E-Malt.com News article: Canada, SK: Black Bridge Brewery partnering with 9 Mile Legacy Brewing, moving production to Saskatoon

Black Bridge Brewery is partnering with 9 Mile Legacy Brewing and moving production from Swift Current to Saskatoon, West Central Online reported on December 3.

The two breweries are entering a joint venture that will see them partner on beverage production, distribution, and community investment.

That also means the Black Bridge taproom will be closing by December 20.

"It's a joint venture essentially kind of a formal commitment of businesses to work together and to each contribute something to the broader goal," said Shawn Moen, CEO of 9 Mile Legacy. "We've known (Black Bridge owners) Clay and Kari Stenson for a while since we started the brewery and they've become excellent friends. Both of our businesses just reached a point where we found we could do more together. We've committed to doing that together. We've committed to centralizing our production and working together to continue to grow our market share."

That means the physical location for Black Bridge in Swift Current is closing down this month.

"The tap room that everyone loves, we love included, will be closing before Christmas as we look to reposition the Black Bridge business now in Swift Current," Moen said. "We're keen to definitely look at some really intriguing ways to continue to invest in the Southwest. We have Southwest routes as well, my business partner Garrett and I are from the Cabri/Abbey area. We know how important Black Bridge is in Swift Current and it's important to us too."

The owners of 9 Mile Lacy Brewing and Black Bridge Brewery pose together. (Photo from 9 Mile Legacy Brewing on Facebook)

Both sides of the agreement emphasized they want to stay involved in the southwest in ways they are still examining.

"Closing our beloved Swift Current taproom is not an easy decision," said Black Bridge Brewery in a post on Facebook. "That space has been part of our identity, our memories, and our connection to all of you.

"We’re already looking for new ways to stay involved and continue investing in the community that built us."

The partnership doesn't necessarily mean the companies are absorbing into each other.

"The businesses will remain separate and we'll work together," Moen said. "We'll end up consolidating production up in Saskatoon and there'll be some Black Bridge equipment that comes up here. But Clayton and Kari are still involved in the brand identity and growth. We're handling the operational matters in relation to the business. Beer production and sales and marketing and distribution."

Moen noted some financial pressures in the current economy are part of the decision to work together in this way.

"There's lots of advantages to work together in our industry," Moen said. "When you think about it from a supply chain perspective, it's about joint purchasing of cans and malt, kind of consolidating some of those expenses. We've got a pretty decent-sized team that is able to handle things like sales and marketing and distribution. We're able to leverage that strength. Black Bridge has such a great brand and known for great quality that we can lean into that strength as well.

"As we've gone through the pandemic and the aftermath of inflation and tariffs now that are impacting our aluminum cans, each of the businesses in our industry are going to have to reimagine their business model. I think the challenge before us is going to be to find some really authentic and deep ways to continue to invest in the southwest area. That's something that we're all committed to doing."

Black Bridge was founded in Swift Current by Clayton and Kari Stenson in 2014.

Moen and Garrett Pederson of the Cabri/Abbey area, founded 9 Mile Legacy Brewing in Saskatoon the following year.

Moen noted their partnership begins immediately.


03 December, 2025