Thunder Bay's oldest and largest craft brewery, Sleeping Giant Brewing Company, will shut down at the end of March after 14 years in operation. The closure, announced via social media, comes amid rising aluminum costs and declining beer consumption, despite the brewery's national recognition, community involvement, and role as a local hub.
Sleeping Giant Brewing Company, established in 2012 on Macdonell Street in Thunder Bay, Ontario, announced its closure effective at the end of March after 14 years. As the city's oldest and largest craft brewer, it gained provincial and national recognition, including a gold medal in the 2016 Ontario Brewing Awards for American Pale Ale and a bronze in the 2018 Canadian Brewing Awards for American Style Amber/Red Ale. In 2016, former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was photographed wearing the brewery's Northern Logger t-shirt. The brewery became well-known for beers like Northern Logger, Skull Rock, and 360 Ale.
The announcement via social media expressed deep gratitude: “We are deeply grateful to our amazing staff, our loyal customers, and the craft beer community across Northwestern Ontario and beyond.” Co-founder Kyle Mulligan stated, “This place began with beer, but it became a gathering place. We’ve watched friendships form here, milestones celebrated and a craft beer culture really take shape in this city.” As a farewell, the brewery is producing a final beer named “Good to the Last Drop.” Mulligan added, “Thunder Bay has always been fiercely local, and that's what made this possible. That’s what we’ll always carry with us.”
Beyond brewing, Sleeping Giant served as a community hub, hosting events from weddings to fundraisers and business functions. It sponsored initiatives like “Craft Cares” and the Staal Foundation, and supported the 2SLGBTQ+ community through partnerships with Rainbow Collective, including the annual “love equals love” raspberry sour beer. It was among the first local businesses to complete Rainbow Collective’s gender and sexual diversity training. Jason Veltri, Rainbow Collective’s co-founder, noted, “That partnership was really the beginning of this long, fruitful relationship over the past five years... We saw Sleeping Giant as a true community partner... doing the work to ensure a safe and welcoming community facility for all.”
Hilary Hoogsteen of the Canadian Craft Brewers Association highlighted its impact: “They create jobs in their local communities, they contribute to small communities like Thunder Bay as community hubs.” She added that craft beer growth continues despite industry challenges. The closure marks the end of a significant chapter for Thunder Bay's craft beer scene.
