Black Swan Brewing Co. — Restaurant in Stratford

The drinks were pleasant, but there were only two tables occupied. Perhaps my choice was misguided. Locals seem to enjoy this place, yet with merely two tables and at 7:38 PM, the patrons were enthusiastically sharing jokes and colorful language. It was quite off-putting. As a visitor, I wished not to understand English, but their loud conversations about dates, families, and marriages gave me a headache. It was a rather distressing drinking experience. Next time, I’ll prefer the quieter ambiance of a tourist bar.

I always thought only ill-mannered, uneducated people would be full of profanity and criticize tourists, especially since I am Asian. The problem is, I understood everything they said. The two local women at this place were truly the infamous "Heren." I actually encountered them. It was terrifying—whoever moves here would be laughed at relentlessly. It seems judgmental people exist everywhere in the world. These two white women had the same spiteful demeanor as gossipy women in a poor village. Living in Toronto is safer; no one has time to judge others because there are too many people, and everyone is too busy to comment on others.

The server was in a difficult position. She knew the local patrons, so she couldn't join their critique of other guests, nor could she sternly stop the two drunken,...

Had a lovely afternoon visit. The staff curated a really nice flight after asking about my beer preferences. Great balanced pale ales, a perfectly bittered English ale and a strikingly smooth nitro rice beer. If you're there soon, don't sleep on the beer with chipotle, such a nice balance and super refreshing. Wonderful beer and friendly, helpful people. Try the hotdog special! Looking forward to enjoying my takeaway beers until...

Really nice local microbrewery, first tried their EPA at the Stratford Festival theatres and it's pretty much my go-to anytime I'm in town now. They do a selection of brews really well and have a small food menu to snack on as well with inventive feature hotdogs. The soft pretzels were a bit odd looking, almost like they'd been microwaved or steamed, but tasted okay enough with a grainy mustard. Will...