A unique hybrid creation from Niagara College’s Teaching Winery and Teaching Brewery has made a historic debut at the Niagara Icewine Festival.
Ice Wine Strong Ale is the first and only beer to be served at the Niagara-on-the-Lake Icewine Village. The brew kicked off the festivities during the weekend of Jan. 17 and will continue to be poured at the Icewine Village Cocktail bar on Jan. 24-25. It is also set to be featured at the Icewine Gala on Jan. 31.
“The Ice Wine Strong Ale has been really well received so far.” said Katie MacCabe, Marketing Manager for Wineries of Niagara-on-the-Lake.
“Guests commented that it was a refreshing change of pace to taste something Icewine-adjacent while still feeling connected to the spirit of the Icewine Village. The beer had a distinct Icewine character, and it was nice to have an option that felt inclusive for visitors who wanted something a bit different.
“We also heard a guest say that ‘for people who love craft beer or are looking for something different, it’s fantastic. A unique beer that I haven’t tasted before.'”
MacCabe noted that organizers approached the College seeking to broaden the beverage menu for this year’s winter festival.
“Niagara College was a natural partner for this,” said MacCabe. “They are the only beer being offered on Queen Street.”
Ice Wine Strong Ale was crafted specifically for the occasion, blending the College’s 2023 Prodigy Icewine with a Strong Ale. College Brewmaster Professor Jon Downing developed the ale from a batch of his popular Rudolph’s Red Nosed Ale (later known as Strong 101), a regular offering brewed by students in the Brewmaster and Brewery Operations Management program.
Staff from the Teaching Brewery and the Wine Visitor and Education Centre then collaborated to determine the perfect blend.
“It’s awesome that a College beer will be the first to ever be served at the Icewine Village,” said Downing. “Getting the flavour balance right was tricky; we wanted balance more than anything.”
The result is a rich, full-bodied ale (7.3% ABV) with subtle caramel notes that balance the bitterness, finishing with a delicate hint of Icewine on the palate.
“It’s very drinkable, well balanced, and feels like a perfect fit for a winter street festival,” added McCabe. “Their Teaching Winery and Brewery were able to collaborate in a really thoughtful way to create an Ice Wine Strong Ale that feels unique to the festival and rooted in Niagara’s wine culture.”
Find NC at the Icewine Festival
Icewine Village (Queen St.): Look for the NC Teaching Winery booth just west of Regent Street, where staff are pouring 2023 Prodigy Icewine and Commencement Sparkling.
The cocktail bar: Sample the exclusive Icewine Strong Ale at the Icewine Village Cocktail Bar.
Retail availability: Limited quantities of NC’s Ice Wine Strong Ale are available for purchase while supplies last at NC’s Wine Visitor + Education Centre retail store (Daniel J. Patterson Campus in Niagara-on-the-Lake), alongside other student-crafted products.
Discovery Pass program
As a partner and participating winery, the NC Teaching Winery is part of the festival’s Discovery Pass program. Guests with Discovery passes who visit the Wine Visitor + Education Centre can enjoy French Onion Soup paired with Late Harvest Vidal.
Discovery Pass guests receive a bonus of $5 off a single bottle of any Dean’s List wine.
For more information and to purchase passes, visit niagarawinefestival.com/icewine-village.
Media
YourTV Niagara featured the Niagara Icewine Village, including the debut of NC’s Ice Wine Strong Ale. The segment included an interview with Brad Tandy (Events and Marketing Coordinator, NC Learning Enterprises Corporation) and also showed footage from NC’s Icewine harvest. View it here: yourtv.tv/node/376664
The Ice Wine Strong Ale was also featured in articles highlighting the College’s 2026 Icewine harvest, including:
(Also featured in the Canadian Press. Associated Press, all three Niagara dailies, the Hamilton Spectator, Peterborough Examiner, Waterloo Record, and more ).
Icewine, firsthand: How Niagara College teaches winter winemaking
