E-Malt.com News article: Canada: Brick Brewing wins Ontario Outstanding Business Achievement Award

Brick Brewing Co. Limited President & CEO Doug Berchtold announced on September 20 that Brick has been selected to receive a 2006 Award of Distinction. The Ontario Chamber of Commerce and the Premier of Ontario will present this prestigious award to Brick Brewery in a ceremony before approximately 1,000 key business and political leaders at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, on November 14, 2006.

We are extremely proud to receive this prestigious award from the Ontario Chamber of Commerce. For us, this award validates the significant progress Brick has made in developing a winning strategy in the highly competitive Ontario beer market. It is also a testament to the progress that all Ontario owned small brewers have made in continuing to innovate and survive in a provincial market increasingly dominated by powerful global brewers.

Brick Brewery helped to found the Ontario Craft Brewers Association. Today, the 30+ small brewers of Ontario employ more that 450 people and account for over 20% of all direct brewery employment in the province.

"In the past 24 months, Brick has hired over 40 new employees, opened a state of the art, 100,000 square foot distribution packaging and warehousing centre as well as increased its sales volume by over 500%. These achievements are a source of pride for all of us," said Berchtold.

"Bricks' corporate values of innovation and entrepreneurial spirit have been critical to our success", said Jim Brickman, Executive Chairman and Founder of Brick. "It's nice to see that we are finally being acknowledged for all of our hard work.

"Ontario's success is dependant on having a strong, vibrant business community," said Len Crispino, President and CEO of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce. "Brick Brewing is a shining example of the best this province has to offer."

The OCC represents over 57,000 businesses through 160 local Chambers of Commerce and Boards of Trade, and has been Ontario's business advocate since 1911. Its advocacy and policy initiatives focus on six areas key to the economic well-being of the province: health; education; energy; finance & taxation; transportation & infrastructure; and border issues.

Brick Brewing Co. Limited is a regional brewer of award winning premium quality beers. The Company, founded by Jim Brickman in 1984, was the first craft brewery to start up in Ontario, and is credited with pioneering the present day craft brewing renaissance in Canada. Brick has complemented its premium craft beers with other popular brands such as Laker, Red Cap and Formosa Springs Draft. Brick trades on the TSX under the symbol BRB. Visit us at www.brickbeer.com.


20 September, 2006