by Connie Tabbert
Editor
FORESTERS FALLS — We Tapped That is now on tap at the Whitewater Brewery, which is located at the intersection of Grants Settlement and Fletcher roads, which is between Foresters Falls and Beachburg.
It’s a seasonable beer which is flavoured from the maple sap, which is the same sap used to make maple syrup.
“We’ve replaced the water with the sap,” said brewery owner Chris Thompson.
“We tried it last year,” he said, but, “It was just a tease,” because the sap run was too short of a season.
There was no test batch this year, so as long as the sap is flowing, We Tapped That will also be flowing, Mr. Thompson said.
“The first batch was OK, so we decided it was worth trying this year,” he said. “We knew the recipe was good.
“It’ll be available for two to three weeks. It all depends on Mother Nature.
“Come on out and try it.”
Tony Straathof, who owns a bush near Westmeath, provides the sap to the brewery.
Mr. Straathof has been producing maple syrup since 2000, but remembers making it on the family farm as boy.
Last year was the first year he provided the sap for the brewery.
This is the same farmer who takes the grains from the brewery to feed to his cattle.
“We’re just doing one more collaborative type of business,” Mr. Thompson said. “We wanted to do a maple beer. Tony does syrup. It was a natural fit.”
The first taste of this brew was Sunday afternoon with the two owners, both named Chris Thompson, Mr. Stratthof and Charles Allard, who provides the hops for the beer.
Mr. Allard and family operate Lupuline Hopyard on Allumette Island. Hops gives the flavour, aroma and bitternes to the beer.
Taking a sip, Mr. Straathof said, “You can taste the maple. It’s a very interesting flavour. Very unique.”
There is more alcohol in this brew because the sugar in the sap turns into alcohol, Mr. Thompson explained.
When questioned how they came up with the name, Mr. Thompson said there were a few people sitting around trying to come up with a name.
“As soon as we heard it, we said, ‘Let’s go with that one,’” he recalled.
Mr. Thompson also noted another seasonal beer is now brewing and will be ready shortly — Farmers Daughters Melons.
Mr. Thompson noted that spring has sprung, the pub in the brewery has changed its hours and there is live music Saturday nights.
He said the winter was good for the pub and there are new clients and bars for the beer.
Last summer was hectic and this year should be no different.
The hours now are Friday dinner, Saturday and Sunday lunch and dinner. In May Thursday dinner and lunch on Friday will be added.
In June, the brewery will be open all week.
To ensure you keep up-to-date with the pub and its activities, check out the facebook page and website.
