Welcome to Between Two Fermenters, the podcast where we dive deep into the stories shaping the craft beer industry. In this episode,

We’ll discuss the story of Cowbell, often referred to as Canada’s Destination Brewery. Natasha shares insights into its massive facility in Blyth, Ontario, the Sparling family’s bold vision to create such a brewery, and the company’s commitment to sustainability and beer tourism. 

Beyond Cowbell, Natasha is a leader in Ontario’s craft beverage industry, serving as Chair of the Ontario Craft Ready-to-Drink Coalition and a Board Member of the Ontario Craft Brewers

Cole’s Notes returns with Cole Raiskums, GLB’s Quality Assurance Lab Supervisor. Cole takes us on a colourful tour into the history of colour measurement in beer, and how it is related to the invention of colour printers. 

Thank you for tuning into the #BetweenTwoFermenters podcast. Please take a moment to give us a rating and review on whichever platform you get your podcasts at and be sure to follow GreatLakesBeer on all social channels. greatlakesbeer.com.

Supporting local never tasted soooo good! 

Hosted by Troy Burtch, Between Two Fermenters, a podcast brought to you by Toronto's Great Lakes Brewery, is your go-to deep dive for all things craft beer from an insider perspective.  

"I loved brewing when I first started doing it in my early 20s" - In this episode, we sit down with Michael Lackey—better known as Lackey—a legendary figure at Great Lakes Brewery (GLB) and the brewery’s Brewing Operations Manager. You might recognize him from the very first episode of Between Two Fermenters: The Stories We Could Tell, where he joined Peter Bulut, GLB’s Owner and President, to celebrate 37 years of brewing excellence. 

This time, we’re dive deeper into Lackey’s 34-year journey at GLB, exploring his day-to-day responsibilities, his passion for quality and freshness, and the unique brewing philosophy that helped shape GLB’s transformation from a lager-heavy brewery to an industry leader in craft beer. Along the way, Lackey reflects on the golden age of Ontario craft brewing (2010-2019), the inspiration he drew from breweries like Three Floyds, and the incredible influence of a trip to the Czech Republic. 

We touch on the state of the beer industry today, the value of collaboration beers, and Lackey’s hopes for 2025 - “The Year of the Octo” - as it’s called internally. It's a lively chat filled with fun memories, stories about giant sombreros, blankets, some

Thank you for tuning into the #BetweenTwoFermenters podcast. Please take a moment to give us a rating and review on whichever platform you get your podcasts at and be sure to follow GreatLakesBeer on all social channels. greatlakesbeer.com.

Supporting local never tasted soooo good! Hosted by Troy

In this episode, we sit down with Christine Comeau, the Executive Director of the Canadian Craft Brewers Association (CCBA) - the voice of Canadian craft beer. Representing nearly 1,200 small and independent craft breweries, brewpubs, and supplier partners across the country, the CCBA plays a pivotal role behind the scenes here in the country. 

With experience in marketing, brand strategy, and leadership, Christine has had an impressive career, including roles as the Executive Director of Craft Alcohol NB and Marketing Director at Moosehead Breweries (rumour has it she was Andrew Oland’s boss back then!). 

YEE-HAW! The man in the white lab coat is back and ready to WRANGLE some yeast. GLB’s Quality Assurance Lab Supervisor, Cole Raiskums, returns to take you on one adventurous ride into the world of yeast.   

Thank you for tuning into the #BetweenTwoFermenters podcast. Please take a moment to give us a rating and review on whichever platform you get your podcasts at and be sure to follow GreatLakesBeer on all social channels. greatlakesbeer.com.

Supporting local never tasted soooo good! Hosted by Troy

Welcome to another episode of Between Two Fermenters, a podcast brought to you by Toronto’s Great Lakes Brewery, where we dive deep into the world of craft beer and the passionate people behind it. Today, it’s our pleasure to welcome one of our own, Nick Perry, to the show for the first time! 

Nick is the Production Supervisor at GLB and has been part of the team since 2016. Over the past eight years, Nick, who started with the company on the packaging line, has experienced a lot – from overseeing our packaging department to a switch to brewing, cellaring, experimenting with new styles, learning and growing every step of the way. 

We explore Nick’s journey from his early days of homebrewing to his career in photography and entrepreneurship (pizza) to becoming a key member of the GLB brewing team. From brewing standout 7 Barrel Series beers like Monty Mild and Absacker Helles to managing early mornings as GLB’s 4am brewer, Nick has had a hand in crafting some of your favourite brands. We also chat about his experience training in Germany, the lessons he’s brought back to GLB, and the advice he has for those dreaming of switching careers to follow their passion. 

Thank you for tuning into the #BetweenTwoFermenters podcast. Please take a moment to give us a rating and review on whichever platform you get your podcasts at and be sure to follow GreatLakesBeer on all social channels and at greatlakesbeer.com. Supporting local never tasted soooo good! 

Hosted by Troy Burtch, Between Two Fermenters, a podcast brought to you by Toronto's Great Lakes Brewery, is your go-to deep dive for all things craft beer from an insider perspective.   

"My beers are the portfolio of my life.”  In this episode, we’re thrilled to welcome Luc ‘Bim’ Lafontaine, the mastermind behind Godspeed Brewery, a "neighbourhood brewpub with an international reputation”, located at 242 Coxwell Avenue in Toronto. Bim’s reputation as a world-renowned brewer precedes him, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with industry icons like Garrett Oliver, Yvan De Baets, Jan Van Roy, Sam Calagione, and others who define brewing excellence. 

From his humble beginnings as a teenage homebrewer to his transformative years at Montreal’s famed Dieu Du Ciel, Bim’s journey has taken him across the globe—from perfecting his craft in Japan to building Godspeed into a showcase of Czech brewing in Ontario. Known for his meticulous approach, unwavering commitment for perfection, and innovative yet traditional styles, Bim’s influence resonates throughout the beer industry, inspiring brewers and captivating beer lovers alike.  

Cole Raiskums is back with his Cole’s Notes, educating us all on what’s really GROWING in our beer... Interesting!  Thank you for tuning into the #BetweenTwoFermenters podcast. Please take a moment to give us a rating and review on whichever platform you get your podcasts at and be sure to follow

Hosted by Troy Burtch, Between Two Fermenters, a podcast brought to you by Toronto's Great Lakes Brewery, is your go-to deep dive for all things craft beer from an insider perspective.    

In this episode, we sit down with Michael Hancock himself, a legend in Canadian brewing with four decades of stories, innovations, and inspirations.  

Step back to 1976, when a young Hancock arrived in Canada for what he thought would be a brief engineering role at Molson’s. But a decade later, Michael’s passion for the craft of brewing sparked a new path. After studying at the prestigious Siebel Institute and an inspiring encounter with Bavarian royalty, Michael pivoted from engineering to brewing—a decision that would change Ontario’s beer scene for good. 

In 1989, Denison’s Brewpub at 75 Victoria Avenue in Toronto was born with a focus on German style beers in a predominately English Ale era in Ontario. Denison’s quickly became an institution, a place where Hancock’s beers set the stage for a new generation of brewers. Though Denison’s closed in 2003, his passion didn’t waver. Through collaborations and contract brewing, he kept Denison’s flavors alive until he found his new home at Side Launch Brewing in 2014, bringing new vigor to his iconic brands and earning Side Launch the title of Canadian Brewery of the Year in 2016. We discuss it all and more in this in-depth interview.  
 
Thank you for tuning into the #BetweenTwoFermenters podcast. Please take a moment to give us a rating and review on whichever platform you get your podcasts at and be sure to follow GreatLakesBeer on all social channels. greatlakesbeer.com. Supporting local never tasted soooo good! 

Hosted by Troy Burtch, Between Two Fermenters, a podcast brought to you by Toronto's Great Lakes Brewery, is your go-to deep dive for all things craft beer from an insider perspective.    

In this episode, we dive deep into the 38-year brewing journey of one of the provinces beer pioneers, Mr. Paul Dickey, Ontario’s Iron Brewer. Since starting in 1986, Paul has made an enduring mark on the craft beer scene, from co-founding the Canadian Amateur

From his apprenticeship at Denison’s Brewing in the '80s to brewing iconic beers at Pepperwood Bistro in Burlington, Black Oak Brewing Co., and founding Cheshire Valley Brewing Co., Paul has created, and crafted, some of Ontario’s most beloved beers. Whether

Tune in to hear about his illustrious career, his contributions to the Beer Judge Certification Program, and his latest projects. Paul's passion for brewing is unmatched, and this episode will take you on a journey to Ontario’s vast beer history with one of its legends.  

Thank you for tuning into the #BetweenTwoFermenters podcast. Please take a moment to give us a rating and review on whichever platform you get your podcasts at and be sure to follow GreatLakesBeer on all social channels. greatlakesbeer.com. Supporting local never tasted soooo good! 

Hosted by Troy Burtch, Between Two Fermenters, a podcast brought to you by Toronto's Great Lakes Brewery, is your go-to deep dive for all things craft beer from an insider perspective.    

On October 15, news broke about two Ontario breweries joining forces. That information garnered a lot of attention, and the industry was a buzz with the news, so like a one-off beer, we had to record a special episode to get all the juicy details. Yes, Lake of Bays Brewing Co and Merit Brewing shared the news that they were merging their two breweries, eliciting a lot of congratulatory messages and questions like “what does this mean” - a brewery in Hamilton... and a brewery in Baysville (that’s up north folks)... merging?  Was it a sale? What will happen next?

To learn more about it, Darren Smith (President and CEO, Lake of Bays Brewing) and Tej Sandhu (President and Co-Founder, Merit Brewing) joined Troy on the pod to spill the beans, to walk him through the details and what it all means for Ontario craft beer drinkers.

Thank you for tuning into the #BetweenTwoFermenters podcast. Please take a moment to give us a rating and review on whichever platform you get your podcasts at and be sure to follow GreatLakesBeer on all social channels. greatlakesbeer.com. Supporting local never tasted soooo good! 

Hosted by Troy Burtch, Between Two Fermenters, a podcast brought to you by Toronto'sGreat Lakes Brewery, is your go-to deep dive for all things craft beer from an insider perspective.  

Aaron Protho, the Founder and CEO of Mascot Brewery, joins the show for the first of what will likely be multiple appearances on the pod. He’s as passionate as they come in this industry, from both a brewing and entrepreneurial perspective, and he’s created something very special with his company.  

Through Aaron, Mascot was Canada’s first Black owned and operated brewery when he opened the doors back in 2015, something that he is extremely proud of and uses for good. Through his “Black Owned Collab” series he aspires to empower other black entrepreneurs to build a better world, knocking down barriers to entry for everyday people who just want to drink a delicious beer. He tells Troy all about that and more, like how he got his start in beer, what is important to him, and how he’s the Chill Master.  

The Cole’s Notes segment has Cole talking about the multiple antimicrobials layers of beer which make it safe to drink. It’s an interesting one.  

Thank you for tuning into the #BetweenTwoFermenters podcast. Please take a moment to give us a rating and review on whichever platform you get your podcasts at and be sure to follow GreatLakesBeer on all social channels. greatlakesbeer.com.

Hosted by Troy Burtch, Between Two Fermenters, a podcast brought to you by Toronto'sGreat Lakes Brewery, is your go-to deep dive for all things craft beer from an insider perspective.    

In this episode, Troy sits down with Jen Reinhardt, the Senior Sales Manager with Great Lakes Brewery and one of the driving forces behind the brand, to discuss her journey in the craft beer industry.  

Jen has been with GLB for almost six years, but her journey with us started way back in 2014. After getting her feet wet in the beer industry while still working in publishing, Jen realized how thrilling this world was and moved on to Muskoka Brewery before returning to her true home at GLB in 2019. Since then, she’s reshaped our sales team and brought incredible energy to the brewery, leading teams with kindness.  

But there’s so much more to Jen’s story. From co-founding the Society of Beer Drinking Ladies to her past life as a DJ, Jen has worn many hats, and today we’re diving into it all. 

Thank you for tuning into the #BetweenTwoFermenters podcast. Please take a moment to give us a rating and review on whichever platform you get your podcasts at and be sure to follow GreatLakesBeer on all social channels. greatlakesbeer.com. Supporting local never tasted soooo good! 

Hosted by Troy Burtch, Between Two Fermenters, a podcast brought to you by Toronto's Great Lakes Brewery, is your go-to deep dive for all things craft beer from an insider perspective.