It was a sunny day in Toronto; a perfect day for hanging with friends and enjoying some fabulous beers around The Junction district! This year, the 2024 SRED Unlimited Brewery Tour visited some of our clients new and old in Toronto. And, in addition to myself (David), our “beergineer” John and the rest of the crew, joining us this year was Richard. He recently came on board the SRED Unlimited team to help with both SR&ED claims and grants. Food, fun and a fabulous Friday… it was a fantastic way to connect with clients and find out more about how the SR&ED program has helped their businesses innovate.
Part 1: Blood Brothers Brewing Company
Our first stop was at the awesome space on Geary Ave, run by Blood Brothers Brewing. A great little brewpub in an area of Toronto that’s been growing quickly. When they first opened, they brewed mostly sour, funky and out-of-the-box beers and in time added many other options, including a 4% hazy session pale ale, which became a bestseller, and an East-meets-West Coast IPA, which comes a close second.
As the seven of us sat down, we were pleasantly surprised by how many new and innovative styles of craft beverages were available.
I opted to try their Holy Ghost seltzer, which was very refreshing for a hot and sunny Friday. It certainly achieved the peach iced tea vibe, without being overly boozy—a difficult task sometimes when trying to “brew” a seltzer. A tasty pub-style lunch followed.
Once our bellies were satisfied, GM Tyler took us on a quick tour of their unique location.
With a new 20,000-square-foot production facility nearby, Blood Brothers has been focusing on transforming the Geary location into an entertainment space, complete with a private stage and event seating as needed. This is likely influenced by the Brothers’ earlier experience in the music industry.
When it’s not being used for weddings, product launches, or special events, the brewpub is open to the public with TVs, dartboards, and, of course, really tasty beer. It’s a lovely little hidden gem.
For me, however, it was extremely gratifying to see some of their SR&ED projects come to life. While much of their experimentation has focused on the new larger production facility, some interesting products had a lot of work behind them.
For example, you might find barrel-aged beers in many taprooms in Toronto, but Blood Brothers wanted to develop their own non-traditional approach to barrel aging. The results speak for themselves, including regular and non-trad barrel-aged beers, full-bodied stouts, refreshing seltzers, and even the lesser-known fermented “piquette.”
In fact, they’re currently sitting on two different barrel-aged lagers that will be released for Oktoberfest. Something to look forward to!
With many people choosing healthier options these days, Blood Brothers also offers a range of non-alcoholic and specialty drinks. Or, if you’re feeling a little more adventurous, you can take a chance on their Devil’s Trill—an 8% double IPA with Nectaron, Citra, and Alora, which is dense but fruity with a really nice aftertaste.
SR&ED has played a valuable role in Blood Brothers’ ongoing innovation. By reinvesting their SR&ED credits into new equipment, they’ve been able to expand and operate more efficiently. This strategic reinvestment has supported their commitment to creativity and high-quality production, allowing them to consistently deliver exciting new brews to their customers.
The program has empowered them to enhance their brewing processes and explore new techniques. As original Blood Brother Dustin explains, “SR&ED has helped us in our business by opening up discoveries on processes that have increased the quality of our beers and have saved us money in the long run through better extraction and use of product.”
When asked about their experience working with SRED Unlimited, Dustin replied, “Beyond the potential financial benefits, you begin to audit your processes and think of new ways to create better beer. You are guaranteed to find better ways to make beer. If you’ve wanted to try something new when it comes to making beverages, there is no better time to start documenting your journey.”
Dave B:
The Wonka: dense but fruity with a really nice aftertaste.
John W:
Keg Deals & Kickbacks (IPA, 5%): light-tasting IPA, balance of bitter & fruity. Refreshing.
No matter what you’re after, Blood Brothers has a remarkable selection of unique drinks. If you’re looking for a fun time out with friends, you’ll find it at Blood Brothers.
Stay tuned for Part 2!
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