A distinctive fusion of lawn bowling, beer, music, and summer evenings is making waves in Guelph. Brothers Brewing, situated on Wyndham Street in downtown Guelph, faced challenges due to a significant construction project that hindered the opening of their summer patio, leading to decreased foot traffic.
To counter this, the brewery launched a beer garden at the Guelph Lawn Bowling Club earlier this summer, benefiting both the brewery and the club. Colton Proveau, co-owner of Brothers Brewing, highlighted the necessity of this partnership as brewery sales plummeted by approximately 50%.
The introduction of the beer garden at the bowling club proved to be a timely solution. Blake Skinner, president of the lawn bowling club, noted that the beer garden has added an extra layer of enjoyment, attracting newcomers to the sport. Proveau expressed optimism about the future prospects of this collaboration.
Among the new fans are siblings Mathew and Jenna Holdom from Guelph, who frequented the Brothers Brewing patio and have now embraced lawn bowling at the beer garden. Similarly, Emily Gibson, a long-time lawn bowler, praised the vibrant atmosphere brought by the beer garden, attracting a diverse crowd to the sport.
The beer garden’s appeal extends beyond regular players, drawing interest from a younger demographic, ensuring the longevity of lawn bowling. This innovative approach not only sustains Brothers Brewing during downtown construction but also introduces a new audience to the traditional sport.