A.O. Wilson’s legacy is 100% Canadian. Founder and namesake A.O. Wilson started the company in 1945, bringing years of experience from the copper metal business to the brewing industry. Under his leadership, the company supplied all major Canadian breweries, as well as many in the U.S. and the U.K. This was at a time when industry mainstays such as the Molson Company and Canadian Breweries Limited were actively expanding across the country.

It was an exciting time to be working in the business. Little over a decade had passed since the end of U.S. prohibition, while in Canada—where prohibition was controlled by the provinces—it had been largely over since the 1920s. Nevertheless, provincial regulations kept the distribution of alcohol tightly regulated by liquor boards and publicly-owned businesses (such as the LCBO and the Beer Store in Ontario). By the 1960s, expansion had reached its limit and the majority of Canadian beer was produced by only a couple of major breweries.

During the early 1980s, the Canadian brewing industry was almost entirely controlled by its three largest companies: Molson, Labatt and Carling O’Keefe. There was not much variety and, as a result, beer lovers began to get tired of the available styles. Local brewpubs started to open, particularly in B.C. and Ontario, selling hoppier beers, stouts and more creative flavours to the public.

The rise of the craft beer began in the early 1990s and continues to be a trend within the beverages industry today. Buying from micro-breweries is an idea that aligns closely with the values of the modern consumer, who place a premium on locally-sourced food and drink. The same holds true for smaller wineries, distilleries, cideries and companies offering “brew it yourself” options. For all of these smaller businesses, A.O. Wilson’s inventory and experience provides a “one stop shop” resource that can be relied upon in any scenario.  In 1998, the company was  fortunate to be able to grow their team with a western sales representative in the person of Mr. Hubert Oliver.

At the start of the new millennium, R. Graham Wilson took over the business from his father, bringing a third generation of leadership and transitioning A.O. Wilson into this new era. The company moved to Erin, increasing their team steadily. Final construction of the new warehouse was completed in 2012, giving A.O. Wilson the facilities to stock more inventory than ever before and serve businesses across the country.

Over the years, A.O. Wilson’s struggles have reflected the struggles of the beverages industry , particularly during times when the growth of these businesses faltered. Our successes have been tied to their successes. We take pride in the fact that our products have fed the growth of the beverages industry within Canada, but we know our own development was enabled by the innovative winemakers, cider-makers, still-masters and brew-masters who continue to drive this industry forward.