The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs has released a guide to Starting a Craft Brewery in Ontario.
“Craft beer is a thriving industry in Ontario; as of 2015 the industry employed well over 1,500 people in direct brewery jobs and over 6,000 in indirect jobs (using a multiplier of four),” OMAFRA states in the introductions in the guide. “In 2014-15, Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) sales of Ontario craft beer grew to over $69 million, up nearly 35% annually in 2015-16. Craft beer continues to be the fastest-growing segment within the LCBO’s beer category, growing at anywhere from 20%–30% per year.”
You can learn more about Ontario’s booming craft beer industry in the Ontario Craft Brewers Industry Fact Sheet.
The free guide will be of assistance to not only those who are new to the industry and starting a business, but also for those looking at expanding an existing operation.
Sections in the guide include:
- Start Planning Your Brewery
- Government Requirements for Craft Brewers
- Setting Up Your Brewery
- Packaging and Labelling Requirements
- Retail and Distribution Options