Hello and welcome to The Growler News and Notes. It’s a roundup of all the happenings in Ontario worth mentioning including openings, closures, movers, shakers, and other ephemera!
Closures
Sarnia’s Big Family Brewing announced via Facebook on February 21st that they are taking a pause for the remainder of the winter months in order to re-evaluate their position as part of the brewing and restaurant industry. This comes after a short tenure as one of Sarnia’s leading breweries.
Cassel Brewing in Casselman, Ontario announced their closure via their website on March 5th. Mario Bourgeois, owner and brewer, spoke eloquently about the decision saying, “The success of a business is often determined by net profit margin. I consider Microbrasserie Cassel a success, money aside obviously. The journey of the last twelve years has enriched me with invaluable experiences and opportunities, shaping the entrepreneur I am today.” Their 12 year journey has come to an end.
Kingsville Brewery’s 127 Taphouse is temporarily closed and has been since the beginning of February due to extensive flooding caused by a burst pipe.
Stratford’s Heritage Hops, which had announced a temporary closure for the month of January for the purposes of renovation, remains closed long after its intended re-opening date.
Openings
Brantford’s own Sassy Britches Brewing has finished renovations of the building previously operated by Mash Paddle Brewing and has opened as of March 5th, operating Wednesday through Sunday.
Original Local Lager has taken over the premises once operated by Good Prospects brewing in order to make the transition from contract entity to physical bricks and mortar brewery on St. Laurent in Ottawa.
Endorsements
Newark Brewing has announced a 10 year partnership with the Welland Jackfish Baseball Club, part of the Intercounty Baseball League. Tickets are reasonably priced and the beer is ten dollars cheaper than it is at the Rogers Centre.
Events
Currently, we’re working on a more accessible method of listing events, possibly with an embedded calendar. As a list, this gets pretty long. We’ll be back with this feature next time.
The Six Pack
The confluence of International Women’s Day and St. Patrick’s Day suggests to me that we might have themes emerging in this six pack. Which is to say that it might not end up being 100% IPAs.
GRANITE BREWERY VALIANT NEW ENGLAND IPA
Brewed in collaboration with the Society of Beer Drinking Ladies for International Women’s Day, Valiant is named after a group of five Canadian suffragettes who advocated for womens and childrens rights. Proceeds go to the charity Sistering.
GREAT LAKES STAND TOGETHER NEW ENGLAND PALE ALE
Stand Together, brewed for International Women’s Day, gives a dollar a can to Toronto based outreach program, Ernestine’s which supports over 600 adults and children going through transitional outreach. The beer may be hazy but the future is bright.
SOMETHING IN THE WATER BABE BREW LEMON BLUEBERRY WHEAT
Brewed by Growler contributor, Tea, this collaboration with the Beer Babes Family provides one dollar from each can and pour to that organization, which supports women in brewing through direct mutual support. Try it a little warmer than fridge temperature to make the blueberry pop.
GET LUCKY STOUT DAFT BREWING & MERIT BREWING
The second collab between two of Kingston and Hamilton’s favourite breweries, this roasty, complex Irish Stout launches on St. Patrick’s Day. Expect top notes of faith and/or begorrah and a complete lack of herpetological substrate.
BEYOND THE PALE DUBLIN OR NOTHING
Beyond The Pale is somewhat underrated for their IPAs and for their Clean Cut Kolsch, but honestly this is just here because it’s likely to be very good and that is a tremendous name for a Dry Irish Stout. Also, it’s on nitro, just like your favourite funny cars! SUNDAY SUNDAY SUNDAY!
WELLINGTON IMPERIAL STOUT
It’s a classic, but is it sessionable? The question you might want to consider when purchasing this delightful tipple for St. Patrick’s Day, is not whether you can but whether you should.
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