CALABOGIE STORY

Every glass of Calabogie beer is brimming with rich history. 

We opened Calabogie Brewing Co. in 2015, but our brewery’s story dates back centuries. We proudly named our brewery after the town of its birth, Calabogie, ON – a small town about a hundred kilometres west of Ottawa.

The town’s name is believed to come from the Gaelic phrase “Calladh bogaidh,” which is pronounced “Cala boga,” and translates to “marshy shore.” Early settlers chose this name to reflect the large presence of nearby lakes. Calabogie rests on Madawaska River, which flows into four lakes: Calabogie, Black Donald, Norcan and Centennial.

In the 1800s, Calabogie functioned primarily as a lumber town, with the river being used to transport logs. The introduction of the K&P Railway near the end of the century transformed the town, pushing the economy to thrive and people to come and leave with ease.

Today, Calabogie is a must-see destination for adventure junkies. From challenging hiking trails and ski slopes to sparkling lakes, every square inch of this town is worth exploring. 

With Calabogie in our name, we have a duty to match the level of excitement that adventurers have come to expect. When we opened our brewery and taproom on the river, we had one goal in mind: to bring people together. 

Our dedicated brew team worked hard to develop a series of beers that are satisfying and consistent in their quality. The first beer we launched – the Front Porch Kolsch – is still a favourite today. 

In the years since, we’ve had the privilege to launch a wide variety of beverages that reflect our passion for great beer. Our signature red taproom in Calabogie has become a staple for visitors, and in 2018, we expanded with a second location in the tech park found in the west end of Ottawa, ON.

In 2021, Calabogie Brewing Co. struck gold at the Canadian Beer Awards in Quebec City, QC. Our winter seasonal beer, named after a well known lake in “The Valley”, Black Donald Irish Stout won the gold medal for a second time (2019 Gold) in the porter category, while our Brown Cow Nitro Milk Stout won the bronze medal in the sweet stout or cream stout category.

With years of serving great beer under our belt, we’re excited to continue launching innovative beers alongside our signature line-up. We’re also thrilled to continue hosting community events at our taprooms. Find out what we’re brewing at our two taprooms or at a beer or liquor provider near you.