In search…
“I think there definitely is a ‘craft beer lifestyle’ – and I’m in search of it!” Judah Santos, co-owner of SanTur Brewing Company Inc., proclaimed when I asked him if a ‘craft beer lifestyle’ exists.
Sitting at a four-top table near the production area in the brewpub, Judah then aimed to define it: “My favourite brewery, the MacKinnon Brothers, is totally dedicated to making sure their brewery makes quality products, but at the same time they’re true to their roots… They try to marry great beer in an organic way with the main issues that effect our society.
“And for me – if you were to ask me if that’s what I would dream to do, above and beyond running a successful brewery, that is my next step: to make sure that my business is addressing these main issues – climate, pollution, crime, poverty, supporting the local community…
“That’s one thing that we’ve said from the beginning. In fact, the Kingston police were one of the first guests in here, and they started trying the beers, and then one thing lead to another, and then we were like, ‘Let’s make a beer with the Kingston police.’ All the proceeds can go to local charities to help with drug use, crime, education…
“To me, that’s utopia. That’s a craft beer lifestyle.”
…of a craft beer utopia
Prior to opening their brewery – prior to any sort of craft beer utopia vision – Judah and his partner, brother-in-law Rolf Turunen, spent many of their summer days together at their family cottage outside of Kingston, enjoying craft beers and soaking in the sun.
Both Judah and Rolf enjoyed beer, and their interest grew as they explored various styles and brands together. Rolf even took up home-brewing as a hobby. One summer day on the dock at their cottage (“After we had a few,” Rolf admitted) they convinced each other to quit their jobs and open their own brewery. What began as a dream is now on it’s way to being a “utopia.”
German-inspired craft beer, Iberian-inspired food…
Opening on December 22, 2018, SanTur Brewing is located in the middle of Kingston, and focuses on traditional, German beer that is created by German brew master René Ziegelmaier. Entering the brewery has you met by a bottle shop counter where growlers are currently sold. SanTur cans are on their way soon, so stay tuned.
SanTur is a complete brewpub though, with a full kitchen supplying guests with traditional Iberian food (from Portugal and Spain). I shared a pork sandwich and a large plate of fish tacos with the photographer, and we were both thoroughly impressed by the quality here: they were more than merely delicious.
…and sleek, modern design
Passing by the front bottle shop counter finds you entering a neatly divided restaurant: a two-step raised level, featuring fashionable tables that extend down and out from gorgeous red brick walls, crosses the east side of the space; four-top booths line the centre of the room, separating the bar area from the dining space. A massive and beautiful piece of salvaged wood stretches across the bar top, matching the wooden tap handles and copper draft tower.
Another seating area in the front of the brewpub features a small stage for live music, and then leads through a large garage door that opens up to a patio with seating for about 25 guests on a sunny Princess St. The production area and brewhouse resides across from the kitchen in the back of the restaurant, closed off by glass partitions.
The space is sleek and modern, comfortable and welcoming, with plenty of natural light flooding through the open garage door. Various pieces of art are spaced out nicely on walls. I love the two-top tables coming off the brick wall, I have to say: very sleek and trendy design. (See the full SanTur Brewing Company photo gallery here.)
Where the community comes together
It is in a space like this, in SanTur Brewing Company, where the surrounding neighbourhoods and local residents will come to share a pint, a bite, a good conversation, and the odd event.
SanTur, while not more than half a year old, has quickly been engaging the local community. Teaming up with Infinite Wellness, the brewery hosts “Pints & Pilates,” a pilates session followed by pints and apps at the brewery (the next event is on July 28th).
A salsa dancing group from Queen’s University holds a dance class in the brewery every other week, and is open to dancers of any level.
The brewery also hosted a lineup of local soul acts during Kingston’s Homegrown Live event this past May. The decade-old, annual festival brings a day of music at various different venues across Kingston (this year in 15 venues), all scheduled to showcase a particular genre of music, while promoting the local, homegrown talent.
Only seven months in, and SanTur Brewing is making loads of new friends while building their brand and supporting the community.
The people of SanTur Brewing Company Inc.
I had a quick chance to chat with a few of the SanTur staff working on the day I visited. This included Nick Francis and Ryan Sawyer, both servers at the brewpub.
I found Ryan to be amusing. I asked him what his favourite SanTur beer is, and he responded with the brewery’s flagship beer, the Kolsch. When prompted to try to pair the beer with an article of clothing, Ryan claimed that this beer would best pair with one’s birthday suit: “I don’t like clothes,” Ryan insisted.
When I think of a Kolsch, I think of something crisp, light, and easy to drink (as SanTur’s surely is); something simple – something, well, almost naked, really. Certainly, Kolsch’s are refreshing, and if one is hot, then having no clothes on may be the most refreshing outfit to wear.
In retrospect, Ryan was more creative here than I think either of us realized at the time.
Nick’s pairing was more clear, requiring less forethought. His favourite SanTur beer is their Smoked Porter, which he would pair with any dark comedy “because it’s dark and heavy in appearance, but is actually light and easy to stomach.” That sounds like bang on pairing, Nick.
I also liked what Nick had to say about craft beer lifestyle: it involves “stopping in every brewery in every town looking for some holy grail miracle beer.” This is certainly an aspect of the culture of craft beer, one that I am not so sure about myself – at least not if trying all these beers is just some sort of competition.
It’s a good point Nick makes though, and, for sure, exploring flavours, if that’s why you need to stop in every town, is a part of a craft beer lifestyle. The competition aspect, I would argue, runs contrary to the real blood that runs through the craft beer community’s veins though.
Nick was sure to add, “…or spending long nights on the porch with an assortment of different beers to compare with your friends,” which clearly reveals that the first half of his statement is concerned with the exploring aspect, not so much the competition aspect. Nick was therefore on point here.
The brothers in-law
I spent much of time chatting with Judah Santos and Rolf Turunen, the co-owners of SanTur Brewing and brothers in-law. While Rolf had taken up home-brewing prior to opening SanTur, neither came from any real craft beer background. Rolf had been teaching music, while Judah had spent time managing restaurants. Judah was well-versed at the operations side of hospitality, but his first love was wine, not beer.
When Judah first tried (well-over a decade ago) Creemore Springs though, he realized beer was more than the basic macro lagers that populated every bar and shop. Rolf likely pushed Judah further into beer; but they both had a hand at pushing each other deeper into the scene. Their cottage ritual became bringing up another new beer neither had had before, tasting them by the lake and around the fire.
Their first taste of Blood Brothers‘ “Shumei” IPA spurred their love of the craft into a new conversation, one that eventually led the “brothers from another mother” to take their love of beer to a whole new level: the birth of SanTur Brewing Company Inc.
Creativity and quality
Rolf had a concise and excellent answer to what a craft beer lifestyle might be, which would be a mistake for me to omit here: “Craft beer is like a metaphor for life. Craft beer is about being creative, it’s a venue for creativity, and it’s also about high quality. In terms of lifestyle, this is what we want to do with our lives – be creative with your life, whatever you’re doing, and live the highest quality of life that you can.
“We use the purest ingredients possible in our beer, because we want purity in our lives, not preservatives, and a craft beer lifestyle is about that sort of creative quality. It’s about doing what makes you happy.”
I let Rolf know that he’d make me happy if he hooked me up with a few SanTur beers so that I could run off and get creative making high quality pairings: Rolf and Judah both made me happy, and the evidence is below.
Pairingwith… SanTur Brewing Company Inc. – “Raspberry Hibiscus Nitro Ale”
The “Hibiscus Raspberry Nitro Ale” from SanTur Brewing Company Inc. is a seasonal offering currently available at the brewery. The deliciously happy beer is a beautiful pairing with this handcrafted necklace from Grind-Art found at the Kingston Public Market, just around the corner from SanTur.
The strawberry-coloured beer pours a delightfully frothy head that dissipates quickly, leaving a thick ring around the glass that remains for much of the pint. A strong raspberry nose with subtle grassy notes leads to a flavour profile that is surprisingly more hibiscus than the nose suggests. With a mild tart meeting a mild sweet and a silky-smooth nitro mouthfeel, this light-bodied, low ABV beer is truly as refreshing and quaffable as anything you’ll find under the sun today.
And if you’re enjoying one under the sun as you peruse the stalls at the Kingston Public Market, you might find the perfect complement at Grind-Art. Producing necklaces, earrings, broaches, and more out of fused and blown glass, Grind-Art offers some gorgeous, one-of-a-kind pieces, including the necklace I wear here, which matches well with the Hibiscus Raspberry Nitro Ale from SanTur. Holding one in my hand and the other around my neck provides a certain strawberry-magenta-coloured accent to my look, which pops wonderfully in the summer sun. And even if the sun goes down, the necklace will provide that extra brightness to keep my beer twinkling.
We’re well into summer now (thankfully!), and while shorts and t-shirts can be helpful, on some days you really just want to wear a necklace that matches a perfectly refreshing beer… Everything tastes better without pants on anyways, right?
Grind-Art at the Kingston Public Market
Originally an impromptu market that popped up in 1788, the Kingston Public Market was the centre of the local economy in the late 1700s. In 1801, it was made an official market by the city.
The Kingston Public Market is the oldest market in Ontario, and in the early days of the city of Kingston, this was the only place to make purchases and trades, as there were no proper shops yet operating in town. It also holds a special place in the history of Canada: here, in the market, is where the proclamation of Confederation and the formation of the Dominion of Canada occurred.
From prepared foods and local produce through plants and flowers to locally produced, handmade craft products, the Kingston Public Market has a plethora of food and goods being sold by the very people who produce them. It’s not simply shopping; it’s engaging the community, learning, and making new friends.
While perusing the many stalls at the market, I was drawn towards the items produced by Grind-Art: unique blown glass and fused jewellery items that shine and glitter in the summer sun. Clarence Tuepah, the mastermind behind Grind-Art, has been producing glass products for more than 10 years, and was an incredibly friendly and chatty character.
I chose a particular necklace to match the colour of the beer for the pairing I needed to execute, but there were so many designs that myself and my friend who was with me were mulling over for both ourselves and gifts for friends. It was hard not to load up on Clarence and Grind-Art’s items.
Whether Grind-Art is for you or not, you’re sure to find a number of things that are at the Kingston Public Market. Located on City Hall property, in the centre of Kingston, the market is open every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday from 9am to 6pm, from April through November. On Sundays, the site hosts the Kingston Sunday Antique Market.
Pairingwith… SanTur Brewing Company Inc. – “Kolsch”
The “Kolsch” from SanTur Brewing Company Inc. is the brewery’s flagship offering, available year round at the brewpub. It’s also an apt pairing with La Salle Causeway, which crosses the Cataraqui River on the way into downtown Kingston.
While SanTur has named the beer “Kolsch,” it is, of course, not technically a Kolsch, but a “Kolsch-style.” For a beer to be a Kolsch proper, it must be made in Cologne, Germany, where the style originated (like how champagne must be made in the Champagne region of France). SanTur hits the style nicely on the head with their own Kolsch(-style).
The light-golden, near straw-coloured beer, is light-bodied with medium bubbles, and provides subtle floral and fruity aromas. The mildly sweet beer is a refreshing beverage featuring earthy and grassy flavours balanced by a muted bitterness that rounds out the beer quite comfortably. Highly sessionable, and ready for any day with a lot of sun.
This accurate rendition of the style finds a clever complement in La Salle Causeway. Cologne’s own Hohenzollern Bridge that crosses the River Rhine is a landmark that stands out across the Cologne horizon. Kingston’s own La Salle Causeway provides its own standout on Kingston’s horizon, and, while not as large as the Hohenzollern Bridge, it has a similar iron structure as the Cologne landmark that towers over the landscape. Two magnificent structures; one delicious beer.
By the water; under the sun; across the bridge; drinking a SanTur Kolsch: sounds like an excellent hump-day in July to me.
La Salle Causeway
Built in 1917, La Salle Causeway bridges downtown Kingston to Barriefield and Kingston’s eastern neighbourhoods, across the Cataraqui River. Built to replace the “Penny Bridge,” a wooden bridge opened in 1829 that charged pedestrians a penny to cross, La Salle Causeway is in fact three bridges in one.
On either side of the middle lift bridge resides two concrete bridges, which replaced the previous steel bridges in 1962 (east side) and 1993 (west side), respectively. The middle section of La Salle Causeway is a trunnion bascale lift bridge, which was designed by Joseph Strauss. Strauss is best known as the engineer behind the iconic Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco.
Named after Rene-Robert Cavelier, Sier de La Salle who supervised the construction of Fort Frontenac in 1673, La Salle Causeway links Fort Frontenac and downtown Kingston on the west side of the bridge to The Royal Military College of Canada, CFB Kingston, and the historic Fort Henry on the east side.
Prior to the original Penny Bridge, a ferry program was the first to shuttle people across the river, opening in 1786. A pair of rowboats were used then during busy times as well. Today, an estimated 23,000 vehicles cross La Salle Causeway every day. The lift bridge is raised on the hour everyday from 6am to 10pm during the boating season. The season lasts from May until November, and lifts during the offseason are made upon request.
Pairingwith… SanTur Brewing Company Inc. – “New England IPA”
The “New England IPA” from SanTur Brewing Company Inc. is available year round at the brewery. The beer is great in the sun, but is an even more appropriate pairing with a day at the cottage.
Rolf Turunen and Judah Santos are the founders of SanTur Brewing. Originally from Newmarket, in Toronto, the two married a pair of sisters, promptly becoming brothers-in-law. On a weekend at their cottage outside of Kingston a few years ago, Rolf and Judah concocted a sudden plan to take their love of craft beer to the next level and start their own brewery.
Now sipping on their New England IPA in a bright red Muskoka chair on the dock of Grippen Lake (just outside of Kingston), I can easily see how hanging out at the cottage can inspire dream-making amongst brothers. Cottage comfort is dream-worthy itself.
A pleasant floral and citrus aroma arises from the medium-hazy, near amber-coloured IPA. Well-balanced orange and lemon flavours lead the charge with a slightly sweet taste on the front, followed by a medium bitterness. Flavours are more subtle than big and overpowering, making this excellent to sip sessionably all day on the dock.
Pack some New England IPA in your luggage on the way up to the cottage; get inspired by what the relaxation of nature can provide; and then dream, dream, dream: that’s the best way to be ‘living the dream.’
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