Stalwart Brewing is a must-visit next time you’re in Carleton Place

On a recent lunch trip out to Carleton Place, I enjoyed a glass of brew from Stalwart Brewing. Located at 10 High St., just a minute drive from the main shopping street, Stalwart has that hidden gem vibe that should be the standard of any small town. It just adds to the building of community. It’s also a nice find for visitors.

They’ve been on the landscape for nine years and, somehow, that was news to me. I expect that it, in part, has to do with the fact that their brew is not available at the LCBO and I understand that choice. Some breweries like Flora Hall in Ottawa deliberately choose not to be represented there, and that’s entirely legitimate. It’s also an expense they don’t incur.

Like all breweries, Stalwart has core brands along with rotating brews to provide beer to those hopheads that like bolder hoppy suds to those that prefer milder or fruitier beer. 

Taxman is a crushable blonde ale that is bright with a delicate hop background and with an appealing saline finish. 

As someone who enjoys low alcohol English ales, I was very pleased with Between Love and Hate Dark Mild. At only 3.5% alc. this is more complex than you expect with roasted nutty and caramel notes and without the attendant palate fatigue. 

They also do a series of seltzers that have a slight twist: they’re brewed and contain no vodka. Not quite like the seltzers you know and not exactly like beer-based radlers either, these are neutral malt brews that are modestly flavoured with things like vanilla, orange, peach, cranberry etc. A refreshing alternative choice. 

For those with a hunger they do offer hand-held savoury pies and on alternate Thursday nights, they have Taco Night where $22 gets you a pint and all-you-can-eat tacos. After 8:30 pm the price drops to $17.

Finding Stalwart was a nice surprise as it’s allowed me to share this good beer with readers.