TORONTO AND BAYSVILLE (April 15, 2014) – It was a veritable who’s who for football nostalgia buffs in Baysville Saturday April 12, as Leo Ezerins of the CFL Alumni Association and Darren Smith of Lake of Bays Brewing Co. proudly announced plans to develop a series of collaboratively-produced football-themed beers.
“We are excited to have entered into a partnership with a craft brewery in general and with Lake of Bays in particular,” said Ezerins, executive director of the CFL Alumni Association. “This is going to be an exciting and fun experience for us, and for beer-loving football fans. I am also proud to tell you that a portion of proceeds from the sale of these beers will go to benefit the CFLAA Player Support Fund which assists assist former players and their families.”
“In just four years we have made a name for ourselves as brewers of great, all-natural Ontario craft beer,” said LB president Darren Smith. “We have been very successful at making and marketing endorsed sports-related beers. The CFL Alumni Association wanted to talk, and here we are, ready to kick-off a new line-up. ”
The partnership was announced at a meet-and-greet held at the brewery on Saturday April 12. About 50 local residents came out to meet some of their football heroes and toast the deal.
Pictured from left to right: Leo Ezerins (CFLAA, Winnipeg), Darren Smith (President, Lake of Bays) Perry Lefko (Sports journalist and author who introduced the partners), Bill Symons (Hall of Fame, Toronto), Paul Markle (Toronto, Winnipeg), Randy Ambrosie (Edmonton, Toronto), Tom Reimer (Calgary), Dan Unkerskov (Head Brewer, Lake of Bays), Peter Martin (Toronto), Dave Cranmer (Toronto), Angelo Mosca (Hall of Fame, Hamilton), Dave Raimey (Hall of Fame, Winnipeg, Toronto), Rene Riopelle (Toronto), Tony Gabriel (Hall of Fame, Hamilton, Ottawa), Scott Harkness (Chief Strategic Officer, Lake of Bays.)
(Access our Flickr feed and view all photos from the day here.)
The duo would like to share the fun and are looking for the public’s input in developing their beers. Please feel free to contact either group with your suggestions for beer names and styles or other great ideas. If you’re using social media, use the tag #namethatCFLAAbeer.
About CFL Alumni
Formed in 2008, the CFLAA fosters a lifelong relationship between the Canadian Football League and its alumni, and provides support to alumni, to football in Canada, and to other communities it serves. Learn more at cflaa.ca
About Lake of Bays Brewing Company
Baysville-based Lake of Bays Brewing Company is one of the fastest-growing craft breweries in Ontario. Lake of Bays Brewing is dedicated to making the finest in premium craft beer; tried-and-true year-round brands, as well as exciting seasonal beers. Lake of Bays has a stable of four year-round core brands and four seasonal releases, as well as numerous one-off brews. Learn more at LakeofBaysBrewing.ca.
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Contact:
CFL Alumni Association
Leo Ezerins
leo@cflalumni.org
(905) 464-0007
Lake of Bays Brewing Company
Tamsen Tillson
tamsen@lakeofbaysbrewing.ca
(705) 767-2313 | (705) 645-5225
View Flickr photo albums from the day here.
Media: High resolution photos available upon request. Contact Tamsen directly.
