Kicking Oktoberfest off right!

By Jeff Holtby
Review freelancer

The traditional tapping of the first Oktoberfest keg on Friday, September 28 gave Tim and Steve Beauchesne something a little extra to smile about.

The ever-popular and much-anticipated Oktoberfest celebration, which is put on by Beau's All Natural Brewing Company, was held at the Vankleek Hill fairgrounds from Friday, September 28 to Sunday, September 30.

The opening ceremonies, which were held Friday, included a visit from Brad Duguid, Minister of Economic Development and Innovation and Glengarry-Prescott-Russell MPP Grant Crack, who were on hand not only to assist in the opening ceremony, but also to announce a $285,000 grant to the growing Beau's All Natural Brewing Company.

The funding, which comes from the province's Eastern Ontario Development Fund (EODF) will aid in financing the further expansion of the local business and is expected to result in the creation of up to 15 new jobs in the area.

This is the second such grant Beau's has received over the past several years. Previously, the company received $100,000 under the same funding program.

Duguid expressed his admiration for Tim and Steve Beauchesne's tenacity and courage in building a thriving enterprise in today's difficult economic climate.

The minister was also impressed with the Beauchesnes taking on large breweries and the Ontario legislature to amend the liquor law so that Beau's could continue its home delivery program.

A decision to shut down a home-delivery partnership between Beau's All Natural Brewery's and an Ottawa-based charity was reversed by Queen's Park last year after an outpouring of public support.

It was shut down on its first day of operation, Thursday, November 24, by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario, because of a provincial legislation that states alcohol intended for home delivery must be purchased from the LCBO or The Beer Store.

"These things can take years," laughed Duguid. Crack applauded the Beauchesnes' commitment to the local community and declared Oktoberfest a first-class event that acts as a showcase for Eastern
Ontario.

The keg was then tapped by Duguid, with only minor spillage, and there were toasts all around to continued success and prosperity.