Two of the region’s brewing companies were honoured with awards at a recent national competition.
The Canada Beer Cup celebrates independently owned and operated breweries across Canada with awards in a variety of beer styles as well as packaging and cider categories. This year’s winners were honoured at a gala in Quebec City Nov. 10.
Wooden Gate Cider of Pilot Mound earned gold for its Slow Burn in the barrel aged or speciality cider category and bronze for its Orchard Queen cider in the heritage cider category, while Winkler’s Heritage Farms Brewing Co. earned bronze for its Hired Hand brown British ale.
“It’s phenomenal to be included in such an amazing group of beverage producers,” said Clint Cavers of Wooden Gate. “This is the first year for ciders in the Canada Beer Cup … there were some very big names in the cider world in the competition.”
Wooden Gate partners with local farmers and wild harvesters across Manitoba to create premium small-batch craft ciders that really showcase the pure flavors of the region. The family farm and cidery located in Pilot Mound is where they grow, harvest, press, blend and age their beverages.
“We use all Manitoba apples and all Manitoba fruit, so we don’t source anything from outside the province. For us, that’s a really key component,” said Cavers.
Slow Burn is a relatively new cider just released this past summer, and a key aspect of it is being finished off with “wood smoke” to make it more unique.
“There’s a number of smoked ciders made around the world that I know of, but it’s not a common thing,” Cavers noted.
Orchard Queen meanwhile has been a stalwart product for them.
“That one has kind of been my favourite cider,” shared Cavers. “It’s made with 100 per cent crabapples which were originally developed at the Morden research station … so it grows really well in Manitoba, and it’s a unique flavour and aroma profile.”
He noted ciders are really gaining in popularity.
“Some people are maybe a little bit tired of beer and they’re looking for another alcohol option. Some are moving away from wine, which is higher alcohol,” he said. “And the focus on local is incredible.
He appreciates the recognition even in terms of bringing more attention to cider in general, noting Wooden Gate and Dead Horse Cider near Winkler are among only three cider producers that he is aware of in the province.
“These kinds of awards bring us a little bit of notoriety not only across the province but across the country but even internationally,” he said. “It’s a good thing for all ciders and particularly Manitoba cider.”
John Trinke of Heritage Farms Brewing noted the recognition is especially nice for them as a newer company.
“We’ve only been selling in liquor stores for about 13 months now and to have already received this kind of recognition on a national stage is remarkable. I feel honoured,” he said. “We were competing against hundreds of breweries from across the country … so for them to decide that we had one of the top three British brown ales in Canada meant a lot to us.”
Trinke said it took them quite a few months to develop and refine their recipe for the brown ale and to create one that would not be as thick in terms of body and would be approachable.
“And something that could be enjoyed year round, whereas a lot of darker maltier beers are pretty heavy,” he said, noting the challenge was to not sacrifice the complex flavour.
“It took us a long time to find that balance where we were still able to showcase the coffee chocolate caramel … while still having it be accessible,” Trinke said. “It was quite a journey, so that’s why out of all of the beers we could have been recognized for, I’m pretty pleased that it was this one.”
He agreed that locally brewed and sourced beers and ciders is a really growing industry in Manitoba.
“I think we’re seeing now, more than ever, people are opting for local options and looking for a sense of connection to the brands they are purchasing,” he suggested. “There’s definitely been a shift … and we’re seeing more and more craft beverage companies lasting more than they would have in the past.
“I think some people connect with what we are trying to do in the community and for the community, and I think we’re seeing some positives from it.”
