BAIE VERTE, N.L. — Craft beer has taken root on the island of Newfoundland and six entrepreneurs on the Baie Verte Peninsula are hoping to tap the market.
Little North Brewhouse, operated by the Saltbox Brewhouse Inc., is looking to open up shop in later this year.
President and CEO Ryan White said a waterfront property has been purchased – a 1956 saltbox house – a business plan has been developed and municipal approval received to operate in Baie Verte.
At the time of interview, April 30, the company was still waiting for the provincial government to sign off on an environmental assessment.
From there, White said, funding agencies will be approached to move things forward.
The brewery will be using its beer menu to promote the peninsula, which White hopes will foster exploration.
They have locked down brew selections that will be themed after culture practices and traditions, telling local stories through beer.
For instance, an Irish red ale, is looking to be named after a grandfather’s garden, where red potatoes have been grown since 1949.
A dunkel, dark German lager, is looking to be named after bonfire night in Coachman’s cove.
“We look at our beer menu and like to think it’s telling the stories, selling the entire peninsula,” he said.
“We’re hoping it will be good for the region as a whole.”
“We look at our beer menu and like to think it’s telling the stories, selling the entire peninsula." — Ryan White
While the proponent has years of brewing experience, White said they have been consulting with another microbrewery about preparing product on commercial systems.
The expertise of another has been extremely helpful, White said, adding it speaks to the nature of the province’s craft brewing culture.
“Every brewery we’ve talked to throughout this process, they’ve all been super supportive and willing to help us out any way they can,” he said. “From researching brewing systems, helping with the purchase and procurement of raw material, to providing the opportunity to interim one of our partners.”
White feels adding another microbrewery isn’t going to flood the market and geography plays a big part in that. To the west, the next closest tap room, for beer, is 213 kms away in Corner Brook. To the east, it’s 325 kms in Twillingate.
“The demand in the province is still there, and I think it really depends on the region,” he said. “If we were going to look at putting another enterprise in Corner Brook, there could be an argument for flooding the market. But there’s a vast open space in central.”
The Town of Baie Verte is looking forward to the addition.
Chief administrative officer Charlene Caines-Luffman said the town always supports the development of new business in the community.
“It’s a commercial opportunity and we are always welcoming of any type of venture that’s going to add something, particularly tourism dollars,” she said. “And there will be work opportunities, in terms of reconstruction and long-term, as well, in respect to the industry itself … we’re very excited about it.”
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