Canada, ON: Orillia Brewing getting ready for summer opening

The Orillia Packet & Times reports that downtown Orillia will soon be home to the city’s first craft brewery.

Orillia Brewing is being founded by eight local partners – Bob Chorny, Jack Steenhof, Dennis Lee, Matt Miller, Rob Meeder, Bob Robinson, Scott Weiler, and John Olieux – who have been homebrewing together for the last three years.

The group has taken possession of a property at 162 Mississaga St. E. that previously housed a printing shop and clothing store (pictured above), and has received approval from city council for their official plan and a zoning bylaw amendment. Along with a brewhouse that is expected to arrive in May, the facility will also feature a restaurant and retail store.

Head brewer Alex McGarvey has been hired to oversee the creation and brewing of beers that will be marketed under the Koochaching Brewing name. Weiler said the brewery’s “flagship beer will be something that’s not too crazy, maybe like a kolsch, or a blond ale. We’ll have an (India pale ale) and a stout. We’ll probably have about four brands that are on all the time and maybe eight in total, sort of seasonal varieties.”

Orillia Brewing is expected to open this summer.

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