'Glorious and Free': London breweries among dozens tapping into Canada-wide beer campaign

Two London breweries are showing their Canadian spirit as part of a nationwide beer campaign launched in response to U.S. threats of annexation and punishing tariffs.

The campaign, "Glorious and Free," was launched in February by Ottawa-based Dominion City Brewing Co., to support local breweries and ingredient suppliers through the economic uncertainties caused by U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs.

Since then, more than 40 Canadian craft breweries have signed on, including London's Anderson Craft Ales and Forked City Brewing Co. Both are selling their own Glorious and Free beers this month, based on an India Pale Ale (IPA) recipe provided by Dominion City.

"The idea is that we all brew a similar IPA using all Canadian ingredients, and then donate a significant portion of the proceeds to a charity of our choice," said Gavin Anderson, president and brew master at Anderson Craft Ales. 

"I think the goal of the initiative was really to bring people together, and (for) people who want to support Canadian, (to) make it easy for them to do so."

Each brewery has agreed to donate a portion of their proceeds to a non-profit or charity that makes a difference in ways stipulated by Dominion City, including ones that "contribute to a community where everyone belongs."

Anderson will begin selling its Glorious and Free beer on April 21, with $5 from every six-pack going to the London-based non-profit Investing in Children. Anderson estimates they'll make a full pallet of cans, and could make more depending on the response.

Forked River's version of Dominion City's recipe, reimagined as an India Pale Lager, went on sale last week, with some proceeds going to the London Food Bank, said co-owner David Reed. 

"It really resonated with a lot of our restaurants and bars that they want to support Canada," he said. "The kegs have gone pretty quick, they're at out at bars and restaurants. We did a reasonable amount of cans. I would presume, for the next few weeks at least, we'll have cans here."

Amid a trade war and threats against Canada's sovereignty, Canadians can make a difference with their wallet, he said.

"If we can support Canadian businesses and Canadian maltsters, Canadian hop farms, and reduce what we're buying out of the U.S. or eliminate it, that's the best way we can fight back."

It's a message resonating with customers, said Josh McJannett, Dominion City's co-founder. The brewery launched its IPA in February, and sold out in a little over a week.

"This is a direct response to waking up every morning feeling afraid and worried about what some guy in the White House decided overnight," he said. "I think a lot of people, myself included, have found themselves … feeling this sense of urgency, this need to do something."

Craft brewers have faced economic headwinds on several fronts, from inflationary pressures on raw materials, to U.S. tariffs on Canadian aluminum and steel, the Canadian Craft Brewers Association (CCBA) says. The 25 per cent tariff took effect last month.

Canada is the fourth-largest producer of primary aluminum in the world, but the bauxite needed to make it is imported. There are also no rolling mills making aluminum can sheet in Canada, CCBA says, and certain cans, like the "tallboy," are only made in the U.S.

Participants must use Canadian ingredients, including hops, which for decades have been largely imported from the U.S. and Europe. The campaign provides a list of domestic suppliers, at least two of which are near London — Tavistock Hop Company, and Aylmer-based Hayhoe Hops.

Hayhoe Hops has supplied Dominion City for six years, and is being tapped by Anderson Craft Ales for the initiative, said Scott Hayhoe, who started the company with his brother in 2014. The farm grows four hop varieties on 10 acres of land.

Four orders had already come in from brewers outside the 10 they typically do business with, he said. He hopes the campaign entices craft brewers to turn more toward local hops to help the market.

"I've seen so many different people put money and time and effort and work into growing the crop and just struggle and struggle and struggle to market it," Hayhoe said.

"It's a good crop to grow in Ontario, we can grow really good hops here."