Manitoulin Brewing Co. closes its doors

Announcement

News

Manitoulin Brewing Co. closes its doors

Expositor Staff

Apr 15, 2026 - 2 min read

Co-owners Nishin Meawasige and Blair Hagman take a moment out from their 2018 launch party to pose with the newest addition to the Manitoulin Brewing Company lineup, Haw Eater’s Lager.

Manitoulin Brewing Co. closes its doors — **Co-owners Nishin Meawasige and Blair Hagman take a moment out from their 2018 launch party to pose with the newest addition to the Manitoulin Brewing Company lineup, Haw Eater’s Lager.**

LITTLE CURRENT—It began as a dream, with two friends labouring in their garage over brewing equipment to create their first recipe. By 2015, Blair Hagman and Nishin Meawasige co-founded Manitoulin Brewing Company (MBC) in Little Current, turning their garage brewing hobby into a staple Northern Ontario craft brewery.

The pair quickly snapped up a series of Island location themed brands for their brews, including Swingbridge Ale, building a brand “focused on community, tourism and island culture.” The brewery headquarters on Highway 6 quickly became a popular summertime destination, with an attached outdoor eatery and music to complement their award-winning beers.

But, due to market pressures (alcohol consumption has been dropping steadily and the craft beer market is contracting after years of expansion), the company has announced it closed its doors permanently on April 9.