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To get closer to achieving the latter goal, Brooks and l’Écuyer — both routinely working 100-hour weeks — hired Cooley to shoulder some of the operations-related workload.

“I don’t make the beer, but I’ll be doing everything else to help run the business,” said Cooley. “Today it might mean making the canning line run, or helping in the taproom, buying materials, advertising the product, and everything in between.”

Cooley who started at the brewery a little over a week ago, came to the BBB from one of Ontario’s top microbreweries, Beau’s Brewing Co. in Vankleek Hill. He said the increasing customer demand reflects the quality of the product.

“Good beer sells itself,” said Cooley. “Word spreads.”

Three beer varieties are currently being distributed in cans, Roche Marine, Kraken and Dark Soul, with a fourth, the Hudson Bitter, coming by spring. In the tasting room, 10 beer varieties are available to drink on site or take home in a growler, and Brooks said two new ones will be added to the menu within the next couple of months. Over time, the variety of tastes will grow, as l’Écuyer and Brooks continue to explore new flavours and develop more recipes.

“We try to experiment and bring something fun out at least once every quarter,” said Brooks.

Although the brewery’s focus right now is on getting their canning operations and distribution running smoothly, Brooks said it’s not the only major project on his plate for 2018. Next up: creating a new beer festival in Hudson around the end of May.

“I want to bring my favourite microbreweries to Hudson and just have a great time with great beer and great music,” said Brooks. “Honestly, I feel like life is about moments. I just want to create a special moment for everybody who comes there.”