Syrup

BrixStone Maple Syrup is crafted in small batches over a wood fire, creating delicious maple products with unique flavor profiles. The art of making Maple Syrup runs deep in our family heritage and has become a valued tradition for decades. Keaton, owner of BrixStone Farms has produced syrup since his youth and the trade has brought him all over the country where he has worked in New York, Vermont, and Wisconsin producing quality maple products.

The BrixStone farmstead features a newly constructed sugarhouse that is built to comply with all modern food safety standards. BrixStone Maple is inspected through the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development to ensure that the product is pure and safe for human consumption.

How We Make Our Special Maple Syrup

The sweetness of our BrixStone Maple Syrup can’t be found anywhere else and that’s because of our process of harvesting and producing maple syrup is as unique as our area In Northwest Michigan. We strive to benefit and protect both our land and community while offering pure Northwest Michigan Maple Syrup directly to our customers. 

If you didn’t already know our Maple Syrup is special. That’s because it comes directly from the finest Michigan grown U.S. Grade A – Maple trees in the forested hills of our backyard. 

Why is BrixStone Farm the perfect place to produce Maple Syrup? 

BrixStone Farms is located 45 miles southwest of Traverse City and is within minutes of the scenic shores of Lake Michigan. The close proximity to the lake provides the perfect moderate climate ideal for maple production. The rolling hills of maple forests throughout our farm produce delectable, sweet Maple Syrup every spring. 

How do we make our amazing one-of-a-kind Maple Syrup? 

Our Maple Syrup season begins in early spring known as “sugar weather.” This is when the nights are below freezing and the days are mild, making sap flow freely. Our farm currently uses 2,000 trees to produce our Maple Syrup. A maple tree much be at least 10 inches in diameter and in good health before it can be used for our Maple Syrup. It usually will take about forty-years before a tree is healthy for producing Maple Syrup. We are constantly replanting Maple trees in our forest for the next generation. A healthy Maple tree can provide sap every year for a hundred years or more. To collect sap from our trees we use a modern process to maximize yields while minimizing damage to the trees. Our modern systems consist of food-grade tubing that transports sap directly from the tree to our sugarhouse. This process fosters cleanliness and minimizes potential contamination.

Once the sap is collected we have to turn it into Maple Syrup. The sap collected from trees is actually a clear, slightly sweet liquid. To turn it into the thick delicious syrup you pour onto your flapjack stack or use in your baking recipes requires an evaporation process. What makes our Maple Syrup special is that it is crafted in small batches over a wood fire. During this process, the sap is boiled down into a syrup. This is how we are able to create such delicious maple products with unique flavor profiles that are a perfect addition to meals. 

Understanding Different Grades of Syrup—Light & Dark Amber

At BrixStone Farms we produce Grade A maple syrups, there are different types of grades of maple syrup, each with its own unique flavor profile, color, and intended use. The two Grades we sell are our Grade A Amber Maple Syrup and our Grade A Dark Maple Syrup. 

It can be confusing to choose which type of maple syrup is right for your palette and needs, so we decided to break it down into a simple guide. 

BrixStone Farm’s Guide To Maple Syrup Grades: 

 

Grade A Light Amber 

Features a rich taste and a light golden color

Grade A Light Amber Maple Syrup has a light golden color and mild, rich flavor. It’s best used on flapjacks, waffles, and other breakfast foods. The pure, rich flavor also pairs well with vinaigrettes, seafood glazes, and a sweetener for desserts. 

 

Grade A Dark Amber Maple Syrup

Features a robust flavor and darker color 

Grade A Dark Amber Maple Syrup has a dark amber almost brown color, reminiscent of rich caramel or dark brown sugar. This grade has a strong, robust flavor, making it perfect for cooking, brewing, and meat glazes. The process of producing this grade occurs later in the season when the days are longer and outdoor temperatures increase. Don’t be intimidated by this stronger maple syrup, its full-bodied flavor is amazing on pancakes and waffles too! 

 

You can’t choose wrong with either one of our grades of maple syrup, it ultimately is up to the flavor intensity you prefer and the culinary applications you have in mind. Shop our selection and start enjoying our delicious maple syrup now. 

Local Maple Syrup

At BrixStone Farms & Orchard, nestled in the picturesque Bear Lake, Michigan, we take pride in producing maple syrup that's not only of superior quality but also harvested with the utmost respect for the environment. Our dedication to sustainable methods and local production sets BrixStone maple syrup apart, offering a taste that's both delicious and responsible.

The Superior Quality of Local Maple Syrup

Maple syrup from BrixStone Farms is a testament to our belief that the best flavors come straight from nature. Here's why our local syrup stands out:

  1. Pure Ingredients: Our syrup is made from the sap of maple trees grown on our property, ensuring that each bottle contains nothing but pure, unadulterated maple goodness.

  2. Artisanal Production: Each batch is carefully monitored and adjusted according to strict quality standards, resulting in a consistently rich flavor and smooth texture that mass-produced syrups can't match.

  3. Nutritional Value: Locally sourced maple syrup not only tastes better, but it's also healthier. Packed with antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins, our syrup is a natural sweetener you can feel good about.

Sustainability

At the Heart of BrixStone Farms, our commitment to sustainability is woven into every aspect of our maple syrup production:

  1. Sustainable Harvesting: We employ research-driven techniques to tap our trees in a way that ensures their health and longevity, producing sap without harming the tree's growth.

  2. Energy Efficiency: Our processing facility is designed for maximum energy efficiency, reducing our carbon footprint and ensuring that the energy we use is put to the best possible use.

  3. Eco-Friendly Packaging: We believe that responsibility doesn't stop at the farm, which is why our packaging is environmentally friendly, fully recyclable, and designed to preserve the quality of our syrup.

Benefits of Supporting Local Maple Syrup Farms

Choosing BrixStone Farms maple syrup doesn't just provide you with a high-quality product, it also supports:

  1. Local Economy: By purchasing locally, you're investing in the prosperity of Bear Lake, helping to create jobs and support the community.

  2. Reduced Carbon Emissions: Local products mean less transportation, which significantly reduces the carbon emissions associated with long-distance food transport.

  3. Farming Innovation: Your support helps us continue to implement cutting-edge sustainable farming practices that benefit the entire ecosystem.

BrixStone Farms & Orchard is where tradition meets innovation to create a maple syrup that's as good for the planet as it is for your palate. We invite you to taste the difference that comes from a combination of high-quality production and a commitment to sustainable practices. Our local maple syrup is more than just a condiment; it's a choice for a healthier lifestyle and a healthier planet.

The Land

The rolling hills and abundance of maple forests throughout the farm provide for bountiful harvests of maple sap each spring. Currently producing from 2,000 trees, BrixStone utilizes modern vacuum collection systems to maximize yields while minimizing damage to the trees. These systems consist of food-grade tubing that transports sap directly from the tree to the sugarhouse. This process fosters cleanliness and minimizes potential contamination.

We also make granulated maple sugar, an all-natural alternative to refined sugars. Maple sugar is made by simply heating syrup to a higher temperature and then rapidly stirring until all water content is removed. Our maple sugar is made in small batches and provides the perfect sweetener in recipes, drinks, and glazes.