Banks buying Hart?

[Mississauga Matt]

Anyone know anything about this? I saw about 10 seconds of video on TV last night that indicated that something was up in Carlton Place.

[Josh Oakes]

I didn't see it, but it wouldn't surprise me. Banks used the Carlton Place facility to brew their beer for Canada when Hart was operational. D&G filed that lawsuit not because Dragon's Breath was causing confusion with Dragon Stout, but to screw Banks, which was cutting into Red Stripe's market share by selling as a domestic product in the beer stores. A devious plan which worked perfectly.

So I'm sure Banks has a distinct interest in getting back online here in Ontario. The downside is that if this report is true, I don't think it means that Hart's brands will re-appear, but that is just speculation.

[Lubiere]

Hello,

I can confirm that Banks bought Hart. The brewery is now again functional and they are brewing the Hart's Amber (cask, draft and bottles), along with Banks Beer and some malt drinks. Finnegan's Red is next for production. Not too sure about the other Hart beers though.

Lubiere

[esprit]

At the Capital City Beer Fest, Banks had a booth and was pouring both Banks and Hart.

[Josh Oakes]

Good stuff. I'm surprised, but impressed. Hopefully they'll bring back Dragon's Breath under a different name, but I'll take the Amber nonetheless.

[PRMason]

The brewery is now called: "Banks Canada- Home of Hart Brewers". Peter Harrisson, President of Banks has both his daughters firmly in place to run the show in Carleton Place. Lorne Hart is no longer involved. He is now a manager of the Ottawa Press Club, where Hart Amber was taken off tap in favour of Cameron's. The focus is primarily on the Banks products, for domestic and export.

[Mississauga Matt]

Sooooo ... can anyone comment on the Amber, taste-wise, vis-a-vis the original version, and whether we'll see it in the Beer Store anytime soon?