The Great Western Brewing Company has been an integral component in the Saskatchewan business community since opening for business in 1989. Back then 16 former Carling O’Keefe employees started the brewery to save their jobs. Today the brewery is one of the top employers in Saskatoon, and through a lot of hard work, and a lot of great beer, they have earned an international reputation for world class craftsmanship.

The man in charge of Great Western Brewing is President and CEO Ron Waldman, a man who eats, sleeps and thinks beer. "That can be said of all of our employees," states Ron. "Our team here in the brewery is extremely committed to brewing the best beer in the world. We’re passionate about our products and we’re very proud of what we have accomplished together."

What we’ve accomplished is remarkable. The brewery is currently enjoying an impressive market share in this competitive business and we are now well known throughout Western Canada because of our extensive sponsorship programs and our world class premium products. The Great Western Brewing Company has set trends in the beer industry that other Canadian brewers have followed, and the brewery has a trophy case full of international accolades.

Brewhouse Pilsener has received the Silver medal and Western Premium Light has received the Bronze medal in the prestigious World Beer Cup, the Superbowl of beer competitions. Great Western Premium (2007), Great Western Pilsner (2005, 2007) and Great Western Light (2003, 2005 and 2007) have won Gold medals whenever entered in the Monde Selection in Belgium; one of the world’s most respected and difficult tests of product quality.

"We appreciate the awards," says Ron. "It’s an honour to be recognized by our peers in this tough industry. But our main focus has always been on our customers and consumers."

Although the brewery has upgraded key personnel, adjusted recipes and changed their beer line over the years, the main focus of producing world class beer hasn’t changed. The Great Western Brewing Company is now enjoying our earned success, but that doesn’t mean we’re complacent. We are continually bettering ourselves and staying one step ahead of the rest of the industry. As for the future of the Great Western Brewing Company…

"We will continue to produce world class beer for our Western Canadian customers," adds Ron. "That will never change."