Great Falls Brewing Company

When the Canaan Union Depot first opened the center of North Canaan in 1872, it immediately occupied center space in the growing town. The depot was central to the business community for more than a century before it was heavily damaged by fire in October 2001. Now, like a phoenix, it is rising from the ashes and assuming it proper place in the town’s history.

Saturday, more than 17 years after the building was nearly destroyed, the restored depot will welcome visitors to the Great Falls Brewing Company which has taken over the site once occupied a series of family-friendly pubs.

The brewery will open at noon December 15 for its Grand Opening offering a mix of traditional, local and modern beers that include such beverages as Cascadia Farewell, a West Coast-style IPA; the aptly named Derailed Brown Ale, whose roast chocolate and dark crystal malts give the beer a subtle flavor of caramel and coffee and a pleasant, dry finish and Lazy Hazy Housy, brewed to be smooth and full bodied with a tangerine color and a Jolly Rancher-like fruitiness.

Canaan Mountain Lager, a traditional New England Style IPA, is cold, clean and crisp while the first beer made in the Canaan tanks, La Lunais, is a light wheat beer brewed with Maine-grown pale malt, wheat and oats to create a smooth, delicate beer.

Food will be available at the brewery in the form of charcuterie boards (cheese, meats and sweet/savory treats) as well as chips and other salty snacks from Drunk Alpaca. The brewery has also partnered with Blackberry Bistro to provide heartier food. Bistro orders can be entered from an iPad kiosk and will be delivered to the patron. And, for course, patrons can bring their own food into the taproom.

The brewery has also partnered with Chocolate Springs to provide decadent treats to pair with the beer pairings.

The restaurant welcomes children and provides games and activities such as paint-and-sips, beer yoga and themed evenings as to entertain youngsters and adults.

Mug Club memberships are still available and can be purchased online or in person at the station.