Stack Brewing to open in Sudbury

[sstackho]

Sudbury to get its own suds again

Laura Stradiotto, for The Sudbury Star
Saturday, November 10, 2012 1:27:40 EST PM

North Americans have an insatiable thirst for craft beer and so does Shawn Mailloux.

His business plan, an idea that has been brewing for a while, corresponds with this growing trend.

By spring 2013, he plans to open a craft brewery located in a moderate-sized warehouse and storefront on Kelly Lake Road.

The name of his business is Stack Brewing, a nod to the city’s iconic structure that sits quite visible from the brewery.

Mailloux was on a plane for Montreal when he read a story on Steam Whistle, a Toronto-based brewery that produces a premium pilsner lager.

“I thought there was nothing in the North since Northern Breweries closed down,” said Mailloux, a teacher with a fondness for the fermented beverage

Mailloux teamed up with Michael Guillemette, a tuba player with the Sudbury Symphony Orchestra, who also shares his passion for beer.

Guillemette has been perfecting recipes over the past few months in anticipation for the business launch. Guillemette is no stranger to the process — he’s brewed beer in his backyard for years.

“It’s a hobby that’s turned into an obsession,” said Guillemette, head brewer at Stack Brewing.

Stainless steel fermenters, transfer tanks and burners are lined up against the wall in the future brewery site.

Everything will be done on the premises, from cracking the grain to bottling.

“The beer is going to be strictly done in-house, unfiltered,” said Mailloux.

The growth of craft beers is unparalleled in the North American alcoholic beverage market.

Sales in Canada’s overall beer industry have been on a decline for years, but craft brewers are the exception. Last year alone, LCBO’s craft beer sales increased by 45%, leading growth in all product segments — including wine.

Most ingredients at Stack Brewing will be sourced from Canadian producers, but there are some specialty grains that due to climate cannot grow in the country, said Guillemette. Those particular ingredients will be purchased from Europe.

Stack Brewing will specialize in about half a dozen craft beer styles such as wheat, lager, stout and porter, but it will also produce seasonal varieties like pumpkin and Christmas ales.

“I have all the equipment to produce,” said Mailloux. “It’s just getting everything hooked up and in place now.”

When Stack Brewing opens in the spring, it will function as a nano-brewery, but Mailloux intends on buying more equipment to expand and produce enough to become a microbrewery (less than 15,000 barrels of beer per year).

He intends on selling wholsale to local restaurants and bars and on having a storefront for the general public.

If all goes well, Mailloux wants to expand and make Stack available across the North.

Mailloux said he looks forward to the day again when you can walk into a bar or restaurant in Sudbury and ask for a local beer.

[icemachine]

I wish them the best of luck, and hope the community up there will support them

[JerCraigs]

Everything will be done on the premises, from cracking the grain to bottling.

I know its nitpicking but this made me laugh. I didn't realize so many brewers were not doing these things on the premises!

[Beer'n'gin]

Saw the article in the Star, you've got my support.

Looking forward to drinking local. Wish you the best.

[elproducto]

Long Live NORTHERN!

[sstackho]

http://www.northernlife.ca/news/localNe ... dbury.aspx

Stack brews up expansion 3 months after opening