Farmery Estate Brewery involved in Open Farm Day
- Details
- Published on Thursday, September 13, 2018
Left to right: Lawrence and Chris Warwaruk of Farmery Estate Brewery
By Eoin Devereux
Neepawa Banner & Press
On a hot summer day, while enjoying with an ice cold beer, have you ever stopped to ask yourself ‘How did this get from the field to the glass?’ If you have, Farmery Estate Brewery in Neepawa has the answers you were looking for this weekend. Farmery is one of 42 venues across Manitoba who are involved with the 15th annual Open Farm Day, set for Sunday, Sept. 16.
The event is organized by the Manitoba Association of Agricultural Societies and will offer the public a chance to see just how their foods, or in this case, beverages are made. Dozens of farms across the province will provide activities and educational tours of their operations.
Chris Warwaruk, one of the founders of Farmery Estate Brewery, said that while their business has participated in Open Farm Day in previous years, this year’s involvement will be much more in-depth.
“For the last couple of years, we’ve been involved. This year though, we’ll be participating in a bigger way, because we actually have the brewery to give tours and stuff like that. So now, it’ll be one of the destinations of the circuit for Open Farm Day,” noted Warwaruk. “We provided open tours last year on Sunday, but [this year] it’ll be much more extensive.”
Warwaruk said part of Open Farm Day will also include access to the hop yards. He noted this is actually the perfect time for this event to happen, as they are in the middle of the hop harvest.
Farmery Estate Brewery has also timed a fundraiser to coincide with Open Farm Day, as it has partnered with Brandon’s East 40 Packers to make Farmery Harvest Smokies. These smokies have been made from steers purchased through several local 4-H auctions. Farmery will use its BBQ smoker at the brewery to cook them and 50 percent of the proceeds raised from those smokies will be split between the Neepawa, Rapid City and Erickson 4-H Beef Clubs.
Warwaruk said this fundraising effort will start Friday and continue through to the Open Farm Day on Sunday.
“We’re going to be specifically targeting the Farmery barbecue smokie fundraiser for the 4-H Beef Clubs throughout the weekend. It’ll be dedicated to the local beef clubs, that’s unique for this year and it’s something we’re passionate about. Supporting local clubs like this is important.”
It’s important to note that while the smokie fundraiser will take place all weekend, starting on Friday, Sept. 14; the Open Farm Day tours are only occurring on Sunday, Sept. 16. Warwaruk said they are expecting and prepared to be very busy. He added that they are hoping people will come out and check behind the scenes and support these worthy local groups at the same time.
Expanded information on the Open Farm Day can be located online at www.openfarmday.ca.
