Hey,
Thanks to everyone who attended Burlywine Day. Our annual open house was a blast and we think it was made even better due to the new digs. As you can all see, windows in the brewery are a good thing, as well as a sweet Foosball table. Not to mention the increased space for everything which leads to a better working environment for all.

Nicole and I, along with the brewery staff - Matt, Kevin, Jeremy, Jarrod, Anthony, Will, Zach, Chris, Evan and Tom - think that you've all been pretty cool to us and we thank you for your continued support. Moving an existing business hasn't been easy, but as we work out the kinks in the new place, we think we can make you all proud that we're your local brewery.

For those of you who were worried we'd get too big for our britches, you can see we're still keeping the small brewery, BIG FLAVOUR mentality. It's what makes Half Pints the fun little craft brewery we always have been.

I'll post up pics in the next few days, and if you've got any you want to share, feel free to e-mail them to us at the brewery.

Cheers!
Brewmaster Dave

PS There's a digital camera that's been found in the upstairs tasting room. If you've mysteriously lost one, just call up and identify it. Thanks!

PPS Click here to check out the Free Press' Wine Writer Ben MacPhee-Sigurdson's review of the 2006 Burlywine as he drinks fireside a-la Stephen Colbert.

Labels: Burly Wine, Moving, Roseberry, The Story

Our sign from Keewatin followed us over to the new brewery, so at least our fans will know us by sight.






You can see all the natural light in the warehouse and what a difference it makes to everyone working in the brewery.

In the coming days, the brewery staff will polish and scrub the place from the top down and we'll get brewing so we can start selling draught beer again - we've still got lots of bottles, but it seems everyone misses the draught. Go figure!

So, now that the brewery is built, that means plans must start for Burlywine Day. We've set a date of Saturday, December 13th. No so coincidentally, this will be the day we resume our regularly scheduled Saturday tours.

Some things to make note of for Burlywine Day this year:

• Burlywine was recognized this past year as one of the best beers brewed in Canada by the folks at Ratebeer.com.
• We always age some Burlywine in kegs and let the first people in line get a crack at it. Last year, we saved 2 kegs, but it's still not enough for everyone. As always, be here early or be square.
• We've got TONS of parking at the new brewery, so it'll be easy for you all to come down and check us out. Dress warm, the lineup starts early.
• Phil (of Phil's Pils fame) has convinced us that having a few of the 660 ml. bottles for sale from the brewery only is a good thing. He did not volunteer to fill them by hand, but he's the idea guy, not the logistics guy. There will be a total of 50 cases available in this format.
• The rest of the Burlywine is being packaged in a snazzy 4 pack for all to enjoy. Whatever is left over at the end of the day will be sent out to our accounts, but we make no guarantee that they'll get any if the locals are thirsty.

In other news:

The constantly growing list of accounts that carry Half Pints is about to get larger. With our increased ability to supply the previously overwhelming demand, we've decided to start shipping beer out to Selkirk, Portage, and Brandon Liquor Marts. If you're a fan of Half Pints in these locales, we thank you for your patience. We know two years was a long wait, but we also know our beer is worth it. We look forward to spreading the frothy love.

As always, we listen to our fans and if any of you know another place you'd love to see our beer, please just call or drop an e-mail (info@halfpintsbrewing.com). Remember, if you don't ask for it, you'll never get it.

Labels: Moving, Roseberry

For those of you who haven't seen the Winnipeg Free Press this morning... here's the link.

The straight goods are that we've outgrown our facility on Keewatin Street and will be moving in the next few weeks to larger, more accomodating digs on Roseberry Street near the airport.

We've seen and done a lot of things in the past two years, but this is by far one of the most daunting tasks to date. Now that things are moving and we're starting to have the build out completed, it's all coming together.

The new location on Roseberry (soon to be renamed Rosebeery - I've made that typo several times in the last while) is not only larger for warehouse space, but for office space, parking, and easier access for all our customers and deliveries, etc. etc. etc. Hopefully, you're as excited as we are - we've even got windows in the warehouse so the beer (and the staff) doesn't get a vitamin D deficiency. Ha ha. Natural light rocks.

Labels: Moving, News, Roseberry