INTERVIEW & PHOTOS BY CHRIS TIESSEN
We’ve been tight with the crew at Elora Brewing Co since the doors of this regional gem first swung open just over a decade ago. In fact, more than a few early issues of TOQUE were dreamt up over pints of ‘Elora Borealis’ at the far end of the brewery’s long wooden bar. A lot has changed since then – at the brewery and at TOQUE – so we figured it was time to reconnect with old friends. Forever friends (or ‘Friends Forever’, as the juicy pale ale Elora brews each year in honour of our mutual admiration is fittingly called). So saddle up to the bar, grab something cold, and get the latest scoop on one of the region’s top spots for cold beer, tasty food, live music, and community.
ROUND ONE: TALKING BEER WITH HEAD BREWER ‘LAGER’ DAVE SOEHNER
What should we know about the brewery’s current lineup? We focus on balanced, high-quality beers that are fun to make and even better to drink. IPAs like ‘Lady Friend’, vibrant pale ales like ‘Elora Borealis’ and ‘Friends Forever’, and crisp lagers like ‘Three Fields’ and ‘Elora Lite’ best represent what we do.
You seem to release new beers constantly – why the vigorous pace? Beyond our core lineup, we like to brew with the seasons. Fruited sours and light styles in the summer. Stouts and smooth dark lagers in the colder months. It keeps the menu fresh – and keeps us inspired.
What is your favourite beer to brew? Definitely our ‘Elora Pilsner’. Lager brewing demands precision, patience, and full attention. It’s a challenge the brewers never grow tired of.
And your favourite to drink? A fresh, unfiltered Kellerbier (like our ‘Lorelei’ Keller pilsner) poured straight from the tank. Clean, crisp, and pure.
When you’re not drinking beer, what’s your beverage of choice? Coffee from Elora Coffee Roasters in the morning. Negronis with Elora Distilling Co gin in the evening.
Elora loves collaborating. What recent collabs stand out for you? We team up with Queen of Craft each year to brew ‘Queen of the Quarry’, an ever-evolving beer that supports Guelph-Wellington Women in Crisis. Of course there’s also ‘Friends Forever’, our annual hazy pale ale collab with TOQUE. A while back we brewed a tasty Kölsch with Counterpoint Brewing, and recently we brewed a German pilsner with Burdock. And we’re planning some of our own darker beer releases for the fall season.
What’s your favourite dish from the Elora kitchen? The ‘Fried Chicken Sandwich’. Paired with a fresh crisp lager. No contest.
ROUND TWO: IN THE KITCHEN WITH CULINARY OPERATIONS MANAGER RILEY CROCKER
How would you describe the food at the brewery? Simple, honest, and made with care. It’s food we love to make – and are proud to serve.
Do you go out of your way to source ingredients locally? Absolutely. We work closely with regional growers and use meat and produce from brewery co-owner Jim Murphy’s farm, Murphy Pastures.
What are some top customer favourites? The ‘Fried Chicken Sandwich’ and the ‘Smoked Pork Sausages’ made with Berkshire pork from Murphy Pastures. Every dish reflects a real relationship with local farms.
Does beer show up in the food itself? Everywhere. In our beer cheese sauce, beer honey, beer nuts, beer sausages – you name it.
Is the menu built with beer pairings in mind? Always. We lean into bold, beer-friendly flavours – smoky, salty, briny – to complement the beer offerings.
When you’re not in the kitchen, what’s your ideal patio pairing? A pint of ‘Lodestar’ sour, smoked sausage, pickled onions, and a side of beer nuts. Sunshine and good company help too.
And your post-shift pint of choice? ‘Lodestar’. Every time.
ROUND THREE: ON THE FARM WITH CEO & FOUNDING MEMBER JIM MURPHY
So when did you become a farmer? I grew up on a farm near Maryhill, then spent thirty years in global tech. Eventually I felt the need to reconnect with the land. I bought a 100-acre farm near Elora and started Murphy Pastures. It’s a lot of work, but I absolutely love it.
How would you describe your farming practice? We do regenerative agriculture. We rotate animals daily, mimic natural grazing, improve biodiversity, and build healthy soil. It’s a low-input, high-reward approach that follows nature’s rhythms.
Which animals do you raise? Beef cattle, pigs, sheep, chickens, turkeys, laying hens. Everything we raise or produce (we even make maple syrup) plays a role in sustaining the farm’s balance, and much of it ends up in the brewery kitchen.
Tell me a bit more about this – how do the farm and brewery connect? Beyond supplying ingredients, the farm – like the brewery – prioritizes intention over scale. We want both the brewery and the farm to help people reconnect with where their food and drink come from.
When you’ve got time to visit the brewery, what’s your fave food & beer pairing? I’m always up for the barbecue brisket platter paired with an Elora Lite lager. I’m also a huge fan of the County salad (with added steak on top) and a pint of Ladyfriend IPA.
FINAL ROUND: LOOKING AHEAD WITH COO DYLAN JAMES
What’s new and exciting at Elora Brewing? In our tenth year we’re expanding across Ontario in a big way. You’ll soon find Elora beers at major grocery stores (including Costco, Metro, Longos, and Loblaws) and taps provincewide. It’s a huge step forward, and we’re proud to share what we’ve built with a wider audience of craft beer drinkers.
You’ve worked in the industry for a hot minute – what makes this brewery stand out? It’s the community we’ve built, hands down. From our loyal Stein Club members to the locals who swing by the retail shop, the amazing staff past and present, and the weekend tourists who add their own flavour – everyone contributes to the energy here. Elora Brewing isn’t just a place to grab a pint. It’s a hub for live music, book launches, festival after-parties, and those spontaneous nights that turn into lasting memories. There’s real love for this place – you can feel it the minute you walk in.
I hear that the brewery space itself is evolving. Can you tell me about this? We’ve always been a community hub for beer, music, and conversation – but now we’re adding new elements. A pizza oven in the kitchen. A reimagined upstairs loft with board games, darts, and live sports screenings. Our motive is a desire to create new ways to connect without losing what has always made this brewery so special.
What might you say to someone visiting the brewery for the first time? I’d suggest that first-timers come by on a night with live music – it’s the best way to soak up the vibe. They might try a flight of beers to get a feel for what we brew, and share a few of our tasty snacks with friends. Enjoy the tunes, the beer, and the Elora atmosphere. And on the way out, they should definitely grab a six-pack from the retail shop – and maybe a hat to remember us by.
And you? When a workday is over, what’s your favourite post-shift beer? Our new Elora Lite lager: always crisp and clean.
Elora Brewing Co
107 Geddes St, Elora ON
elorabrewingcompany.ca
