The brewer's wife

Ted. I commented recently on the large number of craft brews available in Nova Scotia. There are now 50 craft breweries in a province with only 924,000 people. This past weekend we had a chance to speak with a player in the industry.

After our week on Cape Breton Island, we traveled to Pictou for a brief layover prior to catching the ferry to Prince Edward Island. Pictou is a charming little town and, while wandering the wharf, we came upon the Hector Heritage Quay built around a replica of the good ship Hector. This tiny (85’ long) vessel landed here in 1773 with 189 Scottish settlers bound for a new life in the land dubbed New Scotland or, more properly, Nova Scotia. Thousands of displaced highlanders soon followed.

After trying to imagine what the 11-week journey must have been like, we plopped down at the nearby beer garden. While discussing options with the knowledgeable hostess we learned what she was co-owner of Uncle Leo’s Brewery. This sounded promising because my brother-in-law is actually Uncle Leo to my kids. While sipping a smooth smoked porter we heard a bit of her story.

Rebecca is married to Karl, who originally hails from a small fishing town in Newfoundland. Karl’s Uncle Leo was known in the community as a resourceful individual. Back in the 1940’s Leo, who had been unable to work as a fisherman due to the fact that he only had one leg, opened a small general store. Recognizing a need in the marketplace, this savvy young man then began brewing his own beer. I should imagine his store was a lively place.

They say that the apple never falls far from the tree. In 2013, Karl and Rebecca decided to become entrepreneurs themselves. Joining the craft beer movement, they didn’t have to think long to come up with a name. Uncle Leo’s Brewery (see uncleleosbrewery.ca) has been thriving ever since.

We were impressed with this woman’s spirit and the dream she shares with her beermaking husband. For instance, their little pop-up seasonal beer garden is a great marketing idea.  As we departed, she cheered us on, “Keep living your dream!” When I replied, “Same to you!”, she added, “Yes - I’m living my best life!”