Beer sommelier offers book and brew pairings for Victoria Day weekend

Victoria Day is upon us, which means an extra day to relax with a good book and a tasty beer.

With more craft breweries in Ontario than ever before, it can be overwhelming to decide where to shop and what to buy. Here are a few pairing picks to take you through the long weekend.

The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton

Aiden Bishop is stuck in a time loop, and the only way out is to solve the murder of Evelyn Hardcastle. The catch? Each time he relives the loop, it is from inside the body of a different witness to the crime. A twist on the classic murder mystery genre, it'll appeal to fans of Agatha Christie.

Pairing: Clifford Porter, Clifford Brewing Co.

True to style, this is a smooth, fuller-bodied beer that features coffee notes in aroma and flavour alike, along with a subtle nuttiness. Perfect for the vintage vibe of the novel.

Stereoblind by Emma Healey

Toronto-based prose poet Emma Healey returns with her second collection. Easy to read and beautifully honest, Stereoblind is a great option for poetry lovers and novices alike. It covers everything from sexuality to mental illness to the impacts of technology and the passage of time, highlighting the beauty and chaos of daily life.

Pairing: Ceres, Nickel Brook Brewing Co.

A cucumber lime gose, there's a lot going on in this beer, but it all works so well together. The same can be said for Healey's collection. This brew is salty, citrusy and super refreshing.

Things are Good Now by Djamila Ibrahim

This short story collection comes from Toronto author, Ethiopian-born Djamila Ibrahim. Her stories span continents, exploring the migrant experience from the decision to leave home to the challenges of setting down new roots. Unflinching tales that offer a bite-sized look at important topics, Ibrahim's collection is beautiful and raw.

Pairing: Spring White IPA, TWB Co-op

With spicier yeast notes and juicy citrus and tropical fruit flavours, white IPAs are the complicated-yet-refreshing cousin of the traditional style. This beer will be a lifeline in the darker parts of the stories and will stick with you through the moments of hope and triumph.

Obscura by Joe Hart

Part science fiction, part psychological thriller, this story follows Dr. Gillian Ryan as she races to find a cure for a new form of dementia that affects victims of all ages. Her desperate mission to space will lead her into the darkness, both literally and figuratively. We'll do anything to protect the ones we love.    

Pairing: The Black Lager, Silversmith Brewing Co.

Dark in colour and full of coffee and chocolate notes backed by a gentle bitterness, the lighter body of this lager makes it truly refreshing. It has enough flavour to stand up to Hart's storytelling, but is light enough to reach for a second if you can't put the book down.

Let's Go Exploring: Calvin and Hobbes by Michael Hingston

Hingston's deep dive into the beloved comic strip about a boy and his stuffed tiger reminds us of why Calvin and Hobbes was so widely adored. In addition to discussing the strip itself, this edition of the "Pop Classics" series aims to shed some light on its reclusive creator and abrupt ending in 1995.

Pairing: Juicin', Sawdust City Brewing Co.

A New England Style IPA, this beer delivers all of the juicy hop flavour and aroma you could want, without any of the bitterness of a more traditional American IPA. Think of it as your morning orange juice to go with the comic.