In this episode of Between 2 Fermenters, host Troy Burtch of Great Lakes Brewery sits down with Tomas and Julian Morana, the brothers who have redefined Toronto’s beer scene. From the legendary Bar Volo and Birreria Volo, to Keep Six Imports, Cask Days, and their latest venture Bottega Volo, the Moranas have built an empire that shaped Ontario’s craft beer scene while putting Toronto on the global stage.

Together, the Morana’s discuss their journey - growing up in the original Caffé Volo as young boys, balancing family life with entrepreneurship, their design-driven approach to hospitality, and how they’ve carried forward their father Ralph’s legacy while pushing the boundaries of what a beer bar can be. They get into all the ventures and projects that are tackling and share why and how they are intentional in all they do. In this episode:

• The evolution of Volo from their perspective - from Caffé Volo to Bar Volo, Birreria Volo, and beyond
• How Keep Six Imports and Cask Days helped connect Ontario to the global beer community
• Balancing family, fatherhood, and running multiple venues
• The Moranas’ design and travel influences that shape the look and feel of their spaces
• Carrying forward Ralph Morana’s legacy while making their own mark on Canadian beer culture

Thank you for tuning into the #BetweenTwoFermenters podcast. Please take a moment to give us a rating and review on whichever platform you get your podcasts at and be sure to follow GreatLakesBeer on all social channels. greatlakesbeer.com. Supporting local never tasted soooo good!

Hosted by Troy Burtch, Between Two Fermenters, a podcast brought to you by Toronto's Great Lakes Brewery where craft beer and conversation collide - straight from the tanks to your ears.

Ontario’s craft beer scene is changing fast, very fast, and nobody knows that better than Jason Stein. When a large distributor of craft beer announced it was shutting down their beer operation, breweries scrambled to find new ways to get their beer to market. Enter FIL Delivery Inc., the logistics company Jason founded in 2020.

In this episode, host Troy Burtch of Great Lakes Brewery sits down with Jason to talk about the rise of FIL Delivery, the challenges of scaling from two vans to a fleet of 36 trucks, and how technology is reshaping beer distribution. They also dive into Jason’s other passion project, Burdock Brewery (Co-Founder), a Toronto staple known for its lagers, experimental wine-beer hybrids, thriving live music venue, and laying down roots in Toronto’s Kensington Market neighbourhood.

From turning lemons into lemonade during the pandemic, Jason shares candid insights on entrepreneurship, growth, and staying independent in a rapidly shifting industry.

• How FIL Delivery scaled from two vans to a province-wide fleet
• The role of technology in modern beer logistics
• Burdock Brewery’s origin story and its unique blend of beer, wine, and music
• How the Kensington Market neighbourhood has accepted Burdock
• Lessons Jason has learned about growth, risk, and staying focused

Thank you for tuning into the #BetweenTwoFermenters podcast. Please take a moment to give us a rating and review on whichever platform you get your podcasts at and be sure to follow GreatLakesBeer on all social channels. greatlakesbeer.com. Supporting local never tasted soooo good!

Hosted by Troy Burtch, Between Two Fermenters, a podcast brought to you by Toronto's Great Lakes Brewery where craft beer and conversation collide - straight from the tanks to your ears.

This episode of Between Two Fermenters welcomes Brad McInerney, Marketing Director at Wellington Brewery, to the show. With nearly two decades under his belt at one of Canada’s original craft breweries, Brad’s journey started on the packaging line and grew into shaping the brand’s creative vision, events, and community impact.

Host Troy Burtch dives into Brad’s story - from booking punk shows in Hamilton to leading Wellington’s marketing and sales, building a thriving taproom, and helping define Guelph’s beer culture through initiatives like the Guelph Beer Bus (named Ontario’s Culinary Tourism Event of the Year, 2023).

The fellas talk Wellington’s rich 40-year history, the challenges of balancing tradition with innovation, the return of cask ale, and what’s ahead for one of Ontario’s oldest independent breweries.
What’s Inside This Episode:

• Brad’s start on Wellington’s packaging line and rise to Marketing Director
• How booking punk shows shaped his approach to beer and community
• The story behind the award-winning Guelph Beer Bus
• Wellington Brewery’s 40-year legacy and upcoming anniversary celebrations
• Balancing tradition with innovation in craft beer

Thank you for tuning into the #BetweenTwoFermenters podcast. Please take a moment to give us a rating and review on whichever platform you get your podcasts at and be sure to follow GreatLakesBeer on all social channels. greatlakesbeer.com. Supporting local never tasted soooo good!

Hosted by Troy Burtch, Between Two Fermenters, a podcast brought to you by Toronto's Great Lakes Brewery where craft beer and conversation collide - straight from the tanks to your ears.