Winds of Change

I’m sure by now, you’ve heard some rumblings about Six Pints Specialty Beer Company.  This is the specialty division that holds the Creemore and Granville Island brands.  They have been building very quickly to something that is stirring some great memories for me personally - Oland Specialty Beer Company.  The naysayers will comment that there is nothing new about this concept but I would argue - OSBC broke the ground and then slowly faded into oblivion.  Six Pints now has the opportunity to take it to another level.

The same concept was recently launched in the U.S with Tenth and Blake (the specialty division of SAB Miller) and I know how they are going to market.  For me, it’s about time.  Ever since, Labatt abandoned OSBC and the concept of selling with knowledge and history, the market has been screaming for something to take its place.  Small, craft brewers have done a decent job filling the void with great innovations.  Moosehead has added Sam Adams and Hop City to its portfolio.

I was lucky enough to get a tour of the new ‘Beer Academy’ of Six Pints the other day.  Aaron Bilyea, their Director of Marketing gave me a quick glimpse of 75 Victoria St (the old Duggan/Denison’s Brewery).  This will be quite something!  Here are but a few of the features.

  1. Brewmaster Todd Fowler will be making small batches of a variety of experimental styles and these beers will be open to the public for sampling in the consumer sampling area
  2. there will be a ‘Library’ area where comfy chairs and books filled with beer info will be available
  3. an ‘L’ shaped wall will feature the history of beer
  4. the main floor will house an event space (actually more than one) that will be available for rentals and private events.  This building will have a tied house license which will allow for brands other than Six Pints portfolio to be sampled.
  5. The basement will feature a space for demonstration cooking and pairing classes.
  6. The building will be largely ‘beer agnostic’ according to Aaron and will feature a concept of beer reverence.  I love the idea because it celebrates beer just for the sake of beer.

I’m also very excited to announce that Level 3 of Prud’homme will find its home at the Beer Academy at 75 Victoria.

It should all be up and running by the beginning of March.

Cheers

1 month ago