To say the beer was flowing is an understatement, as Mackinnon Brothers Brewing Co. hosted a one-day festival featuring local bands, food trucks and, of course, refreshing brews made on the very ground the drinkers stood on. 

The Mackinnon family-owned farm, located in Bath, dates back to 1784 and was recently transformed into a brewery by brothers Ivan and Daniel MacKinnon.

Throughout the day, bands serenaded the brewers and drinkers while people milled about, socializing and exploring the tastes of Mackinnon, Barley Days Brewery, Black Oak Brewing Company, County Cider Company, Wild Card Brewing Company and Kingston’s very own, Stone City Ales. 

Now in its second year, MacKinnon Brothers have made their craft beer and music festival into a real labour of love. They’ve put the spotlight on local talent, hailing mostly from Kingston and Montreal. Kingston’s very own Lost Cousins, London’s Ivory Hours and Montreal’s Busty in the Bass, played at the event. 

Around sunset, the first of the headliners took the stage. 

Lost Cousins, made up of a group of four Queen’s alumni kicked off an incredible set, drawing scattered attendees in to get a closer look at the source of the smooth soul-rock that rang across the hillside. 

The band wrapped up their set as the sun began to slip below the horizon, and the crowd that had accumulated around the stage disbursed to restock on food and booze before the next show.

Following Lost Cousins’ smooth sound was the much anticipated, Busty and the Bass — a product of the McGill party scene and renowned in university towns across Canada. These kings of funk boast an energy level that would put any top 40 artists to shame. 

The three-man brass section kicked off their set with a bang before the vocalists took over, alternating between soft, seductive singing and smooth, groovy rapping. 

At no point in the show did the nine-person cohort ever stop moving and neither did the crowd. Although it might have been a cold summer night, Busty and Bass had every person on the farm dancing until they broke a sweat. 

As Busty and the Bass wrapped up their set and bid everyone farewell, the MacKinnon brothers took the stage and closed the night with warm wishes. 

It was a perfect summer day, full of good music and refreshing beer.