The story says the three breweries are now under the umbrella of the newly formed "Spearhead Brewing Incorporated" (as opposed to the brewery being called Spearhead Brewing). Is that an indication that they believe Spearhead has the best brand recognition?Cass wrote: ↑Mon Nov 13, 2023 9:06 amYup, thought the same thing. Spearhead "felt" bigger but not sure that was based upon anything other than age and what I see at TBS/LCBO. The Signal property was a nice one being right on the river so that would be cool if it continues, but who knows what's actually viable these days.
Looking for the original Bar Towel blog? You can find it at www.thebartowel.com.
We have a trivia question in order to register to prevent bots. If you have any issues with answering, contact us at cass@bartowel.com for help.
Introducing Light Mode! If you would like a Bar Towel social experience that isn't the traditional blue, you can now select Light Mode. Go to the User Control Panel and then Board Preferences, and select "Day Drinking" (Light Mode) from the My Board Style drop-down menu. You can always switch back to "Night Drinking" (Dark Mode). Enjoy!
We have a trivia question in order to register to prevent bots. If you have any issues with answering, contact us at cass@bartowel.com for help.
Introducing Light Mode! If you would like a Bar Towel social experience that isn't the traditional blue, you can now select Light Mode. Go to the User Control Panel and then Board Preferences, and select "Day Drinking" (Light Mode) from the My Board Style drop-down menu. You can always switch back to "Night Drinking" (Dark Mode). Enjoy!
Breweries closing and/or restructuring and/or bought out
- S. St. Jeb
- Seasoned Drinker
- Posts: 1083
- Joined: Tue Mar 22, 2011 11:44 pm
- Location: Burlington, ON
-
- Bar Fly
- Posts: 509
- Joined: Tue Oct 30, 2012 11:00 am
Skeleton Park is definitely smaller and with worse offerings, than the other two. Seems like Spearhead owners were happy to pull the chute and take a soft landing with a potential recession looming, while Skeleton were looking to double down on their shrinking market.
The fact that the tripled down with getting Signal, must mean they got a sweet deal on that property that was rumoured to mired in debt.
I'd expect Skeleton to move into the Spearhead Kingston facility to reduce their overhead costs and use the Signal property for special events. Should be interesting what they do with branding.
All told seems like a fairly risky business venture for Skelton Park, but you gotta admire their passion to keep going.
The fact that the tripled down with getting Signal, must mean they got a sweet deal on that property that was rumoured to mired in debt.
I'd expect Skeleton to move into the Spearhead Kingston facility to reduce their overhead costs and use the Signal property for special events. Should be interesting what they do with branding.
All told seems like a fairly risky business venture for Skelton Park, but you gotta admire their passion to keep going.
- MatttthewGeorge
- Bar Fly
- Posts: 968
- Joined: Tue Apr 03, 2012 4:45 pm
- Location: Woolwich, ON
- Contact:
Masterplan wrote: ↑Mon Nov 13, 2023 3:16 pm Skeleton Park is definitely smaller and with worse offerings, than the other two. Seems like Spearhead owners were happy to pull the chute and take a soft landing with a potential recession looming, while Skeleton were looking to double down on their shrinking market.
The fact that the tripled down with getting Signal, must mean they got a sweet deal on that property that was rumoured to mired in debt.
I'd expect Skeleton to move into the Spearhead Kingston facility to reduce their overhead costs and use the Signal property for special events. Should be interesting what they do with branding.
All told seems like a fairly risky business venture for Skelton Park, but you gotta admire their passion to keep going.
Just tells me the SP's investors have deep pockets. Reminds me of the old brewery joke back when I was in the game: Want to have a million dollars? Start with 10 million and open a brewery.
I used to sell beer. Now I don't.
I guess this makes some sense. It was strange that it followed a somewhat different pattern than other acquisitions.
Hoping luck for all parties mentioned.
Hoping luck for all parties mentioned.
Regarding the Maclean's move. My local had to drop them (temporarily I hope), since they really screwed up their deliveries. Stuff wouldn't arrive or the order was ignored, they wouldn't bring the larger kegs, refused to take them to the cooler, etc. Maclean's said that they were having trouble with their delivery people.
Any indication if they are resuming deliveries to Toronto? We really miss the Pale Ale. It's a terrific beer. Great Lakes Canuck is OK (the replacement) but it's not as good.
Any indication if they are resuming deliveries to Toronto? We really miss the Pale Ale. It's a terrific beer. Great Lakes Canuck is OK (the replacement) but it's not as good.
- MatttthewGeorge
- Bar Fly
- Posts: 968
- Joined: Tue Apr 03, 2012 4:45 pm
- Location: Woolwich, ON
- Contact:
MattB wrote: ↑Mon Nov 20, 2023 4:24 pm Regarding the Maclean's move. My local had to drop them (temporarily I hope), since they really screwed up their deliveries. Stuff wouldn't arrive or the order was ignored, they wouldn't bring the larger kegs, refused to take them to the cooler, etc. Maclean's said that they were having trouble with their delivery people.
Any indication if they are resuming deliveries to Toronto? We really miss the Pale Ale. It's a terrific beer. Great Lakes Canuck is OK (the replacement) but it's not as good.
From the social media post: “keep our prices fair, maintain the exceptional quality and consistency of our beer, and provide reliable delivery and better customer interaction through our sales team.”
So I don't know if that means Collingwood will deliver for them, or their sales reps are now also delivery guys??
Glad to see some love for this beer, it's ridiculously underrated and incredibly sessionable. If this move eventually kills the brand/beer it will be a sad day.
I used to sell beer. Now I don't.
- S. St. Jeb
- Seasoned Drinker
- Posts: 1083
- Joined: Tue Mar 22, 2011 11:44 pm
- Location: Burlington, ON
Fenelon Falls Brewing Acquired by Waterbridge Confectionery
https://www.canadianbeernews.com/2023/1 ... ectionery/
https://lindsayadvocate.ca/fenelon-fall ... in-on-tap/
https://www.canadianbeernews.com/2023/1 ... ectionery/
https://lindsayadvocate.ca/fenelon-fall ... in-on-tap/
Bring on the mashups!*S. St. Jeb wrote: ↑Tue Nov 21, 2023 9:07 am Fenelon Falls Brewing Acquired by Waterbridge Confectionery
https://www.canadianbeernews.com/2023/1 ... ectionery/
https://lindsayadvocate.ca/fenelon-fall ... in-on-tap/
*pun intended
Brands are for cattle.
Fans are cash cows.
The herd will consume until consumed.
Fans are cash cows.
The herd will consume until consumed.
-
- Beer Superstar
- Posts: 2017
- Joined: Thu Jan 08, 2004 7:00 pm
- Location: Toronto
Wow. Lots of news here. That patio at Signal is really great in the summer. Recommended as a day trip or for post-round drinks if anyone is a golfer (super close to Black Bear Ridge). Hope the new owners keep it open. Really sorry to lose that fun, intentionally unadorned little space at Muddy York. That's a shame. Cheers to Charles Maclean, a true pioneer to whom we owe a lot. Almost single-handedly kept cask ale alive in Ontario.
- S. St. Jeb
- Seasoned Drinker
- Posts: 1083
- Joined: Tue Mar 22, 2011 11:44 pm
- Location: Burlington, ON
Tough times for craft brewers. This story focusses on BC, but I think is relevant everywhere.
Trouble brewing? Canadian beermakers foresee closures amid economic challenges
Trouble brewing? Canadian beermakers foresee closures amid economic challenges
- S. St. Jeb
- Seasoned Drinker
- Posts: 1083
- Joined: Tue Mar 22, 2011 11:44 pm
- Location: Burlington, ON
Good Prospects Brewing Closes Down in Ottawa
They are sort of closing; the announcement says "The doors are going to close for a little while, but something new and exciting will take our place."
I found this notice interesting because I can't recall ever hearing about this brewery.
They are sort of closing; the announcement says "The doors are going to close for a little while, but something new and exciting will take our place."
I found this notice interesting because I can't recall ever hearing about this brewery.
Yeah, I don't think I've ever heard of them. But then again, I haven't visited Ottawa since pre-Covid so not surprised there are breweries there I've never heard of.S. St. Jeb wrote: ↑Mon Nov 27, 2023 11:26 am I found this notice interesting because I can't recall ever hearing about this brewery.
I feel this is the case across Ontario nowadays - when I drove back from Detroit I made a stop in Strathroy and there's a brewery there called Rusty Wrench. I'm sure it's well known by the local folks but no longer is a new brewery news across the province (as I did not know it at all until I found it on Google maps).
- S. St. Jeb
- Seasoned Drinker
- Posts: 1083
- Joined: Tue Mar 22, 2011 11:44 pm
- Location: Burlington, ON
LOL a point for youS. St. Jeb wrote: ↑Mon Nov 27, 2023 6:54 pm LOL, yay for me....I have heard of them. But probably only because a friend of mine travels to Sarnia now and again and sometimes picks up beer for me. He has stopped in there.
It was a nice little place on one of the old town high streets. Looked like lots of locals enjoying in when I stopped by.