Billion Drops Sugarbush

Were off to a good season! 4700 gallons as of yesterday, off a total of 780 taps. It seems like it has been a cold March so far but the local stats say we are 2 degrees warmer on average. We still have over a foot of snow in the forest and I think it helps things stay cooler, especially at night. The swings have been from lower 20s to around 40 for the last several days and looks good in the future. Ideal conditions!

Tapping was completed by the 3rd week in February since the weather and low snow cover allowed. Sap collecting started promptly on the 6th of March this season. last year was the 17th. Temperatures have been all over the scale but has allowed about 1500 gallons as of the 12th. Things are stalled again with the chill, sounds like things will run on Wednesday again.

Chores are getting more difficult with the deep snow-cover that we have received in the last two weeks , and it sounds like more is on the way.

Syrup prices will remain the same as previous years as long as the bottle return campaign keeps going and I thank everyone who has participated!

It is February 2nd and the local temperatures are forecasted to be in the mid to upper 30s. Well that means I will be out getting lines tightened up and perhaps getting an early start tapping.

Last season we processed and bottled ‘bourbon infused’ syrup and it has been a success! this season we will conjure up another batch.

Many updates to the website will be added this season, So please check in often!

We will be trying to get caught up with our website since nothing has been updated since 2020, been busy with a new building, dealing with the covid situation, and learning to add better features. There will be new pics and videos along with other handy information, so please check back in the future!

First thing… We would like to thank everyone for supporting our efforts through the years!

It has been a good off season with plans to expand the website. Sales have been steady and last August our syrup placed 4th at the Central Wisconsin State Fair here in Marshfield.

We plan to expand this summer with an indoor facility for the sap and syrup operation. Most of the operation has been outdoors since we started and were tired of battling the elements. Most of the time I enjoy working outdoors but when it freezes hard for a few days it is difficult to get things done with frozen valves, pipes, hoses and tanks.

This season has begun early! I began tapping trees on the 2nd of February (yes the sap was running!), with temperatures climbing to the mid forties. Since I can pull vacuum and sanitize lines it is an opportunity to get a jump on things.The trees will simply “nap” until the spring run begins.

I have finally had a chance to add my report on the latest season. sap production was up a little this year starting on the 8th of March through April 20th. Total sap was 7750 gal. There was one 3 day freeze , and one slight warm period that stopped production briefly. We started tapping March 4th with record snow depth of about 18 to 28″, and drifts several feet deep! That made it very tough going for us to drill in over 600 taps. Some of the main lines were even under the snow! It was mandatory to use snow shoes throughout the tapping process and then after. Many other producers in our area didn’t even tap since the snow was so deep resulting in less production overall in our region. The trees however were sweeter and to my surprise they increased .5% as the season progressed.

I also upgraded the services on this website and will be adding some cool videos soon so please check back with us. Once again I thank all of you for your purchases and support as we grow. I also would like to thank my wife for being patient with my absence during the season since I literally “disappear” during this busy time.

February 23rd and it looks like the cold is going to persist for a while with temps below zero next week. The snow depth is nearing record 30″ depth now with more on the way! It is a good chance to catch up on equipment projects now. Looks like tapping will have to be done in march this season.

We are proud to announce that Our syrup placed 2nd in the 26th annual 2018 Marshfield Maple Fall festival! This was decided by a body of judges who are normal folks with minimal knowledge of “syrup tasting”. The placement was decided throughout 22 entrants in the contest.

Folks know that our syrup’s taste speaks for itself, and this event reinforces our effort to produce a quality product.

Thank you to the Marshfield Convention & Visitors Bureau for creating this annual event.

 

Last Monday April 23rd was the end of the 2018 season. It came to a screeching halt with 150 gallons saturday and only 100 on Sunday. I did manage to pull an extra 100 gallons of sour sap Monday only so I can say I surpassed last years production from the trees by 50 gallons, the season total was 7650 gallons. Good thing we cooked up 30+ gallons last week! There is still plenty of work to do like cleaning equipment and some bottling left.

It was one heck of a roller coaster season for all. I would say it was abnormal. Since I started 4 years ago I don’t think I have experienced a normal year yet.

We will continue to build this website during the “off season” so please check in to see what’s new!