11/01/2018
A special message from HogsBack Brewing Company
Cheers
… used as a toast to wish everyone happiness
… used as an informal way to say “thank you”
… used as an informal way to say “goodbye”
A great word ....conveys so much meaning to us
After reveling in delight over our most recent victory at the Ontario Brewing Awards, we reflected back on our past 8 years in the craft beer industry.
Hard to believe it was over 8 years ago when four friends Jerry, Mark, Frank and Paige started HogsBack Brewing Company with really only one goal - to make a beer that they’d enjoy drinking when they got together
When HogsBack started we were one of only a handful of craft brewers in the Ottawa region, now there are over 35 and growing every day
In 2012, over 6 years ago, we were the first craft brewer in the Ottawa region to make the move from bottles to 473ml tall boy cans ... and only one of a handful in Ontario to do so. We felt that cans were the most environmentally friendly means of packaging and shipping beer and most importantly the best vessel for preserving the true flavour of our beer. Nowadays craft beer in a tall boy has become the norm
Enjoyed releasing many limited seasonal styles like Kilty Bastard Scotch Ale, AloHog Coconut Pale Ale, Sonofa Beach Kristal Wheat, Ontario Pale Ale and more. But of all the special beers we created – one stands out. We dreamt, experimented and in 2013 created the first beer brewed using actual real bacon - the wildly popular Aporkalypse Now Oatmeal Bacon Stout. Although it was only a limited run seasonal style last brewed in 2015 we still get asked about it every day.
So many great things over the years -
The first Ottawa based beer to be sold in Newfoundland and New Brunswick, making cameo appearances in the movies ‘Jurassic Shark’ and ‘Brain Freeze’, enjoying great times with our friends George Wendt (Norm from Cheers) and Shaun Majumder ( This Hour Has 22 Minutes) at Oktoberfest Ottawa, honoured to have appeared on one of the most popular (and frequently rerun) episodes of CBC's Dragons' Den, being part of Ottawa’s very first The Brewery Market event & collaborating with our friends at HINTONBURGER creating a one of a kind burger with a patty seasoned with Vintage Lager, then topped with back bacon braised in Vintage Lager and slathered with a Vintage Lager BBQ sauce, being the official beer of the award winning Q+Brew Competition BBQ team, countless other events, beer festivals ... not to mention all the love we’ve had from the brewing community earning us GOLD at 2017 Canadian Brewing Awards, GOLD at 2014 Ontario Brewing Awards, GOLD at 2012 Ontario Brewing Awards, People's Choice at 2012 Ontario Brewing Awards & Newcomer of the Year at the 2012 Ontario Brewing Awards.
Recently we were questioned if we would be doing ‘Buck A Beer’ ... pleased that we as craft brewers in Ontario held firmly together in our beliefs that our quality and craftsmanship is worth more and that we wouldn’t devalue our products. We’re very proud of this!!
We’ve seen the craft brewing industry in Ottawa and throughout Ontario sprout, blossom and bloom into what it is today
Which brings us to today…
We set out with one goal - we feel we accomplished that ....and much more than we imagined over 8 years ago.
So now ...maybe it’s a good time for us to take a break, step away for a bit, relax and recharge.
With that, we at HogsBack Brewing Company have decided to stop brewing.
Sure this is a shock, for our families, friends, loyal followers and supporters ... but at this time, the four of us agree that this decision is the right one for us.
Does this mean HogsBack is done? The end?
Not sure - Hopefully not, but who knows what the future holds.
So if you’re at an LCBO or The Beer Store and see a few cans of our award winning Vintage Lager, grab a can or two, savour & enjoy cause what’s on the shelves is all there is ... when it’s gone it’s gone. Maybe hang on to a can as a collectors item.
We encourage you to reach out and support our fellow craft brewers, new or established, especially our friends who helped us along the way ... Clocktower Brew Pub, Ashton Brewing Company, Broadhead Brewing Company Ltd., Cool Beer Brewing Company, Wellington Brewery and BIG RIG Brewery - we appreciate all you did for us!!
Big thanks to our staff & crew who helped at all our events over the years.
We thank YOU for 8 incredible years of your loyalty, praise and support.
We won’t say goodbye, let’s just say .... Cheers
