The Local Brewing Scene – Kick and Push Continues to Grow

Jeff Green | Aug 07, 2025

Of the three brewers in Frontenac County, the Harrowsmith Brewing Company, the Local Brewery, and Kick and Push, only Kick and Push has an active brewery in place while the other two continue to operate as contract brewers.

As reported in the News, the Harrowsmith Brewing Company continues to develop their venue, and will be introducing a new beer this month at an event marking the storied pub in Harrowsmith, Frosty Muggins Blonde Ale, to compliment their three beers on the market: Spikes Corners IPA, Level Lager, and Heritage 1909 Wheat Beer.

The Local Brewer has two beers on the market; Hinch 1963 Lager, and Lowery Mills Ale.

Kick and Push has been developing both their beer selection and their brewery at 24613 Highway 7 (next to the Sharbot Lake Ultramar Station and LCBO outlet, ever since they opened just over 3 years ago.)

They currently have almost a dozen taps, all carrying their expanding catalogue of beers.

They originally contracted out some of their production, but by expanding their own capacity with more storage tanks, and bringing on a second brewer a few months ago, all the beer sold at their tap room is now brewed on site.

Last week, with the sale of the last can of their Mexican style beer MX27, every beer on tap or in cans at Kick and Push is brewed in house.

They have been working hard to keep their most popular beers available on tap and in cans, at all times, including Relax Alice Amber Ale, Klimax Lagered Ale, Rail Trail American Pale Ale, Kapsize IPA, as well as seasonal beers such as Squeaky Wheel Wheat Beer in the summer and SOS Stout in the fall and winter. And just this week, a new batch of their Gargoyle Altbier is available.

All of their beers are available mainly on tap and in cans, on site, and at an increasing number of restaurants.

They also participate in both the Harrowsmith and the Bath Markets every Friday and Sunday respectively, as well as at special events, such as Summerfest in Plevna every year.

They brewed a new beer, Line Spike Pilsner, to sell at the Line Spike festival, and a shantigaf with lemonade as well, but the license for that event was pulled at the last minute, so they both are now on tap at the brewery. They were brewed as summer beers, particularly the shantigaf, and having them on tap adds to the variety on offer, and has made it easier to keep up with the summer demand.

“We were disappointed when that happened with Line Spike, mainly because we were hoping for a payday and extra exposure on that weekend, but essentially, we did not lose anything. We still have the beer to sell,” said Kick and Push owner and brewer Daniel Lees.

Kick and Push might start selling beer through the LCBO, but not in the near future.

“We have not gone the LCBO route ” said Lees, “We might, but we are still working to keep up with demand, certainly through the summer, and we need to look carefully at it, because the margins are different than we are used to”.

The biggest change at Kick and Push in recent months has been the purchase of two new steel tanks, allowing for more production, and the hiring of a second brewer. This has lightened the load for Daniel and introduced a collaborative element to the brewing process.

Last week, they brought out their first non-beer, a mojito seltzer, brewed with lime and mint

Kick and Push started offering food last fall when their kitchen was completed. Sandwiches, Nachos and focaccia pizzas, and other light fare dominate the menu, and the food has become popular with regular year-round customers as well as the summer cottage/tourist traffic. A back patio that has about three times as much seating as the tap room, and a permanent stage, is the home of the Friday Night Open Mic sessions, hosted by Jim Macpherson. The sessions began about a year after the Kick and Push first opened, and range from busy to very busy.

The Open Mic runs from 5pm-8pm, and in addition to attracting a core of musicians from the Sharbot Lake and Arden vicinity, has become known further afield and musicians from Perth and Smiths Falls are also starting to show up.

Later this August, two special musical events are coming. The first is a free show with music by friends & family of K&P on August 9 from 2-8pm, with food by Rocket Dogs

The second show features Tom Savage and Dead Root Revival, a Sunday afternoon show starting at 4pm on August 24. Tickets are available at Eventbrite.

Kick and Push is open 6 days a week throughout the summer: Sunday and Monday 12noon-6pm, closed Tuesday, Wednesday from 2pm-8pm, and Thursday to Saturday from 12noon-8pm.