As part of exploring and experiencing Newfoundland and Labrador for Stay Home Year 2020, the Honourable Bernard Davis, Minister of Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation, visited craft brewers Rough Waters Brewing Company in Deer Lake and Crooked Feeder Brewing Company in Cormack this past weekend.
Rough Waters Brewing Company is a microbrewery that produces four varieties of handcrafted beer made from all natural ingredients such as water, yeast, grain and hops, with no added preservatives. Through the Business Development Support (BDS) program, $75,588 has been approved to match the company’s contribution toward implementation of business and market development activities. The support is assisting with website improvement, increased social media activity, modern booth displays, certifications and the launch of new specialty brewed products. Owned and operated by Christopher Johnson, Rough Waters Brewing Company offers a unique local product and experience.
Established by Robert Sutton, Ray Brake and Corey Wight, Crooked Feeder Brewing Company appeals to visitors by focusing on local flavours that highlight our culture and heritage. The Provincial Government contributed a Business Investment Loan of $90,000 in 2018 to assist with the purchase equipment, and to provide working capital for start-up costs. Today, Crooked Feeder Brewing Company’s popular craft beer is available throughout the west coast, and the company has expanded with a gastropub in Corner Brook.
Through the Provincial Tourism Product Development Plan, the Provincial Government aims to increase the number of high quality, Newfoundland and Labrador tourism experiences.
Quotes
“The Provincial Government supports many businesses working to grow and diversify in Newfoundland and Labrador. Deer Lake’s Rough Waters Brewing Company and Cormack’s Crooked Feeder Brewing Company are attractive destinations locally and have become a catalyst for other economic development opportunities in the region.”
Honourable Dwight Ball
Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador
“Small businesses like Rough Waters Brewing Company and Crooked Feeder Brewing Company are important contributors to the Newfoundland and Labrador economy. By using our government’s business development programs, we are able to support small businesses with their efforts to develop new products, and offer a wider range of amenities and attractions to experience.”
Honourable Bernard Davis
Minister of Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation
“The Business Development Support program has allowed our business to be more visible and expand our offering. As result of this support, we have been able to produce more specialty releases and our product is more economically viable. It allowed us to get branded boxes and merchandise, and we are currently in the process of adding signage that will give the Rough Waters Brewing Co. brand more visibility in the market.”
Christopher Johnson
Rough Waters Brewing Company
“Thanks to TCII and their Business Investment Program, we were able to access the necessary finances we required to get Crooked Feeder Brewing Company started. Their staff also provided the guidance and willingness to help however they could to ensure our business startup would be a success. With their help, we have been able to build our local craft brewery and taproom in Cormack, and provide our product to various retail and bar locations around the province. If you have a plan for a startup and have your homework done for it, TCII will provide guidance and/or resources to help you succeed.”
Ray Brake
Crooked Feeder Brewing Company
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Rough Water Brewing Company
Crooked Feeder Brewing Company
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Media contacts
Jeremy Reynolds
Office of the Premier
709-729-3558
jeremyreynolds@gov.nl.ca
Eric Humber
Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation
709-725-9655
erichumber@gov.nl.ca
Christopher Johnson
Rough Waters Brewing Company
709-325-1492
info@roughwatersbrewing.com
Ray Brake
Crooked Feeder Brewing Company
709-640-7783
rbrake709@gmail.com