The booming business of brewing in the Ottawa Valley
Over the last decade, the craft beer scene has grown rapidly in the Ottawa Valley, evolving from a niche trend to a thriving industry.
A common name throughout the region, Whitewater Brewing Co. joined the scene early in 2013.
"When we started we were the sixth brewery between here in Cobden and Vankleek Hill where Beau's (Brewing Co.) are," says Chris Thompson, president of Whitewater Brewing. "And now there is over 40."
Over 40 craft breweries, Thompson says, that bring employment, tourism, and good times to the region.
"I think people really love the area and want to just give back where possible, and a brewery is a great way to do that," said Thompson.
Joining the scene in Carleton Place at the end of 2015 was Stalwart Brewing. Co-owner Adam Newlands likens the emergence of so many breweries to similar small town staples.
"It's nice to have a bakery in town, or a couple different bakeries, so it's the same thing I think with beer," says Newlands. "It's kind of the way it used to be when beer didn't travel well and you just had lots of little breweries in every little town you went to."
"I think people have figured out that drinking beer in a more traditional way," Newlands continues. "Which meant drinking beer that was close to you and that was quite fresh is something that people are into."
As more craft beer options become increasingly available throughout the valley, the challenge becomes standing out from the rest. For Cartwright Springs owner Andre Rieux, he uses the fresh spring water that flows just metres from his brewery.
"I make as much beer as I can and it all disappears, I don't think any of the breweries that are out there right now are lacking customers," says Rieux, acknowledging the abundance of options available to consumers.
Despite the competition to have his product stand out from the rest and make sales, Rieux - along with the other brewers we spoke to in the valley - say there is no competitive nature between brewers.
"Every time we have little hiccups with supplies or anything like that, we can count on our neighbours to get us out of a jam," says the Cartwright Springs owner.
Whether your choice is ales, stouts, or IPA's, Thompson says there is no fear of the valley's craft beer scene being waterlogged with choices.
"I think there is a limited space for breweries that want to be producing for province-wide distribution," says the Whitewater brewer. "I think there is almost unlimited space for those that want to be their small town's local brewery."
Newlands says that Stalwart is happy being Carleton Place's mom and pop brew shop.
"We're not trying to be the next biggest brewery in Ontario. Because to do that requires a different type of business than what we are."
And with the valley's palette now wet, customers can continue to expect more variety.
"I don't think we're at the maximum amount of breweries," says Rieux. "You're going to see more come up."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
There's actually no such thing as vegetables. Here's why you should eat them anyway
The rumours are true: Vegetables aren't real — that is, in botany, anyway. While the term fruit is recognized botanically as anything that contains a seed or seeds, vegetable is actually a broad umbrella term.
BREAKING Israeli forces seize Rafah border crossing in Gaza, putting ceasefire talks on knife's edge
Israeli tanks seized control of Gaza’s vital Rafah border crossing on Tuesday as Israel brushed off urgent warnings from close allies and moved into the southern city even as ceasefire negotiations with Hamas remained on a knife’s edge.
The Met Gala was in full bloom with Zendaya, Jennifer Lopez, Mindy Kaling among the standout stars
The Met Gala and its fashionista A-listers on Monday included Jennifer Lopez, Zendaya and a parade of others in a swirl of flora and fauna looks on a green-tinged carpet lined by live foliage.
'It looked so legit': Ontario man books $7,700 luxury villa on Booking.com, but the listing was fake
An Ontario man says he was charged more than $7,700 to book a luxury villa on a popular travel website -- but the listing was fake.
Noelia Voigt resigns as Miss USA, citing her mental health
Noelia Voigt, who was crowned Miss USA in November 2023, has announced she is resigning from her role, saying the decision is in the best interest of her mental health.
Putin begins his fifth term as president, more in control of Russia than ever
Vladimir Putin began his fifth term Tuesday as Russian leader at a glittering Kremlin inauguration, setting out on another six years in office after destroying his political opponents, launching a devastating war in Ukraine and concentrating all power in his hands.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.