WHAT’S YOUR MEUSE
TRADITION AND TERROIR
Meuse is a farmhouse brewery, farm, and market on a rural 25-acre property in Ontario’s Garden. We make beer that is tied to tradition and molded by our surroundings. We’re a welcoming place for all people to relax in a natural setting.
Being a farmhouse brewery is more than just having a brewery on a farm, it is a mindset. With a focus on traditional European farmhouse ales and strong inspiration from Belgian styles, we craft beers using what is available to us on the farm and from our local region. This is why we draw our name from the River Meuse which runs through France, Belgium, and The Netherlands; the geographical region that we draw our inspiration from. Our beers incorporate water from the well on our farm, homegrown grains, and local hops, fruits, and other adjuncts. The underscoring signature comes from our house yeast tying our beers together; while our mixed fermentation and spontaneous beers blend together our European roots and Norfolk County home. Though not 100% local yet, it is a goal we continually strive for.
LAND STEWARDSHIP AND FARMING
We believe in practicing sustainability in our business and aim to leave the land better than we found it. Establishing the brewery on our farm in 2019, the fields were transitioned to growing organically. Working with ALUS Norfolk the old irrigation pond has been transitioned into a native wetland surrounded by native tallgrass prairie. A later addition saw the implementation of a pollinator hedge row. In 2022, we were invited to join the Norfolk Sustainability Leaders program put on by the Long Point Biosphere to further our commitment to sustainable practices within the brewery and on our farm. We raise a mixed flock of chickens, letting them free range on the farm, and supplementing their diet with spent grain from the brewing process. We’ve started planting fruits and native species with the plan to add to the diversity on our farm.
WHAT’S YOUR MEUSE
TRADITION AND TERROIR
Meuse is a farmhouse brewery, farm, and market on a rural 25-acre property in Ontario’s Garden. We make beer that is tied to tradition and molded by our surroundings. We’re a welcoming place for all people to relax in a natural setting.
Being a farmhouse brewery is more than just having a brewery on a farm, it is a mindset. With a focus on traditional European farmhouse ales, with a strong inspiration from Belgian styles, we craft beers using what is available to us on the farm and from our local region. This is why we draw our name from the River Meuse that runs through France, Belgium, and The Netherlands. Our beers incorporate well water from our farm, homegrown grains, and local hops and fruits. The underscoring signature comes from our house yeast tying our beers together; while our mixed fermentation and spontaneous beers tie us to our European roots and Norfolk County home. Though not 100% local yet, it is a goal we continually strive for.
LAND STEWARDSHIP AND FARMING
We believe in practicing sustainability in our business and aim to leave the land better than we found it. Establishing the brewery on our farm in 2019, the fields were transitioned to growing organically. Working with ALUS Norfolk the old irrigation pond has been transitioned into a native wetland surrounded by native tallgrass prairie. A later addition saw the implementation of a pollinator hedge row. In 2022, we were invited to join the Norfolk Sustainability Leaders program put on by the Long Point Biosphere to further our commitment to sustainable practices within the brewery and on our farm. We raise a mixed flock of chickens, letting them free range on the farm, and supplementing their diet with spent grain from the brewing process. We’ve started planting fruits and native species with the plan to add to the diversity on our farm.
The Eastern Flowering Dogwood tree is native to our surrounding area and its flower is featured on our county’s coat of arms. This endangered tree is both a symbol of inspiration for what makes our region special as well as a call to action to protect our natural heritage. This is why we have chosen its leaf as our emblem.
Extra
Farmhouse Pale Ale
5% Alc./Vol.
This beer showcases locally grown hops from Elgin County. The Cascade, Chinook, and Centennial hop varieties lend floral, citrus, and herbal hop aroma and flavour that work together with a mild malt base. Our house yeast adds a mildly spicy character and dries out the beer. Bottle conditioned.
🥉 Bronze winner as a Single in the Monastic Category at the Ontario Brewing Awards 2022.
100% Canada grown ingredients 🍁
84% Home grown grains (barley)
100% Locally sourced hops
Extra
Farmhouse Pale Ale
5% Alc./Vol.
This beer showcases locally grown hops from Elgin County. The Cascade, Chinook, and Centennial hop varieties lend floral, citrus, and herbal hop aroma and flavour that work together with a mild malt base. Our house yeast adds a mildly spicy character and dries out the beer. Bottle conditioned.
🥉 Bronze winner as a Single in the Monastic Category at the Ontario Brewing Awards 2022.
100% Canada grown ingredients 🍁
84% Home grown grains (barley)
100% Locally sourced hops
#WhatsYourMeuse
Everyone needs to get away sometimes; to take a break, to clear your mind, to relax. How you enjoy our beer is up to you, whether it is with friends or during quiet evenings in, after a long day at work or during a social weekend day, outside on the patio or inside by the tv, with dinner or with game time snacks. Let us know how you enjoy your Meuse brew with the #WhatsYourMeuse on social media.
ABOUT US
Meuse is an authentic farmhouse brewery inspired by those in Europe that present patience, simplicity, balance, interesting fermentation character. Our beer incorporates our surroundings and local agriculture, to make beer tied to tradition and local terroir. Our tasting patio in a casual, relaxing setting to enjoy our beautiful home in Ontario’s Garden.
2018 THE BEGINNING
Meuse Co-founders, Mischa Geven and Estelle van Kleef, started dreaming up Meuse in mid 2018. A vision formed for a farmhouse, mixed-culture, and spontaneous fermentation beers. While working on the van Kleef’s family farm, they home-brewed to develop the recipes and built the business plan for the brewery.
2019 SETTING DOWN ROOTS
After months of searching for a place to start the brewery, they found a small farm in Norfolk County that fit their vision and started renovations on the old house and Quonset barn that would house the brewery. In the meantime, Mischa worked as head brewer at a local brewery where he was able to brew Meuse beer under contract, leading to the launch of their first beer, Saison de la Meuse. The first keg went to Milos’ Craft Beer Emporium in London, Ontario.
2020 GETTING THE WORD OUT
The spring of 2020 saw the addition of the farm market which had been part of the farm for 20 some years prior. At this time the Saison de la Meuse was approved for sale through the LCBO. This was the first year barley was grown on the farm for the production of beer. 2020 also so the honour of their beer winning Silver at the Canadian Brewing Awards in the Belgian sour ale category for their Mueuze, as well as silver and gold in the European sour ale category at the Ontario Brewing Awards for the Mueuze Cuvée and Rouge Cuvée respectively. The Rouge Cuvée went on the earn Best in Show at the Ontario Brewing Awards.
2021 OFFICIALLY OPEN
The winter saw the completion of the Quonset barn renovations and on-site production could officially start. In the spring, ALUS Norfolk came to start the transformation of the old irrigation pond in a native wetland ecosystem surrounded by native tallgrass prairie. Not only does this kind of project protect native species of plants and animals, but also is an effective and natural means of sequestering carbon dioxide; making this the first step to being positive land stewards and an environmentally conscious brewery. The summer saw the opening of the beer garden and being officially able to welcome guests to the farm to enjoy a Meuse beer. At the 2021 Ontario Brewing Awards, the flagship Saison de la Meuse won gold in the Belgian Strong Ale category while the 8, a dark strong ale, won bronze in the Trappist Ale category.
2022 GOING ORGANIC
One of the biggest milestones of 2022 was having the farm become certified organic. This means the barley that is now grown on our farm that we use in each of our recipes is organic. Though not all the ingredients are, malted barley makes up a large part of every recipe. This is just one more step towards our sustainability goals and using as many local ingredients as possible. 2022 also saw the achievement of our Saison de la Meuse being awarded gold for the second year in a row in the Belgian Strong Ale category at the Ontario Brewing Awards. The Extra, our farmhouse pale ale made with 100% Canadian-grown ingredients and showcasing Ontario hops, won bronze as a Single in the Monastic Ale category.
Both Estelle and Mischa were born in The Netherlands and moved with their respective families to Canada. Wanting to build their home and start their business in Ontario’s Garden, they wanted to bring along a sense of European beer culture and gezelligheid. And so, Meuse was born!
the
TEAM
MISCHA GEVEN
FOUNDER & HEAD BREWER
Mischa got his start in professional brewing as co-founder and head brewer at New Limburg Brewing Company. Here he was able to develop a number of award winning Belgian inspired ales and began his early concepts for a farmhouse brewery. Mischa and Estelle’s shared interest in this type of brewery led to the formation of Meuse Brewing Company.
Mischa’s favourite aspect of brewing comes from meticulously crafting a recipe to provide the base for yeasts and bacteria to go to work, not knowing exactly what the end result may be. It truly is a fusion of arts and science.
ESTELLE VAN KLEEF
FOUNDER, SALES & MARKETING
One of the greatest aspects of working in a brewery is the sense of community that is created around the beer. The interaction with different people, hearing their stories and watching as they become a part of the brewery’s story is the best part for Estelle. With an Msc. in International Management, Estelle takes care of the business relations associated with the brewery from suppliers to licensees. She moved from the Netherlands to Norfolk County in 1999, and has since lived in France, Belgium, and again for a year in the Netherlands for her master’s degree. Bringing a touch of Europe to Norfolk County has always been a dream.
MISCHA GEVEN
FOUNDER & HEAD BREWER
Mischa got his start in professional brewing as co-founder and head brewer at New Limburg Brewing Company. Here he was able to develop a number of award winning Belgian inspired ales and began his early concepts for a farmhouse brewery. Mischa and Estelle’s shared interest in this type of brewery led to the formation of Meuse Brewing Company.
Mischa’s favourite aspect of brewing comes from meticulously crafting a recipe to provide the base for yeasts and bacteria to go to work, not knowing exactly what the end result may be. It truly is a fusion of arts and science.
ESTELLE VAN KLEEF
FOUNDER, SALES & MARKETING
One of the greatest aspects of working in a brewery is the sense of community that is created around the beer. The interaction with different people, hearing their stories and watching as they become a part of the brewery’s story is the best part for Estelle. With an Msc. in International Management, Estelle takes care of the business relations associated with the brewery from suppliers to licensees. She moved from the Netherlands to Norfolk County in 1999, and has since lived in France, Belgium, and again for a year in the Netherlands for her master’s degree. Bringing a touch of Europe to Norfolk County has always been a dream.