Brewing up success with Cornwall HomeBrew Club

Brewing up success with Cornwall HomeBrew Club
The patio at Schnitzels European Flavours was a makeshift mini-brewery during the first annual Learn to Brew Beer Day event in Cornwall.

By Adam Brazeau
CORNWALL, Ontario – Brewing hobbyists and professionals explored the science of making your own beer at the first annual Learn to Brew Beer Day event.

Hosted by the Cornwall HomeBrew Club, the ins and outs of making beer were on tap. Seasoned home brewers schooled beer enthusiasts on the magic inside bottles, mugs and glasses everywhere.

Andy Morrison is a recent member of the club and saw the event as a way to learn about one of his favourite beverages. For a year he has brewed his own beer at home. He lives in Montreal and works in Cornwall.

“I came here to meet other brewers. The brewing community is a small world,” he said. “It’s nice to be able to advance the hobby.”

Morrison said he first learned about brewing your own beer from a friend, who gave him a glass to try. From that sip his relationship with beer became much closer.

“I fell in love with craft beer,” he said. “I can’t believe how good it tastes.”

Beer made from a craft brewery or a microbrewery is unique because it’s only made in limited supply.

During his introduction to fellow members of the club, he also learned about using fresh ingredients and having control of the overall flavour during the brewing process.

For Andy Rorabeck, club member, the event showcased the desire for craft beer in the area. A thirst he aims to quench when his small batch brewery opens in Cornwall in the spring or summer of 2014.

“There’s already a craft beer brewing community here that would be best served with a product directly from the area,” said Rorabeck, owner of Rurban Brewing. “It’s an offshoot of the local food movement.”

Ryan Chaytor, club founder, said the home brewing trend that is pouring its way across North America is getting stronger.

“We had a great turnout,” he said. “There are a lot of people excited to learn the craft. And I’m excited to educate.”

Special guests were Mario Bourgeois, head brewer/owner of Cassle Brewery, and Ron Brennan, owner of Old 4th Brewing Company.

To find out more about the event or the club, e-mail cornwallhomebrewclub@gmail.com. To find out about Rurban Brewing, visit www.rurbanbrewing.com.

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