OUR STORY

As with any new venture, the Cowbell story began with a dream. In 2016, when a group of successful craft beer enthusiasts looked out at the more than 120 acres of Huron County farmland at the corner of Highways 4 and 25, they saw more than a tractor. They saw a place where friends could gather for good times, delicious food and great beer. They saw Cowbell Country.

Their dream was an ambitious one. As Canada’s Destination Brewery, Cowbell had to be accessible, inclusive, sustainable, socially responsible and family friendly. It had to provide folks with a place to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life, while embracing family and friends, wholesome food, and the craftsmanship and care that goes into every Cowbell beverage. 

The Cowbell dream also had to begin with a good, old-fashioned barn raising!

COWBELL’S COMMITMENT TO SUSTAINABILITY

Back when Cowbell Brewing Co. was an ambitious dream yet to materialize on 120 acres of Huron County farmland, the Cowbell team was committed to maximizing sustainable practices and minimizing environmental impact. From our brewing practices, to energy and water consumption, to our choice of packaging materials, we have embraced the responsibility and legacy of those who cared for Cowbell Country before us.

Here are just some of our sustainability initiatives: 

• Our Rectification Boil System increases the efficiency of the brew kettle by 80%. It allows for more beer to be brewed in less time, using less energy, while conserving 250 litres of water per brew.
• The water used to make our delicious, premium craft beverages is sourced from an on-site proprietary well (water is treated through a three-step filtration process, including particle filtration, carbon filtration and UV light), then wastewater is treated, removing 99% of the organic load.
• Instead of rinsing our cans with precious water, which then goes down the drain, Cowbell cans are cleaned with zero-waste ionized air, currently conserving approximately 10 million litres of water per year.
• The Cowbell building is constructed from Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) certified wood products and renewable Canadian Douglas Fir, Pine, Oak and Hemlock, and other locally-sourced timeless materials.
• Environmentally inert fiberglass and wood windows were installed throughout the building. The west-facing windows were coated to reduce the greenhouse effect by 80%. Operable cupola windows provide natural ventilation via the stack effect and reduce the need for air conditioning in the summer. Ceiling fans reduce temperature stratification and reduce the heating and cooling load by 20%.
• All lighting fixtures are high-efficiency LED, with motion sensors to turn on lights only when required. 
• Low-flow fixtures throughout the building minimize the use of water and the effect on the on-site wastewater treatment plant.
• The Cowbell Brewing parking lot features five electric vehicle-charging stations, 4-Tesla chargers and 1-universal charger, which are free to use by Cowbell guests.
• Sections of green roof absorb solar radiation and rainwater, clean the air and provide a habitat for butterflies, insects and small birds. 
• Through a multi-year partnership with the Maitland Valley Conservation Authority, 28-acres at Cowbell have been reforested with 17,000 native species trees, pollinators and fruit producers.
• The Cowbell General Store, E-Store and the brewery use post-consumer recyclable packaging materials.
• The Cowbell Kitchen restaurant uses unlaminated paper menus to reduce use of plastics, as well as paper straws and post-consumer recyclable paper take-away containers and bags.

DIVERSITY & INCLUSION

Cowbell is committed to understanding, accepting, and valuing the differences between people. Our team members and guests all possess a variety of unique dimensions, qualities, and characteristics. We hold ourselves accountable to develop and deliver products, practices, and policies that provide equal access, opportunities and welcomeness for all people who might otherwise be excluded or marginalized.

In the past year, we completed the following initiatives:

Educating ourselves on the history of the Indigenous Peoples of Turtle Island & acknowledging their history on the land that is home to our brewery.

Development of a multi-year accessibility plan.

Gender pronoun education and training.

Guest experience feedback surveys, specific to inclusion and accessibility.

We are proud to partner with the Canadian Centre for Diversity & Inclusion. Our Diversity & Inclusion Committee is responsible for planning and implementing annual goals and projects that will continuously ensure a welcoming and inclusive environment at Cowbell.