He explains: “From speaking with our partners, it was clear this was something that interested them. To take it another step, we told our partners about the opportunities to collaborate with the other brewers in our network as well. The idea of a number of craft brewing characters all under one roof? The excitement snowballed.

“This is when we knew that we could play within the restrictions of Ontario while offering innovation too. It is a all under one roof experience and it gets them a better access to market. For our European partners, it also allows us to brew their product for the US market if needed.

“As an partner of us? It’s an interesting process. For us personally, we will look at their branding, sit down and see if we are on the same page with everything. We require a strong relationship. We sit with the LCBO, and work out the best way to move forward with a brand. It’s about fitting and filling the gaps where the LCBO want to fill, so like seasonal beers.

“They would sample it after we fill in the forms, they give the feedback, pack size, then look at when in the calendar, then we look at compliance, with lab testing, design so the whole process takes 8 months to a year. As an import brewer you cannot sell in Ontario without an agent, so our job is to take brands to the LCBO and we do that work.”

Laba and Goddard plan to offer a proposition that is as strong a collaboration process as possible, and from speaking with partners, this has been the way people want it to go, says the company.

“Quality is paramount for everyone, the recipes are. This involved the yeast, yeast propagations the barley, the hops.

And for others, it’s about access to market, and doing things in a timely manner. brewing draught on market and getting to retail quickly is exciting, as well is the ability to minimise environmental impact, too. It’s less of a logistical challenge,” says Laba.