Kick and Push Brewing nabs Ontario Beer Award for Relax Alice

Nov 30, 2022

Kick and Push Brewing nabs Ontario Beer Award for Relax Alice

“Relax Alice” was named for an expression from Daniel Lees' mother. It is used when someone is starting to get impatient or agitated, as in “Relax Alice, we've still got plenty of time to get to the brewery before they close”.

Lees, the co-owner and brewmaster at the Kick and Push Brewing Company, began brewing Relax Alice when he opened the brewery in June of this year. Along with the blonde ale: Bird Dog, Relax Alice was an initial beer brewed at the new facility when it opened.

It is a hybrid between British style best bitter and a North American amber ale. It has more body than standard amber ales, at 6% alcohol, and some hop to it as well. It turns out it has enough flavour and balance to have won a gold medal at the Ontario Brewing Awards competition in the “Strong British Ale” category. Another beer from the nearby Westport Brewing Company “Rideau Lakes Red Ale” won a bronze medal in the same category. The Westport Brewery also won two silvers in other categories, part of strong overall showing from breweries in the Frontenac/Lanark region.

Another Frontenac County brewery, Karbon, from Wolfe Island, won gold in the Belgian Ale Category for their “One World Wit”.

Locust, a British style “mild IPA” from Kick and Push, also received an honourable mention in the Pale Commonwealth Beer category.

“We submitted some beers for the awards in September and did not think much about it after that. They called in October and invited us to come to the ceremony and to bring some beer there to sell, so although they did not say we were going to be among the winners, we had an indication. But you don't know what level of award you might win, so a gold for Relax Alice was a nice surprise,” said Daniel.

The first five months since opening Kick and Push have been very busy for Lees. In addition to Relax Alice, Bird Dog and Locust, two new beers have been introduced; SOS (Snowshoe Oatmeal Stout) and Loco, an American Pale Ale. Some small scale specialty brews are planned for the winter.

“I have to thank all of the customers and businesses of Sharbot Lake and surrounding areas for the fantastic support during our first few months of business,” said Lees. “It has been great to meet so many new people and to hear from so many that are excited we have established a business in this beautiful area.”

Lees had plans to organise and participate in more events and hold a grand opening by now, but between renovating, brewing and getting a tap room running, all in an 18th month period, that did not happen.

“We are looking to host a combination grand opening and one year anniversary party in June of 2023,” he said.

Kick and Push Brewing is also developing relationships with other local businesses to help build the local economy.

Relax Alice is available on tap and in cans at the brewery, which is located on Highway 7 just past the Ultramar gas bar, headed west to Peterborough, from the junction with Road 38. Kick and Push is currently open Thursdays from 4pm-8pm, Fridays and Saturdays from 12 noon-8pm, and Sundays from 12pm-6pm.

Relax Alice is also available on tap at the Sharbot Lake Country Inn.