TORONTO, ON – The 2020 edition of the Ontario Craft Brewers Conference (OCBC) is coming up later this month, and as with many events this year, the COVID-19 pandemic means that it will be shifting to a virtual format.
Taking place online from October 27th to 29th, the 9th annual OCBC has the theme “Together For Craft”, and will feature a variety of guest speakers, panels, and sessions, along with a Suppliers Marketplace with virtual booths featuring dozens of brewing industry suppliers and exhibitors.
The keynote speaker for this year’s event will be Charlie Papazian, the “founding father of the US craft beer scene” and founder and past president of the Brewers Association, who will be discussing his “lifetime of industry challenges in the world of craft.”
Papazian will also be participating along with staff from Great Lakes Brewery in a virtual beer tasting of the official OCBC 2020 collaboration beer, a “crisp, border-busting Pilsner” that was brewed by Papazian and GLB head brewer Mick Lackey via a Zoom session.
In addition to Papazian’s keynote, the OCBC will feature 20 other speakers including Rick Dalmazzi, executive director of the Canadian Craft Brewers Association; diversity & inclusion consultant Graci Harkema; Bradley Goddard, director of the Alberta Small Brewers Association; and many more.
Tickets for the OCBC 2020 are available online for $20 (plus HST and fee), or $10 with an OCB Member discount code. For more details including a full list of speakers and conference agenda, see the OCBC website.