At the Hundredth Meridian

"Me debunk an american myth?

And take my life in my hands?

Where the great plains begin

At the hundredth meridian," The Hip

As Gord Downie (The Tragically Hip) explains, the hundredth meridian is where the great plains begin. At least,that's how Canadian's like to think of the line of longitude. Passing through Nunavut and Manitoba, the hundredth meridian separates Western Canada from Eastern Canada. Mill St. Brewery has added another beer to their repertoire this year that pays tribute to this divide called "100th Meridian".

The organic amber lager features prairie malt, Bravo and Cascade hops and is brewed in the tradtional North American fashion. I tried this beer for the first time at the Brazenhead Pub in Toronto's Liberty Village. While I like hoppy beers, amber varieties don't tend to be my first choice. That being said, Mill St.'s 100th Meridian may be my summer go to. There truly isn't a better way to honour the great prairies than creating a beer made with ingredients that have been grown organically and with love right here in North America. 100th Meridian is a shout out to Canadian and American farmers who have spent their lives tillin', plantin' and harvestin'. And let's face it, if Gord Downie sings about something, it's probably really important. I reccommend trying a 100th Meridian the next time you're relaxing on the back deck, gazing at the rows of Canada Eastern Amber Durum or Canada Prairie Red Spring growing by the acre in your backyard. Or, if you're like me...whenever! Cheers!

100th Meridian
Class: Amber Lager
Brewer: Mill St.
Quality: Craft
Alcohol Content: