Beer Buzz
Reggie’s to Diversify Their Beer Portfolio
In years past, students’ ability to get their drink on at our campus watering hole was tragically limited, as Reggie’s Bar had an exclusive contract with Molson. With the expiry of that contract earlier this summer, samplers of suds may see a long due diversification in their choice of chilled chugging beverages.
“There was a contract with Molson for two years; it expired on July 1,” explained Concordia Student Union President Lex Gill, who also sits on the board of CUSACorp. CUSACorp, which operates Reggie’s, is the profit-making wing of the CSU.
“Basically, if we want to switch to another beer company, we have to show that contract to Molson, and they have the right to match it. We have been looking at other companies, but either way, we won’t be signing a contract with full exclusivity on tap. We’ll have at least two other options on tap, hopefully, for non-Molson products, at the bare minimum. No contract that we sign will have full exclusivity on tap or in the fridge.”
Not only will there be a large array of potent potables, but the new brews will appeal to those looking for something beyond a cheap buzz. Part of the goal is to offer some lesser-known beers that will appeal to the beer connoisseurs around campus.
“We’ve been talking to every major and minor beer company,” said Gill. “The goal behind all this is that we’d like to start selling local microbrews, organic, maybe a gluten-free beer, or vegan beer. We want to be able to have those options, and right now we don’t.”
If the new menu sounds a bit pricier than the fare you’ve come to expect from Reggie’s, it may be. But Gill was quick to allay fears that Reggie’s might soon price itself out of the average student’s meager bender budget.
“We’re not saying we’re not going to offer the cheap beer of the world, but we’d like to integrate the social justice and sustainable mentality of the Hive Café more into Reggie’s, and start transitioning to more local beers or an organic option. I think we could bring in a different clientele. No one’s going to sell 100 cases of organic beer on Thirsty Thursdays, but for other nights like open mic nights, we think there’s a market there.”
This article originally appeared in Volume 32, Issue 01, published August 30, 2011.
