Beau’s reaches 100-award milestone in 10th year

As a banner year for Beau’s All Natural starts to wrap up, the Vankleek Hill, Ont.,-based craft brewery is celebrating yet another landmark: Beau’s has officially won 100 awards since opening its doors in 2006. With several wins at the 10th Annual National Organic Brewing Competition, and a quick succession of awards including Canada’s DesignThinker of the Year for Beau’s co-founder Steve Beauchesne, Culinary Tourism Event of the Year for Beau’s Oktoberfest, and the “Built to Last” award at the B Corp Champions Retreat, Beau’s closes 2016 with an impressive haul of awards recognizing excellence in various fields.

First up, Beau’s had a noteworthy turn at the recent Organic Brewing Competition held in Santa Cruz, CA, with five placements across four categories including first place for Lug Tread in the European Pale Beer contest. The Tom Green Beer placed second in the Stout & Porter category, while One Ping Only placed third; Old Skål, an oud bruin-style beer made in collaboration for Beau’s 10th anniversary with Danish brewer Anders Kissmeyer, placed second in the Belgian Ales category and Return of the Mumme from the Beau’s Oktoberfest mix pack placed second in the Spiced Beer contest.

Since its early days, Beau’s has been lauded for its innovative marketing. In early November, Steve Beauchesne was awarded the title of Canada’s DesignThinker of the Year. This award from the Association of Registered Graphic Designers acknowledges Canadian business leaders who prioritize design and innovation among their business practices and push the boundaries of the field. Peter Aceto, president & CEO of Tangerine Bank, was the co-recipient of the award.

Most recently, Beau’s Oktoberfest – the brewing company’s signature charity fundraising event, which brought out more than 20,000 attendees in two days in 2016 and has raised half-a-million dollars for charity to date – claimed the Ontario Tourism Summit’s award for the Culinary Tourism Event of the Year.

Finally, Beau’s took home the “Built to Last” award at the B Corp #BInclusive retreat in Philadelphia in October. The award went to Beau’s as a certified B Corp for its demonstration of exemplary social leadership with the transition to employee ownership launched in the spring. As a certified B Corp, Beau’s has made a public commitment to maintaining high ethical standards, and to being open and honest with the people in its communities, donating to more than 100 independent arts and music, community-building and charitable organizations every year. In 2013, Beau’s became the first brewery in Canada to attain B Corp (Benefit Corporation) status.