The sign outside of SanTur Brewing Company Inc.
The sign outside of SanTur Brewing Company Inc.

In search…

“I think there definitely is a ‘craft beer lifestyle’ – and I’m in search of it!” Judah Santos, co-owner of SanTur Brewing Company Inc., proclaimed when I asked him if a ‘craft beer lifestyle’ exists.

Sitting at a four-top table near the production area in the brewpub, Judah then aimed to define it: “My favourite brewery, the MacKinnon Brothers, is totally dedicated to making sure their brewery makes quality products, but at the same time they’re true to their roots… They try to marry great beer in an organic way with the main issues that effect our society.

“And for me – if you were to ask me if that’s what I would dream to do, above and beyond running a successful brewery, that is my next step: to make sure that my business is addressing these main issues – climate, pollution, crime, poverty, supporting the local community…

“That’s one thing that we’ve said from the beginning. In fact, the Kingston police were one of the first guests in here, and they started trying the beers, and then one thing lead to another, and then we were like, ‘Let’s make a beer with the Kingston police.’ All the proceeds can go to local charities to help with drug use, crime, education…

“To me, that’s utopia. That’s a craft beer lifestyle.”

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