For two decades, Brew N’ Sip has been a cornerstone of the Morden community, providing all the supplies necessary to unlock one’s inner vintner or brewmaster.
Beer or wine?
Stepping into Brew N’ Sip’s store is like entering a haven for crafting your own beverages, a tradition that owner Gordon Maddock has proudly upheld since taking over from Terry Gibson in 1999.
“We supply customers with wine and beer making kits and all the equipment that you need to make your own wine at home, or we can do it for you at our store,” Gordon says.
Brew N’ Sip offers an impressive selection. Currently, you can find 60 to 70 different wine kits, each capable of producing approximately 30 bottles. Beer enthusiasts will discover kits that yield around 23 one-litre bottles. The best part? Most of these handcrafted creations are ready to enjoy in just 4 to 8 weeks.
If you have a vision for making your own perfect beer or wine but feel intimidated by the steps, Brew N’ Sip is the perfect place to start.
The knowledgeable staff at the storefront can help make your vision a reality with a process as simple as drinking a glass of wine or a pint of beer, whether you’re experienced or just beginning your journey.
“Come in and see us and we'll walk you through it,” says Gordon.
The best quality
Throughout the process of making your own beer or wine, you can be certain that quality is paramount at Brew N’ Sip.
“The kits are food grade items — the beer, wine, and all the ingredients that go into it,” Gordon emphasizes.
Another perk is that you’ll only pay tax on any equipment you might need, like bottles and corks.
“You'll get 30 bottles of tax-free wine,” jokes Gordon.
Many customers even find their homemade wine makes for thoughtful and personalized gifts.
Support for the beer and wine artist
While kits offer a fantastic starting point, Brew N’ Sip also caters to those who like to get creative with their own ingredients, sourcing dry components and equipment for unique fruit wines made from garden harvests.
For those who prefer a hands-off approach, Brew N’ Sip offers an in-store making service, handling the entire process until it’s time for bottling.
The customer then takes over to bottle and cork, a task made easy with Brew N’ Sip’s automatic corker. You can even add a personal touch with custom labels featuring unique images and sayings.
The quality of the wine produced from these kits is often comparable to what you’d find at the store. Gordon says the kits come from different regions around the world known for their wine, including Argentina, Chile, Australia, France, Italy, and the United States.
For those who choose to take their kit home, easy-to-follow instructions are included and support is always available.
“Just give us a call and we'll ask you some questions to get a feel of what's going on, and we can walk you through what to do next,” says Gordon.
Specialty ingredients
For more experienced brewers, Brew N’ Sip offers specialty yeast strains and unique ingredients.
“Different wines react differently to different yeasts,” Gordon explains. “If you're going to make [beverages] at home from the fruit from your garden, we can get you the right kind of yeast. We [also] have yeast for meads and ciders and different things like that.”
Popular wine kit options include classics like Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, White Zinfandel, and Pinot Noir.
Ready to get started?
For those ready to take the plunge, Gordon shares some helpful tips for beginners. The first is that a warmer environment like a laundry room is often ideal for fermentation.
“You want to keep it warm because if the yeast gets cold, it'll stall,” he says.
Gordon also stresses the importance of proper sterilization — without executing the process successfully, the product will not develop properly.
The last issue for which Gordon has advice is a common one: cloudy wine. He says this is usually resolved with proper degassing, which clears up the wine quickly.
To begin the process yourself, pick up a starter kit from Brew N’ Sip. It will have everything you need.
Setting vintners and brewmasters up for success
No matter what you end up making with Brew N’ Sip, customer satisfaction is a top priority.
“We work really hard with [customers] to make sure that they get the product that they want,” Gordon says. “We make sure that they're getting the wine that they want by answering their questions.”
Customers are often so pleased with their creations that they bring in a bottle for Gordon to sample.
“I'll [often] have a bottle of wine sitting there,” he says.
Keeping up with the trends
While the classics will always be available at Brew N’ Sip, the establishment also has exciting new additions, including premium limited edition wine kits and Twisted Mists, offering flavours similar to popular spirit-based drinks.
“Those are getting quite popular,” Gordon notes.
For in-store beer brewing, the company focusses on Festa Brew kits, which come in about 9 or 10 different flavours, including ales and stouts.
With rosé season now upon us and special offers available, there’s never been a better time to visit Brew N’ Sip.
“Come have a chat and we'll lead you through it,” Gordon says. “We work with you, we talk with you. You’ll know we [understand] you through the process.”
In the end, Gordon expresses his gratitude for the community of which he is an important part.
“I just want to thank my customers. They've been so great over the years and that's why we've been here for a long time,” he says.
Whether you’re a seasoned home brewer or just curious to try your hand at crafting your own wine or beer, head down to Brew N’ Sip and let Gordon and his team help you create your perfect pour.
brewnsip.com
204-822-6069
B-195 La Verendrye Blvd, Morden
Mon – Fri: 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Sunday: Close