Beer News Archives

2004

SGT. MAJOR'S IPA AT LCBO
Posted: Fri Dec 24 2004
Well, I finally got a six of Sgt. Major's from the Hunt Club Ottawa LCBO. Just in time for Christmas!

SGT. MAJOR'S IPA AT LCBO UPDATE
Posted: Sat Oct 16, 2004 at The Bar Towel by PRMason
As for the Sgt. Major bottles, we have now received our packaging and labels and we must submit a final 6 pack ( with beer in it) to the LCBO for final approval. I hope to have it all wrapped up by month end.

SGT. MAJOR'S IPA AT LCBO SOON
Posted: Sun Jun 13, 2004 at The Bar Towel by PRMason
I have just received news that the Sgt. Major's IPA has been approved for sale by the LCBO. All I need do is order the packaging ( this is ready to go, I was just awaiting the approval) and I'm good to go. It may take up to 4 weeks to get it all together, then on the shelf it goes (finally). That's the good news. The bad news is that it will be priced at $12.95 per 6 pack (ouch). With my low volume, I only clear about $1.45 per 6-pack, even at that price, so please don't hate me. Buy lots and buy often, that baby of mine goes through more diapers than I do hops!

Sgt Major's IPA is one of my favorite beers and, since the loss of the Lt. Pooley's pub, one I have not been getting enough of lately. It is brewed by the Scotch Irish Brewing Company of Ottawa.

SLEEMAN ACQUIRES UNIBROUE
http://www.realbeer.com/news/articles/news-002187.php
Yikes, how did I miss this? According to the May 2004 newsletter of the Real Beer Page, Sleeman's have purchased Unibroue. Sleeman's produces very average beers and uses good marketing to promote them as premium, hip, beers. Unibroue produces truly excellent Belgian style beers. We currently have Blanche de Chambly, Maudite, and Fin du Monde in the basement. I hope that Sleeman's maintains the high quality of the Unibroue brand.

Canadian beer expert Stephen Beamont has an open letter to John Sleeman that says things much better than I can.

2002

November 15, 2002: Finally picked up a six pack of the Heritage Traditional Dark. They come in stubbies and are not twist-offs. You get a "church key" in the box (in case you have lost yours). Heritage beer is brewed right here in Ottawa and is a very enjoyable beer.

September 22, 2002: Just got back from vacation and thought I would report on some of the beer I enjoyed on the trip.

Stubbies: Unibroue, makers of fantastic Belgian style beer, have brought out an "Old Style" pilsner called La Bolduc that comes in a stubby non-twist top bottle.

Propeller Brewing: This brewery makes an excellent bitter that I was able to try in both draft and bottle. I also cannot say enough about their London Style Porter. I am finishing my last bottle as I write this :-(

Granite Brewery: While in Halifax, we ate at Ginger's Tavern and I had the Best Bitter Special (Dry Hopped). I wanted to try more of their beers, but how often can you get a dry hopped bitter in Canada? Definitely the best beer I have had all year.

Honourable Mention: Sleeman Brewery purchased the Maritime Beer Company and is brewing Black Perl. I have always found Sleeman beers to be a bit boring, but this beer is good and very easy to get in the Maritimes.

July 12, 2002: It is old news, but a new store was opened in Kanata at the end of February. You can read the Press Release.

The interesting bit is the "Ice Cold Express" cooler that can be seen in the image. Most beer stores make you order the beer from the cashier. Some let you pick out the beer yourself and carry it to the cashier. The Kanata store is a hybrid of both. The most popular beers can be picked up at the express. All others must be ordered from the cashier.

June 26, 2002: There is a good review of The Swan at Carp in the Citizen (sorry, it is not online).

Near the end of the article it mentions that Heritage Brewing Limited will be selling it's beers at Ottawa area liquor stores in stubbies! They should be available in July.

April 25, 2002: According to an article in the Citizen, Hart will only be producing the Amber Ale. Peter Harrion's daughter will be running the brewery. Aside from Hart Amber, they will also distribute Bank's Beer.

In other beer news, Brick Brewery of Waterloo Ontario has brought back the stubby. It does have a twist off cap. They have more information here.

March 28, 2002 Update: I went to the local beer store to get some beer for Easter and picked up a two-four of Hart Amber Ale!

2001

December 6, 2001: According to a December 6th article in the Ottawa Citizen, Hart Brewing Company of Carleton Place will be starting up again.

"We will be continuing making all of the same brands, there will be some changes but its basically the same," he (Lorne Hart) said. "The Amber, Valley Gold and the Finnegan's, those are three for sure."

"Everything else is up for discussion," Mr. Hart said, claiming that the decision of which beers stay or go is really up to the brewery's new owners.

"It's a person called Peter Harrison, and his company is called Harrison Holdings," said Mr. Hart.

I am a big fan of Hart beers, especially the Amber and the Festive Brown. I hope they can make a go of it this time.