It all began with Dugald Brown, a citizen of Gravenhurst in the late 1800s. The town’s economic base lay in logging and tanning, but a burgeoning resort industry was springing up, attracting tourists from across the globe. Brown saw opportunity knocking.
Environmental sensitivity wasn’t on industrialists’ radars at the time, and the lakes were becoming polluted. He started a business bottling spring water from his artesian well, packing it in wooden crates and delivering it on horse-drawn buckboards to the steamships for passage to the resorts. Brown’s Beverages was born. Since then, the brands have evolved, but 220 Bay Street has been bottling natural spring water for 143 years.
Shortly after establishing the spring water business, Dugald and his son, Jack, began their foray into sparkling beverages: a business that would be the focus of the company for the next 100 years. To this day, Muskoka Springs produces the original Pale Ginger Ale with the same recipe immortalized in Jack Brown’s little black book… in 1909. Some say the legendary Pale Ginger Ale evokes the memory of simpler cottage times and appeals to the nostalgia of old-time cottagers. To others, it is simply delicious.
Over time, owners, names, and brands have changed, but Muskoka Springs’ dedication to quality, purity, and Muskoka have never changed.
Founding partner Scott Moffat explains why their firm was attracted to the company. “It’s a perfect fit for us. It’s a fascinating business with a genuine history. We’re here to breathe new life into it.” He is thrilled to invest in an authentic enterprise with significant growth potential. “To the best of our knowledge, it’s the oldest continuously operating company in Muskoka. It’s amazing that Muskoka Springs has remained independent, producing craft beverages on the same site for 143 years,” he says. “It’s a jewel that we are proud of.
The new plans include innovative flavours, expanded markets, increased staff, and rebranding. This summer will be very busy, with a promotional team hosting events to raise enthusiasm in the community. Hundreds of hours are being devoted to creating new craft beverages, including cocktails and floats for every core beverage. Maple Cream Ale is a unique sparkling drink made with real maple syrup. The new Birch Beer is like tapping Muskoka’s trees and putting them in a bottle. Stone Ginger Beer is reminiscent of the old stone bottles that captured the pungent ginger flavour when Muskoka Dry first hit the market over a century ago.
“We are putting different twists on our beverages,” says Scott enthusiastically. “They taste great as thirst quenchers on their own and make fantastic mixers and ice cream floats. Try the Muskoka Storm and Muskoka Blizzard; you won’t be disappointed.” But, he adds, they won’t be messing with the time-honoured recipe for their Pale Ginger Ale because, in his words, “How can you improve on perfection?” Authenticity is a prime focus for the new drinks. Scott considers adding sweeteners to be a cheap way out. “We’re not masking our flavours with excess sugar,” he explains. “Our beverages have only 100 calories, and we carbonate at a slightly lower level. Each one is refreshing and flavourful—just like Muskoka.”
While there are exciting new things coming—clothing lines, merchandise, and products—the core values of the company founded by Brown so long ago are deeply respected. “We see Muskoka Springs as a community lifestyle brand,” says Scott, “and we are excited to see people share their ideas for new flavours, events, and more.” They are building out the fleet of old trucks, and replicating the antique wooden crates that were used when the company began. There will be tours of the plant, showcasing vintage photos of the founder and original facilities.
The Rosseau Group is a family investment management company with a passion for entrepreneurship. “While we raise outside capital for most investments,” Scott explains, “we also make personal investments in companies that matter to us.” The partners grew up cottaging on Lake Rosseau and are firmly tied to the Muskoka area. The addition of Muskoka Springs to their family of companies is a gratifying development. “With its impressive history of crafting beverages for over a century, it’s an honour to be the steward of the company for our generation,” Scott concludes. “We have the privilege of infusing new life into this heritage firm, and to build on the fine legacy it has provided our region.”
