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There’s been a flurry of activity in Ontario’s brewing scene in the last couple of months, with several new breweries opening recently or soon, including:
Grand River Brewing – Based in the old Galt Knife Company building in Cambridge, Grand River is owned by Bob Hanenberg with beers developed and brewed by Rob Creighton, a veteran of many Ontario breweries including a recent stint with F&M. They’ve already got four beers under their belts – Galt Knife Old Style Lager, Mill Race Mild, Plowmans Ale & Town Hall Lager – with plans for seasonals and other one-offs in the future. Grand River brews are available on tap and various bars and restaurants throughout southern Ontario, including Volo and the Victory in Toronto, and in growlers at the brewery.
Great White North Craft Brewery – The first brewery to operate in Thunder Bay since Northern Breweries shut down their plant there in 1995, Great White North is essentially a one-man project run by Geoff Schmidt. After dealing with several months of government red tape, the brewery finally opened its doors a couple of weeks ago, and quickly sold out of the first batch if Port Arthur Pale Ale. In an interview with the Thunder Bay Chronicle Journal, Schmidt said that he hopes to be brewing a traditional Irish Red Ale soon, and perhaps a stout and a wheat beer next year.
The Publican House – Opening soon in Peterborough, the Publican House will be a bar and brewery that will have their House Ale available year-round on-site and in area LCBOs and Beer Stores. They’ll also offer seasonal beers from time to time.
Gordon Slater Brewing – A relatively large scale (150,000 hectolitre) brewery that will be opening soon in Morrisburg, west of Cornwall. Gordon Slater has previously brewed at Robert Simpson, Taylor & Bate and other breweries. This new venture will be going after the “buck-a-beer” market.
Iron Horse Brewing – Not much is known about this upcoming brewery yet, aside from the fact that it will be in St. Thomas (near London), and the name comes from the fact that the area has historically been an important railway junction.
