Bobcaygeon Brewing Company - Craft Breweries of the Kawarthas

Craft Beer Breweries

Bobcaygeon Brewing Company

The Kawarthas are rich with Craft Breweries. Bobcaygeon Brewing Company was founded by Richard Wood and Vince Castronovo, along with the ingenuity of Brewmaster Jake Garvey.

Richard and Vince came up with the idea in the winter of 2013. They are both very passionate about beer. Richard has always had a family cottage in the Kawarthas between Buckhorn and Bobcaygeon, and while there, they decided to check out Breweries. The closest ones were in Peterborough or Port Perry and they thought it would be an awesome idea to bring a Brewery to their local area. They launched Bobcaygeon Brewing Co. in March in 2015. Richard has been working at the brewery full time since July 2015, and has loved every minute of it. He is doing what he loves. “It’s pretty special”, says Richard.

Before Richard started, he was doing his Masters in Applied Math at Queen’s University. “I’m sure my parents are very happy that I’m putting my education to good use”, he laughs. “They really are supportive. It is my passion”.

Vince is in Houston right now, and working in finance. He is involved in the business, working on special projects. Not so much the day to day routine.

Why are Craft Breweries becoming so popular? “I think there’s a couple of reasons”, says Richard. “One of the biggest drivers for Millennials, when picking where to spend their tourist dollars, is food and drink. So when they go and explore different towns they want to try different things. The other reason is that people have learned there are different styles of beer out there, other than your typical macro lager. It’s something different and new to try, and they may find a beer they actually really enjoy”.

In general, most Craft Brewers market themselves as a more premium product. “We are using ingredients from all over. For our Chocolate Stout Starry Night, we use 100 pounds of hand roasted cocoa nibs for every batch. There is a higher cost to producing, and we don’t have the footprint that the macro brewers do.”

Bobcaygeon Brewing currently have three fulltime available beers as well as a range of seasonals, and are starting to release more one-off batches. Their one-off batch, Northern Lights

Hazy IPA, will be coming to the LCBO in March. Richard says, “We are really excited for that.” “Our Brewmaster Jake Garvey is always working on new styles of beers and we’re very excited to be launching more one offs in the upcoming months. Our next one off is inspired by ginger molasses cookies and is sure to be a crowd pleaser”, says founder Richard Wood.

Last year they made approximately 450,000 tall cans. They have been growing strong, and their beer is available across Ontario as well as in Manitoba, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. You can find their products at the LCBO and select grocery stores, mainly Loblaws and Sobeys. You can also find them at restaurants and bars throughout the Kawarthas.

Richard told us they are about to start construction at their Brewery in Bobcaygeon at the old post office on Lock 32.

Bobcaygeon Brewing Company should definitely be on your “Must Try” list.