If you’re like me, you’re probably a fan of pub grub. In Stratford, Ontario, you can get plenty of that along the Bacon and Ale Trail. Since Stratford has a rich brewing history and Perth County is Ontario’s largest pork producer, the Bacon and Ale Trail will let you fill up on the best of both, just in time for dessert.
You’d better pace yourself, however, as the stops on this tour focus on two great tastes: pork and beer. On the Bacon and Ale Trail, you can find everything from beer-based barbecue sauce to bacon-flavoured toothpaste.
Actually, you might want to spread out your experience over at least a couple of days. Pick up a $25 pass from the Stratford Tourism office, and you can make five stops for taste tests.
And don’t think it’s all just about beer and ribs. Stops on the tour can include Best Little Pork Shoppe as well as Canadian Grub to Go, a so-called “slow fast food” spot that features exclusively Canadian-grown products. Hint: Try the house-cured-bacon BLT.
For a bit more of that pub feel, be sure to stop at Molly Bloom’s Irish Pub, home of the award-winning Loaded Baked Potato Soup.
And if, after all of that bacon and ale, you’re looking for something sweet to finish off the day, swing by the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, where you can enjoy the taste of chocolate-covered toffee…with a nice smoky bacon flavour.
Indeed, Stratford is also known for its love of chocolate, and the Chocolate Trail offers plenty of sweet stops, with something for everyone. As with the Bacon and Ale Trail, you can buy a $25 pass for the Chocolate Trail, which includes six stops. Simply swing by the Stratford Tourism office (visitstratford.ca).
Maurice is a writer and editor. Be it fact or fiction, he is a storyteller.
