Employees Profiles
Bob Hanenberg, Owner/President
Bob is enjoying every minute of living his dream. For the past 30 years, Bob had been employed in the Standardbred racing industry as a farrier and then as a Ontario Racing Commission judge at the Standardbred race tracks. He has always had a love for great beer, wine and food. During a family holiday in Paris France in March 2004, he saw a wonderful brew pub and the seeds were planted. After he came home, he slowly started to do his research about opening a microbrewery.
Through the internet he found several websites selling used brewing systems of all sizes and manufacturers. Very quickly a system came available that he purchased at auction in Wisconsin. Now the dream was starting to take shape. The equipment arrived home in Brantford but a building could not be found. Almost 12 months later, the Galt Knife building was purchased and finally the equipment had a new home.
During this process, he met Rob Creighton and a friendship was formed. Both had similar ideas about the beers that they would like to make. In February 2007 Rob joined GRB and helped Bob realize his dream. The first beers were sold June 22, 2007 from the retail store and several local pubs.
Rob Creighton, Brewer
Rob graduated from Ryerson with a degree in Urban and Regional Planning. However, a love of beer led him to a career in the brewing industry. As a student Rob worked for Labotts Breweries in London, Ontario. Once Rob graduated from University, he worked at Upper Canada Brewing Company. Later he worked at Northern Alqonquin Brewing Company, Lakeport Brewing and F & M Brewey in positions with increasing responsibilities.
Rob joined Grand River Brewing in early 2007 and helped Bob develop the great beers they have introduced in the summer of 2007. Rob has a great love of beer and the production process. You will have to watch for the specialty beers that Rob is planning and testing for release in limited qualities during the year. Along with Rob’s love to make and drink great beers, is his family and a cute Jack Russell called Java. Be sure to talk to Rob at special events as his love and knowledge of beer is contagious.
Peter Collins
Peter started working at the brewery in September of 2008 after his two daughters went back to school full time. Looking to fill his newly empty days he decided that getting sprayed by beer, walking around in beer, and generally being surrounded by beer was a reasonable solution. Getting paid for it was an added bonus.
When Peter is not at the brewery he continues a career as a professional bass trombonist with Orchestra London and the Hamilton Philharmonic. He also teaches bass trombone at the University of Western Ontario and teaches from
his home. He enjoys photography in his spare time and has been running a photo restoration business for the past several years: Wesmore Digital.
Matthew Mantle
Matt is a local Paris boy, growing up down the road from the boss while playing sports and watching the idiot box. Presently Matt is taking a year off from a degree program in Financial Management in Economics at the University of Guelph to watch the start up of this company and consider his options. Matt is responsible for the packaging and the retail store sales. Be sure to talk to him about what GRB beers he and his friends enjoy while playing Ultimate Frisbee.
Jacob Tremaine
Loves beer especially GRB’s. Joined the GRB Beer team in October 2008. Quickly learned about the art of bottling beer and cleaning kegs. Assisted at the beer club tastings. Grew up in Windsor so familiar with American styles of beer. Hobbies include music, Tai Chi and home brewing.
Frankie
We welcome Frankie as our brewery dog and the newest member of the Grand River Brewing staff. He was adopted from a local family who could no longer give him a good home. He is roughly six years old and a mixed breed dog. He is currently looking after notifying us of customers in the store but will be moving up to be in charge of our complaints department before the end of the year.
