Maple March: #SugarRiverSocial Hosted By Bascom Maple Farms

Bascom Maple’s Sugar River Social This March

As the chilly grip of winter loosens its hold, March marks the season of maple production across New England. This time of year is synonymous with the sweet maple aroma and the bustling activity of local sugar shacks in the Sugar River Region. That’s why we’ve been looking forward to this month’s social at Bascom Maple Farms! On March 26th, Bascom Maple’s Sugar River Social hosted a crowd of about 30 community members from all over the region. One attendee exclaimed, “I didn’t even know all this was here, right in our backyard! I feel like I’m walking through Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory!” 

March Sugar River Social Bascom’s Maple Syrup Jars. Image Credit: Madeline Ferland.

Our spectacular hosts at Bascom Maple were knowledgeable and ready to teach the art of sugaring. From the facility tour to the gathering in their showroom, not one question was left unanswered. Our hosts provided homemade maple-themed snacks – so delightfully delicious! We are so grateful to the Bascom Maple team for their sponsorship and hosting such a successful event. 

All About Bascom Maple Farms

Since 1853, Bascom Maple Farms remains steadfast in their dedication to the art and science of maple sugaring. Founded by the Bascom family, the tradition of maple syrup production has been passed down through eight generations. Under the stewardship of Bruce Bascom, who joined his father in 1973, the business has flourished into a leading supplier of maple in the United States. The farm boasts an extensive agricultural operation of 2,200 acres with Bruce and his wife Elizabeth involved in nearly every aspect of the operation. 

March Sugar River Social Bascom Production. Image Credit: Madeline Ferland.

Over the span of more than 150 years, Bascom Maple Farms has evolved alongside the maple industry, pioneering and adapting modern techniques while preserving the time-honored methods that define their craft. Bascom Maple Farms has played a significant role in shaping the industry. With their early adoption of plastic tubing for sap collection and investment in the latest technology for processing and packaging, they stand at the forefront of innovation.

Bascom Maple Farms Geographic Management System. Image Credit: Madeline Ferland.

As one of the largest independent maple wholesalers in the United States and the country’s largest distributor of sugaring equipment, Bascom Maple Farms has solidified its position as a pillar of the maple community. With a commitment to excellence and a deep-rooted tradition of craftsmanship, Bascom Maple Farms continues to provide customers across the nation with the finest maple products.

Bascom Maple’s Industrial Side of Maple Production

Storage and Boiling Rooms

Our tour guides took us through a fascinating journey of the sap-to-syrup process, revealing the intricate steps involved in making delicious maple syrup. The adventure began in the cooler and storage area. Here, sizable metal barrels of both international and domestic shipments of syrup are ready to be processed. This room serves as the hub for ensuring that Bascom’s high-quality maple syrup reaches various destinations around the globe.

March Sugar River Social Bascom Storage Room 1. Image Credit: Madeline Ferland.

We then entered the silo room, where towering containers hold vast quantities of sap. There are 12 silos in one room and an additional 7 in another, each capable of holding about 7,500 gallons of raw sap. Maintained at around 50°F, the room ensures the sap remains fresh, with a turnover rate of every 2-3 days. It was fascinating to learn that the sap can keep for about 4-5 weeks in these conditions, allowing for a continuous production process. Next, we explored the long-term storage facility. This absolutely massive room, kept at 45°F, is where sap is stored indefinitely. This storage ensures a steady supply of sap throughout the year, facilitating year-round syrup production.

Bascom Maple Farms’ Silo Room 2. Image Credit: Madeline Ferland.

Bascom Maple Farms’ Massive Storage Room 3. Image Credit: Madeline Ferland.

Processing and Final Product Rooms

In the staging area for prepping the finished product, sap is heated up to 190°F, preparing it for the bottling process. You can feel the difference in temperature of this room versus the coolness of the storage rooms. We then moved into the cleaning and bottling room where they bottle syrup for distribution. This room is equipped with advanced filtration systems that remove unwanted minerals. The rotary filler efficiently fills bottles with syrup, spinning them to distribute the liquid evenly. An automatic capper seals each bottle, and labeling stations add the finishing touch. It’s impressive to note that each station can process 60 bottles a minute!

Bascom Maple Farms Processing Room 4. Image Credit: Madeline Ferland.

Outside, we passed by the outdoor silos, each capable of holding a whopping 12,000 gallons of sap. These silos drain into the evaporator room, where they boil sap down to concentrate its sugars. The reverse osmosis machines located in this room and are a critical step in the process. These machines increase the sugar concentration from 1.2% to 19%, significantly reducing boiling time. They also have the capacity to produce 300 gallons of concentrated sap per hour – crazy!

Bascom Maple Farms Outdoor Silos 6. Image Credit: Madeline Ferland.

Bascom Maple’s Sugar River Social and tour provided a captivating insight into the intricate process of industrial syrup production. From storage to bottling, they ensure each step is meticulously executed. This way, Bascom ensures the highest quality syrup reaches consumers worldwide.

Next Month’s Sugar River Social 

Get ready to elevate your night at the next Sugar River Social on April 20th! This exclusive 21+ event is limited to just 30 attendees (first come first serve). Purchase your ticket using our promotional code and you’ll receive a 20% discount for the renowned Rob Zappulla Orchestra at Claremont Opera House. The pre-show Social in the atrium comes with a few other VIP perks, so you don’t want to miss out! Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to see the flyer and get tickets.  

Written by Madeline Ferland on March 26, 2024.