Mary T.
Yelp
I love unexpected experiences. I get to share two of them in this post, although the focus will ultimately be on Rouge River Brewing.
On Instagram, there is a Markham-based business account called Patterson's Pizza. It specializes in Neapolitan-style pies using fermented sourdough. Each week, there is a pizza lottery where, if you are selected, you get to place an order for pizza and more. The demand is insanely popular to place an order for pizza.
I have been trying for a while. Just before my trip to the Twin Cities, I gave it another try, not thinking that anything would happen. The person ahead of me who was selected couldn't make it. I felt like I had won the lottery because I was chosen!
The funny thing is that this pizza order was my third this week. I had had Pizza Hut and PizzaForno earlier. Could I do it and not get sick of more pizza? Yes!
I placed my order. The owner and pizza maker, Ian, was so nice. The pickup site is at Rouge River Brewing. I suspect that he also accesses the place's oven to make his creations. My pickup time was between 5 pm and 6:30 pm. I was so ready to pick up my food that day after work.
I pass by Rouge River Brewing often. It's on Bullock Drive, smack in front of a three-way intersection with stop signs. When I don't feel like driving along highway 7 between Markham Road and the western point of CF Markville Shopping Centre, Bullock Drive is my route.
Parking was atrocious. It was not only perfect weather for downing craft beer, but there were a bunch of dance moms with glammed-up girls and dudes looking at their souped-up cars with ridiculously huge spoilers in the lot. I found a parking spot in front of a business. It technically wasn't a parking spot. However, everyone else was parking in front of them, so I did the same. It required my dishing out my parallel parking skills, which have come in handy often these days.
I walked over. I liked the patio area outside the brewery. I walked in and it felt cozy. There was lots of wood, from the kegs of beer, to the countertops and tables.
At the bar area, I met Ian. He had my order ready. We chatted. Such a nice guy! I thanked him and wished him a great night.
In front of me was a beer menu on the wall. Pizza and beer sounds good on an evening full of hockey games. My inner voice was nudging me to get some beer. It's Friday. You deserve beer.
The nice woman at the bar helped me out. She asked if I liked IPAs. I do. She had me sample the Cookin' IPA. It was fantastic! My tastebuds woke up from the boredom of my driving over here drinking nothing. It was smooth and so good. It was different with a multitude of flavours thrown at me. I knew that I had to get a can.
I then asked about the Groovy Fruit beer. It's essentially a rainbow sherbert sour in beer form. It's a sour with key lime, raspberry, and cara cara orange puree. I had to have it. I was so happy with my two cans of beer.
I paid with a credit card. I added a tip. I tapped and was good.
I thanked the woman for all her help. She was wonderful. I left with boxes of carbs and more carbs in a drinkable format.
It helped that both cans were icy cold on a warm day. I would get both beers again. This brewery does a fine job crafting beer. The finish is lovely and there is so much flavour happening in each sip. I'm so proud that this place is in Markham. I wish that I had discovered it sooner, but better late than dead!
I'm a fan. I'm definitely coming back for more beer. I hope to dine in and figure out what food they offer here. The vibe is casual. It looks like there's live music here, too. Perfect!
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