TORONTO, ON – Henderson Brewing has announced details of the latest in its Ides Series of monthly limited edition beers, with this month’s release paying tribute to one of Canada’s most famous artists, as well as one of Toronto’s most iconic buildings.
Target Practice is a 7% abv Belgian blonde ale brewed with Niagara cherries that is inspired by Group of Seven founder Lawren Harris, and Hart House on the University of Toronto campus, as explained in this background story:
Lawren Harris is best known for the northern scenes in his paintings, but he lived much of his life in downtown Toronto, attended Central Technical High School and – in 1917 – served as a Gunnery Lieutenant in the Canadian Officers Training Corps headquartered at UofT’s Hart House during its construction. While stationed there, he painted a 30’ x 16’ 3D set of a ruined Belgian village on what would soon become the Hart House Theatre stage. Marionettes of enemy soldiers were employed on the set for target practice so that soldiers-in-training standing behind sandbags at the back of the auditorium could shoot them – and Harris’ painting – to pieces.
As for the beer itself, it’s described as follows:
To commemorate great talent used for a good cause, we brewed this Belgian blonde ale with tart Niagara cherries. It’s a delicious merger of Canadian and Belgian, with notes of cracker, spice, banana, and citrus, and a subtle cherry flavour that’s sure to win you over.
Target Practice will be launched this Friday September 15th at 6:00 PM at the brewery (128A Sterling Road, Toronto), with free tasters along with samples of a new gelato made by the neighbouring Drake Commissary using the same cherries as the beer.
Following the launch, Target Practice will be available in 650 ml bottles and on tap at Henderson while supplies last.