Big Rock Brewery: One of Alberta's Top 50 Employers

Big Rock Brewery Income Trust (TSX: BR.UN) is proud to announce that they were selected as one of Alberta's Top 50 Employers (http://www.canadastop100.com/alberta/) by editors at Mediacorp Canada Inc.

This is an important accolade for the Calgary-based company because the culture at Big Rock has been a fundamental part of the brewery's growth and success. Back in 1985, when they first opened the doors, Ed McNally relied on a small team of employees who were passionate about the beer; those employees were responsible for creating a casual work environment that was conducive to selling beer - and having some fun along the way.

"We always say that Big Rock beer is 100% all-natural beer made by 100% real people," says Jim Button, Vice President of Corporate and Community Affairs, "What makes our people real people? We believe that it is better to sip from the grassroots than gulp from the mainstream. We are committed to handcrafting a premium product."

Over the years the culture at Big Rock has continued to blossom, which makes it such a desirable place to work. The company is almost 25 years young and full of passion and excitement. Today they are not only recognized for their commitment to brewing excellence but also for their sponsorship of numerous festivals, theatre groups and non-profit organizations.

Aside from being part of a casual, light hearted culture (complete with employee sports teams and numerous organized social events and barbeques) some highlights of employment at the brewery include: three weeks of paid vacation to start (moving to four weeks after just five years on the job), employer contributions to a matching RSP plan and one case of beer biweekly (with every pay cheque).

About the Competition

Winners of the Alberta's Top Employers competition were selected from applicants to the national Canada's Top 100 Employers competition. To develop this year's list editors at Mediacorp Canada Inc. examined the recruitment histories of over 75,000 employers across Canada that it tracks for its popular job search site, Eluta.ca. From this initial group, Mediacorp editors invited 16,000 of the fastest-growing employers to apply, plus another 8,000 companies and organizations in industries that they wanted to examine more closely. Employers completed an extensive application process that included a detailed review of their operations and HR practices. Over 2,600 employers started this year's application process nationally. The final applicant pool was up 3.7% over last year's total, which was also a record.

Mediacorp editors graded each of the applicants on eight key areas: (1) Physical Workplace; (2) Work Atmosphere & Social; (3) Health, Financial & Family Benefits; (4) Vacation & Time Off; (5) Employee Communications; (6) Performance Management; (7) Training & Skills Development; and (8) Community Involvement. These criteria have remained consistent since the inception of the national competition, now in its 10th year. Mediacorp editors also publish detailed reasons explaining why each of the winning employers was selected on their job search site (Eluta.ca) where they can be read free of charge.

About Big Rock Brewery

Big Rock Brewery - headquartered in Calgary, Alberta - produces premium, all-natural craft beers. As Canada's leading craft brewer Big Rock boasts a family of eleven exceptional ales and lagers, Rock Creek dry apple cider, as well as an ongoing selection of seasonal beers. Big Rock products are sold in nine provinces and three territories in Canada, and oddly enough, are also available in Korea. For more information on Big Rock Brewery please visit bigrockbeer.com.

Contacts:
Big Rock Brewery Ltd.
Jim Button
Vice President, Corporate and Community Affairs
(403) 203-3737
jbutton@bigrockbeer.com

Big Rock Brewery Ltd.
Tara Nychkalo
Communications Manager
(403) 203-3746
tnychkalo@bigrockbeer.com
www.bigrockbeer.com

SOURCE: Big Rock Brewery Income Trust and BIG ROCK BREWERY LTD.

mailto:jbutton@bigrockbeer.com
mailto:tnychkalo@bigrockbeer.com
http://www.bigrockbeer.com

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