USA & Canada: Chicago’s Goose Island craft beer brands to be available in Ontario

Goose Island Brewery, acquired a couple of years ago by AB InBev, is making its first foray into Ontario with a little help from Labatt, National Post reported on April, 15.

Thanks to a tie-up between Goose Island and Anheuser-Busch InBev’s Labatt Breweries division Ontarians will get their first taste of the label’s Vintage Ales collection this spring in the form of Sofie and Matilda, two Belgian-style ales that will be available at select LCBO locations beginning in early May, on a “permanent” basis.

Having seen the explosion of small-batch craft brewers in recent years in the province, as well as its global competitors Molson-Coors gobble up craft brewers such as Creemore Springs and Granville Island, Labatt is looking to carve out its own niche by piggybacking on the established reputation of the Goose Island brand in the craft beer world.

In addition to the two Belgian-style ales, Labatt will also be offering a limited quantity of Pepe Nero, a farmhouse ale brewed with black peppercorns, and Pere Jaques, both styled after Belgian Dubbels. They come in the 765 ml format.

17 April, 2013