Durham’s oldest craft brewery, County Durham Brewing (1996) in Pickering recently collaborated with Toronto’s C’est What bar to launch a joint venture, rebranding as C’est What Durham Brewing.

C’est What was conceived when an early mid-life crisis hit founder George Milbrandt at the age of twenty-seven. He left behind his architectural training and a construction business and relentlessly hounded family, friends and friends of friends to buy shares for start-up capital and opened with a mandate of “true local flavour”. C’est What was the first establishment of any kind to offer local craft beer and wine exclusively.

Over three decades later and still preaching from the book of local, C’est What has tripled in size, quadrupled their draught selection, and served millions of pints to their customers. C’est What’s history as a brewery dates back to George’s formative experiences as a home brewer and the opportunity to add some overlooked and unexplored beer styles to their draught menu. This began at a brew your own shop using a full grain mash which was then finished off back at the pub, and then evolved to producing the beer at local breweries. For the past couple of decades C’est What has produced most of their house brews at Durham Brewing, which has been a perfect fit.

Fueled by a passion for English style ales, Bruce Halstead established County Durham Brewing Company in Pickering in 1995. The brewery’s name was inspired by the family’s history in County Durham, England, and the famous door knocker of Durham Cathedral is proudly displayed as part of the brewery’s logo.

Production at the brewery began in March 1996, with Bruce crafting his beers using traditional ingredients and remaining true to the style of English ales. Building on the success of many years of home brewing, and his experience as a BJCP accredited beer judge, Bruce honed his skills and became a talented brewer producing consistent, quality beers.

Thanks to Bruce’s meticulous attention to detail and his dedication to traditional beer styles, Durham Brewing has become one of the major cask beer producers in Ontario and the main brewer of C’est What’s house ales. In addition to English style ales, Bruce also produces an increasingly varied lineup of specialty beers for C’est What, taking advantage of the ever-widening range of international hops and beer recipe inspirations.

The strong relationship forged between C’est What and Durham Brewing has now evolved into a bigger commitment and in partnership they have released eight different brews in tall–boy cans this year. Building on their mutual reputation for cask ales, six of the offerings will be released as nitro-infused ‘cask–in–a–can’. This is the endeavor of delivering delicious ‘cask–style’ ale in a can, nitro packaged. This gives a cascading effect when you pour the beer into the glass.

Al’s Cask Ale

A mini-cask of Al’s Cask Ale. An all-Cascade hopped, malt-forward, smooth, sessionable pale ale in the tradition of an English bitter. 4.3% ABV, 34 IBU. *Nitro–infused, cask–in–a–can: For best flavour and presentation, shake five times, wait five seconds, open and pour into the centre of a pint glass.

Blak Katt

Arriving August 2021. A dry, Irish-style stout made with the goodness of oats. 5.7% ABV, 29 IBU. *Nitro–infused, cask–in–a–can: For best flavour and presentation, shake five times, wait five seconds, open and pour into the centre of a pint glass.

ESB

Extra Special Bitter: A balanced English–style ale that is nitrogen–infused for a creamy, smooth reminder of your favourite local. 5.2% ABV, 46 IBU. . *Nitro–infused, cask–in–a–can: For best flavour and presentation, shake five times, wait five seconds, open and pour into the centre of a pint glass.

Ginger Wheat

A New World wheat beer that features a real ginger snap balanced by soothing green tea and aromatic blood orange. 4.5% ABV, 15 IBU.

Hop Addict

Your daddy’s OG pale ale. Big left-coast hopping complements a malty loyalist backbone. A big, mellow hug of the tongue. 5.6% ABV, 55 IBU. *Nitro–infused, cask–in–a–can: For best flavour and presentation, shake five times, wait five seconds, open and pour into the centre of a pint glass.

Mocha Porter

Arriving August 2021. The love child of Coffee Porter and Steve’s Dreaded Chocolate Ale. A creamy, smooth, mellow roasted symphony of complementary flavours. Featuring fair trade, organic Haitian single origin cocoa nibs and our special blend of coffee roasted by Everyday Gourmet at the St. Lawrence Market. 5.6% ABV, 33 IBU. *Nitro–infused, cask–in–a–can: For best flavour and presentation, shake five times, wait five seconds, open and pour into the centre of a pint glass.

Red Dragon

Arriving August 2021. An Irish-style Red with the hop forward character of an American IPA. 5.3% ABV, 34 IBU. *Nitro–infused, cask–in–a–can: For best flavour and presentation, shake five times, wait five seconds, open and pour into the centre of a pint glass.

C ’est What Durham Brewing, 273-1885 C le ments R oad, P ickering, L1W 3V4

The Brewery store and patio at are now open to the public at 1885 Clements Road in Pickering, and the C’est What bottle shop is located at 67 Front Street East in Toronto. C’est What Bottle Shop offers pick up or downtown delivery through Ritual. The Brewery Store offers pickup and direct delivery within Durham Region and East Toronto.