At the end of March, Great Western Brewing Company marked its 35th anniversary, reflecting on its journey from humble beginnings to becoming a celebrated name in Saskatchewan’s brewing industry.
The brewery, which has been a staple in the province for over three decades, owes much of its success to its strong local roots. “It’s made right here in Saskatoon and it’s owned by people who live in the province,” said Michael Brennan, President and CEO of Great Western Brewing. “These are key factors that have contributed to our success over the years.”
The brewery’s story began when 16 friends decided to purchase an existing brewery, eventually leading to the creation of their flagship product, Original 16. The name honors the group of founders who started the company together.
Greg Kitz, one of those 16 founding members, recalls the company’s early days with great affection. “This was our baby. We were there at the conception, the birth, and through its growing pains. It matured, had its rocky teen years, and then came the launch of Original 16,” Kitz said.
Though Kitz is now retired, he remains emotionally tied to the brewery’s progress. “It’s like saying goodbye to your kids—they’re off doing their own thing, but you still think about them every day,” he said.
Brennan, who has led the company for the past seven years, is proud of how much the brewery has evolved. “The biggest visible change is right here at the corner of Queen Street and Second Avenue, where we are currently building a new addition. This expansion will ensure we can continue brewing beer in Saskatchewan for the next century,” he explained.
Great Western Brewing operates in a historic building that dates back to 1927, originally constructed by the Hub City Brewing Company. By 1932, it had become Drewry’s Limited. A 1945 photo from the Saskatoon Public Library’s archives shows a bottling line that produced 72 bottles per minute—a far cry from the modern-day operation.
In 1956, the brewery was acquired by O’Keefe Brewing, and later faced closure in 1989 due to a merger between Molson and Carling. This merger threatened to end the brewery’s legacy, but in a bold move, 16 employees pooled their resources to purchase the plant, founding Great Western Brewing Company.
Brennan emphasized the importance of staying in the brewery’s original location. “We considered other sites for expansion, but we felt it was vital to remain right here, in downtown Saskatoon, where everything began,” he said.
The planned expansion is especially significant for Kitz, who is excited to see the new brewery in action. “I’m super stoked to see it up and running. The efficiency of the new equipment is amazing, and I can’t wait to see what it can achieve,” he said.
Throughout its 35 years, Great Western has been adaptable to change, keeping up with evolving technology and trends. “We were one of the first in Saskatchewan to implement canning back in 1990, and now we’ve completely transitioned away from bottling,” Kitz noted.
Despite the many changes, the essence of the business has remained unchanged. “We’re fortunate to be located in the barley belt, producing some of the finest barley in the world, which is a key ingredient in our beer,” said Brennan.
While the team is excited to celebrate their anniversary, they are holding off the festivities until October, when they plan to host a grand opening for the new brewery.
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