Riverhead Brewing Company: reliable consistency, expert quality, authentic beers
Walking into Riverhead Brewery Company is kind of like coming home after a long day and knowing you’re going to get some comfortable downtime with a quality beer you’ve been looking forward to. You’re welcomed into the beer hall with a casual, unpretentious and outdoorsy vibe. There are paddles above the bar, a canoe on the wall and the space exudes a rustic charm. Owner and Brewmaster, Aaron Martin, said that’s exactly what they are going for – customers who feel at ease and beer that appeals to all.
Riverhead Brewing Company celebrated its seventh anniversary of being an independent craft brewery on the Kingston scene this past summer. For owners Richard Marzec and Martin, that is seven years of brewing reliably top notch beer while also offering delicious food and loads of fun. During that time, the folks at Riverhead have garnered a slew of loyal customers, earned an unofficial title for the best pizza in town and brewed many fan favourites.
Brews and chews
Riverhead Brewing Company typically offers four core beers as well as rotating seasonal brews. Martin said all the beer is brewed and packaged in house. Those standards in the Riverhead lineup include Cervaza, Tropical IPA, Campfire Amber and Pathfinder IPA, each with their own reasons to savour a sip.
New this fall, Riverhead teamed up with the Kingston Frontenacs to create Fan Brew at 4%. It’s a clean, crisp pale light lager brewed to celebrate Kingston’s favourite hockey team. Martin said it’s a slick can and they are thrilled to see the collab selling well. Look for it at the brewery, as well as at Slush Puppie Place during Fronts home games.
He went on to note that the seasons often inspire the brews, while also listening to suggestions and feedback from their patrons and the people who frequent the beer hall. “The inspiration goes to the beer drinkers and what people want to experience,” he said. To that end, Riverhead Brewing Company recently released four additional beers for the season: Little Hop of Horrors, Richard’s Red, Festbier and Oktoberfest Lager. The Oktoberfest is of particular note, as a German amber lager, designed true to style using 100 percent Weyerman malt with hints of toast. Richard’s Red is a Riverhead classic, as a smooth malt forward ale with hints of caramel and toffee. The cleverly named and on-point beer for Halloween, Little Hop of Horrors, is a classic West Coast IPA using Chinook, Cascade and Centennial hops with notes of pine and a cheeky bite of bitterness.
Towards November, Riverhead will once again be adding a double IPA for the holidays and a dark cerveza. Martin said what sets their beers apart is the focus on quality and consistency of the beer. But what sets the brewery apart is taking the lead from their customers. “We make beer for everybody because we pride ourselves on listening to our customers,” he said.
Foodies rejoice: a new menu just launched at Riverhead this month! The gourmet pizza is still a favourite, but there are several newly-crafted menu items and cocktails making Riverhead a perfect destination for lunch and dinner. Find a kale Caesar salad on the new menu, as well as mouth-watering rib tips, and even a Philly cheese steak sandwich among more flavourful fare. It’s part of refocusing on the beer and front of house, expanding offerings on the menu and enticing more people to enjoy the culture of Riverhead, Martin said.
Excellent events at Riverhead Brewing
Beer is just the beginning here – look for fun nights on the calendar at Riverhead, too. Think cornhole tournaments, comedy shows, weekly trivia nights, and Lagers & Joggers which melds use of the nearby K&P Trail with some celebratory after-run pints. Riverhead also recently shone a light on Oktoberfest and held an incredibly successful event at the brewery which packed the place for hours.
Another unique feature of the brewery is its location at 631 Fortune Crescent in Kingston. Everything about visiting is easy: it’s easy to get to, right off Hwy. 401, it’s an easy walk from the neighbouring hockey rink, parking is free and plentiful, and it’s easy to refuel there with great food and even better beers to savour.
Martin said the beer hall and brewery has grown in all the best ways – they have doubled in size since opening seven years ago and have become entrenched in the community as a meeting place for gatherings, a quick break between games for sporting families, and a place to stop and stretch on road trips. Riverhead routinely donates to charities, supports teams and volunteers within the community.
Martin said they like to have a lot on the go and so encourages people to follow along on Riverhead’s socials for event offerings and new releases. Find out more about Riverhead Brewing Company at www.riverheadbrewing.com or by following on Instagram and Facebook @riverheadbrewing. Better yet, hop over for a visit!