Check Out Kim Wilson’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kim Wilson.

Hi Kim, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Hi, I’m Kim! My business partner, Ash—Strum’s head brewer—and I took over Strum Brewing Co. about a year and a half ago. We were immediately drawn to the music and cat-inspired theme, along with its inclusive, “all are welcome” atmosphere, and we’ve proudly continued that spirit.

We have a resident kitty who is our brewery cat mascot, Fritz. She was rescued by the previous owners of Strum, but Ash and I promised to take good care of her after they retire and move to the Philippines.

Our focus is on building community and supporting local artists, musicians, and small businesses. We believe beer and music have a unique way of bringing people together.

Ash began brewing at home over 15 years ago, and with our shared outgoing nature, we joined forces to grow the Strum team into what it is today (with the help of my Dad and some of our friends!) We strive to offer a wide variety of beverages—including craft beer, hard seltzers, and non-alcoholic options—so guests of all ages can enjoy something delicious in a welcoming, safe environment. Strum also makes donations for various causes & charities, when we can.

Ash drives a hearse, which also doubles as the brewery vehicle for special Strum events outside of our taproom.

Running a brewery is a continuous learning experience. While we both still maintain our day jobs—Ash in IT for a school district and me as a sign language interpreter—we remain committed to growing the business. It takes courage, strong support, and ongoing dedication to learning, but with focus and determination, success is always within reach. Cheers!

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Getting started came with its fair share of challenges, from navigating complex rules and regulations to managing licensing requirements and understanding what it truly takes to take over an existing business. Fortunately, acquiring an established entity—like Strum Brewing Co.—can be a more streamlined and, in some ways, more cost-effective path than starting from the ground up.

Like many small businesses, we’ve faced ongoing challenges, particularly in building consistent patronage and navigating circumstances beyond our control. One of the most significant setbacks occurred when part of our roof collapsed due to landlord-related issues. Through it all, we stayed positive, resilient, and committed to moving forward—continuing to “keep strumming” no matter what came our way.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Strum Brewing Co. is all about supporting our local communities—whether that’s the LGBTQ+ community, the Deaf community, or any other group. We’re here to serve, connect, and uplift in every way we can. We believe that when one of us succeeds, we can all succeed together!

We craft a variety of beverages, including beer and hard seltzers, alongside a wide selection of non-alcoholic options like slushies, dirty sodas, NA beers, and other refreshing, bubbly drinks—so there’s truly something for everyone. We also sell pre-packaged goodies from Crummy Cakes (a local bake shop), craft beef jerky, hummus, toum, and pita chips & other snacks!

More than just a brewery, Strum is a gathering space. From ASL practice sessions and Deaf Night Out (an advanced ASL meetup) to open mic nights, comedy shows, karaoke, and LGBTQ+ events, we’re proud to create opportunities for connection. We also showcase local artists and make use of our stage for pop-up vendors and live musicians.

Through these efforts, Strum has built a reputation as a welcoming, inclusive, and safe space that genuinely supports and celebrates our local community.

Any big plans?
Looking ahead, Strum Brewing Co. is excited about continued growth and new opportunities. We hope to expand into distribution, explore adding a small kitchen that could also serve as a shared space for local food vendors, and potentially grow into an additional unit.

We’re also inspired to branch out creatively by developing craft sodas, hard sodas, kombucha, and even coffee offerings. There’s no shortage of ideas—just a thoughtful, step-by-step approach to bringing each one to life.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.strumbrewing.com
• Instagram: @StrumBrewing
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/strum-brewing-co-ontario?osq=strum+brewing&q=strum+brewing

Image Credits
All photos were taken by myself, or the Strum team.