Some regional things carry a weight that's hard to explain. A particular diner. A local radio station. Or a soft drink that's been around longer than anyone can remember. Temagami Dry ginger ale is that kind of thing for a lot of people in Northeastern Ontario—and when production stopped in 2019, the community of Temagami made sure it didn't stay gone for long.
First bottled by MacDonald and Sons Ltd. in North Bay—under the name "North Bay Dry Ginger Ale," before someone decided "Temagami Dry" had a better ring to it—the brand was later acquired by the DeLuca family of South Porcupine, before Cochrane's Fortier Beverages took it on in 1979. When Fortier announced in 2019 that it would stop production, the Municipality of Temagami surveyed its citizens and got back a near-unanimous show of support to acquire the trademark in 2020. That response said everything.
"To us, it represents a region," said Temagami Mayor Dan O'Mara in Northern Ontario Business.
In October 2025, the trademark moved from the municipality to the Canadian Shield Beverage Corporation, and the relaunch was underway.
The relaunch team includes co-founder Jean Beauchemin, alongside Sully Sullivan, Mike Perreault, and Jeff Hodge of North Bay's Gateway City Brewery—where the soda is now being produced. The brewery was able to take on soda production thanks in part to a FedNor-funded canning line, specifically chosen to handle the higher carbonation levels required for soda pop.
The brand puts it plainly: "It wasn't just something you drank. It was part of the place." That's the kind of thing that's hard to manufacture—and exactly why the community refused to let it go. It was the kind of thing that was present for family barbecues, cottage visits and long summer days; a specific taste of home.
According to the brand, the economic model behind Temagami Dry is designed to last. The municipal connection runs deeper than a name on the label. The Municipality of Temagami holds a seat on the board and receives a royalty from every can sold, meaning each sale supports tourism development and local jobs in the Temagami region for the long term, making it one of the more unusual soft drinks you'll ever crack open.
The plan is to expand into more Northern Ontario retailers, with Northern-inspired merchandise also on the way.
The relaunched lineup has three flavours. The brand describes them simply: classic flavours, done right.
All three are made in Northern Ontario and are independently owned.
The brand will be gaining momentum around Northeastern Ontario, kicking off the summer with its homecoming event at the Temagami Train Station. The July 4th homecoming is free, open to everyone, and timed perfectly with the Temagami Community Market—a good excuse to make a morning of it and an opportunity to sample flavours of the region.
The official product launch happened in February at Gateway City Brewery, but this event is different. It's about bringing the soda home to the community whose name it carries. Expect product sampling, brief remarks from the team, and plenty of good conversation.
Gateway City Brewery in North Bay has been stocking Temagami Dry since the February launch, and several Temagami-area retailers were on board from day one. For the current list of where to find it, check the Where to Buy page on temagamidry.com, or follow along on Instagram and Facebook for updates as availability expands.
Temagami sits on Highway 11, about 100 km north of North Bay and 400 km north of Toronto—old-growth pine, pristine lake chains, world-class canoe routes, and not much traffic. The July 4th homecoming makes a good anchor for a summer weekend.
While you're there, you can enjoy camping, canoeing and beaches at Finlayson Point Provincial Park, visit the Temagami Fire Tower, or just a dock somewhere quiet—check in with Smoothwater Outfitters & Lodge for lodging and tips.
For trip planning, check out the Temagami & District Chamber of Commerce site or visit Northeasternontario.com.
Have you tried the new Temagami Dry—or do you have memories of the original? Tag @temagami.dry on Instagram.
