BORDEN-CARLETON, P.E.I. — It’s been in the works for about two years.
And on Tuesday, P.E.I.’s newest craft brewery – Lone Oak Brewing Co. in Borden-Carleton – took a significant step forward with its plans to begin selling products and serving customers in early October.
“It feels great. It’s an exciting time to see some of the funding partners and our families and friends and other parties who have helped us along the way here today," said Jared Murphy, the brewery’s CEO. "It’s great to have these opportunities to see them in our space and say a big thank you.
“We learned very quickly that you can’t take on a project like this ourselves. It takes a community of support to get to where we are today."
Murphy co-owns the business with sales officer Dillon Wight and head brewer Spencer Gallant.
Tuesday, the brewery received a $300,000 repayable contribution from the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency to help purchase equipment and renovate the 4,500-square-foot space located at 103 Abegweit Blvd. in Gateway Village.
The funding announcement was made by Malpeque MP Wayne Easter.
“You’re taking the risk. You’re putting yourself out there. And, I know your efforts will lead to both social and economic benefits for the region,” said Easter at the brewery.
The brewery is also receiving $200,000 in non-repayable funding from the McCain Fund and $225,000 (repayable) from Finance P.E.I.
When the business opens in the fall, the plan is to release four products – a pilsner, a pale ale, a sour and a dry cider.
Murphy said Borden-Carleton is a good place to be located for tourist traffic as well as the presence of residents who also work in the area. It is also a good location for transporting products.
Besides producing beer, the year-round business is going to have a taproom that seats 40-50 customers, a lounge area that seats another 40-50 customers and, next summer, a patio in the front, said Murphy.
At this time, rather than add a kitchen to serve customers, the brewery has partnered with the Handpie Company to sell handpie’s in the taproom and lounge areas.
The owners planning to start out with seven to eight employees and then expand to 10-15 employees next summer.
Murphy said the business chose a lone oak to represent its brand because of the “strength and quality of oak wood” and an oak tree’s depiction on the P.E.I. flag as the protector of the Island’s three counties.
“What separates one craft brewery now from another is the quality of one’s product and its customer service to its patrons," Murphy said. "Our goal is to build our brand by providing quality products and customer service to our consumers while supporting as many local suppliers and partners as possible."
