Brewing Co. partnered with three of our staff and one sponsor to create the amazing one-off brews.

If you’re looking for some evening fun on Saturday, join us for the after-party from 8pm to midnight at the Griffin Gastro Pub parking lot. There will be more bearded music as we wind down after a great fest!

Leading up to a great beer festival, visit Bracebridge on Friday, August 2nd as the town’s downtown comes alive at Midnight Madness. The Griffin Pub will be hosting a parking lot party from 8pm to midnight. Join us for great beers from Sawdust City and Lake of Bays Brewing Company, live music with Sean Cotton’s Doghouse. Oh yeah – and a food truck!

Lots to celebrate this August long-weekend in Ontario’s favourite summer destination and we hope you’ll join us in celebrating the craft brewers at the Griffin Session Muskoka. Cheers!

Guest Blogger: Curt Dunlop

Curt is the co-owner of the Griffin Gastropub in downtown Bracebridge and is a proponent of the philosophy, “Think globally, eat locally, and drink at The Griffin Gastropub.”