What better way to get into the holiday mood than hearing straight from our beloved Brew Crew? For our first instalment of our meet the staff post, we pulled a staff member from each department, both the faces you see and the ones behind the scenes, to give you a peek into their LowBrewCo picks, holiday hot takes, and all the good vibes that keep this place running! Stay tuned for more, we’ve got LOTS more characters to shine the spotlight on. 😉
EVERYONE SAY HEY AKEEM!
Not only is Akeem the nicest guy around, he may also make the best beer around. (Okay, maybe we’re biased… just a little.) He’s a brewer here at LowBrewCo and is also keeping our SOPs up-to-date to make sure everything runs smooth and consistent. Quality AND Safety first ya’ll! Akeem’s been with us for just over a year, but he’s been in the brewing biz for just under seven. His favourite thing about working here? “The people! And it’s a dynamic workplace, which keeps things fun and interesting. Sure, it can be challenging, but the crew makes the day fly by.”
Fun fact about Akeem: He was born and raised about 30 minutes east of Toronto and comes from a food-loving family. His grandma was a cook, and while he’s not in the kitchen per se, he’s definitely got the knack for making good stuff.
1. What is your favourite winter activity?
“Does drinking whiskey by the fire count?” We vote yes.
2. If you had to drink an entire tank of beer to win $1,000,000 which beer would it HAVE to be?
“Channel Marker Light Lager! Easy drinking, good balance, interesting enough that you want to drink it every day.” (FYI one tank here at the brewery holds 12,000 litres. Which is 120 hectolitres. That’s roughly 25,000 473ml cans of beer. Or 205 58.6L kegs. Or 6,349 1.85L growlers. Or 34,286 coffee mugs. Or 3.4 boats fulls. or 40 bath tubs. Akeem’s got a lot of work ahead.)
3. Go-to Christmas song?
This Christmas by Donny Hathaway. Classic.
4. If you had to make your own holiday-themed beer, what would it be and what would you name it?
Funny enough, Akeem’s been brainstorming a seasonal beer, good timing right?! A brute IPA (champagne-style, very dry) with a negroni-inspired flavour base. Who else wants to see this beer happen?! Naming it? That’s the tricky part. So far he’s got: “Negroni Beer.” Simple, effective, right to the point… but we might need some ideas to spice it up.
5. What keeps your job interesting?
“No two days are ever the same! Brewing is dynamic and ever-changing.” Well that sure does sound interesting!
HERE’S IAN!
You can always hear Ian coming, usually singing a tune down the hallway before you see him. Basically a walking soundtrack. Ian is our Head of Sales and Commercial Development, which basically means… he does a lot. Salesforce management, logistics, inventory, forecasting, business planning, and probably seventeen other things he didn’t list. WOW! He’s been with LowBrewCo for almost three years, but he’s been in the beverage biz since 1995. That’s 30 years of experience. Again… WOW. Aren’t we lucky to have him?!
His favourite thing about working here? The homeland. Lake of the Woods itself. Ian’s roots run deep – his mom grew up here, he grew up here, and the connection goes back generations. Being able to live, work, and be part of the community is a huge motivator. And of course, the people. “The people are the lifeblood of the business,” he says. All the characters, all the personalities, all the fun, that’s what fuels him. Plus, working for a small/medium business means he gets to be involved in every corner of the operation, which he loves. So… To sum it up: THE PEOPLE AND THE PLACE!
Fun fact about Ian: Born and raised in Winnipeg, he’s lived all across western Canada and spent the last 15 years in Toronto. He’s moved his family (three daughters and a son) from Winnipeg, to Calgary, back to Winnipeg, then to Vancouver, and BACK Winnipeg, AND AGAIN Calgary, then Toronto. With kids. MANY times. He’s travelled, he’s lived, he’s seen the country. Ian loves music, celebrating big moments, and taking a big ol’ lake plunge.
1. If you were a LowBrewCo pizza, which one would you be and why?
“The Best Damn Pizza – because… it’s the best damn pizza. Delicious.” Hard to argue.
2. If you got snowed in at the brewery overnight, what’s the first thing you’d do?
First things first, crack the taps and pour a 20oz Lakeside Kölsch. Then call Taras to help fire up the pizza oven so he can make a Best Damn Pizza. Beer + pizza = ideal snowed-in situation. If there’s a crowd trapped with him? TAPTV trivia on the TVs. Obviously.
3. If you had to gift one beer to the North Pole, which one would it be?
Firehouse. It’s a great winter beer! A nut brown with heritage behind the name. Santa would love it.
4. What’s your go-to strategy to make someone fall in love with LowBrewCo?
“It’s all about the location. The strategy is simple: grab ’em and bring ’em. You’ve gotta see it. Sit on the patio, walk through the taproom, feel the vibe, be part of the place. You can’t explain it – you have to experience it. And of course… get out on the lake.”
INTRODUCING… ALANNA!
You’ve probably seen her making your drinks… running your food… maybe taking your order… honestly, she does it all. Alanna is one of our bartender/server/supervisor triple-threats. Her duties (besides being amazing) include opening the bar, working the bar, chattin’ with the regulars, and making sure the whole crew is set up and comfy for the day ahead. She also makes sure to say HEY to Davey – Davey being one of our beloved regulars, proudly sitting in his assigned bar seat (yes, we made him a plaque).
She’s been one of our favourite Summer seasonal staff for six years, and this winter we officially snagged her full-time. It’s her first winter back home in Kenora in a hot minute… So make sure to give her that warm Kenora welcome. Her favourite thing about working here? The people. “It’s like a family.” (We have heard that a lot, the Brew Crew really is the go-to answer!) She also loves bartending itself, making drinks and motoring behind the bar.
Oh – and we HAVE to mention this incredible Google review. Jeff said:
“Alanna is AWESOME. She kept our glasses full and made us feel as welcome as if we were regulars. The Mark Cuban was filling and delicious. You HAVE TO have the garlic aioli dip with the chips. When I get back to Kenora, I’m not going anywhere else except Lake of the Woods Brewery because of Alanna.”
Jeff nailed it!
1. What’s the best taproom hangover cure?
“Easy. A gin Caesar, EXTRA spicy, with a crispy chicken Sammy and a side poutine.”
Just call us your hangover doctors!
2. What’s a beer you recommend to anyone walking into the taproom?
Sasquatch Black Lager. If you like dark beer with a coffee note, that’s the beer to go with!
3. If you could ask Santa for one beer on tap, what would it be?
Well here’s a throwback… Boreal Black Forest! A dark chocolate and cherry dunkelweissen. The inspiration for this brew came from a Black Forest cake. Anyone else remember this beauty?
4. What’s the weirdest or funniest thing you’ve seen happen in the taproom?
“Somebody was playing a banjo at the bar once. He just brought his banjo and asked I wanted to hear a song. It was bad, but he was really putting his whole heart and soul into that banjo.” Where is this man now?! Do we need to bring him in for an encore?!
Also – the many, MANY times Alanna has fallen down the stairs. Pretty sure it happened again just last week?
GET TO KNOW CHRISTINA!
Have you seen this gal? Probably! She’s our retail manager superstar! The one serving up your favourite beers-to-go, pouring fresh crowlers, and keeping the store lookin’ spic, span, and downright awesome. Christina’s been with us for just over a year, holding down the fort in retail and making sure the merch is always stacked and the fridge is full. Her favourite thing about working here? Meeting people from everywhere. She recently chatted with a guy from Switzerland who said he came to Canada because “it’s so free!” (We’ll take the compliment!)
Fun fact about Christina: she makes 3D art on the side and loves anything crafty. “If you’ve thought of it, I’ve probably attempted it – good or bad – at least once.”
1. What’s the beer customers struggle to pronounce the most?
Sultana Gold. She’s heard every version: “Sultan Gold,” “Santana Gold,” even “Santa Gold.” (’tis the season!). Also, Lakeside Kölsch has been called “Lakeside Klosh.”
2. If you had to get one LowBrewCo item tattooed on you, what would it be?
“The thumbs-up logo – it’s subtle but still cool. Either that… or a full colour “Beer with No Name” can. Bright red, bright yellow, fine print and all.” Bold choice.
3. What’s your go-to posty beer?
“When it’s time for a posty, I always go big and then go home. So it’s always a Great Big Tea for me.” Respect!
4. What do you think will be the top-selling retail Christmas gift this year?
Classic logo tees! they fly off the shelves year-round. That, and glassware. Always a hit. Hopefully this helps check some things off your list this year? Give the people what they want!
MEET VOVA!
Vova is our kitchen’s secret weapon – the guy who keeps the flavours bumpin’, and the line rollin’. He’s our kitchen manager and has been cookin’ with us for two and a half years now… YOWZA! And yes, we asked him to give us his best “Blue Steel” pose. Zoolander anyone?
His fave things about working at the brewery? Easy: it’s fun (obviously), he gets to take charge in the kitchen, and he loves being able to bring in his own ideas. That’s our guy!
Fun fact: Vova wants to be a business owner one day! He’s already dipped into the trading card & rug-making biz. (We respect a man with range.)
1. If you could be in charge of the kitchen for one day, what would be on the menu?
“Lots of fresh, homemade pasta.” Umm… yes please? Petition to make this a real thing.
2. What’s your favourite Christmas tradition?
“Drinking & watching movies with the fam.” Can’t go wrong with that!
3. What’s at the top of your wish list this year?
Vova says he’s got everything he needs… but he would take a house. Anyone got a spare one lying around?
4. If you were a LowBrewCo wing sauce flavour, which one would you be and why?
“Trinity Sauce, because it’s got a lot of different personalities in one.” (Accurate. Now you have to try this flavour for yourself to get the vision… Or come meet Vova, it’s the same thing!)
Shameless Trinity sauce plug because it’s so dang good: lime, sweet thai chili & guk. a truly sacred combo.
