The solid gold shot glass paying homage to this Northern Manitoba town's roots
Next time you visit Snow Lake, Manitoba – stop in at the Snow Lake Motor Inn, ask the bartender for the 'Golden 49er' and you will be handed a shot glass made of solid gold mined right there in the community.
Owner Gerard Lamontagne had been looking for a way to promote Snow Lake Motor Inn, one of the Northern Manitoba's oldest mining town bars. The town was built around the Britannia mine, and on Christmas Eve, 1949, the Snow Lake Motor Inn opened its doors.
"I always loved that idea because the hotel was built for the community of Snow Lake to service all the miners and their families," Lamontagne said, adding the idea of a solid gold shot glass came to his mind.
Working with a jeweller in Winnipeg, Lamontagne had a custom Snow Lake Motor Inn solid gold shot glass created – the majority of the gold coming right from the community.
Gerard Lamontagne holds the 'Golden 49er' a solid gold shot glass made with gold mined in his community of Snow Lake, Manitoba. (Source: Gerard Lamontagne)
"There's guaranteed not another one in any bar on the planet," Lamontagne said. "And without a doubt not another one where you can actually come – as anybody that's legally able to enter the bar – and have a drink from the solid gold shot glass."
Lamontagne debuted the Golden 49er to the community on Saturday, giving his 92-year-old father the first taste from the golden glass.
He said he wants the Golden 49er to be more than just a memorable way to enjoy a drink.
"We want it to be something that's going to give back to our community and basically to Canadians in general," adding a portion of the proceeds from the Golden 49er will be going to charities annually.
Along with the debut of the Golden 49er, Lamontagne said the Snow Lake Motor Inn has donated $333 each to the local Royal Canadian Legion, The Ronald McDonald House, and Boys and Girls Club.
Lamontagne said he hopes the Golden 49er will become a worldwide tourist attraction.
"Come on down to Snow Lake and enjoy some of our northern hospitality - there are a lot of other beautiful things to check out in the community – and stop in the Motor Inn and have a shot from the Golden 49er," he said.
"Maybe it'll bring you some luck."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.