Hilary Hoogsteen’s path in craft beer has taken her from British Columbia to Northern Ontario and now onto the national stage. After time spent at Fernie Brewing (BC) and Sleeping Giant Brewing (Thunder Bay, ON), she has taken on the roles as Competition Director for the Canada Beer Cup alongside the contributions she has made through her work with both the Canadian Craft Brewers Association and Ontario Craft Brewers. 

In this episode, Hilary sits down with host Troy Burtch to talk about the evolution of her career, the challenges and opportunities facing Canadian breweries, and what it takes to organize one of the country’s most ambitious beer competitions. She also provides an overview of the growing craft beer culture in Thunder Bay and reflects on the community that continues to inspire her work. They also discuss:  

• The work that the CCBA and OCB are doing for independent breweries 
• Elevating Canadian brewing on a global stage through the Canada Beer Cup  
• Offers a behind the scenes tour of Thunder Bay’s beer scene 
• Life, family, and finding balance in a passion-driven industry 

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 where craft beer and conversation collide - straight from the tanks to your ears. 

In this episode of Between Two Fermenters, host Troy Burtch sits down with Great Lakes Brewery’s Experiences Manager, Nick Densmore, to talk about the second annual Brewed For You Festival, taking place Saturday August 30th at GLB in glorious Etobicoke. The fellas also discuss the upcoming 25th anniversary of opening the GLB retail store and what they will be doing to celebrate it.

Troy and Nick chat about: 

• What makes this brewery-run beer festival truly equitable and community-driven 
• Two epic music sessions: 80s cover band Born in the 80s and 90s legends Discmen 
• Festival food lineup featuring smash burgers, momos, BBQ, and more 
• A sneak peek at the exclusive Brewed For You festival beer 
• How to get there (hint: free shuttles from TTC & GO) 
• Why $30 gets you way more than just entry 
• Brewed for you Festival - sponsored by Zenan Glassware

Whether you attended last year or are a curious newcomer for BFY Fest, this episode will get you hyped for one of Ontario’s most anticipated craft beer events. Grab your tickets, rally your buds, and get ready to “drink beer from here”! 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 where craft beer and conversation collide - straight from the tanks to your ears. 

In this episode of Between Two Fermenters, host Troy Burtch is joined by the dynamic Catherine Oppedisano, VP of Marketing at Steam Whistle Brewing. From a memorable one-night shift with Great Lakes Brewery in 2012 to spearheading major brand revivals across Ontario’s craft beer landscape, Catherine shares her inspiring journey through the industry. 

Catherine reflects on her early beer days, her pivotal introductory role in beer at Flying Monkeys, educational years at Mill Street, the huge growth experienced at Collective Arts, and now the fun she’s having at Steam Whistle. She dives into lessons learned while navigating takeovers, driving innovation, creating memorable campaigns, and leading one of the country's most recognizable beer brands back to its roots. 

Get ready for a fun, fast-paced conversation full of branding gold, beer nostalgia, and candid insights from one of Ontario’s most respected marketing minds. 

Some highlights in this episode: 

• Getting her start at Great Lakes and learning to “figure it out” on the go 
• The influence of creative mentors and DIY design roots 
• Reinventing Steam Whistle’s brand while respecting its legacy 
• Why brand consistency is more powerful than perfection 
• Navigating the intersection of marketing, creativity, and strategy 

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 where craft beer and conversation collide - straight from the tanks to your ears. 

In this 40th episode of Between Two Fermenters, host Troy Burtch sits down with longtime friend, former Great Lakes Brewery legend, and mixed-fermentation evangelist Rob ‘Bobo’ Hern, founder of Short Finger Brewing Co. in Kitchener-Waterloo. From sorting empties at the Beer Store to forging his own DIY path in Ontario's craft beer scene in homebrewing, Rob’s journey is packed with perseverance, weirdness, and a whole lot of passion and hard work. 

Troy and Rob reminisce about their GLB days, including the time a ping pong table took over the office, rooftop beers, the early years and the wild west attitude, and off-roading in questionable company vehicles. Rob reflects on how a love for homebrewing, a rogue furniture relocation incident, and support from his brilliant wife helped shape the vision for Short Finger, a brewery now known for its bold barrel-aged and mixed-fermentation offerings. Some highlights: 

• The origins of the nickname "Bobo" 
• Starting Short Finger from a homebrew shop in his basement 
• Influences from Mike Lackey and the GLB crew 
• Kitchener-Waterloo as the perfect place for Short Finger 
• The legacy of homebrew competitions, pumpkin ale, and forgotten couches 

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 where craft beer and conversation collide - straight from the tanks to your ears. 

Host Troy Burtch of Great Lakes Brewery is joined by Sam Corbeil, the mustachioed brewmaster and co-founder of Sawdust City Brewing Co. in Gravenhurst, Ontario. Known for his big ideas and even bigger beers, Sam opens up about his journey from the world of advertising to becoming one of Ontario’s most recognized people in craft brewing.  

The conversation traces his early days at Magnotta, Robert Simpson (now Flying Monkeys), and Mill Street, his brewing education in Berlin, and the birth of Sawdust City. Along the way, Sam reflects on the changing landscape of Ontario’s beer scene, the value of community and giving back to others (paying it forward), and what it takes to remain an independent brewery in an evolving industry. Troy and Sam discuss how they first met and how they worked together back in the day, dig into the recent “merger” between Sawdust City and Lake of Bays Brewing, and much more.  

This is a rich, honest, and passionate conversation that blends storytelling, friendship, and a deep love for craft. 

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 where craft beer and conversation collide - straight from the tanks to your ears. 

On this episode of Between Two Fermenters, we're welcoming back a familiar voice in Scott Simmons, President of theOntario Craft Brewers Association (OCB). If there’s anyone who knows how to navigate the ever-changing intersection of beer and policy, it’s Scott. He joins Troy to unpack what many are calling a game-changing and historic moment for Ontario’s craft beer industry: the recent 2025 provincial budget. 

Troy and Scott discuss what was announced, why it matters, and what it means for both brewers and beer drinkers alike. From tax relief and retail reforms to red tape reduction and long-overdue modernization efforts, Scott breaks down the wins, the work still ahead, and the exciting direction things are headed in. They also get into the role of the OCB moving forward, how breweries can stay engaged, and why this moment is bigger than just numbers on a spreadsheet. 

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 where craft beer and conversation collide - straight from the tanks to your ears. 

On this episode of Between Two Fermenters, Troy Burtch is joined by someone who’s had a profound impact on his life - a mentor, pioneer, and dear friend: Ron Keefe, founder of Toronto’s family-owned Granite Brewery. If you heard Episode 15 with his daughter Mary-Beth, you’ll know how much the Keefe family means to Troy. Ron welcomed him into the world of Ontario craft beer back in 2007, answering every question with patience and generosity, and later entrusted me with his Beer Appreciation course at George Brown College. His quiet leadership, deep knowledge, and genuine kindness have shaped not just Troy’s beer journey, but the paths of countless others in the industry. 

In this wide-ranging and heartfelt conversation, we explore Ron’s life before the Granite, the origins of the brewery in Halifax (opened by his late brother, Kevin Keefe), and how it became a midtown Toronto institution. We talked about the joys and challenges of running a family business, what it means to build a legacy, and Ron’s role in pushing for licensing reforms that opened doors for so many Ontario brewers. We also discussed his battle with ALS and the powerful story behind Ron’s Lager. Ron may be modest, but his influence is undeniable - this is a conversation with one of Ontario’s true craft beer trailblazers. 

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.    

Kangaroo Wants to Fight... Troy is joined by Craig Thorn and Nathan Lefebvre from Beer and Other Shit - or BAOS, as most know it as - a multimedia craft beer platform that’s been serving up content since 2015. Alongside co-host Tiffany Alexis Davey (Thorn's better half), the BAOS crew produces one of the longest-running beer podcasts around, featuring in-depth conversations with brewers, owners, and industry insiders. Their episodes dive into everything from brewing techniques and marketing strategies to the personal stories that shape the people behind the pours and pints.  

Beyond the podcast, BAOS keeps busy with beer reviews, brewery visits, and candid one-on-ones through their YouTube web series and blog - including pieces like “Top 10 Breweries in Ontario for 2024” (EVEN THOUGH THEY DIDN’T CHOOSE GLB). Craig and Tiffany also founded Link UP, a not-for-profit aimed at increasing BIPOC representation in craft beer through collaboration, education, and access. With 2025 marking their 10th anniversary, they’re throwing a celebratory beer festival in partnership with breweries across Ontario and Quebec, and we got in on the fun by brewing Kangaroo Wants to Fight IPA together. In this episode, we’ll cover the BAOS origin story, the impact of Link UP, what’s in store for the big anniversary, and why Thorn can’t stop screaming in photos.  

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.    

On this episode of Between Two Fermenters, host Troy Burtch welcomes Troy Baxter, Co-Founder and Brewer at Badlands Brewery from Caledon, Ontario, a small-but-mighty ‘farm’ brewery turning heads (and hops) across the province. From a 1-barrel system in a retrofitted calf barn (2017) to a 15-barrel “IPA factory,” Badlands has built a loyal following for their hazy, hop-forward beers, all brewed on a 100-acre working farm with Holsteins grazing just a few steps away. No LCBO sales. No Beer Store presence (anymore). Just straight-from-the-brewery freshness done their way.  

In this episode, we dig into Troy’s unconventional journey from an inexperienced homebrewer to head brewer with zero formal training and zero investors alongside his wife Grace and longtime friend Mike. Burtch gets Troy to tell the story of the legendary beer bus (taproom), why the cows are basically on payroll, and what it means to keep things small, and rooted in community. The fellas crack some beers, discuss Badlands’ history, the underrated power of brewery blogs, and hear firsthand what it’s like to turn a family farm into one of Ontario’s most buzzed-about breweries. 

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 of Between Two Fermenters, Troy cracks a cold one with Kristin MacDonald, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Muskoka Brewery, to hear her incredible journey from Summer Brand Rep in 2010 to executive leadership. They dive into the history of Muskoka Brewery, from its humble beginnings in a Bracebridge granary in 1996 to becoming a cornerstone of Ontario craft beer and a community landmark in the heart of cottage country, and how Kristin’s father, Bob MacDonald, helped steer its growth after becoming majority owner in 2008. 

Kristin shares what it’s been like to grow alongside the brewery, taking on nearly every role imaginable (9 positions), getting to know the business inside and out. They also chat about Kristin contributing to the purchase of Vancouver Island Brewery and Rally Beer Co. through the family-run Krismark Holdings and the impact that had on the brewery and why these acquisitions were made.

Troy and Kristin cover everything from Muskoka’s most iconic beers and the rise of Muskoka Spirits to tough decisions like the closure of VIB, the impact teamwork has had on the success of the brewery, and what the next chapter looks like for this proudly independent family-owned business. 

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.