Photo above: Meet some of the GoodLot crew who are on a mission to bring you farm-raised Caledon beers and fabulous non-alcoholic drinks to enjoy with music, food, and fun on the farm, in all seasons.
GoodLot is a good spot… and in so many ways!
This organic Caledon hop farm is busy making sensational beer with fresh ingredients grown on their own farm and other small Ontario farms. The fact that the brewery is solar powered gives a nod to the environmental literacy and stewardship of co-owners Phil and Gail Winters.
Located in picturesque northwest Caledon, GoodLot Farm and Farmstead Brewing Co is a rocking spot for fun, food, and live music.
While awaiting the birth of their child during the winter of 2009-2010, Phil and Gail watched as the world faced, for multiple reasons, a growing hop shortage. They saw a future in supporting the hop industry here in Ontario and began growing hops on their Caledon farm.
In 2013 they expanded the farm by two acres. When they saw the yield in 2015, they knew it was not large enough to be cost effective. Exploring the idea of expanding by another 10 acres and looking at the $500,000 price tag to do so, they chose instead to diversify the existing farm. That idea seeded their journey into becoming the purveyors of “the beer of Caledon.” GoodLot now proudly serves a line of seven amazing full-time beers and multiple seasonal “one-offs.”
At GoodLot, which is truly a social enterprise, you can choose to enjoy yourself at either one, or both, of their two beers gardens. One offers live music, often bluegrass, Thursday through Sunday, plus holiday Mondays.
Phil and Gail have teamed up with Gather Café in Alton for delivery of their delicious wood-fired pizzas straight to the farm on Wednesday evenings. Cold brew, pizza, and a games night that can, if you wish, include Disc Golf! Disc Golf, for the uninitiated, is now the hottest growing game in Canada second to Pickleball says Phil. And it pairs well with beer!
From Thursday through Sunday (plus holiday Mondays) the GoodSpot food truck serves up Caribbean-inspired cuisine. Locally renowned chef Phil DeWar makes it fresh and flavourful in his commercial kitchen and his Soulyve Catering team serves it hot onsite from the truck.
Leaning into, as the world seems to be, non-alcoholic options, GoodLot has a fantastic line-up of four offerings: Trellis Hop Fizz (a botanic hop water), Trellis Ginger Fizz (a mineral ginger and lime water), Bea’s Tea (a carbonated rose tea with honey from GoodLot Farm) and Wagon Ride Pale Ale.
If you think the fun is over when the weather turns cooler think again.
Two years ago, upon Gail’s prompting, Phil restored the Oast Barn. It was the original drive-shed, the oldest structure on the property, complete with dirt floor. It now enables GoodLot to host all year. With chowder, oysters, and even Friday night tacos on the fall and winter menu you will want to keep this in mind!
Learn more about GoodLot so you can enjoy this Caledon gem, or to book one of their spaces for your own event, visit their website.
