The Cowbell Brewery
We are grateful for the opportunity to build a beautiful, unique, destination craft brewery from the ground up — tailoring the entire 111-acre space to our vision and our values. Guests will be greeted with enthusiasm in authentic, rural Grand Old Barn architecture, and experience a state-of-the-art brewing and packaging facility, local farm-to-table restaurant, wood-fired pizza oven and a unique bar venue serving fresh Cowbell beer.
Brewhouse Equipment
All equipment is designed with a comprehensive approach to energy conservation and resource management. Features include high-efficiency equipment such as components equipped with variable frequency drives to reduce unnecessary electricity demand; the most efficient steam boiler on the market; rectification boil technology that reduces primary energy consumption and reduces unnecessary evaporation, and a condenser turns remaining vapour into reusable hot water. We brew more beer in less time, using less energy and less water.
Water Consumption
Our targeted water-to-beer consumption ratio is 4:1 – much lower than the industry standard of 10:1 (and in some cases 20:1). The brewery is a closed-loop facility with an onsite deep well supplying 100% of the brewing and process water. This design features our own effluent management system, resulting in zero impact on the municipal sanitary services infrastructure.
Carbon Sequestration Program
Our carbon sequestration program involves an on-site intensive, 23-acre reforestation project. The project, a 2010 joint venture with the Maitland Valley Conservation Authority (MVCA), planted approximately 12,000 native tree species to return the land back to forest, complete with trails and meadows for year-round use. We look forward to reforesting additional land with MVCA.
The General Store
Located just inside the main entrance at Cowbell, the General Store is your official source for all things Cowbell and Country Cool. Built in the style of old general stores, all cabinets were built using reclaimed Hemlock beams from the oldest commercial building in Blyth. And yes, there is a rolling ladder.
Cowbell Gear
We’re your source for Cowbell-branded everything: from t-shirts, hats, hoodies, coffee, candles, jewelry, and patio umbrellas, to leather coasters, tin signs, and a full line of beer-specific Cowbell glassware.
Delicious Beer
All Cowbell beer is available at the General Store, including styles that are exclusive to the General Store in Blyth. Various can sizes are available. Mix your own variety pack, grab six or twelve packs, cases of 24, or kegs. Depending on when you visit, there may be limited edition, small batches of unique Cowbell beer for sale in custom bottles.
The Coolest Growlers
Cowbell’s Pegas growler filler was built with you in mind. This state-of-the-art system fills growlers under pressure, just like a production bottling line. This means zero oxygen pickup and your unopened growler of beer will remain delicious for up to 30 days, making this the next best thing to Cowbell draught beer at home.
Accessibility
From the outset, it was important to the Sparling Family that Cowbell is a safe, family-friendly and accessible destination. This includes thoughtful interior and exterior design strategies, an elevator, appropriate signage, and extends to all personal facilities such as restrooms and an adult changing station. Equally important is the commitment to team awareness, education, and front-line empowerment. Everyone is welcome at Cowbell.
The story of Blyth Cowbell Brewing Co.
Now open
Located at the corner of Highways 4 and 25, in Blyth, Ontario, Cowbell is a unique destination craft brewery. It is unlike anything else in Canada.
Grant Sparling and his sons, Steven and David, built Sparling’s Propane, which grew to be one of the largest propane retailers in Canada before it was sold to a national energy company. Taking this business expertise into craft brewing means that Steven, and the third generation, Grant, lead an ambitious team that is committed to outstanding beer and memorable experiences at a 111-acre destination brewery. This includes a state-of-the-art 50HL closed-loop brewhouse with indoor and outdoor seating for over 400 and private dining and meeting spaces.
Plans include building an Estate Beer brewhouse that will use fruit and vegetables from an accessible restaurant garden, a working farm complete with barley, hops, and an orchard. We will also complete construction of a unique outdoor natural amphitheatre for live music, culture, and athletic events, with space for 15,000 people. Performer and Guest experience, sound travel, parking and accessibility are integral to the design of this unique, year-round entertainment venue at The Cowbell Farm.
Our commitment to the environment and our community
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Working around the limitations of a small town water supply, Cowbell sources brewing water from an on-site well and manages all effluent through its own wastewater plant - resulting in no impact on the municipal system or the environment.
Source: Burnside Engineering
Home to the World’s First Closed-Loop Brewery
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Through leading edge design, state-of-the-art technology, best practices and on-site carbon sequestration, Cowbell will offset more carbon than it emits for all operations.
Follow the Journey to Carbon Zero
North America's First Carbon Neutral Brewery
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Inspired by stack technology used by Scotch Whiskey distilleries, this Cowbell innovation will dramatically reduce boil time, energy consumption and increase beer production.
Source: Newlands
largest timber frame building and widest clear span building constructed by pineridge timberframe The brewery features authentic mortise and tenon joint construction using over 600 renewably-sourced timbers from British Columbia, some weighing over two tons, and a building highlighted by soaring 45-foot ceilings.
Source: Pineridge Timberframe Inc.
World's First Craft Brewery to use Rectification Boil Technology
The brewery is built on 111-acres and 26,000 square feet of space. Guests can enjoy tours, tastings, a retail store, a full-service bar, restaurant, indoor/outdoor seating, and entertainment/event space. Plans include a restaurant garden and working farm in 2018.
Source: Allan Avis Architects
award of excellence for environmental achievementThe building represents an "interpretation" of the traditional bank barn, however, houses many contemporary elements and state-of-the-art equipment. Special care and attention to detail were taken in detailing and execution, to celebrate the time-honoured tradition of timber-frame construction.
Source: London District Construction Association