Torched Brewing Company

By Shawn Loughlin

While it may have a new name, Torched Brewing Company of Grand Bend has retained all of the history that connects it to the community, which is one of the province’s most visited tourist destinations. 

In November, Brewster’s Mill Brewing Company became Torched Brewing Company. Co-owners Jason and Michelle said there was some confusion in the industry in light of social media and another similar name in Western Canada, so it only made sense.

With Brewster’s Mill being the original name of Grand Bend, however, they wanted to retain that history, while also clarifying their brand to the world and Torched Brewing was born. 

This dates back to the story of Benjamin Brewster and his friend Mr. Pettis. The pair erected a mill and a mill dam in what would become Brewster’s Mill, now known as Grand Bend. The mill was eventually burned down - torched, if you will - and, with Brewster out of the picture, the community needed a new name and Grand Bend was born.

Jason and Michelle, joined by couples and friends Mark and Laura and Nick and Kaitlyn, bought the building in March of 2020, just before the declaration of the COVID-19 pandemic. They have since done plenty of work on the old building, located at 36 Ontario Street North, and opened their doors to the world in July of 2021. Between work on the building and the challenges of operating through the pandemic, the sextet had their work cut out for them, but now, with a new name and another tourism season around the corner, the owners feel as though the best is yet to come.

Their taproom location has an upstairs and a downstairs, as well as patio spaces out front and in the back of the building. They have three mainstay beers: Sand In My Thong Honey Blonde Ale; Crooked Waters Cream Ale, and River Pigs IPA, with an additional three premium craft beers coming soon in a red ale, a hazy IPA and an Irish stout. In addition, they have a number of rotating small-batch selections available at the taproom. The group has since purchased its own canning machine and hopes to be canning those small-batch beers in Grand Bend by the end of the year.

Saturdays at the brewery there is always live music and, during the summer months, there is live music there as many as three nights a week.

As for food, the owners of Torched Brewing have been creative with their offerings, partnering with local restaurants, chefs and even service clubs to host special days, offering food and beer at the taproom, as well as pop-up collaborations.

Torched Brewing beer is available at the taproom, on the brewery’s website and at several local restaurants and in nearby communities. 

For more information, visit the taproom at 36 Ontario Street North in Grand Bend (open from Wednesdays to Sundays), its website at www.torchedbrewing.com (complete with beer recommendations from the owners) or its Facebook or Instagram pages.