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Despite recently
winning two medals, one a gold and the other a silver, for
brewing excellence in Ontario, it would appear that the little
brewery that could, won't ... won't be chosen, that is, to supply
its own community of Tiverton with libation at its upcoming 2009 Old
Boys and Old Girls Reunion to be held in July.
It seems that the reunion organizing committee has opted to go
farther afield, instead of its own backyard. True, Steelback Brewery
had its ups and downs under previous owners and was, at one point,
forced into bankruptcy but, since the new owners took over, it has
turned into the comeback story of the brewing industry.
One of the reasons being put forward by the committee is that cans
are safer and more environmentally friendly and Steelback Brewery
prefers to put its product in bottles and kegs instead of cans.
It's difficult to know how cans are safer than biodegradable cups
that would be used with a keg situation and, isn't biodegradable
also better than metal when it comes to the environment? At the 2008
International Ploughing Match held in Teeswater this past summer,
hundreds of thousands of people enjoyed a cold one, poured from kegs
into cups.
So, who exactly advised the Committee to take this tact of 'cans
only'.
According to one source, the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of
Ontario (AGCO) recommended that cans were the better option at large
outdoor events such as the Tiverton Reunion. (next column)
14/04/2009 11:00 PM
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Speaking with an AGCO representative in its Enforcement Division, the
AGCO does not make any recommendations about what product should be
used. "That is entirely up to the host of the event," said the source.
"Someone in a local retail outlet (a.k.a. liquor store) may have made
the suggestion but it certainly wouldn't have come from us."
"We could easily have taken the brewery to a larger centre," says
President Ian MacDonald, "but we chose instead to stay with Tiverton,
where we employ local people and even promote the town on our labels."
The company not only promotes the town on its labels, it also adds
considerably to the tax base and supports many community events,
including fundraisers.
MacDonald points out that the brewery also supports the community in
other ways, investing in its people and economy. "I think this should go
before the people of Tiverton," adds MacDonald. "We have no intention of
rolling over, because we think this is wrong. In these recessionary
times, in particular, we believe that we should all support each other
in a community but aside from that, we stand behind our product. If this
goes through and Steelback isn't afforded at least the courtesy of being
asked to be a supplier, we see it almost as a slap in the face, which
isn't just hurtful, it is extremely disappointing."
(Also
read about Steelback's recent awards)
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