Skip to content

Sudbury college hosting craft beer brewing summit

One-day event will examine industry challenges, opportunities
craft_beer_stock_photo
(Stock photo)

Cambrian College is hosting the inaugural Northern Ontario Craft Brewing and Distilling Summit on Nov. 7.

The event is an initiative of Cambrian R&D, the Sudbury college’s applied research division.

It will bring together brewers and distillers from across Northern Ontario to discuss how applied research can address the industry’s challenges and opportunities.

“When you think of applied research, beer and liquor don’t usually come to mind, but there is a lot of precision science that goes into getting that great drink in your hand,” said Mike Commito, director of Cambrian R&D, in a Nov. 4 news release.

“Whether it’s alcohol production, agriculture, or mining, we use applied research to help all kinds of businesses improve their products and processes. The North is producing some fantastic beers and spirits and we want to help this industry grow. Who doesn’t love a well-crafted drink?”

Want to read more stories about business in the North? Subscribe to our newsletter.

Across Northern Ontario, craft beer has continued to grow in scope and popularity, with craft brewers located in areas such as Timmins, Kenora, Thunder Bay, Sudbury, Sault Ste. Marie, North Bay, and Manitoulin Island.

Sudbury also plays host annually to the Northern Ontario Microbrew Festival, which attracts brewers from around the North.

The industry has also produced some spinoff opportunities.

Northern Skies Hops in Desbarats, outside the Sault, is growing hops for a local brewer, while Highlander Brew Co. in South River, south of North Bay, established a brewer technician training program in 2018, in conjunction with CTS Canadian Career College, in response to industry demand.