The Ontario Craft Brewers Conference (OCBC), set to take place on Nov. 5 and 6, 2025, in Hamilton, Ont., has long served as a hub for connection, education and collaboration in the province’s brewing scene. As Ontario brewers navigate turbulent economic waters and rapid industry evolution, the 2025 conference aims to not only steady the ship, but energize it with fresh winds.
This year, OCBC is rallying around a powerful and timely theme: Stronger Together.
“There’s a lot happening in our industry right now,” said Jeff Talmey, owner of Town Brewery and chair of this year’s OCBC education committee. “Retail is changing. Craft beer is facing challenges on a lot of fronts. The idea behind Stronger Together is recognizing that even with all these challenges, the strength of craft beer has always been in community.”
This year, the education committee’s approach to planning and content is strategic and collaborative. The education committee is made up of a small, like-minded group of diverse industry voices working together to shape the conference content. “This year, we brought in people from different roles, brewery sizes and backgrounds,” said Talmey. “That diversity adds fresh, relevant perspectives and applies the day-to-day reality of running a craft brewery to our content decisions.”
That experience will be evident in this year’s agenda, which weaves foundational regulatory content with trending industry topics and thought-provoking keynote addresses.
What’s new in 2025
A notable focus of this year’s conference is regulatory representation, including significant sessions from the Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) or the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO). “The LCBO is still the biggest seller of craft beer in the province, and AGCO regulations affect every brewer in Ontario,” said Talmey. “These presentations are a necessity for developing industry.”
Other hot-button issues on the 2025 docket include:
- Rebranding and brand evolution: Led by Isaac Arthur from CODO Design, this session dives into when (and when not) to refresh your brand, packaging or visual identity.
- The future of convenience store sales: With retail access expanding, the Ontario Convenience Store Association will speak about what this means for brewers.
- Direct-to-consumer experiences: As taproom sales remain vital, a new session will explore evolving and enhancing those personal customer connections.
- AI tools for social media management: Rather than focusing on content creation, this session will highlight ways AI can streamline planning, posting and engagement.
- Politics from the pint glass up: A grassroots-focused talk titled “Pints to Politics” will help breweries engage with local politicians to influence policy and support industry growth.
“We’ve had real wins with the current government,” Talmey said. “And those wins came from sustained engagement with key officials. This session teaches brewers how to broaden and extend government relationships in their own communities.”
One size doesn’t fit all
One of the perennial challenges in programming OCBC is ensuring sessions are relevant to both small start-ups and established powerhouses. This year’s committee makeup helps bridge that gap. “We’ve got committee members from tiny to medium and large-sized breweries like Great Lakes,” Talmey said. “That mix is crucial. Big or small, breweries often face similar issues – just at different scales.”
He points out that while a larger operation might be wrestling with chain distribution, a smaller brewery might be perfecting its drink-to-consumer taproom experience. Both are worth exploring. “We tried to make sure sessions touch on these shared themes while also offering specific insights depending on where you are in your journey.”
Collaboration at the core
If one word defines OCBC, it’s collaboration. From educational panels to supplier partnerships to informal hallway chats, the spirit of co-operation has always been the lifeblood of the event. In 2025, that collaborative energy is being cranked up even higher. From the committee structure itself to potential collab beers brewed by suppliers, to the return of the popular “Ask Me Anything” panels, the conference is designed to encourage idea exchange and collective problem-solving.
“We’re in a fiercely competitive era,” Talmey said. “But that doesn’t mean we have to isolate ourselves. OCBC is about asking: What can I bring to the table? What conversations can I start that help me and my peers?”
For those stepping into OCBC for the first time, Talmey has one piece of advice: talk to everyone. “The sessions are valuable, yes, but the real magic happens in conversations. Don’t be afraid to ask questions or raise new ideas and ways of thinking. Everyone here remembers being new, and they want to help,” he said. Whether it’s chatting with exhibitors on the trade show floor, connecting with a speaker after their talk or striking up a conversation over lunch, these exchanges often lead to lasting collaborations and solutions.
“Some of the smartest, most experienced people in the industry will be there, just walking around and totally open to sharing their knowledge. That’s rare. Take advantage of this opportunity to learn, develop our industry and connect,” Talmey said.
Looking ahead
“[Breweries] used to be able to succeed with just one or two strengths. Now you need everything – product quality, brand clarity, customer experience, operational efficiency. And that’s hard,” he said. “OCBC wants [the conference] to help brewers level up across the board.”
As the OCBC team finalizes programming in the coming weeks, one thing is certain: the 2025 conference is shaping up to be one of the most impactful events yet. “We’re putting together a conference that we hope will be the best one we’ve ever had, and we encourage our industry to attend and get engaged in the future of our growth,” Talmey said.
Whether a seasoned veteran or a curious newcomer, OCBC 2025 is a chance to connect, grow and be reminded that even in tough times, brewers are never alone.
