TORONTO—A first of its kind was unveiled at the Royal Winter Fair in Toronto last week, a six pack of brews by Northern Ontario craft breweries, including Manitoulin Brewing Company’s Bridal Veil Pale Ale.
Nishin Meawasige of Manitoulin Brewing Co. told The Expositor that the Northern Ontario Sixer, as it is called, was a resounding success with over 500 six packs sold at the Royal and nearly 2,000 samples handed out. The Sixer will be unveiled just in time for the holiday season beginning this week at LCBOs across Ontario, including Little Current and Manitowaning on Manitoulin.
The Northern Ontario Sixer includes the Bridal Veil Pale Ale as well as brews from Highlander (South River), Stack (Sudbury), New Ontario (North Bay), Sleeping Giant (Thunder Bay) and Lake of the Woods (Kenora).
These brewers also make up the Northern Ontario Brewers Alliance—a first of its kind in the province, Mr. Meawasige told The Expositor. “It allows more opportunity for collaboration,” he added.
Manitoulin Brewing Co. also just received word that its popular Cup and Saucer English Ale has been given the go ahead to be sold at LCBOs and Beer Stores across Ontario, so expect to see the can with one of the most beloved views on Manitoulin on shelves soon.
Mr. Meawasige said that he and partner Blair Hagman also view their province-wide pitches (all LCBO stores have to be ‘sold’ of a craft brewer’s product separately) as a great opportunity for pitching Manitoulin tourism, with the cans helping to highlight some of what Manitoulin has to offer, such as Bridal Veil Falls, the iconic swing bridge and the Cup and Saucer hiking trail.
“We’re continuing to bring awareness to tourism and the attractions of Manitoulin,” he added.
The crew at Manitoulin Brewing Co. have been selling their products in Sudbury, Toronto, Ottawa and North Bay of late with their next stops including London and Windsor.
“While things may have slowed down at the retail level at the brewery in Little Current, our efforts across the province are definitely gearing up,” Mr. Meawasige added.
Pick up the Northern Ontario Sixer at the LCBO in either Little Current or Manitowaning starting this week. For more information on the Northern Ontario Brewers Alliance visit www.northernbrewers.ca.
