This year, the conference theme is “Facing Our Future Together.” For an industry facing economic pressures, changing consumer habits and a rapidly evolving marketplace, the message is deliberate. “The craft beer world isn’t in that same kind of skyrocketing, everyone’s doing great, net-growth phase anymore,” said Jeff Talmey, chair of the OCBC education committee. “It seems like we’re all just putting our heads down and grinding through change after change.”

Those changes range from brewery closures and shifting consumer preferences to retail and distribution challenges that have forced breweries of every size to rethink how they do business. But rather than dwelling on uncertainty, this year’s conference aims to remind attendees of the collaborative spirit that helped build Ontario’s craft beer industry in the first place. “What made craft beer succeed was this notion that a rising tide lifts all boats,” said Talmey.

“We have to remember that we’re in this together.”

What’s new in 2026

That philosophy has shaped this year’s educational programming, with sessions designed to address the industry’s most pressing challenges. As in previous years, organizers have developed the conference agenda by combining attendee feedback, post-conference surveys and insights from an expanded education committee representing breweries of different sizes and specialties. The committee has grown to 10 members, comprising brewery owners, brewers, sales professionals, taproom staff and other industry leaders.

“We really wanted to diversify not only the size of the breweries these people work for, but also their roles within those breweries,” said Talmey. “We’ve cast the net pretty wide and have a really good idea of what people are looking for.” That diversity helps ensure the conference remains relevant whether attendees operate a small neighbourhood brewery or a large regional producer. “Other than scale, we all struggle with a lot of the same things,” Talmey said.

Among the biggest issues expected to dominate discussion this year is Ontario’s changing retail landscape. Recent changes affecting alcohol sales have required breweries across the province to adapt their business models, regardless of whether they sell through the Liquor Control Board of Ontario, grocery stores or their own retail channels.

“Advocacy is at the heart of OCB, which has been crucial given the changes and headwinds facing the sector these last six years,” said Scott Simmons, OCB president. “The conference and the Supplier’s Marketplace are the best places for the information sharing, networking and collaboration needed to navigate these massive changes.”

Talmey agrees that adapting to the new retail environment will be one of the conference’s most important topics of discussion. “It’s demanded a lot of time and attention from breweries of all shapes and sizes,” he said. Distribution also remains top of mind. “Making beer is not easy, but it’s a lot easier than getting it places,” Talmey said.

What made craft beer succeed was this notion that a rising tide lifts all boats. We have to remember that we’re in this together.

Jeff Talmey, Ontario Craft Brewers

Breweries are also increasingly focused on improving operational efficiency as rising costs continue to squeeze margins. “Five or 10 years ago, efficiency wasn’t something a lot of breweries were talking about,” said Talmey. “Now, it’s about asking, ‘How can we be more efficient as a business?’ If we can’t necessarily sell more beer next year, how do we survive selling the same amount?”

Those conversations extend beyond brewing operations to staffing, culture, customer experience and long-term business sustainability. “We’re always talking about making the best beer we possibly can,” he said. “But we’re also talking about treating our communities well, treating our employees well and becoming well-rounded businesses.”

Education for a changing industry

The conference will once again feature two keynote speakers – one from the beverage-alcohol industry and another who offers a broader perspective on leadership and professional development.

Award-winning journalist Dave Infante will deliver the industry’s keynote address. Known for his independent newsletter Fingers and his work with VinePair, Infante has become one of North America’s leading voices covering beverage alcohol and the business of beer. Complementing that perspective is former professional hockey player/coach, health care market strategist, public speaker and performance coach John Mark MacKenzie, whose keynote will focus on stress management, resilience and personal well-being.

While those topics may seem outside the traditional brewing conversation, Talmey believes they couldn’t be more relevant. “I feel like everyone is reaching their bandwidth,” he said. With brewery owners and staff facing ongoing industry pressure, increased workloads and uncertainty, conversations about burnout and mental health have become increasingly important. “These aren’t just businesses. These are passionate entrepreneurs who put everything on the line to start breweries. When the tide starts to turn, we need to stick together and support one another,” Talmey said.

The conference’s People and Culture education stream reflects that reality by exploring topics related to workplace culture, employee development and leadership alongside technical brewing and business sessions.

Technical programming remains a cornerstone of the conference, with sessions covering brewing science, quality assurance and sales. Discussions on lager production are increasingly popular as the style becomes more prominent in craft brewing. AI will also return to the agenda, this year with a stronger emphasis on improving business operations rather than marketing alone. Instead of focusing on AI-generated content, organizers plan to explore how breweries can use emerging tools to better analyze business performance, automate routine tasks and make more informed decisions.

“As craft brewers who don’t have huge budgets, we have to make smarter decisions,” said Talmey. “There are people in our industry who are using AI very smartly.”

The value of networking

While the educational sessions remain central to the conference, Talmey believes the greatest value often comes between presentations. Whether conversations occur on the trade show floor, during evening social events or simply while waiting for the next seminar to begin, the opportunity to connect with peers remains one of the conference’s defining strengths.

“At the end of the day, you want to leave the conference with a couple of nuggets – something you’ve learned, or a conversation you’ve had,” said Talmey.

Those informal discussions often provide solutions to shared challenges while reinforcing that no brewery faces today’s struggles alone. “Surrounding yourself with people who do similar things and struggle with similar things is invaluable,” said Talmey. “If you participate – even if your participation is simply showing up – you’re going to gain from it.” For first-time attendees, his advice remains unchanged from previous years: introduce yourself, ask questions and embrace the opportunity to meet new people.

The future, together

Ontario’s craft brewing industry has weathered significant change over the past several years, and conference organizers recognize that many breweries continue to face difficult decisions. Yet Talmey remains optimistic about the future.

“I think there’s a ton of hope,” he said. “People aren’t just going to stop drinking beer. There are going to be successful breweries in Ontario for the next hundred years.” For him, the greatest takeaway from this year’s conference isn’t a single business strategy or technical innovation – it’s the reminder that collaboration remains one of the industry’s greatest strengths. “We want people to realize they’re not alone,” he said. “This whole industry started and thrived because of partnership, collaboration and a sense of ‘us.’ That still exists, and that’s what will get us through this tougher period.”

As Ontario’s brewing community gathers once again in Hamilton this November, the message behind “Facing Our Future Together” is clear: the industry’s greatest opportunities may come not only from the ideas shared on stage, but from the conversations, partnerships and sense of community that continue long after the conference ends.

Register for tickets at ontariocraftbrewers.com/conference. Interested in an exhibitor booth or sponsorship? Contact ocbc@ontariocraftbrewers.com.

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.

The theme of this year’s conference was “Championing Craft’s Future,” to provide some much-needed hope to Canadian brewers.

“It’s no surprise and no secret that beer is down across the board,” said Troy Burtch, senior manager of sales and marketing at Great Lakes Brewery and spokesperson for OCBC. “Not significantly, but consumption per capita is down. This year’s event was about bringing everyone together – the breweries, the vendors, the supporters – and saying there is a future. We wanted to champion that with these speakers and these presenters, and get breweries, sales teams and packaging teams to the conference to reinvigorate the industry.”

OCBC 2024 attracted over 1,000 attendees, including brewery owners, operators, brewers, investors and industry champions from Canada and the United States. A highlight of the event was the Suppliers Marketplace, which featured more than 120 leading-edge industry suppliers. This made it one of the largest craft brewing trade shows in Canada, offering attendees the chance to explore innovative products and services tailored to the needs of the craft brewing community.

A packed agenda

The conference agenda offered a rich blend of educational sessions, networking opportunities and social events spread across several days:

• Tuesday, Nov. 5: Supplier load-in and attendee pre-registration, followed by a kickoff party at Clifford Brewing and a Czetch pub takeover at Merit Brewery.
• Wednesday, Nov. 6: The opening day featured keynote presentations, breakout sessions and the bustling trade show. Next came a tour of Hamilton craft breweries. The day concluded at Mills Hardwear with Blood Brothers Brewing and Town Brewery.
• Thursday, Nov. 7: The final day included additional sessions and continued exploration of the trade show. OCBC 2024 concluded with a vibrant after-party at Collective Arts Brewing to cap off the event.

Educational highlights

OCBC 2024 included robust educational programming, featuring insights into the latest trends, technologies and strategies shaping the craft beer industry. Expert-led sessions covered a diverse array of topics, including brewing techniques, business development, marketing innovations and regulatory updates. Both emerging and established brewers left with valuable knowledge to navigate the ever-evolving craft beer landscape.

For Burtch, one of the standout moments from the conference was the fireside chat with Peter Bulut, owner of Great Lakes Brewery, who reflected on his 37 years in the industry. “We heard a lot of good feedback from people who have a two-year-old to a 10-year-old brewery, who saw the progression of one of Ontario’s legacy brewers,” he said.

Another standout moment was the keynote with Ben Edmunds, brewmaster at Breakside Brewery in Portland, Ore. “He just had a fantastic presentation. It was motivational, inspiring, yet it made you look inwards at yourself and your business to see how you can do better,” said Burtch.

We’ve already started talking about what we’re going to do next year in terms of keynote speakers, education sessions and, as we do every year, we ask ourselves how we can make things better for the attendees.

Troy Burtch, Great Lakes Brewery

The trade show also received positive feedback from attendees. “There was so much energy,” said Burtch. “A lot of the vendors said that this is the best trade show they’ve been to in 2024, and that they had a lot of face-to-face time with the key decision-makers. It didn’t hurt that there were hundreds of different varieties of Ontario craft beer available for us to sample, too.”

Strengthening the craft brewing community

Beyond its formal programming, OCBC provided numerous opportunities for attendees to connect and collaborate. Networking events and informal meetups allowed participants to share ideas and forge meaningful relationships. Many attendees remarked on the value of the community-building aspect of the conference, with new partnerships and friendships formed over shared experiences.

Hosting the event in Hamilton also gave participants the chance to explore the city’s burgeoning craft beer scene. Known for its mix of industrial heritage and artistic vibrancy, Hamilton is home to a diverse array of craft breweries that reflect the creativity of Ontario’s brewing culture. Many attendees took time to visit local breweries, further immersing themselves in the region’s plentiful beer offerings.

The future of OCBC

The conference will return to the Hamilton Convention Centre on Nov. 4–6, 2025. “We’ve already started talking about what we’re going to do next year in terms of keynote speakers, education sessions and, as we do every year, we ask ourselves how we can make things better for the attendees,” said Burtch.

OCBC 2024 was more than just an event; it was a celebration of the community that defines the craft brewing industry. From educational sessions and trade show exhibits to social events and brewery tours, attendees left with fresh insights, valuable connections and renewed inspiration to drive the craft beer movement forward.

As one of the largest gatherings of its kind in Canada, OCBC once again demonstrated its significance as a cornerstone event for the industry. Participants departed Hamilton energized and equipped to face new challenges, confident in the strength of the community they are proud to be part of – and ready to attend the conference once again in 2025.