Government of Canada : Montague Micro-Brewery to Open Soon

Copper Bottom Brewing to Offer Local Beers to PEI Consumers

January 31, 2017 - Montague, PE - Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency

Micro-breweries are growing in popularity across Atlantic Canada, and now Eastern Prince Edward Island can boast having one of its own. Copper Bottom Brewing is taking over the Eastern Graphic building in Montague in February and plans to open to the public in the summer of 2017, offering high quality locally-brewed beers to Islanders and visitors.

The Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and Member of Parliament for Cardigan, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), today announced support for Copper Bottom Brewing to make leasehold improvements and purchase brewing equipment. The Government of Canada, through ACOA's Business Development Program, is supporting this project with a $216,000 repayable contribution. The provincial Department of Economic Development and Tourism will provide up to $187,500 in repayable support for the purchase and renovation of the new facility and $10,000 in non-repayable support for the purchase of equipment.

Husband and wife team Ken Spears and Ashley Condon plan to produce kegs of beer for local licensed restaurants and, eventually, cans for sale through the PEI Liquor Control Commission's stores across the Island. They also have plans to establish a taproom and entertainment venue at the brewery, creating a new live music scene with income potential in downtown Montague. The company is still deciding what its first beer offerings will be, with brew master Ken currently trying out a number of new beer recipes in his home-based nano-brewery. They eventually hope to offer a range of beer styles and some new flavours to PEI beer drinkers.

Quotes

'The Government of Canada is pleased to support forward-thinking entrepreneurs like Ken and Ashley, who are creating an exciting new business in rural PEI. Copper Bottom Brewing complements Prince Edward Island's growing family of micro-breweries, and the brewery and taproom will be welcome additions to Montague's charming downtown.'

- Hon. Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-food and Member of Parliament for Cardigan

'Young entrepreneurs are vital to the current and future health of the Island's economy especially in rural parts of the province. We applaud Ken and Ashley for their enthusiasm and hard work in turning their dream into reality. They have shown that Prince Edward Island's craft beer industry is booming and we look forward to welcoming them as valued members of our Island business community.'

- Heath MacDonald, Minister of Economic Development and Tourism

'We are so excited to see our dream of opening a microbrewery in our hometown of Montague be realized. The support for this project has been overwhelming and we are delighted to contribute to the growth of our rural community through our passion for craft beer and music. There are so many wonderful craft breweries that have opened on PEI and we are honoured to be one of them.'

- Ashley Condon, Copper Bottom Brewing

Associated Links

Contacts

Chris Brooks
Director of Communications
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
902-566-7569

Andrew Sprague
Senior Communications Officer
Department of Economic Development and Tourism
902-368-5535

Ashley Condon
Copper Bottom Brewing
902-326-9173
[e-mail]