About Erieau, ON
Built on a sandbar between the shores of Lake Erie and Rondeau Bay, Erieau was home to coal and fishing industries and was crisscrossed with train tracks down the main boulevard of the village. Now, it is known for its thriving beach community and charter fishing. With two marinas, cottages and cabin rentals, marsh trails, biking, and boating, it has become a destination for both Canadian and American tourists.
Our Story
Since 2012, Bayside Brewing Co. has been brewing premium craft beer in Erieau’s historic Lakeside Hotel overlooking Rondeau Bay. The original goal of the four owners (Frank Thompson, Nancy Cowan, Ken Royal, and Josette deBrouwer) was to create a small business that would allow them a slower pace of life, as well as a chance to explore their passion for beer. To their surprise, the local community swarmed the brewery and customer demand transformed what had originally been plans for a small quiet bar into a large BrewPub with a full menu, wood-burning pizza oven, and expansive deck proving great views of the bay and room for live music.
At Bayside one of our main goals has always been to give back to our local community of Erieau, as well as the wider municipality of Chatham-Kent.
Our Story
Since 2012, Bayside Brewing Co. has been brewing premium craft beer in Erieau’s historic Lakeside Hotel overlooking Rondeau Bay. The original goal of the four owners (Frank Thompson, Nancy Cowan, Ken Royal, and Josette deBrouwer) was to create a small business that would allow them a slower pace of life, as well as a chance to explore their passion for beer. To their surprise, the local community swarmed the brewery and customer demand transformed what had originally been plans for a small quiet bar into a large BrewPub with a full menu, wood-burning pizza oven, and expansive deck proving great views of the bay and room for live music.
Our Brewmaster
We’re no longer sure which came first – the brewing vats or Mike Dumouchelle. But one thing is certain, one wouldn’t work well without the other.
When we bought the brewing equipment from Charly’s World of Beer in Windsor, we asked the long-time brewmaster if he would like to come down to Erieau to help us get started. He hasn’t left.
That’s a good thing, too, since Mike knows the ins and outs of this equipment. He should – he’s been working with this system since 1989. He’s put in the legwork, forged relationships with a slew of other brewmasters, and figured out what works and what doesn’t. It’s that attention to detail that makes our beers stand-out.
Our Brewmaster
We’re no longer sure which came first – the brewing vats or Mike Dumouchelle. But one thing is certain, one wouldn’t work well without the other.
When we bought the brewing equipment from Charly’s World of Beer in Windsor, we asked the long-time brewmaster if he would like to come down to Erieau to help us get started. He hasn’t left.
That’s a good thing, too, since Mike knows the ins and outs of this equipment. He should – he’s been working with this system since 1989. He’s put in the legwork, forged relationships with a slew of other brewmasters, and figured out what works and what doesn’t. It’s that attention to detail that makes our beers stand-out.
At Bayside one of our main goals has always been to give back to our local community of Erieau, as well as the wider municipality of Chatham-Kent.
