Beau’s Brewing Co. is turning to one of its rivals for help, as craft brewers across the province struggle to survive through a pandemic that saw bars and restaurants closed for prolonged stretches and consumers wary to visit them even when they reopened.
Steam Whistle Brewing take over all of the Vankleek Hill brewer’s warehousing and delivery throughout Ontario and the two companies will create a “joined sales force” that will be able to see products from both breweries at the same time.
Beau’s told the Ottawa Business Journal earlier this fall that its revenue dropped by 50 per cent through the pandemic – a loss of $15-million – throughout the pandemic. Its looked to forge partnerships as a means of salvaging its sales, including a deal to be the exclusive beer on Porter Airline flights (a privilege once held by Steam Whistle).
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Steve Beauchesne, Beau’s CEO and cofounder, said the alliance would make both brewers more resilient and present them with opportunities to expand their businesses.
“We refuse to be slowed by the pandemic-based hospitality industry impacts,” he said in a statement. “This new bold alliance between Steam Whistle and Beau’s gives us resiliency and capacity for growth.”
