A maple-inspired collaboration beer between Muskoka’s local craft breweries
April 13, 2019 – MUSKOKA ON
Four of Muskoka’s craft breweries have launched a maple-inspired collaboration brew, Pancake Breakfast Specialty Maple Ale, a toasted golden brown ale that is inspired by a perfectly flipped pancake.
The brew will be available on tap starting Saturday, April 20, 2019 at Lake of Bays Brewing Company, Muskoka Brewery, Sawdust City Brewing Company and Clear Lake Brewing Co. The only way to try this beer is at the breweries, and samples are free! While you’re there, stick around for a brewery tour, a bite to eat, or have a pint in their taproom. This is the perfect excuse to get out on a bright spring day to visit your local brewery.
The brew is part of the Muskoka Maple Trail, a collection of 27 maple must-dos in Muskoka that celebrate the harvest of local, 100% pure maple syrup.
By far, the coolest thing about this beer is its ingredients. Instead of using water as its base like 99.9% of all beers, the brewers actually used maple sap, freshly collected from Sweetwater Maple Syrup Supplies & Sugarbush, a local sugarbush in Bracebridge. The sap was then transported to beautiful downtown Torrance where the beer was brewed on-site at Clear Lake Brewing Co. During the brewing process, 100% pure local maple syrup was added to make this beer an authentic toast to the annual spring harvest.
One can only imagine the production challenges when you have to wait for the weather to warm up and the sap to run. With a later-than-usual start to the maple harvest this year, the breweries had to wait patiently for sap to run before they could start brewing. But just like the maple harvest, the wait was well worth it!
Tasting Notes
With a doughy malt centre, aromas of cinnamon & vanilla lead the way while the maple syrup provides a rich body and lingering sweet finish. The maple ale will remind you of sitting around the table enjoying a warm plate of pancakes drizzled with Canada’s favourite syrup.
Where to Sample the Brew
This is the third spring collab for this specialty brew and if the last two springs are any indication, it will be popular. There are only 6 places to try this collaboration beer; one of the four participating breweries or at the Muskoka Maple Festival.
Clear Lake Brewing Co.: Open Friday and Saturday, Noon – 10pm. Stop in for lunch or dinner and pair your pint with their deliciously tasty menu.
Lake of Bays Brewing Company: Visit the brewery in cheery Baysville, open Friday to Sunday during March & April. Tours are available on Saturdays 12pm – 3pm by appointment.
Huntsville Brewhouse: A great restaurant in downtown Huntsville with its own on-site brewing, Huntsville Brewhouse is open Sunday to Wednesday 11am – 10pm, and Thursday to Saturday 11am – 11pm.
Sawdust City Brewing: Open 11am – 11pm daily. Stop in for a pint at the Saloon(home to 18 draught lines), grab a tasty bite from their Saloon menu, or take the brewery tour. Tours are available by appointment on Saturday between 1pm – 3pm.
Muskoka Brewery: See their newly renovated tap room, sample the latest installment of their Moonlight Kettle Series, or have a pint on their patio by the fire. Take their brewery tour available daily at 12pm, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm, and 4pm.
Muskoka Maple Festival: Visit the Maple Beer Garden at Muskoka’s grandest celebration of maple, April 27, 2019 in downtown Huntsville. This family-friendly event has great entertainment, treats, food, shopping, and of course MAPLE!
More Maple Fun
Muskoka Maple Trail runs until April 27, featuring 27 of the top maple experiences in Muskoka
Muskoka Maple Festival takes place in downtown Huntsville, April 27, 2019
Stay and Play
Stay at one of our four Muskoka Maple Trail recommended accommodations:
