Breaking News - Hart-Robinson Breweries Merge
February 24, 2000 -- Merger opens two markets for two local breweries
Hart Brewing Company LTD of Carleton Place, Ontario has joined forces with Toronto-area microbrewery Robinson Brewing Company in a move that will open new market areas to both brewers’ brands. This merger demonstrates the continuing growth of Hart since its acquisition by Montreal-based Upland Global Corporation.
Hart Brewing founder Lorne Hart will continue as Head Brewer and will also wear the hat of Director of Public Relations. Robinson Brewing founder Mike Robinson will assume the duties of President, with Upland Global founder Bill Urseth holding the titles of Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board.
This merger makes the brands of both breweries available to many more people, offering the highly-regarded Hart products in the Toronto area and bringing the popular Robinson Brewing beers to the Ottawa market for the first time. “Our beers will be available from Ottawa to Windsor and from Toronto to North Bay”, says Robinson. A projected production increase of 30% for the Hart-Robinson Brewing Company bodes well for the newly combined brands. Sales for year 2000 are expected to be in excess of 9,000 hectoliters.
All brands will be continued, but a fresh look is on the way. New package and label designs are in the works, with “pony” six-pack carriers and upgraded graphics all around. “It’s easy to get missed on the shelves at the beer store”, says Lorne Hart. “We need people to like our beers even before they taste them.”
And people do like the beers. Hart’s brews have been taking home medals from prestigious competitions for nearly eight years, most recently the “Best Beer” award at Toronto’s C’est What? brew festival. At the previous year’s C’est Wat, Robinson’s Red Ale was the second place beer. Other popular brands to look for include Hart’s Cream Ale and Valley Gold brands, and Robinson’s Dos Tontos Mexx (Two Fools) - described by Mike Robinson as a “micro-Mexican beer from south of the Mississuaga border”.
Popular seasonal brews will also be continued, such as the Hart Pumpkin Fall Special Reserve in the Autumn of the year and Hart Cranberry Holiday Special Reserve for the Winter months. Robinson’s Black Cherry Ale will also be available on a seasonal basis.
Robinson Brewing Company’s location at 2390 Cawthra Road, Suite 3 in Mississuaga offers brewery fresh beer to go. All Hart and Robinson brands will be on offer there as well as through the Brewers Retail stores.
For more information contact:
Hart Brewing Company
Mike Robinson
175 Industrial Avenue
Carleton Place ONT CAN K7C 3V7
Phone:613-253-4278
Fax: 613-253-3705
Email: hartco@magi.com
Search The Real Beer Library For More Articles Related To:
Hart Brewing, Robinson Brewing, Ottawa, Canada
Browse the Archive of Breaking News.
