Little Brown Jug is known for two things: their open-concept microbrewery in the Exchange District and their one beer menu. They also show how small businesses can be environmental champions. Founder Kevin Selch shares their story.
1. Tell us about Little Brown Jug.
Little Brown Jug Brewing Company (LBJ) is an urban microbrewery that manufactures, distributes and sells beer from its location in the Exchange District of Winnipeg. We make only one beer, ‘1919’ a Belgian Pale Ale. Our values are: honesty, community, and quality.
2. Who do you help with what you do?
We offer a space that can be used by the community. In most cases, we aren’t looking to monetize the space, but to use it to help build the neighbourhood.
For instance, we partnered with Hearts & Roots and made our large walk-in cooler available so they could offer community supported agriculture (CSA) boxes for fresh fruits and vegetables all summer long. The Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra threw a popup concert in the brewery to attract new patrons. And we participate in many local events, Nuit Blanche, First Fridays, offering something different than what others in the Exchange can provide.Our investments in energy conservation and environmental stewardship set an example of what is possible for a new business and a small business in Winnipeg.
I’ve witnessed the impact of design and experience on the community and how people interact in those communities. Little Brown Jug has an purposefully design open-concept taproom and a unique patio outside with lawn turf. When patrons are inside it’s like they are sitting on the floor of the brewery, taking in the sights, smells, and sounds, of the brewing process. They get to interact with staff and see their product being made from grain-to-glass.The space is intended as a shared space. We almost never close down for private events butinvite events to be run concurrently in the space. We are told by the Winnipeg Tasting Tours that it is in our space that barriers between different groups on the tour breakdown, conversations start, and meetings happen. I’m very excited about that.
5. What does Winnipeg mean to you?
Winnipeg is place that is unique and independent. It didn’t gentrify in the same patterns as many other cities in North America. I think what that means for us now is that we get to do it differently. And we are doing it differently. Winnipeggers already know that Winnipeg is cool. In a few more years a lot more people outside of Winnipeg are going to know too.To learn more about our 9th annual Spirit of Winnipeg Awards finalists, join us and 400+ business and community leaders on Friday, March 9 at Club Regent Event Centre.TICKETS: Corporate Table of 10 – $2350 Sponsored Table of 10 – $2550 Single Tickets – $235 |