Brantford area craft breweries are gaining recognition at this year’s Ontario Brewing Awards. The winners were: Meuse won gold for the second consecutive year in the strong Belgian category for its Saison de la Meuse. The brewery also received a bronze medal in the Monastic Ale category for its Extra brand.

“It was really special,” said Estelle van Kleef who, with partner Mischa Geven, began their farmhouse-style brewing operation three years ago. “Winning twice in a row solidifies that it’s a pretty good product.”

The couple have won eight awards to date, including a best of show in 2020 for their Rouge Cuvee.

“We have a little shelf in our space where we’ve put (the awards) up, but we might have to expand that a little,” said van Kleef, adding they opened a beer garden on their 25-acre farm, which this year was certified organic.

“The barley that we grow now for the beer is organic, and we’re using that in our different beers,” she noted. “It’s a nice accomplishment to get to. There’s a nice community building up around the brewery.”

Backyard Brewing was awarded bronze in the spiced beer category for its Roasted Banana Pepper Ale entry.

Brewing out of Blue Elephant Artisan Brewery on Norfolk Street where the beer is also sold, head brewer John Harris and his wife, Barb Rideout, have been in operation for just under two years.

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