After asking a number of brewers and industry folk about their predictions for 2012, it seemed only fair that I make some predictions myself. For the most part I’ve tried to stick to tangible predictions that can be empirically evaluated at the end of the year and not vague statements like, “Amsterdam will be the new Great Lakes.” (Though I think this will be true, there is no way to accurately judge this. Unless Iain McOustra grows a chin beard, a la Mike Lackey.) For the most part, I’m also making these predictions without any prior knowledge of plans that breweries have for 2012. (Rumours I’ve heard: a Great Lakes feature in the LCBO and that Nickel Brook is trying to get their Headstock IPA available in cans. The Charlevoix Lupulus will be a seasonal release. Amsterdam moving to bigger digs.)
- Two Canadian breweries will be bought by larger companies. One of those breweries will be in Ontario
- One Ontario brewery will shut its doors
- Three American-style IPAs will be added to the LCBO general list this year
- Two new imperial stouts from Ontario will see time on the LCBO shelves. (Hopefully one is the Amsterdam Tempest.)
- Two Ontario breweries will bring out home delivery systems similar to the BYBO delivery that Beau’s now runs
- Five new breweries will be announced in Ontario. (Indie Ale House, Hogtown, Bellwoods and other already planned breweries do not count.) They do not have to start making beer.
- Black Oak will put at least one seasonal beer into the LCBO
- There will be two beers from Ontario breweries in the LCBO that are barrel or oak aged
- Two beers or breweries will be started by the macro breweries that attempt to masquerade as craft beer
- Utopias will appear on actual LCBO shelves
- I will move away from the Bellwoods brewery just as they are about to open their doors
That’s my list – mostly optimistic, often over-shooting expectations. I recently had a conversation about whether or not session beers will be making a comeback in Ontario, which I think is a couple of years away. We’re just starting to leave the age of the session beer and the British dominance over the craft beer market. Things are going to get a lot bigger, in terms of taste and ABV, before people start yearning for milds and bitters.
I love your dedication to the beer scene. Just wondering what you would like to see in 2012 from Canada’s breweries?
That’s a tough question to answer, mainly because there isn’t much opportunity to try beers from other provinces. For Ontario, I’d like to see more breweries bottle their interesting beers and try to make them available through the LCBO. It would be great if it was easier for breweries to get into different provinces. Other than increased distribution, just to keep pushing boundaries and making great beer. Get active in telling people about craft beer and what makes their beer different.
Good call on some of those, Mike. I can tell you a number of them will come true already.
I agree with Troy’s sentiment I know a few of those predictions are definitely in the works and will come true this year. I don’t know that Ian can pull off the Lackey facial hair though.