WINNIPEG, MB – Farmery Estate Brewery, a long-planned project from brothers – and Luxalune Gastropub owners – Lawrence and Chris Warwaruk, has come one step closer to reality thanks to a successful appearance on CBC’s Dragons’ Den earlier this month.
On a special “Second Chance” edition that aired on January 8th, the Warwaruks returned to face the Dragons more than eight years after their appearance on the very first episode of the program, where they had presented a loyalty card concept that was soundly rejected.
This time around, the duo had more success in pitching the Farmery, an destination brewery and tasting room to be built on their family-owned farm – located approximately 200 km west of Winnipeg – where barley and hops are already being grown.
In the 8 minute segment that can be viewed on the CBC website, the brothers indicated that sales have been strong for their flagship Farmery Premium Lager, which is currently bring brewed under contract at Ontario’s Muskoka Brewery. Combined with the estate brewery concept, this piqued the interest of four of the five Dragons, with two different pairs offering the $200,000 investment that the brothers were looking for.
The Warwaruks decided to accept the offer from Arlene Dickinson and David Chilton, who put forward the $200,000 in exchange for a 6% royalty. The deal is is still in the due diligence stage, but if it goes through, it is expected to move the Farmery much closer to completion.