Beaches Brewing Company reopens with new vision for Queen Street East

By JULIA SAWICKI

Beaches Brewing Company is reopening with a new vision for Queen Street East: elevated dining, craft beer and community connection.

The beloved brew pub is returning with owner and master brewer Carl Pratt alongside a new sign and three new faces: Krishna Gaudel, Stephane Lacoste and Rajesh Pandey.

The new leadership group came together as what they call, “the perfect storm,” a mix of opportunity and long-standing plans coming to fruition.

After Beaches Brewing Company closed last year, Pratt approached Gaudel and Lacoste about collaborating to reopen the location, bringing together their individual strengths to refresh the brand and create an experience that sets it apart from other microbreweries.

It was a team effort. Pratt was able to focus on what he loved most, brewing delicious, refreshing and specialized beer, while Gaudel and Lacoste worked on the business, decor and food side of things, making sure that every aspect received the same level of attention and detail.

Moving away from traditional bar dining, the kitchen will now incorporate French and Southeast Asian influences. Chef Rajesh Pandey is one of the creative minds behind the new menu, bringing global experience from a variety of restaurants in Toronto, Nepal, Mumbai and Dubai to Queen Street East in the Beach.

Lacoste will handle the French European influence, as both a chef and chief operating officer, with years of experience in the restaurant industry, a background in design, and a passion for beer, as a self proclaimed “Beergonaut.”

Gaudel, now the chief executive officer of Beaches Brewing Company, is also no stranger to the industry, having worked in and managed a number of five-star hotels in Toronto, as well as The Kingston House restaurant in the neighbourhood. He is confident that the advancements made will turn Beaches Brewing Company into a lasting staple on Queen Street East.

As customers enter the redesigned space, it’s clear careful attention was paid to every stylistic choice, moving away from the traditional brewery aesthetic, which Lacoste and Gaudel both admit has become passé in recent years.

“Every brewery doesn’t have to be crafty. Luxury can come along with the brewery,” said Gaudel.

“You can have a comfortable seat and elegant service. If you feel like having a glass of wine, we will have that. We will have elevated cocktails while at the same time offering freshly brewed beer. So you have the best of both worlds.”

The goal, according to the team, is to create a space that welcomes customers like they’re “your mom’s best friend,” while also offering somewhere to watch the big game. It’s meant to combine the casual atmosphere of a neighbourhood pub with the feel of an upscale lounge.

However, Gaudel emphasized that luxury won’t come with an overwhelming price tag. “You don’t have to spend $300 or $400 a night to go out and have a decent time for a few hours. Here, we’re going to deliver that. We’re confident that with good beer, that’s good quality, and is locally sourced and brewed, people will appreciate it,” he said.

One of the notable additions will be the new Namaste Beer, expertly crafted to complement the new cuisine style.

Incorporating turmeric and electrolytes, the beer is expected to become a standout item on the menu. The team is also working to launch it at the LCBO and at local Indian restaurants, aiming to make it a staple for beer connoisseurs and health-conscious drinkers alike.

Alongside the launch of the Namaste Beer, Pratt is now able to focus on his role as Master Brewer working behind the scenes to perfect every pint, from lagers to IPAs.

“Carl now has the time and peace of mind to go back to the recipes that worked well, and tweak them,” explained Lacoste. “Beers that were once good, are now going to be great.”

After Pratt announced the closing of Beaches Brewing Company late last year, he cited rising area costs, restaurant and pub industry oversaturation and missing the boom of craft beer that now had to compete with macrobreweries. Lacoste and Gaudel, though, are confident that quality and consistency will be keys to success.

“It’s a very small business. During this economic time, not only the microbreweries, but restaurants and retail stores are closing one after the other. But we think if we deliver the quality and consistency, the neighbourhood will see it,” said Gaudel.

The team also wants Beaches Brewing Company to remain deeply connected to the community. They say the brewery will support charitable initiatives and continue building relationships with local residents and businesses that helped support them over the years.

The reaction from the community so far has been encouraging.

Gaudel said people frequently stop by to share how much they missed Pratt’s beer. He’s also seen this at The Kingston House which is located just east of Main Street on Kingston Road.

“When we’re working outside, people stop by to say hello, and they share their bitterness that Carl had to close down,” said Gaudel.

“We used to sell Carl’s beer at The Kingston House, and we used to sell a lot. And when he stopped brewing, people were still keen on his porter…A lot of people shared their concern and sorrow that he was just folding up the business. Now that people are noticing we’re opening again, so many people are excited.”

With warmer weather approaching, Beaches Brewing Company is also preparing to reopen and revitalize its patio along Queen Street East.

According to Lacoste, the neighbourhood can expect something unique, though he said the team is keeping details under wraps for now.
The Beaches Brewing Company grand opening is set for Friday, May 29, at 1953 Queen St. E.

The leadership group said it is eager to hear feedback from the community and hopes residents will once again embrace both the brewery and the restaurant.

“We’re really hoping people come in and try us again for the first time,” said Lacoste.