I got off the 401 at the Brighton exit and headed away from that town, going north. I will write more about this brewery tomorrow when I am not so tired but for now here are some pictures and the assurance that some of the best beer in Ontario is being made in a small Victorian church in the rolling hills of Northumberland county. Just one point before tomorrow, however: there were renovations going on and that is why a good swiffering looks due.
The Next Day: You have to spend an hour getting to and from Church-Key Brewing from the 401. Do it. It sits between Campbellford and Springbrook on route #38 on a high point among small century farms. If it is not on the road, you will notice the yellow draft dispensing van out front. The brewery is housed in the former Zion United Church which was likely the former Zion Methodist Church. The main body of the building is from the 1860s or ’70s with an addition from the 1920s that the brewery is expanding into at the moment. Its 3000 litre conical fermenters stand floor to rafters like the dullest organ pipes in the what was the sanctuary.
I got to spend an hour with Church-Key Owner John Graham and Marketing Director Cary Tucker. We got so quickly into talking that I didn’t even sample any samples. They only sell six-packs at the brewery, moving kegs to bars and restaurants from Ottawa to Toronto, Kingston to Peterborough. Cary and I got into beer travelling, the joys of the Galeville Grocery and his website. These guys like to know what is going on in the industry and, after five years or operation, are still self-described beer nerds.
They brew a lager, a pale ale, a smoked ale and a chocolate porter and, going by the two sixes I picked up, the beer is some of the best made in the province. I’ll review the smoked ale and chocolate porter later but suffice it to say that I can easily see making the two and half hour round trip some Saturday just to get another fix. Recently, they have won some important awards:
Church-Key Brewing picked up three Gold Medals at the second annual Canadian Brewing Awards held at the Duke of Westminster Pub in Toronto. Church-Key’s first gold medal came in the Scotch Ale competition as Holy Smoke was chosen Best of Category. In the Cream Ale Category, Church-Key’s Northumberland Ale tied for the Gold Medal with Gulf Islands Salt Spring Golden Ale from British Columbia and Quebec’s Microbrasserie du Lievre La Montoise. Church-Key’s Decadent Chocolate Porter, flavored with cocoa from World’s Finest Chocolate in Campbellford, tied for Gold in the Stout or Porter category with Black Oak Nutcracker from Oakville, Ontario and Boreale Noire from Quebec.
Impressive competition which makes me think we have a couple of candidates for the National Six-Pack.
[Original comments…]
martin durkin – March 10, 2005 4:59 PM
One Day Here At Church Key
Elvis walked in
up the cobweb stairs
and I was stranded there knowing this man
was really dead.
“Give me some of that holy stuff partner”
and he and drank ‘er down slowly.
“Smoky”
he said, then straightened his glasses.
“Yeah – 24, my long chin hair man”
and I rushed into the stock room
it was cool February evening.
Coming out he was wearing a t-shirt
“I’ll wear this next time I visit mama
and take her to church”
then Elvis, well he clunked on down the steps
nodded to my business partner
and that’s all I can say of that
But Gawd dammit now
sitting on my stool and
thinking
why didn’t I use a camera?
Ah what the hell anyway
Elvis is now a myth.
But this place
serves his favourite
beer
way the hell out
in Canadian Campbellford
country.
george – March 11, 2005 11:46 AM
If Canada’s outstanding young poet endorses your establishment, I’ll have to pay it a visit. The little guys, whether they brew a good beer or a good story, are usually the gems we need to discover and prize.
Alan – March 11, 2005 12:07 PM
Seeing that Martin is in fact involved in what I like to call the poetry industry, I have to ask that my HTML editing of the punctuation which did not render well was acceptable. His art, however mangled by me, is well aimed as this is in fact a delightful brewery setting even on the cold winter day I visited. In June it would really be a great place for a visit.
Dorothy Noronha – March 11, 2005 7:22 PM
Hey…why not come for Church-Key Brewing Spring Revival on May 7th? Great food, great beer, and great live music! No vested interest here…Church-Key is one of MANY reasons we uprooted from Toronto to move to Campbellford 2 years ago. Last year’s Spring Revival was our first, and it was a blast!
Alan – March 11, 2005 11:03 PM
I may well be able to do that. Let us all check our calendars.
Alan – October 18, 2005 8:14 PM
Had a glass of Church-Key Northumberland Ale at Atomica in Kingston this evening. Very nice.
Don Leslie – January 23, 2006 1:07 PM
Do you have any Holy Smoke ‘in house’? I am travelling to the area on Friday 27th and would like to pick up a 24.
Alan – January 23, 2006 1:57 PM
Me or the brewer? You can’t come to my house and take my beer. That is hardly fair. I am sure the brewer has some, though. He always does.
Brett – January 12, 2007 2:37 AM
Had your beer this thanksgiving, was the absolute greatest. Not too sure if the fine weather had anything to dowith it. However was at a resturant in Hasting.
Please I bag of you let me know where I can find this product in the Toronto area, I have spoke very highly of Church Key and wish to share some with friends.
Brett
p.s. please let me know my options. brett_cullum@hotmail.com
Alan – January 12, 2007 7:41 AM
Check at C’est What near that triangley building or Volo on Yonge. You should find Church-Key on tap there.
B.S. – December 8, 2008 3:20 PM
get a couple growlers, there is enough in them for a small get together