Celebrate with beer & cider

Winter holidays conjure up images of glasses sloshing with wine and tumblers filled with amber-coloured spirits—but just because it’s snowing outside doesn’t mean that summery sips are out of the question.

Steam Whistle The holidays can be stressful. Give (or get!) the gift of relaxation with Steam Whistle’s ingenious gift pack. It comes with six cans of Steam Whistle’s Premium Pilsner and—get this—a shower caddy with an adhesive backing. Throw in some bubble bath or soap on a rope and get ready to unwind. $26.95 at select LCBO locations. Henderson Holiday Crate Surprise the beer lovers on your list with a box full of tasty brews and local goodies. Each reusable crate comes with 20 of Henderson’s beers including award winners and a seasonal one-off. On top of that, there is an assortment of local pantry products made with Henderson ingredients including Drake Commissary Mustard, Ethica Coffee, and Spent Grains crisps, plus Henderson’s 2020 toque. Best of all, they deliver free anywhere within the GTA. $115 at the brewery or at hendersonbrewing.com/shop. Pommies Original Cider Nothing says the holidays like apple cider and Pommies Original is a Canadian classic. The semi-sweet (and sulphitefree) sip is made from nothing but the fresh-pressed juices of five different kinds of Ontario apples. Try it as a refreshing alternative to Champagne, use it as a cocktail mixer or pair it with a cheese plate. How d’ya like them apples? $3.40 at LCBO, Sobeys, Loblaws, Walmart, Longo’s and Metro. Henderson’s Pearson Express IPA This easy-drinking IPA— brewed as a tribute to the UP Express that runs past the Junction Triangle brewery all day long—delivers a mix of tropical fruit flavours with some oh-so-seasonal light pine and spice notes. $3.45 at the LCBO, Beer Store and select grocery stores, as well as at Henderson Brewing Co.