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  • How to do a Pub Crawl on the Millennium Trail 🍺
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How to do a Pub Crawl on the Millennium Trail 🍺

Written by: Ryan Aldred [May 15, 2019]

At the height of the Barley Days, in the late 1800s, a rail line cut through Prince Edward County from Picton to Trenton – part of the old Central Ontario Railway that once hauled loads of minerals, lumber and crops from such exotic destinations as Mumby’s Mills and Maymooth.

An interesting bit of history? Yes. A successful money-making venture? Not so much.

About three decades after the track was abandoned to nature, The County bought the rail line. The newly-dubbed Millennium Trail had a lot of potential. It did not have much in the way of smooth surfaces.

But that’s all changed thanks to come amazing community support and volunteers! The freshly rolled limestone screen has smoothed and widened the trail, making it much easier for hikers, bikers, ATVers and more.

The Millennium Trail crosses streams, dappled sunlight and straight stretches. Bring lots of water and go slow! | Photo Credit: Ryan Aldred

And how best to explore this bit of County history?

Two words: Pub Crawl.

Yes, there are many fine breweries, pubs and restaurants along the trail. And now you can visit them without a train ticket – or getting stuck in summer traffic.

Find dozens of beers on tap at Parsons, at the far end of the Picton portion of the Millennium Trail. | Photo Credit: Ryan Aldred

1) Get Ready

The first big choice – on wheels, or on foot?

On Wheels

If you’re biking, you’ll want to start by checking for any surprises that might otherwise appear halfway between Bloomfield and Wellington. Give the chain a quick spray of oil. Make sure you have a bell. Check that your helmet still fits, and hasn’t been colonized by squirrels over the winter months.

Of course, you might not have a bike of your own, or it might be stuck at home. If so, rental bicycles are also available at several County businesses, including the Bloomfield Bicycle Company, Pedego Electric Bikes, County Bike Rentals and Ideal Bike to name a few.

Need to make a fix? There’s even a public bike repair station on the trail, at the end of West Street just north of Wellington.

On Foot

Not a biker? You can also do a shorter version of the Pub Crawl on foot. You’ll need a pair of sensible hiking shoes, ideally something with a bit of waterproofing. The trail is mostly dry from Spring to Fall, but it doesn’t hurt to have the option to explore a side path. (Watch out for poison ivy!)

Regardless of whether you’re on two feet or two wheels, be prepared to be outside all day in a range of weather. Apply sunscreen. Charge your phone. Pack some water, a snack, and a windbreaker or rain jacket in a pack.

And bring a camera – the scenery is stunning.

The old rail line known as the Millennium Trail keeps cyclists, walkers, hikers, ATVers and away from main road traffic, giving users an up-close view of farmers fields. | Photo Credit: Ryan Aldred

2) Plan Your Route

Two big questions when planning your route – How far do you want to travel? And how many stops do you want to make?

How far?

The Epic Loop from Picton to Wellington is about 50 km, or around three hours of cycling. If you’d prefer something shorter, the Bloomfield Circuit from Picton will be about half of that – 25 km, or 90 minutes. If in doubt, go with the shorter option. It never hurts to have a reason to return.

Hikers should consider staying close to Picton. Parsons to 555 Brewing is an 8 km loop, which is about two hours on foot. Continuing on to Waring House will add another 30 minutes, or a 2.5 hour round trip in total.

How many stops?

If you were to stop at every drinking establishment within 100 metres of the Millennium Trail, you would – by conservative estimates – require a liver transplant. So you’ll need to narrow it down.

Start a Millennium Trail Pub Crawl at the Midtown Brewing Company. | Photo Credit: Ryan Aldred

Here are a few sample itineraries:

Quick and Easy – Parsons -> Prince Eddy’s -> 555 Brewing -> Waring House*

Bloomfield Circuit – Matron** -> Lunch in Bloomfield at the Bloomfield Public House or Saylor House Cafe -> Barley Days -> Waring House -> Parsons

The Epic Loop – Midtown Brewing Company -> Lunch in Bloomfield -> Matron**  -> Barley Days -> Prince Eddy’s -> Parsons

* Add-on if you’re feeling ambitious. Want to add a cider option? Consider Settlers Cider, west of Wellington. Hubb’s Creek, Karlo Estate and Trail Estate wineries are all additional wine options, which will take you another 3 km beyond Wellington.

** Opening June 2019.

Allow yourself around an hour per stop – longer on holidays and weekends – and don’t forget to consider where you might want to break for lunch or dinner.

On lengthy trips, consider doing your longest leg first and then working your way back. From Picton, that might mean heading out to Midtown Brewing Company in Wellington. From Wellington, head to Parsons first.

Want to build your own trip? You can find plenty of options on VisitPEC.ca and Google Maps. Check out the Millennium Trail Pub Crawl map layer here and get the full trail low-down on the Millennium Trail: Everything You Need to Know.

GIS millennium trail pub crawl
This Google Map layer has all the Trail entrances, plus any pub-related stops and even includes suggestions for lunch or a coffee. | Photo Courtesy: Ryan Aldred

3) Enjoy…

The big day is here. Grab your bag, hop on your bike – or put on your walking shoes – and find one of the trail’s many access points.

In Picton, you can get to the trail via Johnson Street or near the LCBO on County Road 10. Or hop on via one of the unmaintained side trails accessible at the Northwest ends of McFarland Drive or Fawcett Avenue.

In Wellington, consider joining the trail near the North end of West Street, Wharf Street or on Consecon Street. And in Bloomfield, you can access the trail via Stanley Street or the south end of Barker Lane.

And you’re off – through dappled forest shade, overtop running brooks and past the golden fields in search of a cold and frosty mug.

Bring a camera – the scenery is stunning! | Photo Credit: Ryan Aldred

4) …Responsibly

Alcohol will hit you that much harder when exercising. Ask instead for sampler glasses and half-pints instead of full pints, particularly if you’re doing a bunch of brewery stops. Consider also breaking up the pub crawl with a freshly brewed cappuccino or a bottle of sparkling water.

Remember that – even on a bicycle – public intoxication is still against the law. In the case of electric or pedal assisted bicycles, the same laws apply as driving a motor vehicle. Besides, no one wants to show up at work on Monday with a cast on their leg and have to explain to their co-workers that they fractured their ankle on a bicycle pub crawl. That’s how you end up with a nickname like Drinky McBreakLegs.

Be mindful of the other travellers on the trail. Remember to use your bell when overtaking on a bicycle, and to pass slowly without kicking up rocks or gravel. Move to the side to allow ATVs to pass. The vast majority of trail users are courteous and polite, so feel free to offer a friendly wave to those you see along the way.

Don’t hesitate to call it a day if you’re feeling strained or exhausted. Hours of hiking or biking is a tremendous amount of work, and can be made all the more difficult with a full stomach. There are many fine cab companies that can give you and your bike a lift back, including Cronkie’s, Terry’s and the Taxi Guy.

Another vital safety tip – if you do purchase cans or bottles of beer en route, remember that they’ll be bumped and shaken for several hours while you cover the length of the trail. So open those slowly when you get home.

5) Until Next Time

There’s something very special about the Millennium Trail. And when that something special is combined with a day-long trail trip and a few visits to some of the best food, beer and beverages that The County has to offer, you’ll find yourself daydreaming the next time you’ll be able to sit on a bar stool in the Midtown Brewing Company to enjoy a nitro-infused stout and a burger, or maybe a Duke Dog…

Where was I again? Oh, right. Until next time.

Ryan Aldred is a novelist, game writer and travel writer who lives in Picton, Prince Edward County. You can find him online at www.ryanaldred.com or via twitter at @raldred.

Potential Destinations

Parsons has an extensive beer list – lagers, ales, stouts, gose and more – in a heritage barn with a Mexican kitchen and plenty of patio space to spread out.

Prince Eddy’s mix of ales, lagers, stouts, sours and more comes with an on-site kitchen featuring all your favourite fried foods, plus a beach volleyball court.

555 Brewing Company has a dog-friendly patio in the heart of Picton, plus a range of taps and a bar menu with nachos, pizza and grilled cheese.

Waring House is an institution and their Barley Days Pub frequently features local musical acts jamming out, Newfoundland kitchen-party style.

Barley Days has nearly a dozen beers on offer, from dark ale to pale, lagers, IPAs and a Kolsch.

Bloomfield Public House serves a high-end menu, plus gourmet coffees, teas and pastries in a beautifully restored former bank on the village’s main street.

Saylor House Cafe takes you away from the hustle and bustle of Bloomfield, inside a delightfully quirky cafe featuring a soup-sandwich-or-salad lunch menu and a idyllic patio overlooking farmers’ fields.

Matron Fine Beer is set to open Summer 2019 and features two beers for the moment, a Janky IPA and a helles-inspired lager.

Midtown Brewing Company is the local haunt in Wellington, with communal tables, an ever-changing menu of delicious lunch classics and a beer menu featuring their own brews plus a few favourites from around the region.

Strange Brewing Company is now open and offering up small-batch, heritage brews on Chase Road.


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Official tourism account. #PrinceEdwardCounty: a rural community bursting with creative talent & natural stunners. See also @countylicious

Prince Edward County 🏖🍇🎨🌈
🎀 In the giving season, County hospitality give 🎀 In the giving season, County hospitality gives back... ⁠🎀⁠
⁠
There are countless stories of how The County's tourism and hospitality sector supports local causes. Here's another worth highlighting:⁠
⁠
County Artists Give Time and Talent⁠
⁠
Throughout the year, The County's visual artists step up and support so many causes. When they are not in the studio or welcoming visitors to their galleries, they are helping the community however they can. 🖌️👨🏼‍🎨⁠🖼️⁠
⁠
They donate or provide deeply discounted artwork to charity auctions, they donate proceeds of sales to causes, and they give their time and talent to community projects, designing posters and merch, creating murals and installations, and so much more.⁠
⁠
🎨 This year, @pamelacarterstudio ran two fundraising sales for the @foundationpecmh Back the Build campaign. A detail of her painting "Winter Dreams #2" is pictured here.⁠
⁠
❤️ Artistic giving takes many forms, from the Love Wall community art project by @nellarules that brought joy and hope in the early days of the pandemic to the recent @arthouseatelier County art auction that raised funds for arts scholarships for students, to the twenty artists who created work for the pop-up display "Intersections - an Anti-Racist Conversation on Sir John A MacDonald."⁠
⁠
The County's artists make this a vibrant, beautiful, thoughtful and kind place to be.⁠
⁠
🎴 You can support The County's artists this holiday season by stuffing some stockings with County Art Playing Cards from @countyarts. Proceeds help to build their artist career development fund. (Link in bio)⁠
⁠
#countyup #visitthecounty #thecounty #princeedwardcounty #tourismgivesback #community #volunteer #charity #dogood #socialgood #fundraising #sponsorship #community #art #buyart #charityauction #artforgood #visualart #painter #scultpor #artforchange @southeast.ontario
🎀 In the giving season, County hospitality give 🎀 In the giving season, County hospitality gives back... ⁠🎀⁠
⁠
There are countless stories of how The County's tourism and hospitality sector supports local causes. Here's another worth highlighting:⁠
⁠
Singing the Praises of County Musicians⁠
⁠
🎸 🎤 🥁 They entertain us at events, restaurants, wineries, pubs and concerts. The musical talent hiding in plain sight here in The County is, quite frankly, awesome. The musical generosity is awesome as well.⁠
⁠
Year-round, The County's musicians step up and share their talents in support of charities, causes and community spirit. ⁠
⁠
🧡 Cases in point: the holiday jams at @karloestateswinery raising funds for the Wellington Storehouse Food Bank, years of Christmas in the County albums in support of @princeedwardlearningcentre (download previous years' albums through @zuniordave) or The Reasons playing impromptu concerts at the windows of the HJ MacFarland Nursing Home... ⁠
⁠
💜 Or take Instant Rivalry and their studio "Back Forty Productions" - Since March they have produced 36 live streams, some for charities like the @unisonfund. They produced a five-hour Canada Day Broadcast for the community, and recorded nearly 40 acts in their studio for the Radiothon fund raiser for our community radio station @993countyfm ⁠
⁠
Tonight (December 22nd, 7pm) they are offering a free online concert "Back Forty Christmas Special" featuring @themissemily, @justin_rutledge, Lenni Stewart, The Brian Legere Trio and so many more. Check @instantrivalry to tune in.⁠
⁠
📸 of @tonyforbesmusician recording for the Radiothon at Back Forty Productions⁠
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#countyup #visitthecounty #thecounty #princeedwardcounty #tourismgivesback #musicgivesback #community #volunteer #charity #dogood #socialgood #fundraising #sponsorship #community #music #communityradio #singersongwriter #livemusic #supportlocalmusic #countymusic #supportlocal #localband @southeast.ontario
🎀 In the giving season, County hospitality give 🎀 In the giving season, County hospitality gives back... ⁠🎀⁠
⁠
There are countless stories of how The County's tourism and hospitality sector supports local causes. Here's another worth highlighting:⁠
⁠
The County Heirlooms Cookbook⁠
⁠
⁠It's been called the ultimate way to "triple down" on supporting local this holiday season: gift a copy of a County Heirlooms Cookbook purchased at a County store.⁠
⁠
📚 Not only will you be supporting a local retailer like @bookscompany_picton @zestkitchenshop or @thelocalstorepec (among others), but you'll also be purchasing a locally-published book (by The County's @invisibooks) AND, all royalties from the book are donated to @foodtosharepec. ⁠
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Oh, and the recipient gets a beautiful collection of stories and recipes from County chefs, farmers and producers.⁠
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👏🏼 Wins all around!⁠
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The team behind County Heirlooms is a force of County creativity: writer/editor @nashls, food stylist @ruthgangbar and writer/photographer @natwollenberg (who, at the helm of @555brewingco and @jacksonsfallscountryinn supports local causes year round, from food security to the LGBTQ+ community to @allwelcomehere and local arts and sports.) They interviewed and photographed 40+ icons of The County's hospitality sector who graciously shared their most beloved recipes. Like @waltssugarshack festive Rosemary and Maple Glazed Nuts pictured here.⁠
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🥦 🌽 🍎 Food To Share is a volunteer-run charity that turns excess food crops and donated food into healthful frozen meals for The County's local food banks. 👀 Link in bio.⁠
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Photo by Natalie Wollenberg, food styling by Ruth Gangbar⁠
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 #countyup #visitthecounty #thecounty #princeedwardcounty #tourismgivesback #community #volunteer #charity #dogood #socialgood #fundraising #savehospitality #hospitalitygivesback #foodsecurity #foodtoshare #foodbank #foodisahumanright #knowyourfarmer #cheflife #eatlocal #supportlocal #shoplocal #dinelocal
🎀 In the giving season, County hospitality give 🎀 In the giving season, County hospitality gives back... ⁠🎀⁠
⁠
There are countless stories of how The County's tourism and hospitality sector supports local causes. Here's another worth highlighting:  Main Street Picton Supports RAV-Q  ⁠Tonight (Saturday December 19) is Picton Night of Lights, a sparkly celebration of community and the holiday spirit. Until 9pm, many businesses on Main Street Picton will stay open late. Festive music plays in the Armoury Square where County artists have installed playful light installations to brighten the night, all organized by @raising.a.village  @thevicdrivein is collecting toy donations for RAV-Q’s Merry and Bright campaign that provides holiday gifts to children in need in The County and Quinte. They are also selling $2 tater tots in support!  ⁠RAV-Q is a charity that helps families in need by providing essential children’s items. Many businesses involved in tourism step up to help through cash donations, in-kind support and donations of sales.  Friends of RAV-Q include @beaconbikebrew who supported through a Chrismukkah event last year, @countychicworkshops and @goldandgingerstudio who donate product to the Merry & Bright children’s gifts, @carbonlifepec where you can pick up the cutest gingerbread cookies this holiday season to support RAV-Q, and so many more!  Visit The Armoury Square anytime from December 24th through until Boxing Day to see the beautifully created light installations.  #countyup #visitthecounty #thecounty #princeedwardcounty #tourismgivesback #community #volunteer #charity #dogood #socialgood #fundraising #sponsorship #savehospitality #hospitalitygivesback #ittakesavillage #toydrive #supportfamilies #community
🎀 In the giving season, County hospitality give 🎀 In the giving season, County hospitality gives back... ⁠🎀⁠
⁠
There are countless stories of how The County's tourism and hospitality sector supports local causes. Here's another worth highlighting:⁠
⁠
Sponsors of The Regent Theatre⁠
⁠
Celebrating just over 100 years in Picton, the Monarch of Main Street has lived through two global pandemics. ⁠
⁠
🎵🎭📽️ @regenttheatrepicton - our non-profit cinema and performing arts theatre - has had a challenging year, to say the least. As one of the first businesses to close, and likely among the last to re-open, The Regent needed the help of the community to keep the lights on.⁠
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Dozens of County hospitality and tourism businesses are among The Regent Theatre's sponsors. They stepped up in 2020, even as they faced their own COVID challenges, and continued their sponsorships. Tourism related business like @huffestateswine @theroyalhotelpicton and @city_revival made Platinum level contributions!⁠
⁠
Over the last year, while the theatre was dark, The Regent used the theatre's marquee to thank their sponsors.⁠ The marquee has been a heartening reminder of community spirit!⁠
⁠
Don’t miss The Regent’s presentation of “Uncovered: Notes from the Heart” by @musicalstageco this Saturday Dec 19th. It’s an online concert by Canada’s top musical theatre performers, full of songs of hope by Bob Dylan, Carole King, Bob Marley and more! Tickets are available on The Regent’s website.⁠
⁠
Bravo! 👏🏻 👏🏻 👏🏻⁠
⁠
⁠
#countyup #visitthecounty #thecounty #princeedwardcounty #tourismgivesback #community #volunteer #charity #dogood #socialgood #fundraising #sponsorship #localtheatre #theatre #cinema #countyarts #communitytheatre #heritagetheatre #historictheatre #savehospitality #hospitalitygivesback
🎀 In the giving season, County hospitality give 🎀 In the giving season, County hospitality gives back... ⁠🎀⁠
⁠
There are countless stories of how The County's tourism and hospitality sector supports local causes. Here's another worth highlighting:⁠
⁠
ANDARA Gallery Backs the Build⁠
⁠
County artists Tara Wilkinson and Andrew Csafordi are the owners of @andaragallery on Wilson Road. "With COVID-19 impacting everyone's mental health, we asked ourselves 'What can we do to help?,'" says Wilkinson. "We decided to get a really big Christmas tree, put it in our barn and decorate it from top to toe and create some festive seating areas in front of it." 🌲⁠
⁠
This epic backdrop became a place where families and bubbles could make some happy holiday memories. 🎇📷⁠
⁠
Guests get comfortable in the cozy barn setting, Wilkinson - a photographer by artistic trade - takes a festive photo on the guests' phone. Donations are collected for the @foundationpecmh⁠ "Back the Build" campaign to build a new hospital for Prince Edward County.⁠
⁠
Win. Win. Win. 👏🏻⁠
⁠
The holiday photos in the barn continue until December 23rd. County folks still have time to take a pic and make a gift to our local hospital!⁠
⁠
#countyup #visitthecounty #thecounty #princeedwardcounty #tourismgivesback #community #volunteer #charity #dogood #socialgood #fundraising #ruralart #encausticartist #photographer #holidayphoto #christmasphoto #artinthebarn #epictree  #christmas #holidays #backthebuild
🎀 In the giving season, County hospitality give 🎀 In the giving season, County hospitality gives back... ⁠🎀⁠
⁠
There are countless stories of how The County's tourism and hospitality sector supports local causes. Here's another worth highlighting:⁠
⁠
The ROC Empty Bowls Fundraiser⁠
⁠
Start with a beautifully crafted bowl from @theye11ow studio, fill it with homemade soup and bread from one of 13 restaurants, add a sweet treat on the side. ⁠
⁠
Supporters of the Recreation Outreach Centre were treated to a simple but meaningful meal last week as part of the physically-distanced Empty Bowls Fundraiser.⁠
⁠
🥣 The bowls were donated and hand-crafted by Dawn Stafrace-Middleton of The Ye11ow Studio in Picton, with the help of her team led by manager Vanessa Molyneaux. Clay and glaze donated by @tuckers.pottery and @spectrumglazesinc. ⁠
⁠
🍜 Yums were donated by @thevicdrivein @themaranspec @thedrake @blumengardenbistro @idle_wild_pec @555brewingco @picnicpecfood @thewaringhouse @hartleystavern @midtownbrewingcompany @flameandsmith @chefmichaelhoy1 @thebeancountercafe. Dozens of local businesses sponsored the event.⁠
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🤗 The event sold out and The ROC raised much needed funds to support programming for youth. The ROC is a barrier-free space that believes that every young person in The County has an equal chance to excel in life. 💙💛⁠
⁠
#countyup #visitthecounty #thecounty #princeedwardcounty #tourismgivesback #community #volunteer #charity #dogood #socialgood #fundraising #collaboration #cheflife #feaston #southeasternontario #youthprogram #nonprofit #giveback #empower #youthempowerment #youth #PECYouthCentre #ROCPEC  #supportingyouth #mentorship #youthengagement #leadership #skillsdevelopment #afterschool
🎀 In the giving season, County hospitality give 🎀 In the giving season, County hospitality gives back... ⁠🎀⁠
⁠
There are countless stories of how The County's tourism and hospitality sector supports local causes. Here's one worth highlighting:⁠
⁠
The County Food Hub Holiday Feast⁠
⁠
Congratulations to @countyfoodhub @chefjamiekennedy @chefalbertponzo and all of the volunteers who have made this weekend's Holiday Feast fund raiser a sold out event.⁠
⁠
👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻⁠
⁠
These two tremendously talented chefs paired up to create a take-out holiday feast to raise funds for The County Food Hub: "the kitchen that saved a school."⁠
⁠
When the Sophiasburgh Central School was slated for closure, the community rallied to build the County Food Hub in the school. This leading edge commercial "sharing" kitchen leased excess space from the school board and saved the rural school from closure. A huge win for children, families and community in rural Sophiasburgh. ⁠❤️⁠
⁠
#countyup #visitthecounty #thecounty #princeedwardcounty #tourismgivesback #community #volunteer #charity #dogood #socialgood #fundraising #collaboration #cheflife #feaston #southeasternontario #foodsecurity #foodeducation #rurallife #ruralschool #rural
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