New sap-based beer from GoodLot to benefit Credit Valley Conservation Foundation

Beer created in partnership with Wilder Climate Solutions and Credit Valley Conservation

By ZACHARY ROMAN

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

A Caledon brewery has launched a unique new beer that's made using locally-sourced maple sap instead of water.

On April 10, GoodLot Farmstead Brewing, in collaboration with Wilder Climate Solutions and Credit Valley Conservation, released “Tree Hug” to the world. 

The new beer is created with maple sap sustainably sourced from the Terra Cotta Conservation Area, which is run by Credit Valley Conservation. 

Phil Winters, co-founder of GoodLot, said the Terra Cotta Conservation Area protects natural systems which provide important ecosystem services such as capturing carbon, cleaning water, and providing habitat for wildlife. That's why GoodLot decided 100 per cent of the proceeds from sales of Tree Hug beer will go to the Credit Valley Conservation Foundation.

“By partnering with Credit Valley Conservation and Wilder Climate Solutions, we are taking a significant step towards fostering a more eco-conscious brewing industry,” said Winters.

Blaine Pearson, CEO of Wilder Climate Solutions, partnered with GoodLot on the Tree Hug beer project. 

“By harnessing the power of nature, we are demonstrating the potential for sustainable solutions to combat climate change. ‘Tree Hug' is not just a beer; it's a symbol of our collective interest in celebrating the environment, which we know is the first step in protecting it for future generations,” said Pearson.

Winters said maple sap is a very unique ingredient that's very Canadian. Tree Hug isn't the first sap-based beer GoodLot has made, but it's by far the brewery's biggest sap-based beer project.

“We've always tapped into sap as an ingredient… it tastes so good coming out of the tree,” he said. 

In the past, GoodLot has made small runs of sap-based beer with sap harvested from their own property. This year, Credit Valley Conservation offered them a large amount of sap — enough to make 3,000 cans of beer.

GoodLot has a great relationship with Credit Valley Conservation and received a corporate leadership award from the conservation authority in 2023.

Winters said GoodLot is not trying to corner the sustainable market; it wants to help other businesses become sustainable. He said GoodLot is open to sharing its strategies and sustainable practices and has already done so with several breweries.

Gail Winters, co-founder of GoodLot, said one of the great parts of being a community brewery is the ability to make amazing collaborations.

“You take opportunities like this and run with them,” said Gail. “It creates hope that you can run a business with ethics in mind… it's about embracing that lifestyle and the culture of trying to do good.”

Gail said she wanted to give a special shout out to Laura Wills, who does all of GoodLot's branding — including the naming of Tree Hug and the designing of the can for it.