Binging the latest season of Blown Away? Why not enjoy the experience first hand at Ottawa’s newest brewery, Gather Brewery and Glassworks.
Previously a glass blowing workshop and boutique making upwards of 25’000 pieces a year, Gray Glass is transforming into Gather Brewery and Glassworks, Merrickville’s newest (and only) brewery.
With a portion of the retail gallery transforming into a bespoke taproom, it will be a fully accessible multipurpose space also available for events and workshops.
Michael Gray, who was born and raised in Ottawa, has been glass blowing since the age of 6!
I asked what propagated the change to move into brewing and he joyfully replied “because I love beer!” and while Mike has many hobbies, brewing seemed like a natural choice as the gallery already did a popular sip and shop happy hour with Ontario craft beer and wine and limited food on offer.
The new space is now open and serving 8 highly sought after guest beers on tap, including a great selection of delicious IPAs from friends at All My Friends, Bellwoods, Dominion City, and Third Moon. Hopefully the licensing to brew and serve their mainstays: a lager, a blonde and a NEIPA to start will be in place by June, along with an exciting food concept.
If this Spring weather isn’t warm enough for you, how about a glassblowing and beer tasting workshop to heat things up!? Grab your group and create under the guidance of an experienced glass blower, followed by revelling in your experience with a tasting of artisanal beer.
Even if you aren’t participating in a workshop, the hand blown glassware in the taproom will have you feeling fancy. The glasses are a beautiful clear ‘crizzled’ glass that are also available for purchase if you want to bring the experience home with you.
Expect events such as workshops to build your own pint glass (or as close to one as you can) thanks to a recent re-popularization of the art form; I’m looking at you Netflix’s series ‘Blown Away’. so you know I had to drop buzzwords like ‘annealer’ and ‘hotshop’.
Also look for live music, food truck pop ups and maybe even D & D night! If you have suggestions for public or private events in the space, reach out to them on their socials – they are very friendly!
Look out for an opening event the weekend of May 17th and raise your (heavy but very beautiful) glass to a wonderful new small business in the Ottawa area. You are going to want to reserve early as indoor seating is limited to 30 patrons but there’s a beautiful wrap around porch that it better be warm enough to enjoy by then!
