Ever since our son took his certified brewer training we have become a family of craft beer aficionados. I am the lone holdout, preferring my glass of red wine, for medicinal purposes of course!

As a result, we happen to know of Nicole Berry, the sole owner and operator of Peg Beer Company. I have watched the renovation process of the building, which was the former home of an indoor skate park, in the Exchange District by following Nicole on Twitter. Her birthing pains have paid off because the rustic/modern interior is a beautiful , sleek space perfect for the neighbourhood and a venture of this kind.

The evening we sampled the fare, the three beer drinkers in our group were duly impressed with the offerings, but they did indicate that they were really looking forward to the time when Peg Beer Company will be serving their own beer. We understand that this will be in the upcoming months.

But, to the food! The menu is compact which I appreciate. I prefer when a few items are done exceptionally well rather than a bevy of options that are perfunctory. In the case of the Peg Beer Company, less is indeed more.

We all chose flatbreads and the hits were the Roasted Beet and the Bacon and Egg. The former started with a smear of cream sauce and in addition to the delectable roasted beets, it was adorned with ham, mozzarella and a drizzling of dill oil.

The bacon & egg flatbread was my favourite, reminding me (and I mean this as the highest compliment) of by gone days when my family would order the thin crust Gondola pizza with bacon. Gondola’s sauce was used sparingly and the bacon was cooked on top of the cheese. I have searched for a duplication of this decadent taste and I think that I have found it. Peg Beer’s version starts with garlic butter, diced bacon, aged cheddar and a free run egg. Next time, I may even suggest that they hold the egg!

When I didn’t think the evening could get any better, I spotted Platz on the dessert menu. I am not a huge sweet lover but fruit platz (Mennonite coffee cake) is my favourite and this recipe is absolutely authentic.

Kath’s quote: “I am a firm believer in the people. If given the truth, they can be depended upon to meet any national crisis. The great point is to bring them the real facts, and beer.”  ― Abraham Lincoln

Love never fails.