There was a full house at the Selkirk Legion on Saturday night and from the first pour of Tower Tap Lager – with Mayor Larry Johannson manning the bar – to the last, the local brew was a down the hatch success.
Johannson was thrilled.
The Legion was packed, and we sold out, four kegs, 240 pints in two hours.
Mayor Johannson
“The City of Selkirk partnered with Torque Brewery to create this Selkirk lager and sold at the exclusive launch party at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 42. It was a bigger hit than I expected, and my expectations were high,” Johannson said.
“Selkirk people came out and supported Selkirk once again. The Legion was packed, and we sold out, four kegs, 240 pints in two hours. I’m blown away. The city is being innovative, we’re always looking for ways to tap into our stellar resources. Our water is award-winning, and now we know that it can create great beer. Cheers to a great Saturday night and many more to come!”
The city joined forces with Torque Brewing for this unique partnership and produced Tower Tap Lager, a beer that represents the essence of Selkirk. The beer is a true Selkirk original and uses Selkirk drinking water to craft a light, refreshing lager that, as Saturday night proved, goes down very nicely.
Johannson said there was a special feeling in the Legion that night. The line-up to get a pint lasted right up to the final pour, and people were in a celebratory mood.
“It was a good old-fashioned Selkirk party at the Selkirk Legion and it honestly filled my heart up to the top,” Johannson said.
“There was a buzz in the room, the local band, Up in Flames, was great, there was a sense of camaraderie and community and people were very excited to try a hometown brew. And once they did, they really enjoyed it. It was a great night.”
Prior to the launch, Perry Joval, Head Brewer & Operations Manager at Torque, said it was indeed a unique partnership with the water being the focus of creating the beer. And he gave Selkirk’s water the thumbs up for brewing.
“It’s very versatile, very easy to adapt to different style profiles.”
Chrystal Lynn, Manager at the Selkirk Legion, said it was a very good night that was well-attended.
“In count of numbers, there were over 150 people that turned out to the launch party,” Lynn said.
“We had sold all four kegs that night and more people enjoyed it than ones who didn’t, so for me I say that was a success.”
Lynn said feedback from the patrons highlighted how light and crisp the lager was, and that there were people interested in having it again. For Katie Miller, it was easy to give the night, and the beer, a glowing review.
We had so much fun at the event! The beer was super delicious, very drinkable.
Katie Miller
“We had so much fun at the event! The beer was super delicious, very drinkable. Actually, we all agreed that it was one of the best beers we’ve had,” Miller said.
“I always enjoy the Selkirk tap water and since it also makes great coffee, I have no doubt it’s a key factor in the delicious taste of the beer. Very light and drinkable.”
The exclusive launch party hit the mark as well.
“The launch party for Tower Tap was such a fun time. Selkirk feels like the perfect size of city for these events, it’s nice to go out and run into friends at these outings but at the same time the city is big enough to have everything we need in it.”
Conrad Braun found the beer and the party to be a winning pair.
“It was a great event; I really enjoyed it,” Braun said.
“The live band was awesome and of course the beer was awesome as well.”
Braun has had several different styles of beer from Torque before, and he was impressed with Tower Tap’s unique twist.
“I truly thought the beer was good and I’m a Torque fan, I’m used to some of their other styles of beer and this one was a little bit different,” said Braun.
Even those less familiar with craft beers were won over as Tower Tap’s flavour and style has broad appeal.
The future of Tower Tap
Selkirk and Torque are currently working on when and where the next Tower Tap pour will take place but given the popularity – it’s a sure bet it will be available again, if even for a short time. When that time comes, the city, along with the local establishment that will serve it, will make an announcement.
More on Tower Tap here: https://www.myselkirk.ca/beer/
UPDATE AS OF OCTOBER 29, 2024: Cheers, Selkirk! Tower Tap is making a return!
Tower Tap is making a temporary return during the popular Holiday Alley event held mid-November.
On the Rocks will be serving the local brew while quantities last starting November 15, and from the first pour to the last, we’re betting it will be a down-the-hatch-success once again.
Those who missed out in September or who want another taste will have the chance again soon. Visit On the Rocks during Holiday Alley to try the limited time only Tower Tap Lager.
