Thunder Bay craft brewer is hopping: new digs and equipment as sleeping giant brewing expands popular brand.

• Author: Ross, Ian

The waves of growth at Sleeping Giant Brewing Company can be measured in the successively larger and larger stainless steel tanks on the production floor.

From the original three 17.5 hectolitre (hl) vessels, doubling in size to four 35 hi, and finally, to the tallest 70 hl, this Thunder Bay craft brewer has definite eyes on expanding the brand.

Since getting the keys to their new 12,000-square-foot home in Thunder Bay's inner city last summer, the 20-employee craft brewer plans to dramatically boost production, install more equipment by year's end, and hire 10 more staff.

"We're filling the space up pretty quick," said co-owner and general manager Matt Pearson, in anticipation of ramping up production from just under 4,000 hectolitres to 9,000 hectolitres as they craft more suds for an increasingly thirstier Ontario consumer market.

At the site of a former T-shirt and embroidery factory just off Central Avenue on Macdonell Street, they're wrapping up a $1.5-million expansion, involving the installation of an upgraded canning line that will eventually operate around the clock.

More equipment, including a centrifuge, is on the way and floor space is being set aside for a tap room to offer tastings for after-hours corporate events.

Established in 2012, Sleeping Giant was the creation of four long-time friends, Kyle and Drea Mulligan and Rob and Kerry Berlinquette.

Pearson, a friend of the Mulligans, made the move to the northwest in 2013 where his wife is a Lakehead University professor.

Before arriving in Thunder Bay, the London, Ont., native was working in the restaurant and hospitality sector, often being on the flipside of the aggressive sales pitch from the mainstream brewers.

He was brought aboard to shepherd the brewer to the next stage of growth.

His initial evaluation was that the brewery enjoyed a solid, loyal following, but had reached a point where it needed a full-time manager, dedicated staff and larger production space.

"The local bars and restaurants were ready for it, but it was being operated as an expensive hobby, and they needed to turn it into a business."

From their three original signature brands, they've expanded to six, plus another four seasonal styles that they alternate at different times of the year.

Their hoppier style of beer is occupying shelf space in 80 LCBOs across the North, the Golden Horseshoe, southwestern Ontario and now Ottawa; in 30 of the 140 licensed grocery stores, including all three approved...