LITTLE CURRENT– If you plan on spending the long weekend on the Island, make sure to stop at the Beer Store in Little Current on August 3 to pick up your own case of the Island’s own brew, Swingbridge Blonde Ale. Since launching in June, it’s been a busy season for the Manitoulin Brewing Company (MBC) with no plans on slowing down. If you’ve been to the Island at all this summer, you could find it in several restaurants and golf courses, as well as the popular Chi-Cheemaun ferry.
Life-long friends Blair and Nishin have already secured their flagship beer to appear at several events during the summer months including this weekend’s 48th Annual Haweater Weekend, the largest festival on Manitoulin Island that attracts visitors from all over Ontario and across the country, the Elgin Street Craft Beer Festival in Sudbury, Summer Fest in Manitowaning and the North Bay Craft Beer Festival.
MBC started brewing 20 hectolitres per month and quickly realized the demand was high for Swingbridge Blonde Ale. MBC is delivering a 50L keg a day to meet the demands of the local bar and restaurant The Anchor. MBC has ramped up production of their Swingbridge Blonde Ale to 60 hectolitres per month over the summer. By the fall, MBC will be producing between 80 and 100 hectolitres per month to meet the demands on and off the Island.
The online feedback and followers continues to grow each day through MBC social media sites. People are posting pictures enjoying the Swingbridge Ale on the Chi-Cheemaun and wherever MBC is currently serving. Along with the pictures, the positive reviews on the taste and quality of the product has been amazing. People are connecting online with MBC sharing their thoughts and opinions. One person posted, “Tasted your beer at the Hardrock 42 in Sudbury and liked it, looking forward to putting it into my fridge” and, “I expected the beer to be good but I found it great. If you do not try it you are missing out on a very enjoyable experience, especially if you are tired of the same ole same ole!” The most reoccurring post is people asking, ‘where can I buy it to take it home?’
MBC says it is projecting to be in Beer Stores from Sudbury to Sault Ste. Marie by September and in the LCBO by late fall. It has already purchased retail space in Little Current where the brewmasters are currently perfecting recipes for future brews and have plans to renovate and flip into a retail store. They hope to have the on-site retail store open by late fall/winter 2015.
Fans are invited to stay tuned for updates and more exciting news soon to be released by liking them on Facebook and sign up on their website.
