First-of-its-kind bagels and beer festival lands in Toronto this spring

If beer, schmear, bagels and soda get your wheels turning, there's a brand-new festival coming to Toronto this spring that's guaranteed to hit the spot.

If there's one thing Toronto's beloved Henderson Brewing knows how to do (other than making great beer and sodas, of course), it's throw a good party.

The arbiters of annual favourites like Picklefest and Rush Day, the Junction Triangle brewery has solidified its status as the ultimate festivaliers of Toronto's craft brewing community — and they're not slowing down any time soon.

The brewery has already signed on to bring the first-ever Toronto installment of the wildly popular Western Canada food festival, Brewery & the Beast, this July, but before that, they've got another new festival in the works.

Taking over Henderson this April, Bagels, Schmears, Solly's and Beer Fest will be Toronto's first-ever beer and bagel festival. If you think the name of the festival is a mouthful, just wait until you actually find yourself at the festival.

At the fest, you'll have the opportunity to sink your teeth into bites from some of the city's best bagel-makers, including Bagel World, Primrose, Gryfe's, Lev, Bagel Plus and Kettlemans, alongside specialty vendors Ethica Coffee, XO Bisous, Langley Foods, Brined Pickles and more yet to be announced.

On top of the eats, there'll also be plenty of Henerson beers and Sollys, their house-made soda brand, on the go to wash it all down.

But getting all these bagel buffs under one roof isn't something Henderson could do alone. They're partnering with Dished Toronto and local food reviewer Rick Silver (@dicks.world) to pull it all off.

"When [Solly's founder Adin Wener] approached me about partnering on Bagel Fest, it was an immediate yes," says Silver.

"Toronto has one of the best bagel scenes anywhere, and bringing all these legendary spots together with Solly's, Henderson beer, live music, and the community is going to be incredible. This is exactly the kind of event that Dick's World loves being part of."

Tickets are priced at $15, which admits you entry to the festival as well as one Solly's soda and a half bagel with schmear from any of the participating bagel vendors, on top of a day's worth of entertainment including DJs and a live band.

"We wanted to create something that celebrates Toronto's bagel culture properly," says Adin Wener, Managing Partner at Henderson Brewing and founder of Solly's Craft Soda. "Between the bagels, schmears, Solly's, beer, and live music, it's going to be one of the most fun food events in the city this spring."

The festival takes place at Henderson Brewing Co. (128a Sterling Rd.) on Saturday, April 25, between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Tickets are on sale now on Henderson's website.