THUNDER BAY – Sometimes bigger is better when it comes to the craft beer market.
Just don’t get too big.
The owners of Sleeping Giant Brewery plan to test out that theory, work already underway on construction on the company’s new home, a MacDonell Street location that will double the size and allow them to offer more beer, more selection and widen their market base.
The company this year outgrew its present Cobalt Crescent location, impacting their ability to produce enough suds to meet consumer demand in Thunder Bay and in other communities throughout Ontario.
Co-founder and co-owner Kyle Mulligan on Thursday said it’s an ambitious plan, but one that will take the company to the next level in the brewery business.
“We pretty much outgrew our space at the beginning of this year and it’s really put a strain on us this summer,” Mulligan said Thursday at an open house showcasing their new location.
“Essentially we’re packaging beer and selling out the same day to our licensees and local customers. We’ve actually pulled back from further outside Thunder Bay, just to make sure we can supply Thunder Bay with our beer. This next step will more than double our capacity.”
This also means more types of beer in production, including regular stocking on specialty brands like Elevator Ale, Mulligan said.
“Currently we make sure we have our Northern Logger, our 360 and our Skull Rock Stout all the time,” Mulligan said.
“Every now and then we make the Beaver Duck, Hoppet IPA, Bay Street Brown Ale as well as the Armoury Ale. We want to bring the Elevator Ale back, we want to bring Selfie Saison back and we also want to start introducing new beers like Belgians.”
It’s what people want, he added.
“(Craft beers) just keep growing. Every day we get new people trying craft beer. It’s great for beer, it’s great for local and it’s great for Thunder Bay as well.”
Long-term the plan is to add a tap-house to the new location and serve food.
