Big news on tap: OutSpoken Brewing sold to local investors

Plenty of craft beer lovers in the Sault will raise a glass to this news.

Closed for months, OutSpoken Brewing has been sold to a group of local investors who plan to renovate the downtown taproom and relaunch the brand. 

Land registry records retrieved by SooToday show that 350 Queen St. E.  was purchased in late-November by a newly formed company, OutSpoken Inc. The sale price was $325,000.

The directors of the new company include Jeff Elgie and Kevin Rusnell, who together opened the popular Peace restaurant across from GFL Memorial Gardens in 2022. Elgie is the CEO of Village Media, the local news company that operates SooToday, and Rusnell is CEO of dig, a Sault-based marketing firm.

The other investors are Ryan Markkula, listed the president of OutSpoken Inc., and Ryan Yates, the CEO of Apaylo, a digital payment platform.

“We were always big fans of OutSpoken and it’s exciting to be reopening the doors to Sault Ste. Marie,” Markkula said in a written statement to SooToday. “It is a huge part of our downtown and we know that it has been sorely missed by the community.”

First established in 2011 by co-founders Vaughn Alexander and Graham Atkinson, the microbrewery quickly gained a loyal following of craft beer fans. Popular selections included Rabbits Foot IPA, Anvil Red Ale and Maglia Rosa Italian Pilsener.

The brewery expanded its operations to the Canal District in 2021, launching a new production facility.

“This is a perfect opportunity not only for us to brew more beer, but also to help with our initiative to encourage and support tourism in Sault Ste. Marie and Algoma,” the company said at the time. “We will continue to operate our taproom and patio at 350 Queen Street East for friends and family to gather and sip on their favourite brews.”

Over the past year, however, OutSpoken struggled financially. After temporarily closing its downtown location last January — without explanation — Alexander and Atkinson released two videos on social media, urging customers to come in and stock up.

“Our intention is to continue in a little bit of a different way, but in a successful way, so that we can be here for you,” Alexander said in one video, released last February.

The brewery’s Instagram page has been dormant since August. Same for its Facebook account — until last month, when a new post appeared just a few days after the sale was finalized. It featured the OutSpoken logo on a cold glass of beer.

“We are thrilled to be continuing what Graham and Vaughn started over a decade ago,” Markkula said. “Our most important decision so far has been bringing Reg Peer on as our brewmaster. His brewing experience at OutSpoken goes back to 2018. His experience ensures the quality of the beers will continue to meet everyone’s high expectations.”

When will the brewery reopen to customers?

“We will have more information in the coming months while we complete some minor renovations to help improve the space,” he said. “Stay tuned to our social media channels for more news in the coming months!”