Muskoka Brewery

What Muskoka Brewery does

Muskoka Brewery is an independent Canadian craft brewery founded in June 1996 by Gary McMullen and Kirk Evans in Bracebridge, Ontario. The company manufactures and sells premium craft beer, spirits (vodka sodas and hard iced teas), and non-alcoholic beverages (Veer sub-brand) primarily to adult Ontario consumers aged 19+. Its core technology is unfiltered brewing using centrifuge equipment — adopted in 2013 as one of the first Canadian breweries to do so — which retains vitamins and minerals for enhanced flavor. The brewery operates a single production facility at 1964 Muskoka Beach Road in Bracebridge (moved from the original Taylor Road location in 2012 to expand capacity), supported by approximately 100 employees.

The product portfolio spans year-round flagship beers (Cream Ale, Lager, Detour session IPA, Mad Tom IPA, Hazed & Confused hazy IPA, Aviator Bicoastal IPA), an adventurous range (Major Tom Hazy Double IPA, Pineapple Ninja Wheat Ale, Moonlight Kettle limited editions), spirits (Cherry & Lime, Pineapple & Raspberry, Lemon & Field Berry, Mango & Dragon Fruit vodka sodas; hard iced teas), the acquired Rally Ultra light lager (2022 acquisition, 100 calories per can), and the Veer non-alcoholic line (Lager with Lime, Hazy IPA, Cream Ale). Branded merchandise and the seasonal Dockside Draught equipment-subscription program (Canoe, Paddle Board, Kayak packages with $250 annual renewals, May–September delivery across 7 Muskoka towns) round out the offering.

Revenue is generated through wholesale distribution to LCBO, The Beer Store, grocery and convenience stores, and Costco across Ontario; direct-to-consumer e-commerce on muskokabrewery.com with Ontario shipping; on-site taproom retail at the Bracebridge brewery; the Dockside Draught recurring subscription service; branded merchandise sales; and event ticketing (e.g., Venture Fest 30th Anniversary). The brewery is currently owned and operated by Todd Lewin (President since 2017) and Bob MacDonald (Owner since 2008). It carries no disclosed parent company, has raised no external funding, and operates Ontario-only — factors that bound near-term scale but reinforce the brand's regional authenticity positioning.

Name

Muskoka Brewery

Legal name

Muskoka Brewery Hop Shop

Website

https://muskokabrewery.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Muskoka Brewery is an independent Canadian craft brewery founded in 1996 in Bracebridge, Ontario, manufacturing and distributing unfiltered beer, spirits, and non-alcoholic beverages across Ontario via LCBO, retail, taproom, e-commerce, and the Dockside Draught subscription service.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Craft Brewing

NAICS

Breweries (31212), Beer and Ale Merchant Wholesalers (42481), Drinking Places (Alcoholic Beverages) (7224), Beer, Wine, and Liquor Retailers (44532)

SIC

Malt Beverages (2082), Wholesale-Beer, Wine & Distilled Alcoholic Beverages (5180), Retail-Eating & Drinking Places (5810)

akta.pro primary industry

Beer Brewing & Brands (CRADAIAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Packaging & Production Breweries (Limited/No On-site Service) (THAFALAB), Brewpubs & Taprooms (On-site Beer Service) (THAFALAA), Beer Retail (Bottle Shops & Beer Merchants) (CRANABAC)

Keywords

• Craft beer manufacturing
• Craft spirits production
• Non-alcoholic beer
• Brewery taproom retail
• Wholesale beer distribution

Headquarters

HQ city

Bracebridge

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Direct-to-Consumer Beer & Spirits Sales: E-commerce sales through muskokabrewery.com and taproom retail sales of beer, spirits, non-alcoholic beverages, and merchandise directly to consumers.
2. Wholesale Distribution: Distribution through LCBO, The Beer Store, grocery stores, convenience stores, and Costco across Ontario.
3. Dockside Draught Program: Seasonal premium draught beer subscription service for cottage country (May-September), offering weekly keg delivery, equipment packages (The Canoe $2,200, The Paddle Board $1,850, The Kayak $550), and annual renewal fees of $250.
4. Merchandise Sales: Sale of branded merchandise including apparel, barware, hats, accessories, and specialty items through e-commerce and taproom.
5. Event Revenue: Ticket sales for Venture Fest anniversary events ($20 per ticket) and other brewery events and experiences.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Muskoka Brewery is an independent craft brewery that manufactures and sells premium beer, spirits (vodka sodas, hard iced teas), non-alcoholic beverages (Veer brand), and branded merchandise. It operates a taproom at its Bracebridge, Ontario facility, an Ontario-wide e-commerce storefront (Hop Shop), and distributes wholesale through LCBO, The Beer Store, grocery and convenience stores, and Costco. It also runs the Dockside Draught seasonal subscription service delivering premium draught beer to cottage country customers in the Muskoka region.

Product overview

Muskoka Brewery is an independent craft brewery founded in 1996, offering a diverse portfolio of premium beverages organized across four main categories: Beer (core year-round and seasonal offerings including Cream Ale, Mad Tom IPA, Detour, Lager, and specialty styles like the adventurous IPAs and Moonlight Kettle limited series), Spirits (Muskoka Spirits vodka sodas and hard iced teas with multiple flavour variants), Non-Alcoholic (Veer sub-brand featuring alcohol-free beers), and Merchandise. The company also operates the Dockside Draught program offering seasonal draught beer service packages for cottage country customers. All products are unfiltered, all-natural, and brewed in Bracebridge, Ontario. The brewery serves as both a direct-to-consumer e-commerce platform through its Hop Shop and distributes through LCBO, Beer Store, and retail locations across Ontario.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Veer: Non-alcoholic craft beer brand offering Lager with Lime, Hazy IPA, and Cream Ale alternatives.
• Rally Ultra
• Dockside Draught
• Veer Non-Alcoholic

Products and services

• Cream Ale Flagship smooth, approachable classic ale that won Best Beer in Canada in 1996 and remains a core year-round offering.
• Craft Lager Easy-drinking craft lager brewed in Bracebridge as part of the year-round lineup.

Quantifiable outcome

• Community Venture Fund: $87,871.64 raised to date for local community and environmental causes
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Beertown Public HousecoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 May 2026Province-wide tap takeover partnership for 30th anniversary celebration (May 5-31). Throwback beers from the 30th Anniversary Throwback Pack pouring on draught at 10+ Beertown locations across Ontario (Toronto, Mississauga, Oakville, Burlington and more). Includes Ultimate Muskoka Getaway giveaway with prizes including 3-night stay at Deerhurst Resort, dinner for two, activity of choice, Muskoka Brewery visit, and $150 gift card.
• Deerhurst ResortminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 May 2026Prize partner for Ultimate Muskoka Getaway giveaway - providing 3-night stay, dinner for two, and activity of choice as grand prize in 30th anniversary celebration sweepstakes.
• Burger DropsminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 September 2025Collaboration for Oktoberfest Toronto pop-up event at 116 Atlantic Avenue. Burger Drops provided exclusive menu including Oktoberfest Smash Slider and Apple Strudel Crueller with beer-infused caramel sauce, paired with Muskoka Brewery's Festbier launch.
• TilleyminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 July 2025Ossfest Toronto event partnership - Tilley storefront hosted Muskoka Brewery sampling booth for non-alcoholic Veer products. Included prize wheel with Tilley gear and Veer product giveaways.
• Golden Horseshoe BBQminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 July 2025Event partnership at Ossfest Toronto - served BBQ brisket samples pairing with Muskoka Brewery's non-alcoholic Veer lineup.
• Nomad CustomsminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2025Project Restoration partnership - Nomad Customs restoring 1975 Trillium travel trailer with Muskoka-inspired design. Trailer to be given away via sweepstakes (contest ended August 30, 2025).
• Nova Craft CanoeminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 June 2025Ultimate Outdoors Giveaway partnership - Nova Craft donated Prospector 16' Canoe as grand prize paired with Muskoka Brewery Survival Pack. Collaboration for So Fly Podcast live recording event.
• So Fly Podcast (Mitch Duesling & Aldo Pescatore-Tardioli)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 June 2025Podcast collaboration for Survival Mix Pack launch - live podcast recording at Muskoka Brewery featuring Jim Baird (ALONE Season 4 winner). Event included free beer samples and outdoor lifestyle discussion.
• Jim Baird (ALONE Season 4 Winner)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2025Content creator sponsorship - Jim Baird is sponsored by Muskoka Brewery for YouTube and social channels documenting Canadian expeditions. Collaborated on Windbound Campfire Pilsner, brewed in collaboration with Jim Baird. Featured speaker at So Fly Podcast live event.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Mill Street Brewery: Toronto craft brewery with multiple taproom locations and LCBO distribution. Comparable as an Ontario craft brewer with both taproom retail and broad wholesale distribution.
• Great Lakes Brewery: Toronto-based Ontario craft brewery with taproom and broad distribution. Comparable as an established Ontario craft brewer with similar product breadth and Ontario-only geographic focus.
• Side Launch Brewing: Ontario craft brewery in Collingwood with taproom and LCBO distribution. Comparable as a similarly scaled Ontario craft brewer with strong regional identity and premium positioning.
• Amsterdam Brewery: Toronto-based Ontario craft brewery with taproom and broad LCBO distribution. Comparable as another Ontario craft brewer competing in similar beer categories with taproom + wholesale model.
• Beau's All Natural Brewing: Independent Ontario craft brewery (Vankleek Hill) with strong values-based brand and LCBO distribution. Comparable as an Ontario independent craft player with similar values-driven positioning and community focus.
• Steam Whistle Brewing: Independent Ontario craft brewery founded in 2000, also distributing through LCBO and The Beer Store. Comparable as a similarly sized Ontario-focused craft brewer with single taproom and broad provincial distribution.
• Collective Arts Brewing: Ontario craft brewery based in Hamilton with strong brand identity and limited-edition release strategy. Comparable as an Ontario craft brewer competing for similar shelf space at LCBO and on-premise accounts.
• Creemore Springs: Iconic Ontario craft brewery (now owned by Molson Coors). Highly comparable heritage craft brand with Ontario-wide distribution through LCBO, though now backed by multinational distribution muscle.
• Wellington Brewery: One of Ontario's oldest craft breweries (founded 1985), based in Guelph. Comparable as an established Ontario craft brewer with taproom, broad distribution, and multi-decade brand history.
• Nickel Brook Brewing: Ontario craft brewery with LCBO distribution and a portfolio spanning IPAs, lagers, and specialty styles. Comparable as a similarly sized Ontario craft brewer competing for premium shelf placement.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/muskokabrewery
• Xx.com/MuskokaBrewery
• Facebookfacebook.com/muskokabrewery
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/muskokabrewery

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Muskoka Brewery