Sinister Minister to hit LCBO shelves
Brimstone Brewing Co. has created close to 30 beers since it was established more than three years ago but this week was the first time convenience was incorporated into the product line.
The Ridgeway-based brewery has taken one of its most-popular titles, Sinister Minister, and made it available in 473-millilitre cans, hitting shelves at select LCBO stores in the province.
Wednesday, the brewing team from Brimstone joined Sessions Craft Canning, a mobile company from the Greater Toronto Area, and packaged more than 200 cases of tall cans – ready to hit the market.
The first run will hit shelves immediately and a second round of cans sealed and delivered to current and new licensees around Ontario, said brewmaster Zack Gagnon.
“Since it’s a new product, we expect a lot of people will be jumping all over it,” said Gagnon, a graduate of Niagara College’s brewing program who has been with Brimstone since April, 2015.
Canned beer has many benefits compared to bottles, especially for people enjoying summer activities, said Gagnon.
“People love cans – especially at golf courses, people going to the cottage,” said Gagnon.
“It’s what everyone looks for nowadays – this will be a big step for us going forward.”
The next product Brimstone is preparing to launch is a milkshake-style beer called Malt Shop. It will infuse vanilla, strawberry and chocolate flavours and include lactose as an ingredient – a style of pale ale that’s unique and slightly unconventional and different from the beer maker’s current list of beers, mostly given names that tie into the brewery being inside a former church.
“It’s nice every once in a while to go outside of that,” he said.
Brimstone has also collaborated with several breweries around the province, which Gagnon says helps get the Ridgeway-based brand in front of consumers all around Ontario.
“It’s a great way to get our name out to areas we’re not normally in,” he said.
Complementing the craft brewery is Crave Gastropub, which operates under the same roof with a recently-expanded kitchen, extended lunch hours and a full menu of appetizer and entree options for patrons.
Making a reservation is encouraged for people who plan to eat during peak hours, said head chef Matty MacGregor.
Gagnon said that since he joined the team more than two years ago, he sees a lot of local pride and people who stop in regularly at the hotspot in downtown Ridgeway, a district where there are many proprietors doing great things, he adds.
“If we’re going to revitalize this area, it’s going to take everybody,” he said.
Brimstone products are served at more than 100 licensed establishments in Ontario and in multiple LCBO stores.
An outdoor patio expansion is currently ongoing and has already increased the seating capacity from 28 to 90 spots.
To book a reservation at Crave Gastropub, call 289-876-8675.