BACKYARD 11.24.17 ... " A Re-purposed Distillery "

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Part 4 in the Series, Exploring Our Backyard

... a new brewpub opens ...

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Getting There

Open the map as [Full Screen], from the left-sided list choose a Numbered Location and click, zoom in/out.

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Culture, Food and Drink

SIGNAL BREWERY

Numbered Map Location: 10

' ... Signal Beer is proudly brewed in historic Corbyville, Ontario. The town was built around spirits. Its' history begins in the early Canadian frontier, when whisky was as much a part of daily life as bread and meat ... '

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Corbyville History 

The town’s patriarch, Henry Corby was a baker by trade. In the early 1930’s he moved to Belleville and opened one of the first bakeries there, to great success. It was known for years as the premiere bakery in Belleville. After a military service in the 1837 rebellion he sold his bakery and bought a St Lawrence steamliner. (stock photo)

Henry Corby’s involvement in buying and selling grain led to the establishment of a gristmill in what is now Corbyville. At his new mill, farmers would bring their grain to be ground into meal, and would reserve a portion of it to be made into whisky. This sparked Henry Corby’s interest in the distilling process. He was soon making his own whisky for local consumption as a sideline to the main milling operation. By 1859, the distillery operation was incorporated and was known as “Alma Mills” (for his late first wife Alma) It quickly eclipsed the mill operations.

When Henry Corby went to pursue a career in politics (Belleville Mayor 1867-68) his son Henry jr, known as Harry took over, invested substantially in the business and moved it into the retail trade, setting up a bottle shop in Belleville.

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It took 2 years to renovate the old distillery. 

When we visited they had only been open for a couple of months and were already out of all beers but a pilsner. They also have beer from several other local breweries on tap. Within a few weeks they hope to begin supplying to restaurants and retail locations.

Modern plumbing and electrical, radiant in-floor heating, fully insulated, new windows. Finish materials were salvaged from old shutters, metal sidings, doors, barrels and brick. The new brewery is modern and state-of-the-art. Special events and musical performances by local artists. A large outdoor patio overlooking the Moira River.

 

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Lunch

We recently completed a road trip through much of PEI and New Brunswick. At one point, I began calling it the 'Chowder Tour'. I must have sampled close to 2 dozen chowders in that time and remarked on several occasions that ' you can't get chowder this good in Ontario '. Well I was wrong! ... the chowder I was served at the Signal Brewery was outstanding and better than anything I tasted in either province ... of course, my review comes with apologies to all my friends from 'over there'.

Chowder: mussels, shrimp, local pickerel, corn, beans, onions, potatoe, chive garnish, cream, w. biscuit 
Beer: Long Black Ale from 555 Brewing Company, Picton

Chicken: 1/2 roasted chicken, roasted fingerling potatoes, red cabbage slaw w. fresh herbs, chive garnish
Wine: Pinot Gris, Niagara Region ON

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All photos by LOAFin Around unless otherwise credited.

To read all posts in this series click Exploring Our Backyard.

Crusty & Wry ... 

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