Alumni trio brew up craft beer in London

By Joe Belanger

Five London men, including 3 Western alumni, have developed a new twist on the growing farm-to-table movement. Call it the farm to beer mug.

The London Brewing Co-operative is London’s newest entrant to the craft brewing industry, but using locally grown barley, rye and hops to create brews.

They’ll showcase their creations Wednesday at Milos’ Craft Beer Emporium, featuring six beers created by Aaron Lawrence, BA'07 (Huron, International Development), MA'11 (Anthropology), Dave Thuss, BA'05 (King's, English/PolSci),  Marcus Rosen and cousins Joel and Jeff Pastorius, BA'08 (Huron, Globilization/Philosophy).

“Ultimately, our goal or philosophy is to showcase a local product,” said Thuss.

“But, also, we’re a workers co-operative and we want to showcase a different way to build a business. Overall, our largest goal is to bring more varieties of craft beer to the people of London.”

The five men, who all have day jobs, describe themselves as “worker-owners” who share the work and profits of the company.

They launched the business in 2013 and since 2014 their beer has been available only at The Root Cellar Organic Cafe on Dundas St. just east of Adelaide, which was spawned from On The Move Organics founded by Jeff Pastorius.