Page 10 - Ontario Craft Beer Strategic Plan FLIP

Craft Beer Industry
Ontario’s craft beer industry has a long history. It has grown rapidly over the last 20 years, and now includes over 240 independent craft breweries, operating in more than 110 communities across Ontario. With an additional 100 plus new breweries in the planning and development stages, and the expectation of reaching as many as 500 breweries in Ontario within the next 10 years, the industry is rapidly changing.
The sector has now achieved a 7.6% market share and contributes approximately $1 billion towards the Provincial economy, contributing to direct and indirect job creation, impacting the tourism and agriculture industries, and supporting local communities across Ontario. According to a recent discussion paper, Ontario craft brewers generate thousands of direct jobs, accounting for almost 30 percent of all brewing industry jobs within the Province. Furthermore, thousands of indirect jobs have been created within industries such as agriculture and farming, packaging and distribution, equipment manufacturing and supply, restaurants and food service, and tourism.
Considerations
Given this rapid growth, the Ontario craft beer industry is likely to see signi cant changes in the coming years. Already the province is seeing innovative business models, di ering business approaches, and new craft beer products entering the market. These shifts challenge the approach of “traditional brewing,” change the craft beer industry landscape, and impact the perspectives of consumers as a whole.
The OCB also recognizes that growing sustainability is good for business, the communities in which the craft brewers operate, and the environment. It is important to consumers and to our communities. The industry has a social responsibility to ‘do our part’ and to promote responsible business practices within OCB member craft breweries that support broader government policies and objectives related to climate change, protection of water resources and the environment and the transition to a low carbon, circular economy.
As the OCB explored the future of not only the association itself and its members, but also that of the craft brewing industry across Ontario, several pressing themes and priorities emerged including:
» Growing industry market share
» OCB representing the majority of
the industry
» OCB membership structure and the OCB’s value proposition
» O ering regional representation through membership
» Ethical and sustainable business practices and philosophies
» Advocacy and government relations
» OCB’s long-term sustainability and growth
1 Discussion Paper: An Eco-System Approach to Support the Sustainable Growth of Ontario’s Craft Beer Industry, December 2017. BLOOM Centre for Sustainability and Earthshine Solutions.
6