Local craft brewers doing everything they can to keep the beer flowing
Posted Mar 20, 2020 04:00:00 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
If ever there was a time for a cold craft beer, it’s now. And if ever there was a time to support the local brew masters who make that beer, it’s a time of economic uncertainty like this.
As a response to the closures amid the COVID-19 pandemic, many craft breweries have been relegated to offering beer pickup orders, and brewpubs have been limited to takeout food orders or bottle shop transactions.
Taprooms have been shut down and local craft brewers and brewpubs have felt the pinch because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Graham Spence is the co-owner of Block Three Brewing in St. Jacobs, one of the many local craft brewers doing anything they can to bring beer to their customers.
“The impact has been profound,” Spence said. “We rely on people coming into our taproom to enjoy a beer and socialize with others. That obviously is not happening right now. We are trying to do whatever we can to get by.”
As an incentive for their customers, Block Three is offering free local delivery of their beer with orders over $50 through their online bottle shop. In addition, their bottle shop in St. Jacobs is still open, although they’ve reduced their operating hours from 11 am to 6 pm daily.
Most of these craft brewers are still open for in-person pickup at their bottle shops. Customers can also make online purchases and in most cases, local delivery is free or low-cost with a minimum purchase.
Abe Erb Brewing Company is another brewer who is reaching out to their patrons by offering free local shipping. Tony Theodosiou is the founder at Abe Erb, a local brewpub with four locations in the region. They’re also feeling the devastating effect of this pandemic, with over 100 employees impacted.
“It’s affected us dramatically,” Theodosiou said. “We had four locations operating. We’re down to one, just doing takeout and retail beer.”
Other local craft brewers offering free local shipping with online orders include Innocente Brewing Company, Four Fathers Brewing Co., Willibald Farm Distillery, Wavemaker Craft Brewery, and Together We’re Bitter.
Bringing beer to the doorstep of craft beer enthusiasts is one way that local brewers are reaching out to their customers. But now, more than ever, it’s crucial to reach out and support these local brewers and brewpubs who desperately need business.
“We’re the ones who need it the most,” Theodosiou said. “We’re a community-based business. We rely on people in our neighbourhoods to come in and support us. In good times, that’s how we operate. In bad times, that’s where we’ve got to start.”
It’s an unprecedented time of uncertainty for everyone, but these brewers are hoping a mere can or a simple bottle of someone’s favourite brew might restore some sense of status quo back into their lives.
“Local businesses make up the fabric of our community, and like everyone, have the feeling of uncertainty about when things will return to some sort of normalcy,” Spence said. “If you can support local with purchases, it helps everyone.”
