Timmins, the Nashville of the North! Shania Twain grew up there, until she became rich and moved to tax friendly Switzerland. Stompin’ Tom started his career at the Maple Leaf Hotel (not to be confused with the Maple Leaf Lounges familiar to Air Canada frequent flyers) on Balsam Street in downtown Timmins. I myself have quaffed a few cold ones at the Maple Leaf back in the day, but the performances that I saw there were more like the UFC than any country music legends.
If I remember correctly Timmins was also well known at one time as having the largest number of bars per capita of any town or city in Canada. Bar hopping in Timmins in those days was not a social event but an endurance test. In the old days the Maple Leaf and others served “headframes” (quarts) as well as draft and pints.
I am a big fan of the mining industry and beer, so a Timmins brewed beer with “Prospector” in its name is a natural for me. They have added corn to the mix, replacing some of the barley, and have used both lager and ale yeasts. This results in what I will call a unique flavor. Crisp and dry for sure. On the can it says that the corn/barley mix will leave you with a corny smile? Drinking five or six of them will achieve the same result. Good beer, a bit of a different flavor which may put some off, but may intrigue others. Well worth wetting your beard with.
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