The Ontario Craft Brewers (OCB), the voice of craft brewing in Ontario, is encouraging everyone to celebrate Ontario Craft Beer Week, which runs from June 13th to 20th, by choosing local craft beer for your first beer on newly reopened patios across the province.
Ontario Craft Beer Week, which is now in its 12th year, was officially proclaimed by the provincial government in 2017. It is an opportunity to celebrate the incredible growth in the local craft beer industry over the past decade, and for Ontarians to discover local craft beer made by independently owned craft breweries, right in their own communities.
This year, Ontario Craft Beer Week coincides with the reopening of brewery, restaurant and bar patios, and we encourage Ontarians to get out to visit them, enjoy a craft beer and support their local community.
“The past few months have been a challenging time for brewers and Ontarians alike, but with the warmer weather here and patios reopening across the province, Ontario Craft Beer Week is the perfect time to welcome them back by visiting your local craft brewery or ordering your favourite craft beer at your local patio,” said Ontario Craft Brewer President Scott Simmons.
Thanks to the strong partnership with the Ontario government and the support of craft beer lovers across the province, prior to COVID-19, Ontario’s more than 300 craft breweries employed over 4,600 people, which represented over 80% of all direct brewery jobs and generated $2 billion in economic opportunity in communities throughout Ontario, especially in rural and northern areas.
“Ontario Craft Beer Week is a chance to reflect on what craft beer means and at its heart, it is about community, a community of people committed to brewing beer with the best ingredients to the highest standards,” concluded Simmons. “But it is more than that, it is a reflection of the people who make it. By buying local for your next beer, you are choosing to support your neighbours, support your communities, and support this important homegrown industry. I think that is something we can all celebrate.”