Alexander Keith's Brewery

You would be hard pressed to find a Nova Scotian who doesn't know the name Alexander Keith. In addition to being a prominent businessman and a philanthropist, Alexander Keith was twice elected and once proclaimed mayor of Halifax and sat in the Nova Scotia legislature for 30 years.

Despite these impressive achievements, the name has become best recognized because of the beer that has been "brewed without compromise since 1820."

Alexander Keith's has been in operation in Nova Scotia since Alexander Keith created the recipe himself. Today, one in every three beers sold in Nova Scotia is a Keith's.

But Keith's is more than a local business. Since becoming a part of the Oland Brewery family in 1928, Keith's popularity has continued to climb. The popular Keith's India Pale Ale is currently Canada's number one premium domestic brand.

While Alexander Keith's has the longevity to prove its success, at times managing the popular brand isn't always as smooth as the taste of the product.

"Managing a local brand that is now available in every province of the country, and growing, is an exciting challenge," says Brent Quartermain, Keith's Brewery president. " My primary role is to lead the team's strategic direction of the Atlantic Canadian business. One of the challenges in our business is in managing four Atlantic provinces with very different rules and regulations."

But that hasn't slowed the company's growth. "Keith's has grown every single month since we launched it outside of Nova Scotia in 1996," says Brent.

Since coming to Nova Scotia from Carlton Place, near Ottawa, in 2004, Brent has discovered additional advantages to having the brand rooted in the province's tradition.

"Nova Scotia has a lot to offer, and one of my priorities when moving here was to take advantage of all of it," he explains. "We bought a travel trailer when we arrived, and we're taking advantage of the weekends and travelling throughout the province."

"I believe that the people here are incredible. The Nova Scotia culture is open and respectful and people are willing to go the extra mile."

He would also like more people to learn about Nova Scotia; the company is certainly doing its part. "We have been putting the Nova Scotia flag on Keith's brand for a long time, and sending it out of the province," he says. "Come and see us and stop by the brewery."

"Lots of talented people come here to learn about the business and the roles they can take," he adds. "People who don't know much about Nova Scotia end up liking it when they arrive. If they end up having to move, they often come back for their vacation."

Perhaps, Nova Scotia is a lot like Alexander Keith's -- Those who like it, like it a lot.