Happy Sunday, everyone! I hope you all had a great weekend.
If you’re a regular reader of this blog, you probably know that I love discovering unique local wineries and breweries, especially within some of Ontario’s lesser known growing regions. As much as I love a good tasting trip to Niagara or Prince Edward County, there’s so much more to explore when it comes to local wines and beers! The brewery I’m going to share with you today is one I just recently discovered, and if you love great craft beer as much as I do, you’re definitely going to want to add it to your list.
Located in the village of Scotland (yes, Ontario has its own Scotland!) in Brant County, Flux Brewing Co. was founded by brothers-in-law Jeremy Hansen & Braden Cronmiller in 2020. The name Flux, defined as “a state of continuous change,” is certainly appropriate given the time frame in which they opened! Starting a brand new hospitality business in the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic was a gutsy move, but clearly it was a successful one. If the brewery’s crowded tables and ever-flowing taps are any indication, Flux is doing just fine!
The sprawling 5000-square-foot facility was formerly a stable and riding arena, its rustic wooden beams and refurbished antique fixtures nodding to the building’s history. Today, the century-old barn’s horse stalls have been replaced with a bright beer tank, five massive fermentation vessels, and plenty of seating for thirsty patrons. There are dining tables, high-tops, and a cozy lounge area with a sofa and club chairs. No matter where you sit, you’ll have a great view of Flux’s impressive brewing equipment. I always love getting a behind-the-scenes peek at where the magic happens!
We may be past patio season, but I’d be remiss not to mention Flux’s gorgeous 1500-square-foot patio. It overlooks a one-acre, spring-fed pond and boasts sweeping views of the fields beyond it.
On nice days, Flux opens up this garage-style door to let the sunshine and fresh air in.
Now, let’s talk beer! With ten different brews on tap, Flux has something for everyone. Some classics, like Drawing Board (an American pale ale) are always on the menu, while others (like their Altbier amber ale – a recent addition for Oktoberfest) are rotated seasonally. The beers are made using hops and grains from local farms. You can order a standard 16-ounce pour (prices range from $7-$9), an 8-ounce pour ($4.50) or a flight of three 6-ounce pours ($12). Tania and I opted for a flight so we could try a few different things! We selected the Night Shift (a blonde ale), Kaleidoscope (a strawberry lemonade sour) and Drawing Board. I love sour, fruity beers so the Kaleidoscope was definitely my favourite. Tania likes pale ale, so she loved the Drawing Board. But honestly, everything was really good – I would order any of them again!
If you’re like me and beer makes you snackish, Flux has got you covered. Out on their patio is Manna Kitchen, a takeout restaurant housed in a shipping container. Everything at Flux is self-serve, so you’ll need to head outside, place your food order, and come back to pick it up when it’s ready. (Don’t worry: they’ll give you a buzzer!) Pro tip: the kitchen closes an hour before the brewery does, so make sure you place your orders in time.
Manna serves a menu of classic bar snacks, from chicken wings to pretzels to poutine, along with more unique options like tuna poke and dill pickle fries. Tania and I were in an Oktoberfest kind of mood, so we got an order of hot salted pretzels ($14 for two.) The pretzels come with beer cheese sauce and sweet mustard, and let me just say, the cheese sauce alone is worth ordering the pretzels for!
I’m so glad I had the chance to visit Flux. They ticked all the boxes: great beer, delicious food, friendly service and a fun atmosphere. They’ve definitely earned a spot on my list of top local breweries, and I look forward to returning again soon. If you give Flux a try, please let me know what you thought – I’d love to hear from you!
Are you a craft beer fan? If you have any favourite local breweries to recommend, shout them out in the comments! I’m always looking for new places to try. Until next time, I hope you all have a relaxing rest of your Sunday evening, and a great week ahead!
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