THUNDER BAY – The city’s first brewing company is looking back on its history and is inviting the community to celebrate craft beer culture in Thunder Bay and beyond.
Sleeping Giant Brewery is hosting BeerFest this weekend, a two-day festival celebrating the company as the first independent craft brewery in the city of Thunder Bay.
Sleeping Giant first started brewing craft beers in 2012 and opened its unique taproom in the Intercity area in 2016, which is where BeerFest will be held.
The brewery currently offers six craft beers, with seasonal and special brews offered throughout the year and for special occasions.
But BeerFest will also celebrate the love of craft beer, featuring 14 craft breweries from across Ontario and offering samples that are not available at the LCBO.
“When we selected the beer for the event, our team was looking for uniqueness, something different — craft beer that people have never tried before, and some brews that haven’t even been released yet,” said Drea Mulligan, co-founder of Sleeping Giant Brewing Company.
"From refreshing sours to robust darks, attendees will get to sample brews that aren't necessarily your run of the mill beer. Each handcrafted with passion and care, you'll get a lot of different flavours and styles.”
The Sleeping Giant Brewing Company will be releasing its own special brew exclusively for the event, a raw, dry-hopped Belgian blonde beer.
Live entertainment will include local acts Luke Warm & the Cold Ones, Honest Heart Collective and Cole Myronuk. Beefcakes Burger Factory will offer snacks throughout the festival to pair with the craft beers.
"Our team really wanted to highlight and support independent craft breweries at this event. When we look back to when Sleeping Giant Brewing Company first opened, Thunder Bay wasn't a craft beer town — it definitely is now,” Mulligan said.
"Whether you’re a craft beer aficionado or simply enjoy a good brew, BeerFest promises to expand your pallet with great beer and a lively atmosphere.”
The brewery lineup for BeerFest will feature Blood Brothers, Small Pay Barrel Works, Full Beard, Town Brewery, Grain and Grit, Silversmith Brewing, Northern Superior, Fairweather, Tooth & Nail, Godspeed, Halo, Indie Ale House and Rouge River.
BeerFest will take place this Friday and Saturday. There are three sessions, with general admission and VIP tickets available. Tickets can be purchased online at sleepinggiantbrewing.ca or in person at the brewery. A portion of the even'ts proceeds will be donated to the Northern Cancer Fund.
