GREAT BEER LIVES AT MILL ST. BREW PUB
Lebreton Flats brewery and pub celebrates three years of success
An inspiring location, innovative food pairings, brewery tours and — of course — a mill-full of interesting and award-winning beers. Those have been the key ingredients to Mill St. Brew Pub’s success since opening in Ottawa three years ago.
Located at LeBreton Flats, Mill St. Brew Pub opened in January 2012 within the historic Thompson-Perkins & Bronson Pulp Mill. The 140-year-old former grist mill is rich in industrial heritage and charm. The limestone building is Ottawa’s oldest surviving mill and was once an integral part of the world’s largest lumbering operation. Today, the beautifully restored site offers unique views of the nation’s capital and attractive access to the Ottawa River.
An easy 15-minute walk from Parliament Hill, Mill St. Brew Pub is also just a short jaunt from the Canadian War Museum and situated right along the Sir John A. Macdonald Parkway and the Ottawa River Pathway. Its location along the pathway makes it “a great place to stop for a pint after a ride or a run,” says Helen Griffiths, regional operations manager for Mill St. Brew Pub. “This is one of the few places in Ottawa where you can see and hear the river while having a drink or a bite to eat. During winter, we even have a few cross-country skiers stopping in after skiing beside the river.”
For the less adventurous imbiber arriving by vehicle, the Mill St. Brew Pub offers 120 parking spots in front of the restaurant, in their parking garage and under the Portage Bridge.
Not only is Mill St. a picturesque place to eat and drink, it’s a great wedding venue, according to Griffiths. “Last year we hosted approximately 40 wedding parties. We have wonderful opportunities for wedding photos with the old brick buidings and the river.” Their upstairs Brewmaster’s Room is available for private events of up to 120 people or 180 people for the whole second floor.
While the reputation of any brew pub rests on its selection of suds, Mill St. Brew Pub is well known for its varied and eclectic selection of food.
“We have new menu additions, with many of our offerings having a local focus,” says Griffiths. “We try our best to source as much food as we can from the Ottawa region.”
Food favourites include elk burger (featuring Kanata Elk Ranch ground elk), brewery tourtière and ragout de boulettes, along with standard pub fare such as fish and chips, chicken wings and brewmaster’s mussels (“every good brew pub needs mussels,” laughs Griffiths). All menu items are thoughtfully paired with suggested beers.
Mill St. Brew Pub offers a range of loyalty programs for their customers including the chance to attend Beer School (brewery tour) and to participate in their MBA (Master of Beer Appreciation) program. “Beer School runs Mondays to Fridays at 5 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays at 3 p.m. and 5 p.m.,” says Griffiths. “Participants start at the brewmaster’s table and are given a tour of the brewery by head brewer Adam Rader. They’re able to try four different six-ounce samples of beer, and the tour finishes with a half-shot of bierschnaps, which is raw beer, double distilled. It’s not your average schnaps!”
Customers accrue points on their MBA card each time they visit Mill St. Brew Pub. Once their card is full, they qualify for full MBA membership, with rewards that include their name engraved onto the MBA Wall of Fame keg, a special MBA mug, two tickets for a brewmaster’s dinner, becoming an honoured guest tapper and more.
But of course it’s the variety and quality of their beer selection that has given the brew pub its deserved reputation.
Mill St. Brew Pub connects Canada’s brewing heritage with today’s innovative craft beer scene. Their 14-tap lineup includes ever-popular brands like Tankhouse Ale, as well as new brews designed especially for Ottawa patrons, including Portage Ale, Ambre de la Chaudiere, and Valley Irish Red. Their revolving selection of seasonal brews and weekly casks will satisfy even the most adventuresome craft beer lover.
To prepare for St. Patrick’s Day, on Friday, March 13, Mill St. will offer a “St. Practice Day” brewmaster’s dinner, consisting of a five-course meal, each course being paired with a special brew chosen by brewmaster Joel Manning.
Other regular events at Mill St. include $5 burgers on Mondays, Wing Day on Tuesdays, all you can eat mussels on Wednesdays, and Cask & Cheese Thursdays. Mill St. Brew Pub recently introduced Red Fridays, with a 15 per cent discount on food to customers wearing red, as a way of saying thank you to those who support our troops.
Live reservations are now available online.
For more information visit ottawa.millstreetbrewpub.ca/