OCB Announces Dates For 2nd Annual OCB Beer Week

June 19 - 25, 2011

The Ontario Craft Brewers (OCB) sent out a press release yesterday announcing the dates for the 2nd annual Ontario Craft Beer Week.

OCB Beer Week will kick off on June 19th and will run until June 25th throughout the province of Ontario, featuring beers and events organized by the association's 25 member breweries. And like last year, the week will close out with a big event on the Saturday (25th), but with something new in the works, you'll have to wait until a future post with more details.

Last year Cass Enright and I threw a very successful pub crawl in the Kensington area and we have plans to do something again this year for OCB Beer Week. You'll have to wait for more information closer to the date, but it should be a great time.


Here is the entire press release issued by the OCB:


TORONTO, ON – (March 7, 2010) – ONTARIO CRAFT BEER WEEK -- Ontario Craft Brewers (OCB) are pleased to announce the second annual ‘Ontario Craft Beer Week’, a celebration of our province’s thriving, locally-based craft beer industry. Launching Father’s Day, festivities will be held in communities throughout Ontario from June 19 – 25, 2011. OCB is the association representing 25+ small, independent craft brewers in Ontario.

EXPERIENCE CRAFT BEER IN ONTARIO:
Ontario Craft Beer Week will feature a series of special events designed to expose consumers to the craft beer experience with tasting events, brewery tours, cooking demonstrations, food pairings, beer dinners, and much more. Activities will take place in breweries, restaurants, bars and outdoor venues throughout the province.

Ontario Craft Beer Week is co-chaired again this year by Steve Beauchesne of Beau's All Natural Brewing Co. in Vankleek Hill and Jason Ellsmere of Cameron’s Brewing Company of Oakville. An organizing committee of brewery representatives from all regions of the province is also lending their time and talent to this unique celebration.

“Last year’s inaugural Ontario Craft Beer Week exceeded our expectations,” says Jason Ellsmere of Cameron’s Brewing Co. “There were over 125 events in communities throughout the province. The week kicked off with breweries hosting Father’s Day events and went on to include: specialized tastings, beer and food pairing dinners, beer and cheese parties, meet the brewer nights, comedy, musical and sporting events. The week culminated with SESSION, Toronto’s newest craft beer festival that featured 25 craft breweries.”

“This event is an opportunity for Ontario’s craft brewers to share and showcase our products with consumers in Ontario,” says Steve Beauchesne. “Our industry is very proud of its growth and we want to be sure to spread the joy throughout the province. It’s also a great way to kick off the summer.”

Any interested parties with ideas or suggestions should contact their local brewery or send an email to info@ontariocraftbrewers.com with “Ontario Craft Beer Week” in the subject line. New details, when they are available, will be posted on the OCB’s new website for Craft Beer Week, www.ocbweek.ca.

GOOD NEWS ABOUT ONTARIO CRAFT BEER:
Ontario craft beer sales at the LCBO are up 52% from 2010. Ontario boasts a thriving craft beer culture and more consumers are choosing to support their local breweries and experiment with the incredible range of beer styles and tastes available. Fresh, Ontario craft beer is produced in small batches with lots of care and attention to detail. Using the brew master’s own authentic special recipes, OCB’s 25 independent craft brewers produce fresh, top quality beer using all natural, pure ingredients, and no additives or preservatives.

With its rich brewing history and culture, Ontario is becoming an increasingly popular tourism destination for those interested in discovering craft beer, visiting local breweries, experiencing beer cuisine, etc.