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Mike did sales and marketing for an Elmira- during a visit to Naples, FL., home of the
based cell tower manufacturer called U.S. Open Pickleball Championships. “We
Trylon and jokes it wasn’t hard for him to thought it was awesome because it’s such
step away to pursue his ‘dream’ job. an accessible game, anybody can play, and
“I always joke that they had better jobs,” he you can feel like you’re a true athlete.”
laughs, reminiscing about those early days They transformed a large storage
when Four Fathers Brewing operated from area behind the production brewery
a renovated barn just north of Rockwood. into a pickleball oasis, attracting
Their dedication and hard work paid off both beginners and pros.
and it wasn’t long before their brew wound “It’s really helped us because since COVID,
up in the LCBO, along with places in Guelph the brewing and restaurant industry has
and Waterloo Region, prompting the been unstable, so it adds to the stability
‘hockey dads’ to find larger digs. here and helps diversify our portfolio,” he
They looked at properties in several says.
communities, including Elora and Guelph, In terms of the future, Mike says plans are
before setting their sights on the former in the works for additional attractions,
W.A. Kribs Co. Ltd. factory at 125 Guelph including the potential of bike rentals and
Ave. in Hespeler. The family-owned a performance tent.
company, which began in the 1880s, began
manufacturing electric and gas-powered “We’re not just a tap room or a restaurant
washing machines in 1914 and became anymore,” he says. “I consider this as a
Simplicity Products Ltd. in 1948, before destination.”
becoming a division of McGraw-Edison But he acknowledges the stresses that go
Canada in 1970 and relocating to Sheldon along with operating a business in this
Drive four years later before going into sector, referring to rising operating costs
receivership in 1981. and a barrage of taxes and regulations that
“Martin (Castellan) found this space permeate the craft brewing industry.
and it was perfect because on this side “We’re required to sell through the LCBO,
of Cambridge you’re really close to which comes with its own set of challenges—
everything,” says Mike. “We couldn’t have it’s not always a level playing field,” says
found a better spot. I love being part of Mike, emphasizing the importance of
Hesepler Village and we’ve been so well doing thorough research before starting
supported by the local community.” a business. “That said, we understood the

The transformation of the space, which landscape going in, so there’s no point in
encompasses about 90,000 square feet, complaining. You need to know what your
involved a lot of elbow grease. Mike battles are likely to be, so spend time with
describes the many days and weekends of people already in the industry. That way,
hard work that it took to sandblast the oil you’ll go in with your eyes open and avoid
and paint from the woodwork and floors, any major surprises.”
bringing the heritage building back into He also believes that roadblocks should
shape. never stand in the way of chasing your
“Sometimes I don’t think we step back dreams.
enough to appreciate we we’ve done,” “There’s a solution for everything. That’s
he says, describing how Four Fathers always been our mindset,” he says,
continues to evolve. This includes the reflecting on the pride of reaching one of
addition of its very popular and versatile their first milestones at The Breadalbane
event space the IV Loft on the upper Inn in Fergus, a favourite pub among the
level, its Ontario Disc Sports Association partners.
sanctioned disc golf course, and the “I had made that our very first sale, but the
creation of the Four Fathers Brewing real moment—the one that hit home—was
Pickleball Society which continues to gain sitting there, drinking our beer from a Four
traction since the six courts opened in Fathers’ glass, and seeing our tap handle
January 2024. on the line. That was incredible.”

“We have such great membership, and Visit www.fourfathersbrewing.ca to learn
the demand is there,” says Mike, adding more.
the idea took shape after the partners
saw the immense popularity of the game

www.cambridgechamber.com Summer 2025 35