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VARIETY PACK – Ontario Craft Brewers Cheer gearing up for the Olympics

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OCB Brewers Send Beer to Licensed Venues at Vancouver Games

TORONTO, ON  – NEW OCB DISCOVERY PACK ARRIVES ON LCBO SHELVES THIS WEEK –– Ontario Craft Brewers recently completed a feat of Olympian proportions with the quick turnaround release of their latest OCB Discovery Pack. With only a few weeks’ notice, six Ontario Brewers reacted with lightening speed and agility to produce the latest mix six pack. The new Discovery Pack (LCBO #168351) will be exclusively available at select LCBO stores throughout Ontario from February 1, 2010 (until supplies last). The price is $11.95.

This edition’s competitors/compatriots include:

• Black Oak Brewing Co. Ltd. – Nut Brown Ale (5% alc./vol.; 341 mL)
• Cameron’s Brewing Co.. – Cream Ale (5% alc./vol.; 341 mL)
• Flying Monkey’s Craft Brewery – Hoptical Illusion (5% alc./vol..; 341 mL)
• Mill Street Brewery – Coffee Porter(5.5% alc./vol.; 341 mL)
• Old Credit Brewing Co. – Amber Ale (5% alc./vol.; 341 mL)
• Wellington Brewery – Special Pale Ale (4.5% alc./vol.; 341 mL)

SMALL BREWERS OPERATE WITH SPEED AND TEAMWORK

The idea for the “Go Canada” Discovery Pack arose out of a meeting with the LCBO in late 2009, and within a few short hours, six Ontario Craft Brewers had burst out of the starting gate to contribute to one of the beer industry’s most unique team-building efforts in history.

“The LCBO is proud to team up with the Ontario Craft Brewers and present this new all-star Discovery Pack,” says Leanne Rhee, LCBO Category Manager, Beer & Cider. “This is an ideal way for our customers to discover the many beer styles produced by Ontario’s talented craft brewers and celebrate their gold medal quality.”

Volume sales of OCB beers were up by almost 45 per cent at LCBO stores from April to December 2009 versus the same period in 2008.

OCB’s popular Discovery Packs demonstrate the industry’s ingenuity, flexibility and their ability to work as a team to create fantastic products.

“It is a real rush to be part of something like this,” says Aldo Lista of Old Credit Brewery. “I am honoured to share a podium with my industry colleagues and be associated with such elite products. Working with such a responsive, dedicated and mutually-supportive team is simply an incredible experience.”

ONTARIO CRAFT BREWERS GO TO VANCOUVER FOR THE GAMES

Ontario Craft Beer will also be on-site at licensed venues during the Vancouver 2010 Olympics with three OCB members providing products..

Beau’s All Natural Brewing Company is sending out their refreshing, Lug Tread Lagered Ale to quench the thirst of visitors to the Ontario Pavilion. “We’re really excited that our beer, brewed in the tiny town of Vankleek Hill, is going to be on a world stage as part of the Ontario Pavilion,” says Steve Beauchesne of Beau’s. “It’s never been a goal of ours to sell beer around the world, but we love the thought of bringing the world to Ontario by making world-class beer – and the Olympics is an excellent way to achieve that goal.”

Great Lakes Brewery of Etobicoke is sending their latest adventurous creation, Canuck Pale Ale (5.2 % alc./vol.). The copper-colored limited release is craft brewed with a generous amount of Cascade hops at the end of the boil, then dry hopped for more aroma and a lingering bitterness. It boasts a soft, bready malt flavour with big hoppy aroma. Brewed for those who enjoy an adventurous and intense taste! Available in a 650ml silk-screened bottle, the beer will also be sold at LCBO in early February for $4.95.

Mill Street Brewery’s Steve Abrams will be on-site to pour samples from the Canadian Brewery of the Year’s Original Organic Lager and Tankhouse Ale on opening day. Mill Street will also liven up the Ontario Pavilion with the daily Music on Mill Street, featuring talented Toronto-based Tyler Yarema on piano. Both Tankhouse Ale and Organic Lager will be poured exclusively at the Pavilion bar for the first hour of Music on Mill Street every day during the games.

About the Ontario Craft Brewers

The Ontario Craft Brewers is an association ofmore than25 small brewers dedicated to making great tasting, high quality beer in Ontario. The 25 members of the Ontario Craft Brewers brew their beers locally using fresh, all natural ingredients in communities throughout Ontario – from the Ottawa Valley to Waterloo and Niagara to Muskoka. Handcrafting over 150 premium beers, Ontario Craft Brewers employ about 600 people in Ontario, accounting for over 20 per cent of the overall brewing employment in the province. Ontario’s Craft Brewers’ share has more than doubled since 2002, going from slightly less than two per cent to approximately five per cent of the beer volume sold in Ontario and continues to be the fastest growing segment within the LCBO’s beer category.

For more information, visit online at www.ontariocraftbrewers.com