With craft beer only gaining in popularity, it doesn’t look like this trend will be slowing down anytime soon. Customers are simply demanding great local products, and we can’t blame them.
Passionate people create great products, and luckily for us, Torontonians are leading the way. With local favourite like Steam Whistle Brewery putting Toronto brews on the maps, it’s now the freshman’s turn to take the torch with some refreshing new beers.
We had the chance to speak with Shehan De Silva, the man behind Lost Craft Brewery. Their approachable craft beer combined with minimalistic branding is easily recognizable. Beer aficionados are giving Lost Craft Brewery their seal of approval for its drinkability, including the LCBO who named Lost Craft’s flagship beer Revivale a customer favourite in 2016.
We spoke to Lost Craft brewery founder Shehan De Silva where he sees his company going and what’s next for Lost Craft Brewery.
Q: Best of Toronto
Congratulations on all of your success. You recently launched a new beer, Crimzen, and acquired Sextant Craft Brewery. What made you decide to expand your beer lineup?
A: Shehan De Silva
We wanted to add complimentary beers to our portfolio. Crimzen is a unique English-style red ale that is malt forward but crisp and refreshing. Sirius, the beer we acquired from Sextant, is a balanced American-style pale ale with great citrus notes. Each beer is different to Revivale. A criticism we hear all too often in craft beer is that they all taste the same. We wanted to offer variety but not without differentiation.
Q: Best of Toronto
Since your launch, you’ve been pretty bold in your approach to expansion. Since your launch you now have 3 brands at the LCBO. Where do you envision Lost Craft Brewery in 5 years?
A: Shehan De Silva
We expect to be leading craft beer in Canada, and around the world. We aspire for Lost Craft to be synonymous to great session beer and community connectivity.
Q: Best of Toronto
You started your career on Bay Street and even have an MBA degree. But, you left that behind because; you love the beer industry so much. You even interned under one of the top brand ambassadors and mixologists in the city, Jeremy Parsons. So, it’s obvious that you are passionate about this industry, where would you like to see the Toronto Craft beer industry go, and where’s Lost Craft Brewery’s role in that change?
A: Shehan De Silva
I want to make craft beer more approachable. Lost Craft beers are created with a paramount focus on drinkability. We don’t hide behind it, we’re proud of making session beers. Our ultimate goal is to expand the craft beer market.
Q: Best of Toronto
Since a lot of great microbreweries like Mill Street have recently been bought out by big companies like Labatt’s for example, and even larger sized companies like Sleeman’s was purchased by international conglomerate Sapporo, would this be something you are afraid of? Or something that you would welcome, should this opportunity ever arise?
A: Shehan De Silva
Our goal is to remain independent. That said, I don’t not drink Mill Street solely because they were bought by Labatt. I support great beer and companies that are relevant in my community.
Q: Best of Toronto
Ok, final question: How much fun is it to own your own craft brewery? Like how much fun is it really? And tell us a little about your team.
A: Shehan De Silva
I have the best job in the world. I’m passionate about what I do and I work with amazing people. The most exciting thing about Lost Craft is our team. We have a passionate dedicated group that are amped to create the best damn company on the planet. My motivation is watching them grow and building a platform to expand.
For more info about Lost Craft Brewery visit lostcraft.ca
