A successful year within the local drink industry is offering an exciting outlook for the sector.
Tourism Sarnia-Lambton (TSL) recently recognized five drink producers who have won awards over the past year.
Black Gold Brewery, Shale Ridge Estate Winery and Cidery, Twin Pines Orchards & Cider House, Imperial City Brew House, and Refined Fool Brewing Company all received awards. Further details about which awards were won for each beverage can be found below.
TSL Product Development Coordinator Beverley Horodyski said the five award-winning producers are part of the Cheers to the Coast drink trail, which highlights a map of local drink producers in the region.
"We have talented producers, creative people who really have that talent to create new drinks, and that brings visitors to Lambton County," she said. "The coast is [also] part of the experience here, and I think everyone's kind of yearning to get out and really enjoy the outdoors and local production."
Horodyski said the award-winning producers have remained humble but deserve recognition for their success -- especially awards won during a pandemic.
"These are all smaller, locally-owned businesses that had the courage and the fortitude to throw their hat into the ring and wanted to compete during some very challenging times," she said. "So I think that's key to how hard they are workers and creative business owners."
The list of breweries, wineries, and cideries participating in Cheers to the Coast has grown since the program first launched in 2018. Horodyski said that momentum within the industry is expected to keep growing.
"It just continues to grow which is exciting for our region," she said.
A full list of Cheers to the Coast locations can be found by clicking, here.
Black Gold Brewery in Petrolia was recognized during the 2021 Ontario Brewing Awards. The brewery won gold in the Brown Ale category for its "What the Frack" drink, and silver in the European Sour Ale category with "Berliner Weisee."
Shale Ridge Estate Winery and Cidery in Thedford was named Cidery of the Year 2021 by the Ottawa Cider Crate. The establishment received special mention for its Cherry Chocolate and Cranberry Spiced ciders. The Cherry Chocolate cider was also listed in The Cider Crate - Best of 2021 top five overall list.
Twin Pines Orchards & Cider House from Thedford was awarded 11 medals, including Best in Show Gold, at the Great Lakes International Cider and Perry Competition.
Imperial City Brew House in Sarnia won Best in Class for its "Goodbye Gravity Cream Ale" from the Alberta Beverage Awards.
Refined Fool Brewing Company in Sarnia won bronze for its craft beer "Zane Lost His Avocado Bag" in the American Style Imperial Indian Pale category at the Canadian Brewing Awards.