The Citizen, 2016-05-19, Page 20PAGE 20. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2016.
Over 1,000 attend Cowbell `first batch' party
have product on the shelves before
that, however."
Sparling said that the Absent
Landlord will be available at local
LCBO stores by the end of the
month.
"We're starting to package now
and getting it distributed in the area
surrounding Blyth at the end of
May," he said. "We hope to be in 200
to 250 LCBO locations by the end of
the summer."
The Absent Landlord, named after
Henry Blyth, who bought much of
the town during its early days but
had never actually visited the site,
will be the first in a line of many
beers called the Founders Series
according to President Steven
Sparling, who spoke at the event.
Sparling said that the beers would
be named after colourful characters,
from the area.
For more information on the
company, its beer or its plans for the
future, visit its website at
cowbellbrewing.com
Nationals exceed expectations
A brief introduction
Stephen Rich, the Brewmaster and Director of Brewing
Operations for Blyth Cowbell Brewing Company was on
hand for the First Batch Launch Party where the Absent
Landlord, the first of the company's Founders Series, was
released to the public. Rich was instrumental in bringing the
brew about according to Vice -President Grant Sparling,
who welcomed Rich on stage to explain the inspiration
behind what they call their country kolsch brew. (Denny Scott
photo)
By Denny Scott
The Citizen
Blyth Cowbell Brewing Company
released its inaugural brew, the
Absent Landlord, during a special
sold -out launch ceremony at the
Blyth Community Centre on
Saturday night.
The company plans to build a
destination brewhouse, restaurant
and farm at the corner of Highway 4
and County Road 25 which will be
not only a place to buy all brews, but
also home to a farm where crops
used in brewing will be harvested.
Cowbell Brewing Company
welcomed 1,005 ticket holders (the
census population of Blyth) to the
event where its staff were introduced
to the village for the first time since
its initial announcement to the
public, which it dubbed its Home
Opener, at the Emergency Services
Training Centre.
Vice -President Grant Sparling said
the event hit all the checkpoints the
executive team hoped for and then
some.
"Saturday was incredible," he
said. "It was everything we wanted,
hoped for and more. The reaction
from everyone at the event and
following it was fantastic."
Sparling said there were fantastic
reviews of the beer and of the
company itself and felt the event was
a great way to include the
community in the launch of the
inaugural brew.
"I'm not sure how many people
came through the door, but we had
1,005 tickets and that was our target
and we sold out so that was great
news for us," Sparling said.
The success of the brew itself was
something that Sparling was
particularly excited about, saying
many people mentioned it had a
broad appeal.
"That was exactly what we were
going for with our first beer," he
said. "People who don't normally
drink them think craft beers are big
on bitterness, aroma and hops,
which we didn't want for this first
beer. We wanted to appeal to
everyone I think it's a good mix of
accessibility and craft beer."
Sparling said the audience agreed
with him, as he was told the Absent
Landlord is flavourful but also
approachable and drinkable.
The event also served as a stage
for Sparling to announce how the
company will develop from here.
"June 6 we will have the
groundbreaking at the site," he said,
adding that the details were still
being hammered out for that. "We'll
Getting it going
Reigning Canadian auctioneering champion Calvin Kuepfer started off the 2016 auctioneering
championship at Brussels Livestock on Friday. The competition is part of the Livestock Market
Association of Canada (LMAC) convention held annually which was hosted in Huron County
this year. Kuepfer, in black, was assisted by Brussels Livestock Clerk and Salesperson Steve
Hutchison to get the day going. (Denny Scott photo)
Continued from page 11
there was no way he could have done
a focused performance," Wright
said. "I'm sure he will do better at
other locations because he is an
excellent auctioneer."
The competition saw 29
auctioneers compete and more than
500 people watch the proceedings.
"We had standing room only at the
sale," Wright said. "Between that
and the tent we had set up outside
live -streaming the event, there were
at least 500 people there."
McArter estimated that,
throughout the day, the livestock
barn had anticipated approximately
750 people would attend but he feels
that number was surpassed. He said
that the beverage tent was kept busy
and the Huron County Beef
Producers, who ran a barbecue at the
event, ran out of beef.
"I'm 99 per cent sure they sold out
of beef and that shows you how
many people were there," he said.
"That's a good thing."
Wright said the LMAC executive
was anticipating a big crowd, but
they were overwhelmed by the
number of people there, which he
said is a testament to the support that
the Brussels Livestock brand has
built. He also said the sponsorship
and support from across Huron
County was outstanding, which
added to it being one of the most
successful LMAC conventions ever
held.
Next year, the event will be held at
the Perlich Brothers Auction Market
in Lethbridge, Alberta.
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