Sally Smith

The space is big, bright and open. The seven or more stainless steel vats sitting in the front window invite touching and walking around. Jeff Murphy, operations manager of 4 Degrees Brewing Company, greets guests and like a true aficionado doesn’t hesitate to talk about the business or the brew.

Friday, Nov. 10 was the opening of the brewery, tap room and retail store located in the Settlers’ Ridge mall (formerly County Fair Mall) and while at noon only one couple was there, by 1 p.m. there were five.

Murphy expected by 5 p.m. the crowds would arrive. 4 Degrees Brewing was founded by five locals – Nick Ritchie, Andrew Howard, Joe Adams, Tim Vandermeer and Chris Haines.

Josh Winkenweder, a volunteer firefighter and town employee, came with his wife Stacey to give his pals support. “It’s nice to have watched the process unfold, nice to see guys in a small community succeed. We’re proud of them.”

Their four beers on tap – North of 7, South of 7, Old Slys ’69 and Frost and Wood ’55 – can also be found in Perth, Spencerville, Cornwall and Ottawa as well as at home at their new location and other locations around town.

Peter and Marianna Naish came in to find the one beer they hadn’t yet tasted, Old Slys ’69. The ’69 stands for 6.9 percent alcohol or 69 on the bitterness scale or international bitterness unit (IBU). Marianna grins, explaining she and her husband like to check out the small breweries around the area.

4 Degrees Brewing Company is open Wednesday and Thursday 12 to 6 p.m., Friday and Saturday 12 to 9 p.m., and Sunday 12 to 5 p.m. Monday and Tuesday they’re closed for brewing. Contact them at 613-935-3444.