Steam Whistle Brewing and Phillips Brewing & Malting Co. Collaborate to Bring their Craft Beers to More Canadians
Ontario-based Steam Whistle Brewing and BC’s Phillips Brewing & Malting Co. today announced a collaboration which sees these two Canadian craft brewing leaders team up to help grow one another’s portfolio of products in their respective markets. The arrangement embodies the collaborative spirit that has long-defined craft beer, as each partner will use their local expertise and decades-old relationships to help the other build their business. There is no change in ownership to either partner, and they will each remain completely independent. This collaboration is a natural fit, as both brewers share the same values and have a history of quality, innovation, sustainability, and community.
“For 20 years we’ve shared friendly dialogue and mutual respect with Phillips,” says Greg Taylor, Co-founder and CEO of Steam Whistle Brewing. “We recognize Phillips’ integrity and leadership in western Canada’s craft beer scene and are proud to work collaboratively with them to build success for both our socially-responsible, Canadian companies beyond our respective regional borders.”
Craft Beer Brethren with Shared Values
“Phillips and Steam Whistle have parallel stories and a shared ethos, making us ideal partners,” endorses Matt Phillips, Founder of Phillips Brewing & Malting Co. “We are both quality-first brewers, dedicated to exceptionally high standards, with aligned goals of sustainable production and strong community connections.”
The similarities between these two partners run deep. Launching within months of each other two decades ago, both Steam Whistle and Phillips have well-earned reputations as quality brewers. Both have invested in state-of-the art brewhouses, quality assurance labs, and premium ingredients which helped each earn multiple awards as well as popularity among craft beer drinkers.
While the two brewers take their beer seriously, each has a reputation for fun-loving staff and events. Steam Whistle’s home in the historic Canadian Pacific Railway Roundhouse at the foot of Toronto’s CN Tower welcomes thousands of visitors each year. Offering entertainment and education, visitors can take in hourly tours, onsite art shows, beer festivals and music concerts, charitable and private events or dine at the Biergärten Restaurant. Meanwhile in Victoria, Phillips’ Tasting Room is a popular local haunt year-round, and their 3,000-person venue, The Phillips Backyard, comes alive in the summer for legendary concerts. Phillips’ and Steam Whistle’s shared support of arts-based, charitable and community organizations has touched many great Canadian causes.
Both Phillips and Steam Whistle have helped to establish environmental benchmarks for the craft industry. Their common leadership in water & energy conservation, sustainable packaging, use of hybrid or electric vehicles, and company cultures centred in sustainability has meant they share many of the same environmental awards and recognition.
Strategic Partnership Initiatives
This partnership will come to life initially in 3 provinces which represent 62% of total Canadian beer consumption. In Steam Whistle’s home market of Ontario (36% national market share), the Good Beer Folks will represent Phillips’ top-selling Electric Unicorn White IPA, Tiger Shark Citra Pale Ale, Blue Buck Ale, and Glitterbomb Hazy Pale Ale. In BC (14% share) and Alberta (12% share), Phillips will represent Steam Whistle’s 6-beer portfolio: Steam Whistle Pilsner, Pale Ale, Session Light Lager and Lemon Shandy, as well as Fat Tire Amber Ale and Voodoo Ranger IPA brewed in Canada on behalf of American craft beer partner, New Belgium Brewing. Alongside the other brewer’s sales force, each company will have boots on the ground in each market to support brand related initiatives. Once the initial products and markets are established, the duo will focus efforts on other provinces and potentially a broader portfolio of products.
Taylor offers, “Canadians have enjoyed exploring and expanding their appreciation of craft beer over the years and deserve to have a broad selection of locally-made, premium beers. This partnership between Phillips Brewing & Malting Co. and Steam Whistle Brewing will help to bring our independently brewed products to more beer lovers in this country.”
About Steam Whistle Brewing:
Steam Whistle, known as Canada's Premium Beer, crafts its products using only four natural ingredients with no additives or preservatives. With its distinctive packaging and celebratory nature, Steam Whistle has become a brand well-loved by Canadians, coast to coast. Steam Whistle brews and nationally distributes its iconic Premium Pilsner, Pale Ale, and Session Light Lager as well as Fat Tire Amber Ale and Voodoo Ranger IPA from American craft beer partner, New Belgium Brewing. Steam Whistle is located in the historic Roundhouse near Toronto's CN Tower.
Visit http://steamwhistle.ca
About Phillips Brewing:
Financed on credit cards, Phillips Brewing was founded in 2001 on the audacious principle that quality ingredients and a little creative flair can produce great beer. After 20 years, a couple of address changes, and a beer-flood, Phillips' commitment to crafting quality beer as sustainably as possible continues to remain at the heart of everything. Today, Phillips Brewing continues to share its passion for craft beer with more Canadians than ever before, thanks to its sales and distribution network that spans from the Pacific coast to the Great Lakes.
Visit https://phillipsbeer.com