Molson Coors to build new brewery in Montreal

Rather than spend big money on modernising its existing brewery in Montreal, Canada’s number two brewer Molson Coors has announced it will build a brand new brewery in the greater Montreal region, media reported on 5 July 2017.

Two years ago, the brewer launched a feasibility study looking into operations in the city. A site for the new plant has not yet been selected.

Initial reports suggested the new brewery would cost Molson Coors about USD 500 million, depending on the size.

The union representing the employees of Molson Montreal called the announcement “good news”, since it means that Molson Coors will retain a presence in Montreal. However, it worries that a shift to packaging cans rather than bottles would lead to job losses. Since 2016, there have already been 120 redundancies.

It is not yet known what will be become of the current brewery on Notre-Dame Street along the St Lawrence River, where beer has been brewed since 1786.

Molson Coors plans to maintain a microbrewery and a sales venue, with the rest probably being sold for redevelopment.

Molson Coors sold its brewery in Vancouver last year. The company will continue to produce beer at that site for up to five years while it builds a new facility in Chilliwack, BC.