Develop a Taste for History with New Beer from Black Creek Historic Brewery

Historic Brewery Launches Black Creek Pale Ale at the LCBO

TORONTO, May 10, 2013 /Canada NewsWire/ - Black Creek Historic Brewery, today announced the launch of Montgomery's Courage at select LCBO stores. The beer is the 3rd Edition in a series of 12 historic beers that represents each consecutive decade of Canadian and brewing history, Montgomery's Courage represents the decade from 1830 - 1839 when the separate colonies of Upper and Lower Canada both revolted against unjust government rule.

In 1837, Toronto's Montgomery's Tavern became the base for a rebellious force led by William Lyon Mackenzie that was quickly defeated. Legend has it that the rebels courage was due in large part to consumption of the tavern's fine ales.

"In 1830's rye based ales like Montgomery's Courage were in abundance,' said Ed Koren, Brewmaster, Black Creek Historic Brewery. "This amber ale is lightly carbonated and balanced to favour a slightly bitter hopping while delivering peppery, spicy notes with a bouquet reminiscent of ripe apples or calvados."

Black Creek Montgomery's Courage (product # 34137) retails for $3.95 per 500 mL (pint) bottle and is available in May and only for a short time. LCBO customers can search the LCBO website, www.lcbo.com to locate stores offering the product, or simply ask for it at their local outlet.

About Black Creek Historic Brewery

Located in Black Creek Pioneer Village, the Black Creek Historic Brewery is a working recreation of a 19th century brewery, an era when beer was both a popular beverage and a staple food. Using only period equipment and no electricity, the Brewery handcrafts the same ale and porter varieties enjoyed in Ontario before Confederation.

Open daily to the public, visitors can chat with costumed interpreters or join guided tours and taste samples drawn from oak barrels. The beer can be enjoyed on the premises at the Black Creek Historic Brewery Restaurant and Pub, or brought home in returnable "growlers."

Public events are held throughout the year at the Brewery; the facility is also available for corporate and private functions. Black Creek ales and porters sold off-site at LCBO stores are brewed at a commercial facility under the supervision of the Brewmaster. Black Creek Historic Brewery is a member of the Ontario Craft Brewers and is operated by Black Creek Pioneer Village in partnership with Pioneer Breweries Limited.

For more information, visit http://www.blackcreekbrewery.ca.

From high seas drama to summer fun at the lake, the Royal Canadian Mint's newest collector coins open many new windows on the story of Canada

OTTAWA, May 9, 2013 /Canada NewsWire/ - Canadians have countless ways to define their identity; from proud historical moments to fond memories of outdoor life. All of these stories are captured on the Mint's latest offering of finely crafted collector coins which include vivid portrayals in pure gold, silver and platinum of the pitched ocean battle between HMS Shannon and USS Chesapeake at the height of the War of 1812, as well as fine silver coins celebrating the joys of summer of Canada with idyllic scenes of a fishing family and fun at the cottage. Natural themes are also present, along with new coins celebrating Canada's rich heritage by commemorating the 60th anniversary of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and celebrating the addition of Asian traditions to Canadian culture. These latest products can now be ordered from the Mint and will start shipping on May 14, 2013.

"The Royal Canadian Mint is known world-wide for crafting coins which stand out for their rich designs and exceptional quality and we are proud to delight our customers with spectacular new pieces of numismatic art with uniquely Canadian stories to tell," said Ian E. Bennett, President and CEO of the Royal Canadian Mint. "After registering record collector coin sales in 2012, we are pleased to attract new fans in Canada and around the world, and we are committed to expanding the horizons of our numismatic program to get more of the world's best coins into the hands of more satisfied customers."

On June 1, 1813, HMS Shannon, commanded by Captain Philip Broke, clashed with USS Chesapeake 40 kilometres east of Boston in a battle which would sway the morale of Royal Navy grappling with a string of recent losses to U.S. warships. Captain Broke and his outnumbered crew's determination to restore the pride and confidence of the Royal Navy brilliantly defeated and captured USS Chesapeake in one of the bloodiest naval battles of the War of 1812. The epic scene of the height of battle is dramatically recreated by artist John Horton on three new coins preserving this turning point in history on new 5 oz., 99.99% pure gold and silver coins, as well as on a very limited mintage of 1 oz., 99.95% pure platinum coins.

After 200 years of peace on the North American continent, the mood has considerably lightened with a pair of fine silver coins celebrating fun and relaxation on Canada's countless lakes and waterways. The newest release of the $10 fine silver O Canada series pays tribute to the great Canadian tradition of cottage living with artist Claudio D'Angelo's portrayal of dockside swimmers, a Muskoka chair, a canoe and the classic waterfront cottage. Artist John Mantha captures the priceless serenity of a father and child fishing from a dock, with the loyal family dog at their side, on a 99.99% pure silver coin with a $3 face value.

In keeping with its trademark pursuit of innovation, the Mint is also proud to feature impressive technology on several new coins including a selectively coloured $10 fine silver Canadian Tiger Swallowtail and a 50-cent silver-plated coin of the same design from a new Butterflies of Canada series, as well as a selectively gold-plated fine silver kilo coin featuring the Maple Leaf Forever.

Canada's cultural diversity inspires many outstanding coin designs and the Mint's latest expressions of this theme celebrate the unique heritage of Chinese Canadians. Adding to this popular series is a new Blessings of Peace $150 face-value, 99.999% pure gold lotus-shaped coin featuring a dazzling phoenix and the Chinese symbols for peace. A Maple of Peace fine silver coin features the Mint's newest design of a maple leaf hologram radiating from the back of an ornately decorated Asian elephant.

Adding a regal touch to the Mint's latest release of collector coins is a specimen-finish, 25-cent cupro-nickel coin honouring the 60th anniversary of the coronation of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. It features a vivid colour reproduction of a masterpiece by Canadian painter Phil Richard, who was hand-picked by Her Majesty to paint her official Canadian Diamond Jubilee portrait. Part of the original work, which measures over three metres in height, is captured on a richly coloured 35 mm coin showing Queen Elizabeth II posing at Rideau Hall, with a portrait her great-great-grandmother Queen Victoria in the background.

The Mint's latest offering concludes with a new series of 99.99% pure silver coins celebrating different perspectives on the majestic Bald Eagle. The first coin in the series features the dramatic profile of a Bald Eagle's head whose feathers are engraved to stunning detail. The coin is also edge-lettered with "1 OZ FINE SILVER 1 OZ ARGENT PUR".

Mintages, pricing and full background information on each product can be found on the "Shop" tab of www.mint.ca.

All of these products can be ordered directly from the Mint at 1-800-267-1871 in Canada, 1-800-268-6468 in the US, or online at www.mint.ca. The coins will also be available at the Royal Canadian Mint's boutiques in Ottawa, Winnipeg and Vancouver, as well as through our global network of dealers and distributors, including participating Canada Post outlets.

About the Royal Canadian Mint

The Royal Canadian Mint is the Crown Corporation responsible for the minting and distribution of Canada's circulation coins. An ISO 9001-2008 certified company, the Mint is recognized as one of the largest and most versatile mints in the world, offering a wide range of specialized, high quality coinage products and related services on an international scale. For more information on the Mint, its products and services, visit www.mint.ca

Second Annual Genealogy Workshop at the Wellington County Museum and Archives

On Saturday, May 11, 2013 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, there will be the Second Annual Genealogy Workshop at 536 Wellington Road 18, between the villages of Fergus and Elora.

Presenters include:

Gwen Armstrong, Family History Centre, Getting the Most out of FamilySearch.org

Rick Roberts, Global Genealogy, Beginning a Family History Project: 12 Steps for Success and Researching Your Ontario Roots Using Traditional and Online Resources

Susan Dunlop, Curator, Wellington County Museum and Archives, Exploring Lesser Known Resources: A Case Study of the Hollinghead-Everson Family of Wellington County

Registration: $35.00, light lunch included

Call 519.846.0916, X 5225 or Toll Free 1.800.663.0750 X 5225 to register.

Email at karen@wcm.on.ca, and the website is at http://www.wellington.ca/museum

Canada Remembers the Liberation of the Netherlands

OTTAWA, May 3, 2013 /Canada NewsWire/ - The Honourable Steven Blaney, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Minister for La Francophonie, issued the following statement today regarding the 68th anniversary of the Liberation of the Netherlands.

"The struggle to liberate the Netherlands was an important chapter in the events leading to victory in Europe and the end of the Second World War. Canada's vital contributions helped lay the foundation for a strong relationship between our two countries that we continue to enjoy today.

Many Canadians serving overseas during the Second World War played a role in the Liberation of the Netherlands. Over nine long and grueling months, more than 7,600 Canadians gave their lives to help bring freedom and peace to this country.

In honour of their gift of freedom, the Dutch people have donated tulip bulbs to Canada annually since the end of the Second World War. In Ottawa, we see this symbol of our enduring connection as the tulips bloom each spring.

Even though the cost of lives was heavy and the sacrifice great, Canadians take pride in the role they played as liberators. We remember, with everlasting gratitude, the contributions of all who served and those who made the supreme sacrifice. Lest we forget."

For more information on Canada's contribution to the Liberation of the Netherlands, visit the Veterans Affairs Canada website at veterans.gc.ca.

2013 is the Year of the Korean War Veteran—Canada proudly remembers the heroes of the Korean War and their brave fight to uphold freedom, democracy and the rule of law. For more information on Canada's role in the Korean War, visit veterans.gc.ca, visit our Facebook "Canada Remembers" page to leave a message of remembrance or follow us on Twitter @VeteransENG_CA.