The founders of the Society of Beer Drinking Ladies know good beer in Toronto

There are two things our city is never short on: fascinating people and interesting experiences. In this series, the Star asks locals you know (and locals you ought to know) about their Toronto.

Close pals and business partners Erica Campbell and Jaime Dobbs founded the Society of Beer Drinking Ladies in 2014 to support women working in the dude-heavy beer industry.

Since then, they’ve put on more than 50 events, sold merchandise and collaborated with a local brewery to put out a beer monthly (such as the recent Raspberry Lemon Alebrewed by Henderson Brewing Company.)

Now, the two are taking things further with the launch this month of the Society Clubhouse on College Street. It houses a café (selling coffee and beer from women-run breweries) and an event space (beer yoga is planned) that can be rented for the likes of parties, comedy nights, and mom and baby classes.

Campbell has been in the city for over two decades. She’s lived all over downtown but currently resides at Gerrard Street and Carlaw Avenue and divides her time between the Clubhouse and heading up LCBO sales for Blood Brothers Brewing. This mom of one is also about to become a mom of two.

For her part, Dobbs — who does licensee sales and support for Beau’s All Natural Brewing Company — has lived in Toronto since 1998 and, after decades downtown, bought a house with her husband and their many pets at Lawrence and Victoria Park avenues in 2019.

This beer-loving duo knows the city’s best drinking spots, and a lot more.

What are some of the best places to have a beer in Toronto?

Dobbs: The Only Cafe on the Danforth. I used to live right across the street from it. It’s got this eclectic, kitschy decor and an amazing beer list. It’s really chill. You can go there in the morning for a coffee and then spend the whole day there, having a beer on the patio.

Campbell: Allen’s, on the Danforth, is a go-to spot. The service is amazing; it feels like New York in the ’70s. There’s also The Rebel House, at Yonge and Summerhill. It’s owned by a husband and wife and they’ve been there for 25-plus years. It’s a special craft beer institution; they stop supporting breweries once they get bought out by Molson or Labatt.

What are some of your favorite city spots that aren’t there anymore?

Dobbs: The Brunswick House in the Annex. The Jam Factory, at Queen East and Broadview. When we did our first event for the Society, we were going to host it at my apartment, but then we sold 50 tickets. A friend of mine from high school was working there and they were roasting coffee on the main floor and wanted to make the upstairs an event space. “How about you launch it with us?” we said. We had to scrub the place down. We ended up hosting events in that space for years. Then it got bought out and became a really great wedding venue, and we couldn’t afford it anymore. And now it’s closed down.

Any favorite urban nature spots?

Campbell: I love roaming around the island, it’s magical. I have a 22-month-old and one about to pop. As a parent, I’ve fallen in love with the park system in Toronto. In the east end, there are so many little parks as well as Greenwood and Withrow. Sometimes, we’ll jump in the car and go to the west end to Dufferin Grove or Christie Pits or High Park. I love the different languages, cultures and scenes at different parks.

Dobbs: I’m in North York now and the Don Valley trail and the Charles Sauriol Conservation Area are right in my backyard. They just did renovations to add these epic iron bridges and they’re just gorgeous. It’s nice to go back there with the dogs and see some views. I’ve seen a lot of deer there. There are a lot of families, a lot of folks running and biking; it’s a nice place to escape the madness of the city.

Any other finds in that part of Toronto?

Dobbs: We recently went to Diana’s Oyster Bar and Grill. Diana’s seafood market supplies a lot of the top-end restaurants in Toronto and Prince Edward County. We ate in the restaurant and it was amazing, with an amazing menu. The beer list needs work.

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