PADDLER’S ALE BREWS UP $7K
Publican House Brewery sales of Paddler’s Ale raise money for Canadian Canoe Museum
The more than $7,000 raised for the Canadian Canoe Museum from the sale of Publican House Brewery-made Paddler’s Ale is just the beginning for a brand that could someday be available across the country, the brewery’s founder said Tuesday. Publican House founder and president Marty Laskaris presented museum general manager Carolyn Hyslop with a $7,289.53 cheque during a Tuesday morning announcement in the restaurant of the Charlotte Street-based microbrewery. The funding was the museum’s proceeds from retail sales of the new beer since its launch last May until last December. The leaders of their respective organizations praised the success of the brew and optimism for the growth of its brand. The collaboration began in 2015 at the inaugural Kawartha Craft Beer Festival, where plans were laid to create different labels with stories about canoemaking in the city and abroad for various new bottled brews before the concept was simplified, Laskaris said. Using a 473 ml for the relaunch made it easier for customers to understand the messaging and for the small brewery to manage the fundraising project, he said, calling the more than 400,000 cans produced so far a “great success.” The brand was put on tap at the brewery’s restaurant inAugust. “It has become one of the most frequently requested beers on tap here,” he said. Awareness of the brand is also growing thanks to sales at the brewery’s retail store, Sobey’s on Chemong Road and Lamantia’s Country Market in Lindsay – and, as of later this week, Sobey’s on Lansdowne Street West. With more distribution points being added, the brewery hopes to substantially exceed the funds raised in 2017 in 2018. Publican House hopes to hit 50,000 cans by the first anniversary of the brand in May, Laskaris said. “I have a vision, that someday, this could be sold across Canada,” he said. The canoe museum had high hopes for the partnership because of the great ambition the brewery displayed, Hyslop told those gathered. Having community support will be key for the museum moving forward as it raises money for its new home on the Trent-Severn Waterway, she noted, adding how the museum’s community partnerships exemplify its core values. “You are a wonderful leader in that sense,” she said to Laskaris. “I’m really grateful for the work you’ve done.” The canoe museum would be happy to be a part of helping the beer go national, Hyslop said, pointing out how the beer has become a favourite at museum events like Silver Canoe Receptions, Volunteer Potluck and annual Beaver Club Gala. The 4.5 per cent alcohol by volume coarse-filtered ale has a hint of citrus, the brewery stated. Its colourful can is adorned with paddles and canoes and those drinking it are encouraged to “paddle your own canoe” and “Do your part to help support a part of Canadian history – raise a glass of Paddler’s Ale.” NOTES: Publican House Brewery previously had a similar program with the city Rotary Club, for which it created the Roaring Rotarian ale.