(NC)—Looking for unique ways to liven up holiday entertaining? Then why not try fresh, local Ontario Craft Beer and discover the difference it makes to your meals, entertaining, food pairing and gift giving.

“Serving craft beer is a great way to spice up your holiday entertaining,” says Canada's first-ever female beer cicerone, Mirella Amato of beerology.ca. “Pairing beer with food is a growing trend and with so many fresh locally-brewed beers to choose from, there is a brew for every occasion. There are also tons of fun, seasonal spiced beers available at this time of year. These beers are a treat on their own.”

“The seasonal Ontario beers are limited-edition, so they make a great gift if you're invited to a party.” says Amato. “It's fun to pick up two or three different bottles and surprise your host with a tasty selection of local brews.”

Beer experts like Amato can educate guests on the art of beer tasting or for a self-directed session, visit www.ontariocraftbrewers.com. The interactive, online tasting tool allows you to keep a personal record of the various beer styles and your reactions.

Discover the Difference: Pick up an OCB Discovery Pack to try six different flavours in one go. LCBO shelves are brimming with traditional beer styles with unique and crafty twists, such as:

Yuletide Cherry Porter – Barley Days Brewery, Prince Edward County
Festivale, Bog Water – Beau's Brewery, Van Kleek Hill
Double Chocolate Cherry Stout – Black Oak Brewing Co., Etobicoke
Stonehammer Oatmeal Coffee Stout – F&M Brewery, Guelph
Netherworld Cascadian Dark Ale – Flying Monkeys, Barrie
Jubilation Spiced Ale – Grand River Brewing, Cambridge
Ringberry Ale – Granite Brewery, Toronto
Winter Ale – Great Lakes Brewery, Etobicoke
Blackcurrant Rye Lager – Heritage Brewing, Ottawa
Pilsbock – King Brewery, Nobleton
Scotch Ale – MacLean's Ales, Durham
Barley Wine – Mill Street Brewery, Toronto
Harvest Ale – Muskoka Cottage Brewery, Bracebridge
Texas Tea Honey Stout – Neustadt Springs Brewery, Neustadt
General Brock Stout – Niagara's Best Brewery & Pub, Niagara Falls
Holiday Honey – Old Credit Brewing Co. Ltd., Port Credit
Christmas Cranbeery Ale – Railway City Brewing, St. Thomas
Black Irish Plain Porter – Scotch Irish Brewing, Ottawa
Hop Nouveau and Winter Warmer, Trafalgar Brewing Company, Oakville
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