Ontario Craft Brewers recap 2013 growth and success
The Ontario Craft Brewers (OCB) today released a recap of its growth and success factors seen throughout 2013.
“OCB welcomed several new members to the industry association this year and is reviewing applications from a number of new breweries and startups,” says Cam Heaps, co-founder of Steam Whistle Brewing and Chair of Ontario Craft Brewers. “The industry is growing exponentially, as new breweries open their doors, and new consumers convert to the craft beer movement.”
Eight new member breweries were added to the OCB ranks including Big Rig Brewery, Ottawa; Highlander Brew Co., South River; Left Field Brewery, Toronto; Niagara Oast House Brewers, Niagara-on-the-Lake; Ramblin’ Road Brewery Farm, La Salette, Norfolk County; Sawdust City Brewing, Gravenhurst; Silversmith Brewing, Niagara-on-the-Lake; and Sleeping Giant Brewing, Thunder Bay.
OCB 2013 ACCOMPLISHMENTS & INDUSTRY UPDATES
INDUSTRY SIZE: According to OCB calculations, there are currently 62 operating breweries in Ontario (includes 4 nano breweries) and 21 contract brewers who also received manufacturing licenses from the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO). Contract brewers brew their product at operating breweries and market it under their own separate brands.
SALES & MARKET SHARE: Ontario Craft Brewers’ share for premium priced brands has more than tripled since 2002, going from less than one per cent to over three per cent of the beer volume sold in Ontario and continues to be the fastest growing segment within the LCBO’s beer category. Current average growth rates across all retail channels are over 10% per year. In 2012, there was approximately $210 million in sales in Ontario.
JOB CREATION: Since 1985, small brewers in Ontario have created thousands of jobs and have invested tens of millions of dollars into the Ontario economy. Today, there are approximately 900 direct brewery jobs with about 3,600 indirect jobs (using a multiplier of 4). The 900 direct brewery jobs account for almost 30% of the brewing industry in Ontario while the corresponding share of premium products is over 3%. These jobs are mostly generated from the premium priced segment. The broader economic impact of small breweries is estimated to be well over $400 million annually.
OCB ACTIVITIES: OCB breweries participated in hundreds of festivals, tasting events across the province. Breweries and their brands won many national and international awards and gained shelf and tap space in stores, bars and restaurants throughout the province. OCB, the industry association, had a productive year, supporting brewery members through ongoing marketing programs and producing several important events. Highlights include:
ONTARIO MICROBREWERY STRATEGY: In July, the Ontario government renewed its support for Ontario’s craft brewing industry by extending its Ontario Microbrewery Strategy for two more years. Hon. Eric Hoskins, Minister of Economic Development, Trade & Employment made the announcement in Steam Whistle Brewing’s gallery and the event was attended by brewery owners and staff. For details, see the news release: http://ontariocraftbrewers.
ONTARIO CRAFT BEER WEEK 2013: The fourth annual Ontario Craft Beer Week was the biggest celebration of craft beer in the province to date with over 200 tasting events in 40+ communities across the province. The week kicked off on June 14 with a packed industry/media launch event at Mill Street Beer Hall in Toronto with special guest, Hon. Eric Hoskins, Minister of Economic Development, Trade & Employment. There were special beer dinners, collaborative brews, meet the brewer nights, multi-brewery pub crawls, musical concerts and idol-style battles and craft beer & cheese pairings held in communities from Windsor to Vankleek Hill, Thunder Bay to Niagara-on-the-Lake. The week wrapped up with Session Toronto, a craft beer festival that attracted over 2000 adventurous beer lovers.
ONTARIO CRAFT BREWERS CONFERENCE & CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE AWARDS: On Thursday, October 17, 2013, Ontario Craft Brewers hosted its second annual industry conference at the Allstream Centre in downtown Toronto. The full day conference was followed by the Centre of Excellence Awards dinner held at Amsterdam Brewpub by the Lake. Themed, “Ontario Craft Beer: The Next Frontier“, the day of education and networking consisted of: 16 sessions (including plenary and breakouts); 35 speakers from the craft brewing industry, 24 brewing industry suppliers in a “Suppliers Marketplace, 350 registered guests at the conference and 100 registered guests at the dinner. The third annual conference and awards will take place on October 16, 2013.
RETAIL SALES GROWTH: OCB continues to work with LCBO, implementing merchandising programs and tasting opportunities in stores throughout the province. In LCBO, craft beers continue to grow in popularity, with craft beer sales growing by more than 335 per cent in the past five years, and sales of Ontario craft beer growing 28 per cent over last year (http://www.newswire.ca/en/
OCB BREWMASTERS’ CHOICE PACK AT LCBO: OCB released the latest evolution of its latest mixed six-pack in October, featuring hand-selected brands chosen by OCB brewmasters. The pack is still available at LCBO’s throughout Ontario, check the LCBO site for inventory (#361162) or the OCB hand-held app http://itunes.apple.com/lv/
For more details, see http://www.newswire.ca/en/
NEW BREWMASTERS’ WEB SERIES: The OntarioCraftBrewers.com website recently unveiled a new monthly feature for craft beer lovers. It’s the Brewmasters’ 6-Pack: a half-dozen OCB brews specially recommended for by OCB guest brewmasters, chosen around a common theme, and supplemented with detailed information about how the brews are made, and best served. Craft fans can seek out these hand-picked beers, read more about them, and, of course, taste along with the brewmasters using the tasting notes and recommended pairings.
OCB TECH TALKS: OCB is now offering a new series of technical seminars for the craft brewing community. These interactive lectures, featuring invited speakers presenting on selected topics of interest, will be presented monthly to bi-monthly (frequency may vary). Participants can take part in these seminars in person, or online.
OCBU (online craft beer training program): OCB has developed a free, one-of-a-kind program to support the highly competitive food and beverage industry. OCB’s online, e-learning craft beer certification program enables restaurant and bar staff to becomeOntario Craft Beer Pros. To develop the program, OCB partnered with a group of experts, including Niagara College, Mirella Amatoof Beerology, blogger/beer specialist Bill White of Better with Beer, and the brewmasters and specialists with OCB, in developing the e-curriculum for OCBU, to provide the most up-to-date and accurate information about the booming world of craft beer. For more info, email rmrmarketing@sympatico.ca.
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