It is a major pat on the back for the reborn Steelback Brewery in Tiverton.
Ten months after a change in ownership and major restructuring, the Brewery has achieved perhaps the highest honour it can attain, membership in the Ontario Craft Brewers (OCB).
Craft Brewers Marketing Director Lisa Dunbar says this is a remarkable achievement for Steelback which now is producing a beer that meets the stringent requirement to be labelled a craft brew.
President of the Tiverton Brewery Ian MacDonald says they had to go through an audit of the facility, making sure the best ingredients are used and the right safeguards are in place for quality control.
MacDonald says the OCB seal which will be on Steelback products in the next couple of weeks, tells the discerning consumer that they’re dealing with quality and craftsmanship with Steelback.
Dunbar says since beginning to produce a craft beer under the direction of Brewmaster Jayne McGillivray last May, Steelback has won numerous awards and has become the top selling brand in Bruce County.
Dunbar says Steelback also has reduced its product to five core brands with one seasonal brew.
She says what makes Steelback and other craft brewers unique is how they source their ingredient.
Dunbar says they try to obtain as many locally sourced natural ingredients as possible so as to support local farmers and suppliers.
She says there are now 25 small brewers including Steelback that belong to the Craft Brewers all across Ontario
Two of those, Steelback and Neustadt Springs are located in Bruce County.