On this episode of Between Two Fermenters, host Troy Burtch welcomes Troy Baxter, Co-Founder and Brewer at Badlands Brewery from Caledon, Ontario, a small-but-mighty ‘farm’ brewery turning heads (and hops) across the province. From a 1-barrel system in a retrofitted calf barn (2017) to a 15-barrel “IPA factory,” Badlands has built a loyal following for their hazy, hop-forward beers, all brewed on a 100-acre working farm with Holsteins grazing just a few steps away. No LCBO sales. No Beer Store presence (anymore). Just straight-from-the-brewery freshness done their way.  

In this episode, we dig into Troy’s unconventional journey from an inexperienced homebrewer to head brewer with zero formal training and zero investors alongside his wife Grace and longtime friend Mike. Burtch gets Troy to tell the story of the legendary beer bus (taproom), why the cows are basically on payroll, and what it means to keep things small, and rooted in community. The fellas crack some beers, discuss Badlands’ history, the underrated power of brewery blogs, and hear firsthand what it’s like to turn a family farm into one of Ontario’s most buzzed-about breweries. 

Thank you for tuning into the #BetweenTwoFermenters podcast. Please take a moment to give us a rating and review on whichever platform you get your podcasts at and be sure to follow GreatLakesBeer on all social channels. greatlakesbeer.com. Supporting local never tasted soooo good! 

Hosted by Troy Burtch, Between Two Fermenters, a podcast brought to you by Toronto's Great Lakes Brewery, is your go-to deep dive for all things craft beer from an insider perspective.