Our Year Brewing Beer

Heya Everyone!

Its been quite the year in brewing for us and we are looking forward to another great one in '011.
Are we still saying 'oh' before the year? I mean, the whole century is going to have a zero between the two and the last two digits. I just think that saying 'oh' before the year makes everything sound a little more precious.
"Oh Ten, you were so good to us"
See what I mean? But I'm getting off topic.

This year we had another Canadian Brewing Award bestowed upon our fine beverages. We won the bronze in the 'Brown Ale' category for the Stoney Dark. Not bad for a little brewery from Guelph to get recognition on a national stage.

For the third year in a row, we rolled out our StoneHammer Oatmeal Coffee Stout to 'mmmm's and 'aaah's from everyone who had the opportunity to taste it. Some people are saying that its the best Coffee Stout yet. For that we can thank our brewers and our partners at Planet Bean. The extra tasty goodness is the local love.

Speaking of our brewers, we have to give a big thanks to George, Andrew and Charles for producing, what we like to think, some kickass beers. Also lots of love for Don and Dylan, too. These fine gentlemen don't often get the credit they deserve but they every time a Stoney or MacLean's gets poured one of our brewers get their wings.

But we have seen some of our 'Beer Delivery Guys' move on this year. A lot of you worked with Mr. Matthew Arnold and his shoes were incredibly difficult to fill as he embarked on his teaching career, shaping young minds. Mr. Spencer Shewen ventured into shaping young yards as a budding entrepreneur in the landscaping industry while also giving the gift of music with his Fortnight Music promotions. Mr. Bill MacTavish continues to educate and enlighten people in the beer industry. His passion for every last hop and malt is missed. His successes at Flying Monkey, as they were with StoneHammer, are a credit to people passionate about Ontario Craft Beer.

Its not all tears and farewells, though. We have gained some new 'Beer Delivery Guys' this year. Mark LaFontaine is our Toronto BDG and Brandon Rank is our West Ontario BDG. Both guys started at the beginning of our busy holiday season and they have risen to all of the challenges that 'Beer Delivery Guy' has to offer. The challenges are overshadowed by all of the research that they have had to drink. Oh, and some guy named Scott is the new Guelph guy. He writes all the facebook and twitter gibberish. Does he blog, too? Yup. And he drinks the beer like it is his job. He delivers some of it too.

Our plans for Oh-Eleven are to continue brewing the finest Ontario Craft Beers, supporting our licensees and getting our beer into into pint glasses all over Ontario. An upgraded website, a higher profile in our social media and a general plan for expansion in order to rule the province, not with an iron fist but with a Stone Hammer.

As always, a big thank you from Frank and Karen for your continued support.

Have a great New Year!
Stoney!