E-Malt.com News article: Canada, ON: Turtle Island Brewing Co. to open this summer

J.P. (Jean Paul) Fournier, 43, will launch Turtle Island Brewing Co. with three beers using his own recipes made under contract at Broadhead Brewing Co., Ottawa Citizen reported on March, 24.

He’s already incorporated the company and is working out exactly which brews he will start with.

Regulatory approval is not expected to be a major obstacle, Fournier says, as Broadhead’s facility has been licensed to brew beer since it opened in November 2011.

Later, Fournier plans his own brew pub as early as summer 2014 at a prime location (to be determined) in the city.

“What I want is the ability to brew interesting beers using ingredients from around the globe,” Fournier says.

“Although the beers are not yet finalized, my plan is to brew an ale with Ontario cherries, and maybe a cream ale with caramel. Another possibility is an interesting take on an old style like dark honey brown, or maybe a wheat beer with accents of mango. We’ll see.”

Contracting the brewing process to a company like Broadhead isn’t too unusual — the model is used by HogsBack Brewing Company in Ottawa, for example, while it works toward establishing its own facility. It allows a newcomer like Turtle Island to brew according to its own specifications while establishing clients and market share before diving neck-deep into its own, potentially costly brewing operation.

Since its launch in November 2011, Broadhead has doubled its floor space and today produces 2,400 litres a week (still a drop compared to major regional/provincial breweries) — almost 10 times more than it started with. Where it began with six beers just two years ago, today Broadhead retains the original stable of six in addition to various seasonal specials for St. Patrick’s Day, among others.

Despite some dozen craft brewers that have appeared locally in the last decade, Josh Larocque, head brewer at Broadhead, is confident there’s still lots of room for newcomers like Turtle Island. “We share a sense of camaraderie with other brewers and we welcome someone like J.P. coming along. And for sure we’re happy to give him advice.”

“We’re as interested in promoting craft brewing in general as we are in creating a successful business. Craft brewing only represents about five per cent of total beer sales, so there’s lots of room for everyone to grow,” Larocque says.

“I guess I’m a little nervous about starting a project of this size — but it’s something I’m passionate about. It’s going to be a lot of hard work, but anything to do with craft brewing isn’t really work to me. It’s enjoyable. It’s all part of learning and discovery,” said Fournier.

“If you brew really great beer that is interesting and different then I think the Ottawa market is ready and willing to support you.”


27 March, 2013