BEAU'S ALL NATURAL BREWING CO.

I finally visited Beau's All Natural Brewing Company in Vankleek Hill, ON, after a few years of enjoying their trade mark "Lugtread Lagered Ale" under my belt. It was a pleasant visit, with my father in tow to comemorate Father's Day. We enjoyed a free brewery tour, had some organic BBQ & a pint, and dropped some cash in the gift shop.

Vrienden (sorry, I took a sip of this one before the photo)

We were happily surprised to find out that Beau's brews seasonal and special edition beers, available only through the brewery itself and select bars/pubs/restaurants. My dad and I were fortunate enough to nab a some big bottles of their spring brew, an India Pale Ale called Beaver-River. The gem of the trip was the few bottles of Vrienden we brought back with us. Vrienden is an unfiltered wheat beer that Beau's brewed in collaboration with the Dutch brewery, De Koningshoeven. Unlike most wheat beers (Hoegaarden, Shneider Weisse, etc.), Vrienden is flavoured with juniper berries and maple syrup, as opposed to the traditional use of citrus fruit. It's a refreshing and flavourful beer that was going down proper in today's heat, no doubt.

Their summer brew, a German ale name Festiv-Ale just became available through the brewery as well, and there's a very limited supply of Vrienden and Beaver-River left for sale. Take a trip out to Beau's if you get the chance.