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The Urbanite – Jon Liedtke – Dec. 18, 2013

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Not content to stay still, Motor Craft Ales is racing towards offering one of the most extensive beer selections in the region. 

Since opening in 2009, Motor Burger has expanded their operation from an upscale burger restaurant on Erie Street to an entirely new business venture. 

Co-owner Gino Gesuale said that beer production has grown and that he hopes to supply local residents with craft beer through his newly acquired manufacturing license. 

“We just want to produce damn good beer and serve it to people… give people an option [and] choice,” said Gesuale. “This is our whole core focus of what we’re doing, to get out there, to get the brand out there, and to give people a choice.” 

Gesuale explained that the Motor brand is about being local and community oriented. “Let’s do it for the people of Windsor to make Windsor a better place. It’s not like I’m saving the planet or anything… it is rewarding when people come in and say it’s great beer.” 

Motor Craft Ales routinely collaborates with local suppliers to produce unique brews for the region. Past collaborations have included Klassen’s Blueberries, Serenity Lavender and, most recently, with Whipsaw Coffee. 

“The reason we’re doing that [collaborating with local producers] is because we believe in staying local,” said Gesuale, noting that there will be more collaborations in the future. “We make great beer, so why not put it together and let’s make it interesting.” 

Even with upwards of a $100,000 investment in the brewing operation, Gesuale said that it was “a good thing” that new breweries were opening in the region. 

“Microbreweries are a very small percentage of the pie. It’s a matter of getting that variety out there, getting people out there to do things and giving people the choice,” said Gesuale. “There’s always room for everybody. I like the idea of things being made locally and people trying things. That’s what’s going to make Windsor a better place.” 

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Jonathon Liedtke is the managing editor of The Urbanite, Windsor’s alternative newspaper. He is also a member of Windsor’s “Punk with Horns” band The Nefidovs, and as such, is committed to enhancing and sustaining the arts community.

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