25 years of The Wooly

elements
commemorative program
june 19-22nd 2015
Celebrating
25 years of
The Wooly
W O O L W I C H
A R R O W
The Wooly’s Fountain Santos (Service Manager), Neil Dubois
(Kitchen Manager), Marc Bosboom (Keyholder), Bob Desautels,
Paul Randall (Bar Manager), Court Desautels & Jason Waterfall
(Manager) chillin’ in The Speed River
‘Each man delights in the
work that suits him best.’
- Homer, The Odyssey
elements
Chris Tiessen
Editor. Writer.
Photographer.
IPA or Cider
Cai Sepulis
Art Director.
Illustrator. Designer.
Stout or Dark
CONTENTS
2-3. photospread: ‘The Wooly’ Crew Relaxes in The Mighty Speed
6-7. Looking Back – Reminiscing A Quarter Century of The Wooly
8-9. Save Water? Drink Beer. Now That’s Sexy.
‘elements’ is the most recent edition
of ‘chamber roots: special reserve
publications,’ a series of one-off
magazines published by the Guelph
Chamber of Commerce for its
members.
If your organization is a member of the
Guelph Chamber and is interested
in having a ‘chamber roots: special
reserve publication’ created specifically
for you, contact chris tiessen at
[email protected]
10. ‘Kindred Spirits’: George Eagleson & The Wooly Were Made for Each Other
12-13. 25th Anniversary Weekend Program
14. The Wooly & The Kramdens: Celebrating Silver Anniversaries – Together
16-17. The Wooly & YU Ranch: A Partnership Rooted in Sustainability
18-19. photospread: Beer Delivery Guys/Gals Cycling Club
20-21. The Wooly: Guelph’s Favourite Biker Bar
22. Morton Wholesale Ltd: Like A Member of the Family
ELEMENTS OF SUCCESS
LOOKING BACK
- Reminiscing A Quarter Century of The Wooly
I
T’S HARD TO BELIEVE THAT TWENTY FIVE
YEARS HAVE PASSED SINCE WE OFFICIALLY
OPENED THE WOOLWICH ARROW – A
NEIGHBOURHOOD PUB. It all began with the
support of my great friend, Jean-Pierre Schoch,
who helped fund the creation of what would
simply become known as The Wooly. It’s been
an interesting journey, to say the least. One that
continues to be punctuated, first and foremost,
with the highlight of hanging out with our guests
– indeed, whether it’s the 4:30pm daily bar crowd
or our Friday evening regulars it’s always a treat
to revel in the company of so many folks who
really like our pub. Sharing a pint, some wine,
and of course great food with our guests makes
all the trials and tribulations of owning this
business worth it.
Among my many personal highlights as
proprietor of The Wooly has been meeting
the incredible musicians who perform for our
patrons on Saturday nights. Individuals and
collectives who continue to blow me away with
their passion and talent. We’ve seen a number
of musicians come through The Wooly who’ve
made it onto the national and international
stages – folks who continue to come back to see
us time and again. And while The Wooly has
afforded us the opportunity to have talented
artists entertain our ‘grown up’ patrons inhouse, it’s also provided the opportunity for us
to introduce great music to the youngest in our
community through the Wooly Kinderconcerts
Wooly Partners: Jean-Pierre Schoch & Bob Desautels have something to celebrate
we sponsor at River Run Centre. This music
series for children up to 6 years old introduces
been so many incredible people who’ve worked
to mention a few who have passed the ten-year
mark.
them to classical music, including the various
at The Wooly over the past quarter century. In
instruments found in a symphony orchestra. I’ve
large part it’s because of them that I never tire of
made a point of taking my granddaughter, Ava,
coming into the business each morning. Indeed,
to many of the performances and she’s loved
I would argue that the secret to The Wooly’s
every one of them!
longevity and success has been its ability to
In my office above the pub I keep a collage of
pictures of current and former guests and staff.
Every time I look at the staff pictures, in particular,
I get a flood of amazing memories. There have
attract some of the best service and kitchen staff
in the whole region. And it’s the many staff who
have stuck around for several years who give me
the greatest sense of pride as an employer – not
Our incredible suppliers are also responsible
for our success. From superb craft beers to VQA
wines to top quality meats, fresh local produce
and sustainable fish, we continue to serve our
guests the finest local products available in
Ontario. This approach to business – local quality
first – is at the core of our being. Indeed, it’s in
Did You Know?
The Wooly’s Bob Desautels
has a Master’s Degree in
Philosophy from the U of
Guelph
our DNA. And to our great delight those same suppliers have
become our strongest advocates. And many are also among
our best customers – how’s that for a true ‘win-win’!?
Another advantage of overseeing this thriving business has
been the ability to give back to community. It was over 20
years ago that we started raising funds for river restoration
projects in the Grand River watershed – a fundraising effort
that culminates each Spring with a superb brewer’s feast
at The Wooly (see centrepage program for this year’s date!).
We’ve also ensured that The Wooly continues to enable local
music initiatives – no doubt in part a ‘selfish’ endeavour as
it’s no secret that Jean-Pierre and I love attending live music
performances as much as we share a passion for supporting
them. Beyond music, we continue to donate money and gift
certificates to a number of charities and sports teams.
This overall focus on the environment, music and cultivating
community in general is, in my opinion, what defines a good
neighbourhood business.
The management company that oversees The Wooly is The
Neighbourhood Group of Companies (NGC). It’s MO –
‘By neighbours, For neighbours’ – sums up the vision and mission
statement for our business. I’d like to take some space now to
thank some of my own closest ‘neighbours.’
Firstly, I’d love to recognize Louise McMullen (21 years with
NGC and counting) and my son Court, whose constant support
over these past decades has made my life at The Wooly and
beyond much easier. Their commitment to our ideals and key
stakeholders has continually kept the ship on course. I’d also
like to recognize and thank The Wooly management team,
who continue to excel in delivering our promise to be what a
neighbourhood business should be for guests, staff, suppliers
and the community – a place to meet and enjoy life. I also want
to acknowledge the undying support of my wife Sue and both
kids, Emily and Court, who’ve helped keep me on an even keel
on the personal side of things for all these years.
It’s been a great ride. Cheers.
Bob ‘Bobby D’ Desautels
EARTH/WIND/FIRE/WATER
SAVE WATER?
Drink beer. Now That’s Sexy.
by Chris Tiessen
I
N 2012, THE NON-PROFIT WASHINGTON
While it may lack the sexy brand appeal of the
& Brewer’s Feast, which this year will see two
WILD – AN ORGANIZATION THAT PROTECTS
Brewshed Initiative and while the concept’s
hundred folks enjoy a magnificent meal paired
AND RESTORES WILD LANDS AND WATERS
a little different, The Wooly has been pairing
with great beer here at The Wooly as well as at
IN WASHINGTON STATE – FOUNDED THE
local beer (and food) with water conservation
our two Borealis locations.’
BREWSHED INITIATIVE, AN APTLY-BRANDED
awareness and fundraising for a quarter
PROJECT DESIGNED TO PROMOTE WATER
century now – resulting in an eye-watering
ADVOCACY BY REMINDING FOLKS THAT
$100,000 raised for Grand River watershed
‘PROTECTED WATER MAKES SUPERIOR BEER.’
projects.
The Brewshed Initiative now includes 25+
breweries and beer community partners who
Yep. 100k.
(together) have managed to raise more than
As The Wooly’s Court Desautels notes: ‘Our
$25,000 for water conservation.
earliest forays into caring for our local rivers
Solid stuff. A sexy brand. And such a cool
idea to link folks’ passion for great beer with
broader water advocacy issues. Indeed, it
could almost make a person jealous to think
that something this awesome – something
this ‘Guelph-y’ – wasn’t first conceived right
here in the Royal City. Or was it?
8.
began way back in 1990 when we used to
participate in OPIRG-Guelph’s annual Speed
River Clean Up. As the years passed, our focus
on water conservation initiatives shifted to
fundraising efforts that supported broader
‘We’ve pledged to raise $50,000 by 2017
to help fund the creation of a new nature
centre at Guelph Lake,’ adds Bob Desautels,
whose affinity for the Grand River watershed
extends to the creation of a scaled down stone
map of our local rivers on his property. ‘Our
River Fundraiser & Brewer’s Feast, whose
continued sponsorship by Creemore and
other phenomenal partners and suppliers
allows us to give 100% of the dinner’s
proceeds to the GRCF, will help us get closer
to this wildly-ambitious goal.’
Grand River watershed projects through the
And other fundraising initiatives through
Grand River Conservation Foundation.’
the year that see breweries – including Mill
Continues Court: ‘In more recent years we’ve
Street, Wellington, Sleeman, StoneHammer
fine-tuned our fundraising recipe through
and more – donate $0.50 a pint to the GRCF
the creation of our annual River Fundraiser
The Wooly’s Neil, Marc, Bob & Paul navigate
The Speed bolstered with brew
Did You Know?
The Wooly has reduced
its waste by almost 50%
via sorting and menu
engineering
over a designated period of time are also helping The
Wooly get closer to the reality of a new nature centre.
10185_CSB_Wooly25thAnnv_3.5x4.75Ad_v1Bol.indd 1
19/05/15 11:58 PM
Wooly
All-Stars
Concludes Court: ‘For the past quarter century we’ve
been privileged to operate The Wooly here in Guelph.
And so much of this privilege stems from – and relies on
– a fresh local water supply. From the craft beer we sell to
the local food we offer, water is at the core of everything
we do. It just makes sense, then, that we play our part
by ensuring that the Grand River watershed remains
healthy and sustainable. The fact that our customers
can play (at least a bit of ) their part by coming in for a
pint and great local food is a bonus for all of us.’
Now that’s sexy.
This year’s River Fundraiser & Brewer’s Feast –
including the annual canoe prize giveaway – is to be
held on the Monday of these twenty-fifth anniversary
festivities. (See centrepage spread for info.)
Neil Dubois
5 yrs
Position: Kitchen Manager
Fave Beer: Wooly Harvest Ale
Fave Menu Item:
Veggie Blue ‘Shroom Burger
Neil D
5 yrs
Positi
Fave B
Ale
EARTH/WIND/FIRE/WATER
KINDRED
‘SPIRITS’:
George Eagleson & The Wooly
Were Made for Each Other
George; George with Wellington’s Marvin & Royal City’s Cam
collaborating on something new & tasty
by Chris Tiessen
G
EORGE EAGLESON HAS BEEN BREWING
Indeed, George and his fellow brewers at
Wooly’s front lawn – concocted by George,
BEER FOR AS LONG AS THE WOOLY HAS
StoneHammer are even the ones responsible
Wellington Brewery’s Marvin Dyck and Royal
BEEN SERVING IT. Twenty Five Years. A quarter
for The Wooly’s very own house Harvest Ale
City’s Cam Fryer], and celebrate the successes
century. Two and a half decades. An impressive
and Harvest Lager – two staples at the pub
in our industry.’
number any way you dish it out.
And if you’ve happened into The Wooly for
a pint any time over this time period (which
I’m guessing you have, as very few come for
that have undoubtedly helped contribute to
The Wooly’s ranking as one of the 125 places
in the world to grab a pint before you die.
And while you’re enjoying your pint there’s
Celebrations that not only include this
weekend’s silver anniversary festivities at The
Wooly but also George’s own birthday party
every year – Georgeapalooza – at which beer
the coffee), there’s a very good chance you’ve
also a pretty good chance George is at The
folk from across the country get together to
probably relished one of George’s brews – or
Wooly too – usually holding court in the bar
celebrate this eccentric and loved giant of the
at least one he’s influenced in some way or
with a brewer or two talking shop. Especially
industry.
another. Indeed, George’s CV reads like a who’s
if it’s a Friday afternoon nearing the end of the
who of Ontario craft (and some not-so-craft)
work day. ‘The Wooly’s a great meeting place
breweries.
for brewers,’ notes George over (what else) a
Upper Canada Brewing Co (’91-’98). Sleeman
Brewery (’98). Amsterdam Brewing Co (’98).
Black Oak Brewing Co (’00-’01). ChurchKey Brewing Co (’00-’01). Glenora Springs
Brewing Ltd (’00-’01). Hart Brewery Co (‘02).
pint at The Wooly on a Friday afternoon in
late May. ‘This place has continued to be a
great support for craft brewers – oftentimes
being the first establishment to take chances
on new brews and breweries.’
Muskoka Brewery (’02-’03). Great Lakes
Adds George: ‘As such, the pub serves as a sort
Brewery (’03). Cool Beer Brewing Co (’03-’06).
of classroom for folks in the brewing industry
And finally F&M Brewery (now StoneHammer
– where we learn from each other by swapping
Brewing) (’06-present).
stories, generating ideas for new collaboration
10.
brews [including the recent dandelion-infused
brew – with dandelions picked right off The
As George’s longtime brew partner Andrew
Henry (also of StoneHammer) notes of his
great friend: ‘Much like The Wooly, George
has become an icon of the craft beer world.
Indeed, George shares much with my other
‘living room’ – they’re both comfortably worn
in, good for a laugh, and the perfect partner
for a pint on any given Friday afternoon.’
So during these 25th anniversary celebrations,
be sure to raise a glass both to The Wooly and
to George Eagleson – after all, it’s probably
because of them that you’re drinking what
you’re drinking.
Wooly
All-Stars
Pamela Dick
9 yrs
Position: Server – and so much more!
Fave Beer: Flying Monkeys Smash Bomb
Fave Menu Item: Fish Taco Board
WHAT MAKES MORTON WHOLESALE DIFFERENT?
OUR PEOPLE, SERVICE & PRODUCTS
Proudly Canadian Owned, Morton Wholesale is a distributor for Foodservice Operators in Southern Ontario.
The Ontario Grassroots Program was established by Morton Wholesale with the main
objective of promoting and distributing quality food products from Ontario’s finest
producers. We achieve this by supporting Ontario farmers and businesses - both large and
small. Our partners share our passion for food and understand the importance of
supporting local business and enhancing the economic, environmental, and social practices
of food purchasing and consumption. Most importantly, this program seeks to increase the
overall awareness and consumption of Ontario food products.
1-800-265-5663
w w w. m o r t o n w h o l e s a l e. c o m
The Wooly’s
25 Anniversary Festivities
th
Friday, June 19
Woolystock 2 – 6pm til 11pm
Music: Abby & Harry | The Doletinkers
sponsored by StoneHammer Brewing & Wellington Brewery
Saturday, June 20
Kids Extravaganza & BBQ – 10am til 2pm
Bike Parade to Exhibition Park (sponsored by Steamwhistle)
Interactive event with Wild Ontario Birds of Prey
Woolystock 2 – 2pm til 11pm
Music: SPANK | Jeff Bird & Mo Kauffey | The Speakeasies | The Kramdens
Sunday, June 21
Father's Day 'Solstice' Cask Festival – noon til 7pm
Music: Kent & Scotty | The Dogs
Monday, June 22
Annual River Fundraiser & Brewer’s Feast – 7pm
Special 4-Course Dinner with Beer Pairings
and Canoe Giveaway
$60 a person
sponsored by Creemore Springs Brewery
Did You Know?
The Wooly has been ranked #49
of 125 places in the world to have
a beer before you die
CASK
Father’s Day!
Solstice
FESTIVAL
Sunday, June 21
Featuring 25 Breweries
Two Sessions:
Noon til 2:30pm & 3pm til 5:30pm
$25 a person
Cask Festival Lineup
Royal City Brewing Co
Wellington Brewery
StoneHammer Brewing
Sleeman Brewery
Block Three Brewing Co
Innocente Brewing Co
Muskoka Brewery
Mill St Brewery
Black Oak/Cheshire Valley
Brewing Co
Great Lakes Brewery
Amsterdam Brewing Co
Indie Ale House
Revel Cider
West Ave Cider
Junction Craft Brewery
Northwinds Brewhouse
Collingwood Brewery
Beau’s All Natural Brewing Co
Flying Monkeys Craft Brewery
MacLean’s Ales
Sawdust City Brewing Co
Nickel Brook Brewery
Lake of Bays Brewing Co
Niagara College Teaching Brewery
Pommies Cider
EARTH/WIND/FIRE/WATER
THE WOOLY & THE KRAMDENS:
Celebrating Silver Anniversaries – Together
T
The Kramdens rehearse somewhere cozy in Guelph
anniversary with a show at River Run Centre,
HE SIMPLEST WAY TO DESCRIBE THE
local-centric mandate convinces me that by
WOOLY WOULD BE TO LABEL IT A ‘PUB.’
simply stepping out at the place for a pint I’m
for instance, Bob was kind enough to host our
And the most straightforward way to describe
somehow doing my part as a steward of the
after-party at The Wooly. He graciously – so
The Wooly’s Bob Desautels would be to call
world. Almost by osmosis.
graciously! – supplied food for all the guests. A
him a ‘publican.’ And yet neither one of these
descriptions captures the essence of these two
great local institutions.
Because here’s the thing: ‘locally-sourced’ has
been The Wooly’s mantra for decades. Indeed,
long before most people started caring about
Let’s begin with The Wooly. As I get older,
where their food came from, or whether
I don’t go out as much as I used to. Like
their beer was ‘craft’, The Wooly was there –
most people who’ve journeyed outside
keeping it local – from the beginning.
their twenties, newfound responsibilities –
including family, early bedtimes, and even
earlier mornings – have come to occupy my
time. And that’s okay.
When I am able to ‘go out’, however, I’m
careful to make sure it’s worth it. And so I
almost always choose The Wooly. (True – I
conveniently live around the corner, but The
brewers,
adventurous
beers
and
locally-sourced ingredients front and centre.
And a place whose eco-consciousness and
14.
twentieth anniversary party – just as we are
humbled and thrilled to be back for this year’s
twenty-fifth anniversary festivities. And it’s
not just The Kramdens that have such close
means that the world may finally be catching
genres helps keep our community’s local
up with The Wooly? That’d surely be a good
music and arts scene alive.
thing.
To be sure, Bob Desautels and The Wooly are
The Wooly is a trailblazer, no doubt. And what,
inextricably linked to each other. And they’re
then, of its proprietor – Bob Desautels?
also inextricably linked to the broader Guelph
short of a champion whose love for
small
when Bob asked us to play The Wooly’s
ties to Bob. His support of local music across
convenience.)
staff and fantastic food – a place that puts
Five years later, we were beyond honoured
drive toward ‘fresh’ and ‘craft’ and ‘local-centric’
For The Kramdens, Bob has been nothing
remained a friendly place with amazing
– smiling and making sure it all went smoothly.
Could it be, then, that the broader recent
Wooly’s my ‘local’ for reasons far beyond mere
For a quarter century now, The Wooly has
lot of guests. I can still picture Bob that night
homegrown definitely translates to support
for us. (And while Bob is undoubtedly the band’s
champion, The Wooly is more like a sibling.
‘neighbourhood’ – and an integral part of what
makes Guelph great. The man, the bricks, and
the mortar have together helped build and
shape this community. And they continue to
do so.
A fraternal twin, in fact, as The Kramdens
Congratulations, Bob. Here’s to many, many
and The Wooly are both celebrating silver
more.
anniversaries this year.)
Over this past quarter century, there is no
shortage of good memories that our band has
of Bob. When The Kramdens marked our 15th
The Kramdens’ Craig Norris
w/ Steve Knox, Robert Leader, Michael
Plater-Findlay & Michael Ostler
Wooly
All-Stars
Marc Bosboom
16 yrs
Position: Key Holder
Fave Beer: StoneHammer Dark
Fave Menu Item: YU Ranch Beef Blue
‘Shroom Burger
IN
GS
CA
W
A CITY
TO REMEMBER
L
BEER
IC •
S
MU
LO
•
• F RIE N DS
Congratulations
to the Wooly
for 25 amazing
years serving
Guelph’s locals
and visitors.
YOUR GUIDE TO GUELPH
visitguelphwellington.ca
@visitguelph
/visitgw
EARTH/WIND/FIRE/WATER
THE WOOLY & YU RANCH:
A Partnership Rooted in Sustainability
T
HE WOOLY’S COURT DESAUTELS HAS
REMARKED THAT TO LEARN ABOUT
THE PUB ONE MUST FIRST LEARN ABOUT ITS
SUPPLIERS. As Court notes: ‘There’s really no
better way to understand The Wooly’s core
values of sustainability, eco-consciousness and
pride in local than by seeing how deeply these
values are embedded in the businesses with
which we partner every day.’
He continues: ‘And Bryan Gilvesy’s YU Ranch
– which supplies The Wooly with award-
from the Tillsonburg Chamber of Commerce.
‘I consider myself a grass farmer more than I
The 2013 Premier’s Leadership Award for
do a cattle rancher,’ observes Bryan during a
Agricultural Innovation. The 2013 Canadian
recent trip to the ranch with Court. ‘In my mind,
Farmer-Rancher Pollinator Award. The
if I’m able to care for the land effectively and
2012
sustainably, the cattle will work themselves
Environment
Minister’s
Award
winning 100% grass-fed Texas Longhorn
for Environmental Excellence. The 2008
beef – is a perfect example of this. On the
Canadian Agri-Food Award of Excellence
surface, Bryan manages a beef farm. But dig
for Stewardship. The 2007 Premier’s Award
a little deeper and you’ll see that YU is much
for Agricultural Innovation. And the list goes
more than this. A sanctuary for rare birds
on. And on. And on!
and endangered pollinators. A sacred space
for threatened species of trees. A happy
ecosystem that balances healthy wetland,
forest and grassland habitats. A classroom.’
out.’
In other words, Bryan’s successful cattle
business is as much the serendipidous
outcome of his passion for environmental
stewardship as anything else. And, truth be
‘And of course there’s the beef, too,’ Court
told, the same could be said of The Wooly. For
reminds me. Ah yes, the beef. 2009
while most patrons of this pub frequent The
International Texas Longhorn Breeder of the
Wooly for obvious reasons – great food, great
Year beef. Beef that (almost) seems to come as
drink, great staff, great atmosphere – the
business is rooted solidly in weightier stuff.
Indeed, Bryan’s sustainability efforts (including
an afterthought for rancher Bryan who insists
a solar-powered irrigation system for his cattle
that the success of his business has much
and a one-of-a-kind delivery van whose freezer
more to do with his passion for cultivating
is also powered by the sun) have not gone
a harmonious ecosystem than with any
unnoticed. The 2014 Environmental Award
deliberate attempt to grow a profitable herd.
The locally-sourced food and drink. The tens of
thousands of dollars raised for the Grand River
Conservation Foundation over the years.
Grass Fed Texas Longhorn Beef.
From Our Ranch To Your Table.
Here’s To Another 25 Years.
Cheers.
yuranch.com
A day at the ranch – or Heaven
The Bullfrog Power and solar-powered hot water system.
The Steamwhistle bike servicing station located right
outside the front door. The staff competitions to reduce
waste and save energy. The decision to make mashed
potatoes with the skins in because they account for 30%
of a potato’s weight – that’s a lot of potential waste! The
incredibly deliberate and painstaking waste reduction
initiative that saw each customer’s food waste reduced
from 1.3 to .7 pounds. The deliberate decision to avoid
Wooly
All-Stars
including straws with drinks because they’re wasteful
– and the even more deliberate decision to invest in
biodegradable straws (at three times the cost of regular
ones) in the rare event that a customer asks for one. And
this is just a taste.
As Bryan concludes: ‘Our lasting partnership with The
Wooly continues to be so fulfilling because its rooted in
our shared commitments to the environment and to the
futures of our children’s children. Bob, Court and The
Wooly gang have never let these commitments waver.
Indeed, it can reasonably be noted that The Wooly
exists as a vehicle to save the planet.’
Indeed. And the rest is but a fortuitous consequence.
Versions of this article have appeared in the Winter 2015
issue of col.lab.o.rate and Spring 2015 issue of Moving
Business Forward – both quarterly publications of the
Guelph Chamber of Commerce.
Louise McMullen
22 yrs
Position: Group Communications
Fave Beer: Wooly Harvest Ale
Fave Menu Item:
Sea Salt & Pepper Wings
‘Cycle tracks will abound
in Utopia.’
- HG WELLS
EARTH/WIND/FIRE/WATER
The Wooly:
Guelph’s Favourite Biker Bar
F
OR MOST FOLKS, THE WOOLY IS A
and beer delivery. Matt Arnold was working
at a 25-28km/hr average pace and those
PLACE WHERE DREAMS (AND REALITIES)
for F&M Brewery (now StoneHammer
ferociously mashing the pedals at a 28-31km/
OF FITNESS COME TO DIE. Where exercise is
Brewing) at the time, delivering beer to their
hr average pace.
confined to whatever game happens to be
customers. I was working at The Wooly as a
showing on the pub’s two screens. And where
server, delivering beer to its patrons. And
breaking a sweat is limited to full-house Friday
Nathan Poulton was working in the kitchen
nights when The Wooly invariably packs so full
at The Wooly, delivering beer to the sewage
with friends, strangers, laughter and good cheer
system via his liver. We all had road bikes and
that no one seems to mind either the rising
a penchant to enjoy good, local craft beer so
temperature in the dining room or the fact that
we created the BDGCC as an excuse to ride
the wait for a table is usually longer than the
together every Thursday and return to The
time finally spent relaxing in a seat.
Wooly for after-ride pints.
For most folks. But not all.
While the BDGCC has gone through several
Cheers,
iterations over the years, it’s continued to
Taylor Moran, BDGCC
For some of us, Thursday evenings at The
Wooly has become a sort of sacrosanct ritual
where we readily trade our button-ups and
button-downs for skin-tight shorts, comfy
chamois, and the official yellow jersey of –
you guessed it – The Beer Delivery Guys/
Gals Cycling Club (or BDGCC).
The BDGCC was formed in 2009 by three guys
who had two things in common – cycling
20.
The club is always welcoming new riders.
Indeed, if you own a road bike and helmet and
enjoy good company, great beer and getting
out for a brisk ride, feel free to come out and
join in. The pack rolls out from The Wooly
parking lot at 6:30pm every Thursday from
April until November.
As the jersey says: Meet You At The Wooly!
grow in numbers. This year’s club boasts 38
members and several key local sponsors –
including Royal City Brewing Co, Wellington
Brewery, StoneHammer Brewery, Speed
River Cycles, AET, Planet Bean and of
course The Wooly. We continue to meet
every Thursday at the pub for a ride and a
pint, with between 12-15 riders consistently
participating each week on rides that are
generally 40-50km and mercifully divided
into two groups: those comfortably pedaling
Did You Know?
Bob from The Wooly
was a pro golfer
and played on the
Canadian & Australian
PGA Tour
Distance
45.04
GUELPH
El
i za
be
th
St
.
Yo
rk
RD
.
June 2015
ARKELL
kilometers
Na
ss
W
at
s
on
Start Elevation
Rd
ag
aw
ey
e
-P
.S
332
Fir
.
meters
st
L
us
in
lin
ch
eN
as
To
wn
lin
e
sa
ga
we
ye
Max Elevation
372
meters
Elevation (m)
Gain
242
396
363
meters
330
Reward
297 0
Good Friends
Cold Pints
9.01
18.02
27.03
36.03
45.04
*cited from Map My Ride
BIKE TO THE FESTIVAL!
Wooly
All-Stars
Thank you to the Wooly for 25 years
of championing LOCAL in our community!
guelph wellington
local
food
ADMISSION:
fest
6
June 21
Stu Nash
17 yrs
Position: Line Cook
Fave Beer: Mill St Organic
Fave Menu Item:
Steak and Mushroom Pie
11:00am - 5:00pm
2.50 per person
$
5 per family
$
Ignatius Jesuit
Centre and Farm,
Guelph/Eramosa www.tastereal.ca
EARTH/WIND/FIRE/WATER
Morton
Wholesale Ltd:
Like A Member
of the Family
by Chris
Chris Tiessen
Tiessen
by
T
Morton’s Jean Beauchemin eating out at home
HE WOOLY IS RENOWNED FOR A NUMBER
pick up at the shore of Lake Erie and deliver to
obscure meats and cheeses they’ll eagerly
OF THINGS. Obvious and not-so-obvious
the pub that same day to the serviettes to the
source for us to their incredible sustained
craft beer selections (cheese beer, anyone?).
chemicals and cleaning supplies sourced from
commitment to environment and community.’
Consistently great live music. An incredible
a local family-owned business based in Fergus
front porch and energizing rear patio. Friendly
– we ensure that The Wooly remains stocked
strangers and stranger friends. And a go-to menu
with local and sustainable goods and produce.’
that includes the fattest tastiest wings, mouthwatering fish & chips, and satisfying charcuterie
boards.
key ingredients for The Wooly’s annual River
Fundraiser & Brewer’s Feast so that 100% of
local and sustainable goods and produce.
the dinner’s proceeds can go towards GRCF
As Jean continues: ‘Our Ontario Grass
projects.
Roots Program ensures that we promote
patrons to identify where their beer comes
and distribute quality food products from
from, or who’s singing on a Saturday night,
Ontario’s finest producers thus supporting
or the folks seated around them, fewer know
not only phenomenal establishments like The
where most of The Wooly’s food is sourced
Wooly but also all players in the farm-to-fork
and how it gets to the pub.
process – from feed/ingredient suppliers to
Wholesale Ltd, is more than happy to share:
translated into Morton’s donating all of the
How? Because Morton’s is stocked with
And while it’s never that difficult for Wooly
Jean Beauchemin, Director of Sales at Morton
A commitment that has for a few years now
farmers to processing facilities to packaging
to distribution.’
Muses Jean as our lunch nears its end: ‘For me,
The Wooly is an extremely special account
– and one that I’ll never take for granted.’ He
continues: ‘I began coming here years ago
as a patron while attending the University
of Guelph, and decided to move to Guelph
permanently after university in large part
because of local spots like The Wooly. Indeed,
‘We’re The Wooly’s wholesaler of choice,’ notes
The Wooly’s Court Desautels can’t say enough
it’s places like The Wooly that define this
Jean matter-of-factly over lunch at (where
good things about the wholesaler, noting: ‘We
community. And I’m proud to be part of it.’
else) The Wooly. ‘From the wings raised
consider Jean and his Morton crew to be part
right down the road in Milton to most of The
of The Wooly family. They continually go the
Wooly’s Ontario-sourced meats to its produce
distance for us – from the (literally) thousands
to the fresh perch and pickerel that our trucks
of local products they’ve got listed to the most
Adds Court: ‘And we’re proud to have you,
buddy.’
The Neighbourhood Group
BY N E IG H B OU R S, f or N E IG H B OU R S
Where it all comes from...
FIELD TRIPS
It's important for us to
know where our food
comes from
LOCAL TASTES
WAY BETTER!
Cleaner planet
CARs RUNning
ON FRYER OIL?
ALL OUR FRYER OIL IS collected
and converted to bio-diesel!
OUR SUPPLIERS
PROTECTING
OUR WATERWAYS
WASTE REDUCTION
we’ve done
numerous studies to
reduce energy &
kitchen waste.
Our vegetable peels
even go to a local
pig farmer now!
It’s all in the details
Since 1990 we've been raising money to
protect our local waterways. To date
we've raised over $100,000 for various
conservation organizations.
to
n
CUCUMBERS IN
WATER?
over 2000 trees
planted to date!
Staff shirts are
organic cotton and
Toronto made at me to
we where a tree is
planted for every
shirt bought.
refreshing flavour and
available locally
year-round we reduce
the amount of lemons
and limes (and miles
travelled!)
100% recycled
OUR NAPKINs are 100% recycled and
biodegradeable!
(unlike some that are actually dyed
brown to appear recycLed!)
Still not convinced?
Over 80%
Locally
Sourced Foods
& Beverages
Green Leadership
Award for Canada
from Foodservice and
Hospitality Magazine
Sustainable Fish
We are members of Ocean Wise and
the first restaurant in the World to
have our fish DNA-Certified!
2 great restaurants. 3 locations
Solar panels
Borealis Kitchener is in
an old schoolhouse!
borealisgrille.ca
Did you know, TABLES in BOREALis
Guelph are made from an old Walnut
tree that fell infront of the wooly!
woolwicharrow.ca
Yeah we have
imported beer.
it comes all
the waY from
the other
side of town.
We call it the “curse of knowing better”. You’ll discover it when you hoist a glass
of locally made Wellington Special Pale Ale where gut-bloating carbonation doesn’t
need to be added to make it last longer like big brewery beers. You’ll taste it when
you tuck into a burger made with local, grass fed long-horn cattle, the only cattle
indigenous to North America. Taste local and everything else pales by comparison.
So, be warned. Come to Borealis but be prepared to change your view of everything.
Guelph & Kitchener | BorealisGrille.ca
Obsessively L ocal