Third Moon Brewing Company
Third Moon Brewing Company is based in Milton, Ontario, about 40 kilometres west of Toronto. Steve 'Bebo' Pilotto and Chris Steininger opened the brewery in 2020. They are known for hazy IPAs, often barrel aged pastry stouts and smoothie sours, with a clear heavy metal streak.
- LocationMilton, ON
- Founded2020
- TypeMicrobrewery
- Untappd 4.14 · 318k ratings
- At Hoptimaal5 in stock · 21 in total
In stock now 5
Previously at Hoptimaal 16
Sold out. If a new batch is coming, you can ask for a heads-up on the product page.
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How Third Moon started
Steve 'Bebo' Pilotto and Chris Steininger met in 2012 through the Untappd app. A mutual friend organised a meet-up in a bar in Hamilton for a dozen or so people who knew each other online. Pilotto, who grew up in Chicago, had already been homebrewing for years. According to Steininger, his homebrew could hold its own against the IPAs from the United States that they were chasing themselves. They also saw room in the Ontario market for that kind of beer.
After that, the two planned in secret for five years. Every Tuesday evening they got together to drink beer and talk. The opening was first planned for 2019, but the brewing system hadn't been built yet. They opened in May 2020. Pilotto develops the recipes and brews with the brew team, while Steininger takes care of the other tasks. The brewery is on Alliance Road in Milton.
The beer and style of Third Moon
The starting point is big, full beer, brewed in Ontario, with a heavy metal feel around it. According to the interview with Steininger, at the start they offered something you hardly found at Ontario breweries: lively hazy IPAs, pastry stouts that are often aged in barrels and extreme smoothie sours.
The core range is broader than just hops and heavy beers. You'll find Bone Tree (hazy IPA), Rise (hazy pale ale), Serpent Tears (oatmeal stout) and Kills Pils (pilsner). The lagers Killing Me Softly and Coat Of Arms are part of it too. They also brew double hazy IPAs such as Double Bruiser and imperial stouts such as Maple Coffee Bestowed. On their own webshop they sell many beers in 473 ml cans.
Third Moon Brewing Company at Hoptimaal
Our focus is on the heavier side of Third Moon. Most of what we've had from them is IPA, supplemented with stouts and a barleywine. The strength runs from 8–14%. The beers come in sizes from 37.5–47.3 cl. On Untappd, Fountain of Endless Life Reserve, Rest In Hops, Barrel Aged Bestowed - German Chocolate Cake and Triple Rise, among others, are highly rated.
Drink the IPAs as fresh as possible and well chilled, around 6–8 °C, so the hops stay sharp. Store them cold and don't wait too long. Let the stouts and barrel aged beers warm up a little, to about 10–12 °C. That's when chocolate, coffee and barrel come through better. Take your time, because you don't finish a can of 14% stout in ten minutes.
Frequently asked questions
Where does Third Moon Brewing Company come from?
Third Moon is based in Milton, Ontario, Canada, about 40 kilometres west of Toronto. The brewery opened in 2020 and is run by Steve 'Bebo' Pilotto and Chris Steininger.
What kind of beer does Third Moon Brewing Company make?
Third Moon is known for hazy IPAs, pastry stouts that are often aged in barrels and smoothie sours. They also brew, among others, a pilsner, a Mexican lager and a light lager.
How do you best drink Third Moon?
Drink hoppy beers such as the hazy IPAs fresh and cool, and keep them in the fridge. Pour heavy stouts and barrel aged beers a little less cold, so the flavour can open up.
