Where the Wild Yeast Lives: Markhamville
An immersive, place-based craft beer experience where stories, land, and wild yeast come together. Begin at Sussex Ale Works, gather stories from the community, wander Legacy Lane, and invite the unseen forces of place to help create a beer that will be gifted back to the people and land that inspired it.
A guided introduction to the craft brewing process, with wild yeast as the central character
Sensory engagement with grains, hops, wort, and aroma
A facilitated storytelling circle featuring local voices
A slow, intentional foraging walk along Legacy Lane
Placement of open wort to collect wild yeast from the land and air
Insight into beer as a cultural practice and a gift of place
A deeper understanding of how terroir shapes flavour, story, and community
Where the Wild Yeast Lives is not a brewery tour.
It is a shared act of listening, wandering, and making, rooted in terroir, story, and craft.
The experience begins at Sussex Ale Works, where participants are welcomed into the ritual of brewing and introduced to wild yeast as a living collaborator. Through aroma, touch, and story, you’ll learn why this brew is different - because it is shaped not just by ingredients, but by people, land, and time.
From there, we travel into the historic rural community of Markhamville, gathering in a storytelling circle where local voices share moments that shaped this place. This is a riveting listening experience. Stories are offered as gifts, and participants are invited to notice the words, images, and feelings that linger.
We then wander down Legacy Lane in Markhamville, carrying open wort and inviting the land itself to participate. Moving slowly and intentionally, participants forage items and place it into the wort. It's an act of invitation rather than extraction allowing wild yeast from the air and landscape to begin its work.
This beer will ferment over time with the help of this wild yeast and, once complete, will be gifted back to the community alongside the stories that inspired it.
Participants leave grounded, curious, and connected to this place carrying an embodied memory of place and the quiet knowledge that they helped create something meaningful, even if they never drink the final beer themselves.
Comfortable footwear suitable for walking on uneven ground
Weather-appropriate clothing
Curiosity and openness
A willingness to listen as much as participate
This experience runs rain or shine. All foraging tools and materials are provided, and no prior brewing or foraging experience is required.
Guided facilitation by brewers, hosts, and community storytellers
Tastings and/or aroma samples (beer and non-alcoholic options available)
Locally prepared snacks
Mini foraging kit for use during the experience
Storytelling circle with community members
Participation in the creation of a wild-yeast beer
Invitation to a future Brew Day and Community Celebration (dates shared later)
Transportation to and from Markhamville is not included. Travel details will be provided in advance.
Sussex Ale Works Brewery. Please arrive 10–15 minutes early for welcome and orientation before traveling to Markhamville.
Registered participants will receive an email 3 days prior with:
Detailed directions and timing
A reminder of what to wear and bring
A link to the Fundy Visitor Pledge, which sets the tone for experiencing this place with care and respect
Physical Considerations:
Moderate walking on a rural lane
Standing and sitting for periods of time
Participants should be comfortable outdoors
Other Information:
Where the Wild Yeast Lives invites you into a cycle of reciprocity where stories and lanc are honoured, craft is slowed down, and what is created is shared back with the community.
- This is an experience where you will create carefull and leave something meaningful behind.
This experience involves open fermentation and foraging as part of a guided, intentional process
Safety guidance will be provided on what can and cannot be handled or added
The beer created during this experience is not guaranteed to be available for personal consumption
- Intentionally limited to preserve intimacy and quality.
Because this experience involves local hosts, small group sizes, and advance preparation, we appreciate timely notice if your plans change.
Cancellations made 72 hours or more before the scheduled start time will receive a full refund.
Cancellations made within 72 hours of the experience are non-refundable.
This experience runs rain or shine. In the event of severe weather or unforeseen circumstances that require the experience to be cancelled by the host, guests will be offered the choice of a full refund or the option to transfer to a future date.