We’re excited to share that Sleeping Giant Brewing Company is beginning a new chapter as part of the Original Gravity Beverage + Hospitality Group family.
After the difficult news this past winter that Sleeping Giant would be closing its doors, the team at Original Gravity saw an opportunity to help preserve something special. Having long admired Sleeping Giant, its beers, and the incredible community that has supported the brewery over the years, they stepped in with one goal in mind: to keep the Sleeping Giant legacy alive.
“This past winter, we, like many others in the industry, were saddened to hear the news that Sleeping Giant was closing its doors permanently. Given the importance of this local brand in the North and wanting to keep the legacy of Sleeping Giant alive, we’ve worked very hard to step in and save it from going dark.” — Darren Smith, President & CEO, Original Gravity Beverage + Hospitality Group
The Beers You Know and Love Are Coming Back
Sleeping Giant is returning with a refreshed business model and renewed momentum, while staying true to the brewery’s roots in Thunder Bay.
And what better place to start than with a couple of old favourites?
The first phase of our return will bring back Northern Logger and White Out, brewed to the original specifications that Sleeping Giant fans have come to know and love.
Former Sleeping Giant General Manager Kevin Brewer shared his excitement for what this next chapter means:
“Between Lake of Bays Brewing Company, Sawdust City Brewing Company, MERIT Brewing Company and now Sleeping Giant, you’re talking about a remarkable lineup of Ontario craft beer brands. But the best thing about Original Gravity is they let these brands stay true to their heritage and local flavour. By returning Northern Logger and White Out, brewed to our specifications, the same will be true for local craft beer enthusiasts in Thunder Bay and beyond.”
Keeping the Giant Alive
For us, this next chapter is about more than bringing back a couple of great beers. It’s about honouring what Sleeping Giant has meant to Thunder Bay and Northern Ontario, preserving the character that made the brewery special, and building toward an exciting future.
For now, our focus is getting the Sleeping Giant beers you’ve known and loved back into your hands. And while we’re starting with the beer, we hope this is just the beginning — with the goal of one day welcoming the Thunder Bay community back through the doors of a Sleeping Giant pub once again.
We’re incredibly excited for what’s ahead, and even more grateful to everyone who has supported Sleeping Giant over the years.
Here’s to great beer, local roots, new beginnings, and keeping the Giant alive.
For the Love of Craft.