Kicking, Pushing… & brewing beer

Jeff Green | Apr 13, 2022

Anyone who decides to name their business after the old K&P rail line (which was supposed to run from Kingston to Pembroke but never made it past Renfrew) has to expect to have a bit of a struggle.

The nickname Kick and Push came later, because of frequent breakdowns along the line in the early decades of the 20th Century. When the rail line closed down, it became a more or less informal trail system, which is now close to being completed as a modern recreational trail linking Lake Ontario with the Great Trail and the trail systems in Renfrew County.

Daniel and Laina Lees took the Kick and Push reality on when they purchased the old log building on a 1.5 acre lot, on Highway 7, (next to the Ultramar station) that has had a storied history. It was the site of Solarian Farms in the late 1980’s, and was then converted into a private home.

As of just under a year ago, (May of 2021) it has also been the future home of the Kick and Push Brewery, and co-owner and budding brew master Daniel Lees continues to put all of the work in, and jump through all the hoops, in order to make that happen by this summer.

He has come quite a long way.

The building has been cleared out, and the small tap room, and service area, are about ready. Most of the equipment, to be able to have four small batches or up to 8 tiny batches of beer brewing simultaneously, is on site or coming in a few days, and a refrigeration room is almost ready as well.

Daniel Lees is an engineer who works in the construction industry so he is familiar with most of the logistics that needed to be put in place.

There have also been delays because he has had to deal with landing use planning issues, and the Ministry of Transportation (MTO).

“The property is part of a commercial zone, so that simplifies matters,” he said, “but a site plan agreement needs to be approved by Frontenac County, which is taking some time. It is a simple site plan so hopefully it will be approved soon.”

Frontenac County Council meets next week.

As for the MTO, his dealings at this time are only indirect.

“We have contracted Hydro One to put in 3 phase power, but that involved a change in their equipment that crosses Highway 7, so they have to get approval from the MTO. I hope that won’t be a major delay.”

Another large job is a new drainage system, but that does not have to happen before the brewery opens.

At this point, the plan is to be open in a couple of months.

“We are planning to have our beer available for sale, and the tap room open, for the summer season. As soon as I can get all of the brewing equipment installed, I can start brewing.”

Daniel and Laina live in Kingston at this, time, but they have lived in both Verona and Sydenham in the past, and a few years ago they purchased a property on Rock Lake, which is near the Fall River Road, not far from Sharbot Lake.

“At some point we would like to build a permanent home on Rock Lake, but for now we have a cabin there.”

Laina teaches with the Limestone district School Board. Once the brewery is open, Daniel will have to make a change in his employment in order to run the brewery, and Laina will be involved in managing the business as well.

Daniel will focus on brewing.

“My go to style of beers are dark British ales, but I will be brewing a variety of ales, including an India Pale Ale, and I would like to have a stout available, at least for the fall or winter,” he said.

Brewing a lager is bit more complicated, because they take longer to brew, and for that reason, Daniel is considering brewing a lager off site, at another brewery.

“But for the most part, the plan is to brew and sell beer right here at the brewery.”

The smallest piece of equipment at the brewery, and also one of the most expensive, is a micro-canning machine.

“Once the beer is ready, we will have it available in cans,” he said, “or on tap right here. I can’t wait.”

(Editors note – the Kick and Push is not the only business that is set to transform the Sharbot Lake food and beverage scene. Belong Sharbot Lake, located where the Maples restaurant used to be located, is also kicking and pushing its way towards a new incarnation. More on that in the coming weeks … )