Hockley Valley Beer
Posted by Bill Molesworth
Doug Ewan managed to disappoint an entire Club. He admitted to not having contacted Mike Scherloski to arrange an exception to the Brooklea's liquor license and as a result, the guests - Tom and Cathy Smellie of Hockley Valley Brewing - were not going to be able to distribute their samples.
He admitted that a fine would be forthcoming and Bruce asked what a 24 goes for these days.
He admitted that a fine would be forthcoming and Bruce asked what a 24 goes for these days.
Tom said they are very proud of their beer. It's only been on the market a few years and has won every award that's worth winning. It's an Ontario and Canadian Champion and will be competing at the World's.
He said he and a buddy had thought they would start making scotch because they lived in horse country and manure has properties similar to peat, which is part of the process in distilling. They discovered they'd have to wait 12 years though, so went with beer instead.
Unfortunately, they didn't know anything about micro-breweries except that changes in the tax law and in the markets made it an attractive venture. They did some research, hired Charles McLean as brew master, bought an entire micro-brewery in Prince Rupert and shipped it east and were tasting it in 5 months and listed at the LCBO in 6. 95% of their sales go through the Board and you can get it pretty much anywhere in Southern Ontario and up to North Bay. It is now the largest selling of any craft brewery the Board stocks.
Tom said the business is fun. There are 37 breweries in Ontario but 2 of them have 86% of the market. The rest is shared between the remaining 35 and Sleeman has a bunch of that. Government is providing incentives and breaks on the one hand and limiting the number of places it's served on the other, which is why they've stayed with bottles and not gone into draft.
The LCBO is trying to create a beer industry and doing it the same way they helped the wine makers, by making room on their shelves. It took over a dozen years to create a real market for them, so there's time for the beer guys. This is great for people in Ontario - they're really getting a chance to learn about variety.
Ralph thanked the Smellies for visiting and bringing their story and their phantom beer. He said he really enjoyed the story.
He said he and a buddy had thought they would start making scotch because they lived in horse country and manure has properties similar to peat, which is part of the process in distilling. They discovered they'd have to wait 12 years though, so went with beer instead.
Unfortunately, they didn't know anything about micro-breweries except that changes in the tax law and in the markets made it an attractive venture. They did some research, hired Charles McLean as brew master, bought an entire micro-brewery in Prince Rupert and shipped it east and were tasting it in 5 months and listed at the LCBO in 6. 95% of their sales go through the Board and you can get it pretty much anywhere in Southern Ontario and up to North Bay. It is now the largest selling of any craft brewery the Board stocks.
Tom said the business is fun. There are 37 breweries in Ontario but 2 of them have 86% of the market. The rest is shared between the remaining 35 and Sleeman has a bunch of that. Government is providing incentives and breaks on the one hand and limiting the number of places it's served on the other, which is why they've stayed with bottles and not gone into draft.
The LCBO is trying to create a beer industry and doing it the same way they helped the wine makers, by making room on their shelves. It took over a dozen years to create a real market for them, so there's time for the beer guys. This is great for people in Ontario - they're really getting a chance to learn about variety.
Ralph thanked the Smellies for visiting and bringing their story and their phantom beer. He said he really enjoyed the story.