When it comes to beer, are we not lucky to now have three local options in Sudbury? Yes, our glass could always be half-full. Or is it half empty? Don’t worry, there’s always more on tap. Opening a new brewery during COVID-19 re-enforces that sense of optimism.
This is not just a passion project for John Arnold. He admits he’s been “wanting to do something like this for years. Before Northern Ontario even knew what craft brewing meant. About seven years ago Sudbury wasn’t ready.”
The “something like this” Arnold is referring to is Optimist Brewery + Kitchen on Regent Street.
While Optimist Brewery + Kitchen is a fresh approach, it has history in previous iterations like Pluckers in Algonquin Square, and on the same footprint on Regent Street, there was the earlier Taphouse Northern Grill & Pub.
“This is not a roadhouse … We are trying to do something different here. It’s more of a philosophy toward how you view life,” Arnold said.
You might have driven by and wondered, “What’s going on here?” Arnold reminded us since opening in October the choices are not just liquid. A full menu is available at OptimistBrewing.ca or you can just stop by and investigate.
Sample the Onion Petals (with the creamy house dip), or Battered Brat (Bratwurst sausage coated with golden spent grain & cornmeal, on a stick: think premium Pogo!) or a warm soft pretzel served with mustard. These are all perfect matches for beer.
If you wish you can always do take-out. Optimist is pioneering a new sort of Friday grab-and-go in a bucket that allows you to select the beer and food.
“What do you do when done with dinner? Keep the bucket. Everyone needs a bucket around the camp, in the boat … It’s sort of symbolic of 2020.”
Arnold seems to be having fun running with this concept.
Beyond these appetizers (there are more), there is a spectrum of tasty sausage offerings. Choose pulled pork with cheddar cheese, crispy jalapeños and drizzled house dressing. Then there is the classic porketta, plus the Optimist Lamb; garnished with basil the house-made blueberry ginger sauce, red onions and grainy beer mustard is my go to.
The last two choices in this category are sun-dried tomato and the turkey with mango chutney, crisp spring mix, green onions and housemade chipotle aioli. Now that sounds like it should please anyone.
But maybe you are not a sausage fan? Select then from these picks: pub-style fish and chips (the batter is made with their signature Sunshine Pilsner), while the Northern Club features made-in-house sourdough bread.
There are two burgers: The Optimist and a vegetarian option meatless burger. The Optimist has a very different presentation. Arnold lists the ingredients and presentation as “cheddar, caramelized beer onions, tomatoes, pickles and our chipotle aioli all stuffed in a house-made sourdough bowl bun. My partner, Stacey, thought up this unique way to deliver the patty and the accompaniments.”
Three more headings include Bowls and Salads, Tacos and Pizza. I so want to try the fried clam pizza with garlic olive oil base, mozzarella, bacon and (as the name suggests) fried clams, just because I think beer would be the perfect beverage to make this unique flavour profile even better. (Although perhaps beer just makes everything better.)
Brewmaster Michael Guillemette knows how to make ales, lagers, stouts and Belgian Wit. With names like Sunshine, Shift and Mindset, his blondes, IPAs and Flanders-style reds are the next thing to make your palate sing.
“I was the original brewer at Stack, and the name of this place really reflects my direction and desire. Here, I am trying to do something unlike everyone else. I take tradition and then go beyond. With a bit of experimentation, we have hit some right out of the park,” Guillemette said. “I like to spice things up. Seriously, have you tried Rose Coloured Glasses? Wait until we pour our newest — still in the tank — a dark sour that is a light ruby colour with hints of dark fruits and spices. There is also a 9-per-cent on the horizon to help you get through the gloomy days of mid-winter.”
Currently, most are in a unique package. The aluminum bottles aren’t screw-off tops. They are a completely different heft and presentation. They are right there at the door for building a mix-and-match or as a six-pack.
Yes, there is a retail operation up front where you can pick up take-out.
“We do as much local vendoring as possible,” Arnold said. “The O Market in-house baked goods are fantastic, with fresh bread three days a week, unique granola bars that up-cycle grain. We have our own baker. Dennis Guillemette also makes a nutritious dark beer caramel popcorn and our famous flavoured chickpeas.”
A virtual storefront should be up soon.
Partner Stacey Cameron said her 15 years in the industry has shaped both her innovative approach and commitment to tradition of quality experience.
“Though we like to play, we also have to-go comfort food like strawberry rhubarb pies. Already we are developing a regular customer base.”
Optimist Brewery & Kitchen has a mission statement that is constructive and refreshing. It’s printed in full on every menu and a short form is on the walls: “Optimist Brewery + Kitchen inspires people to bring positive change to their thinking.”
A much-needed message these days that offers a sense of hopefulness for 2021.
“We’re here to deliver good food, great beer and excellent service,” Arnold said.
“Don’t forget our positive attitude,” adds Guillemette.
Find Optimist at 1500 Regent Street
Tel: 705-222-4827
[email protected]
Hours:
Tuesday – Thursday, 4 p.m. – 11 p.m.
Friday & Saturday, 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.
Closed Sunday & Monday
O+ Market hours of operation:
Tuesday – Saturday, 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.
OptimistBrewing.ca
Hugh Kruzel is a committed foodie and a freelance writer in Greater Sudbury.
