A boozy start to the school year with the Craft Beer Club
Note: Do not consume alcohol during class! That’s what Craft Beer Club and Call to the Bar nights are for. This article is for entertainment purposes only.
Has the start of the new school year got you feeling down and in need of a little pick-me-up? Can’t hold out until after class to start feeling warm and fuzzy? How about trying one of these delightful beverages, expertly paired with the class in which they will be most enjoyed (and most needed):
Criminal Law: Berry White (raspberry wheat ale), Sons of Kent
Perhaps you’re a 1L, struggling to keep up with your Crim readings, longing for a simpler time when you cared more about playgrounds and dinosaurs than wilful blindness and unlawful act manslaughter. If that sounds anything like you, then relax with a pint of this fruity wheat ale. With a light pink colour, aromas of raspberry and citrus, and only 4 percent ABV, this beer will make you feel like you’re a kid again, drinking from a juicebox. And kids don’t have to worry about starting their outlines. But since you might, this could make you feel better.
Legal Ethics: Delirium Tremens (blond ale), Brewery Huyghe
At 8.5 percent ABV, this beer is strong enough to help you push through anything—even an Ethics lecture that runs from 6:10pm-8pm on Monday nights. The golden colour and airy texture will help you pretend that Reading Week has come early and you’re relaxing somewhere far, far away. And who doesn’t need a bit of time away?
Administrative Law: Life in the Clouds (New England IPA), Collective Arts
Is your head in the clouds while you’re trying to understand Vavilov? Check out this hoppy, refreshing IPA to give you a brief respite while you’re recharging your brain power. Oh, and we won’t judge you if you pick this beer simply because of the pretty design on the can.
Any 8:30am course: Mezza Notte (espresso milk stout), Bar Volo
Sometimes the Cognomos gods shine their light upon you. Other times, they stick you in an 8:30am lecture like Law of Work or Canadian Income Tax. If you were up late the night before finishing your readings—or, let’s face it, scrolling through Instagram—then consider energizing yourself with this espresso milk stout to make it through the morning. With a smooth, creamy texture and a mildly sweet taste, this beer may even make you enjoy getting up for that 8:30.
Hegel’s Legal Philosophy: Westmalle Tripel (tripel ale), Westmalle Abbey
Complex. Esoteric. Made by monks. Almost as strong as some wines, if you’re looking to branch out at your next symposium. Much like one’s understanding of (or wrestle with) Hegel, its flavour develops over time, undergoing a secondary fermentation in the bottle. Available at Prenup Pub, it pairs exquisitely with sausages, apple pie, and sophisticated legal thought.
Bonus: Financial Crimes and Corporate Compliance: 2016 Civility Chardonnay, 16 Mile Cellar
Though not a beer, this pairing is too exceptional to overlook. The names of the wines from 16 Mile Cellar—such as Rebel, Renegade, Tenacity, and Incivility—are a nod to the owner Joseph Groia, a lawyer who became engaged in a prolonged legal battle against charges of incivility by the Law Society of Upper Canada. If you’re lucky, Professor Jull may once again invite Groia to speak to the class in person this semester (perhaps with a plug for his winery). Learn about being a zealous advocate for your client while you enjoy a glass from some “zealous” Niagara winemakers.
Abbey Butler and Alex Nyikos are Co-Presidents of the U of T Law Craft Beer Club
