By Emily Stonehouse
Boshkung Brewing has once again been recognized for their outstanding beers – and this time on a national stage.
The Haliburton County company recently took home a silver prize in the English IPA category at the Canada Beer Cup – beating out over 1500 other beers from across the country.
“We figured we had won something,” said Mathew Renda, the co-owner of Boshkung, “but we weren’t sure exactly what it was.”
The awards took place in Vancouver this year, after traveling from city to city over the years. Despite the interest in attending in-person, Renda noted that he wasn’t sure if it was worth the journey if the outcome was unknown.
Instead, the Minden-based brewery hosted a live-stream of the awards show last week, which resulted in sharing the successes as a community – a focus that Renda and his team always have top of mind.
Boshkung Brewing Co.has grown and pivoted over the years, starting as an offshoot of Rhubarb Restaurant in Carnarvon, and eventually expanding with new owners, new food, and a new vision.
The Kungaroo IPA in particular is a beer that Boshkung produces which has been given a nod of approval more than once, having won gold two years in a row with the Ontario Beer Awards, before hitting the national stage just this past week. “It’s a really unique beer,” said Renda. “It’s a more traditional, English IPA, and always a crowd favourite.”
While being crowned for beer championships on the other side of the country, the local brewery was also given the nod of approval from a local audience, with 32 nominations through the Haliburton Highlands Chamber of Commerce awards gala. Boshkung was highlighted in everything from tourism and hospitality to individual leadership business achievements.
And the company intends to continue offering services throughout the winter months, when many tourism-based businesses call it quits until warmer weather. “We’ve got a new menu rolling out,” said Renda, “and we are covering our porch to make sure it’s warm for the winter.”
Renda said that starting this week, they will also be launching their First Responders nights each Friday evening, offering discounts to anyone on the front lines. “It’s just a way to give back and appreciate all the work they do,” said Renda.
Boshkung Brewing Co. is located at 20 Water Street in downtown Minden.
