Esber adds another Canadian to fold

CANTON Another Canadian craft beer will be pouring from local taps and lining shelves in area stores, thanks to Esber Beverage Co.

Dave Esber’s company has distributed a handful of craft beers from Ontario breweries for a couple of years. He has added four styles brewed by Nickel Brook Brewery Co. to the list.

“It’s an opportunity to penetrate the clutter,” Esber said of the company’s decision to offer craft beers from Ontario.

He has been working on the idea for nearly 10 years. There already are 3,500 breweries in the United States producing 35,000 beers, so importing from Ontario’s growing craft-brewing industry is a chance to offer something different. It has been a process of reviewing Ontario’s craft offerings and trying to select the best, Esber said.

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Nickel Brook Brewing Co. chooses Northeast Ohio as first U.S. distribution point

CLEVELAND, Ohio – Nickel Brook Brewing Co., an Ontario craft brewery whose co-founder is never short of stories, is making Northeast Ohio its first U.S. distribution point.

John Romano is co-founder and owner, along with his brother Pete, of the Burlington, Ontario-based brewery. Its name is derived from John's children – Nicholas and Brooke.

The brewery's widening distribution comes about in part due to a brewery expansion to Hamilton, which can handle 40,000 barrels annually. Its Burlington brewery does 15,000 barrels. Esber Beverage in Canton will handle distribution, and Michigan and Western New York will follow, Dave Esber said.

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