Photo by Alexa Cude Photography
Pints, Progress, and Possibilities: The Story of Boxing Rock Brewing Company
On the rugged South Shore of Nova Scotia, where the sea shapes both land and lifestyle, Boxing Rock Brewing Company has crafted more than just award-winning beer. Founded in 2012 by entrepreneurial duo Emily Cowin and Henry Pedro, the brewery has grown into a thriving business with three locations, a portfolio of standout brews, and a reputation for pairing quality with community spirit.
“We create craft beer experiences,” says Emily. “That includes making amazing craft beer, but also serving people in our taproom, and helping people learn about and enjoy craft beer, especially with food.”
A Business Built on Passion and Skill
The idea for Boxing Rock took root when Emily, who had been living in Shelburne for five years, looked for a way to bring her engineering background into something local and lasting. At the same time, her friend Henry was seeking a move from Toronto to Nova Scotia. With a shared educational background and a shared passion for beer, they decided to take the plunge.
“I’m a chemical engineer by training,” Emily explains. “Henry is also a chemical engineer, and we decided we could put our skills to use by launching a craft brewery here.”
For Henry, brewing is a way of life. “The first beer we ever made at Boxing Rock was The Vicar’s Cross double IPA, which is a recipe I developed as a home brewer with the help of a friend. Emily and I decided to make that as the first beer out of the gate, and it’s one of the more successful brands in the province.
But there’s much more to running a brewing company than developing new recipes. “Here at Boxing Rock, I’m head brewer, equipment fixer, chief, cook, and bottle washer,” he adds with a laugh.
From Tanks to Taprooms
Boxing Rock began as a production-focused brewery, packaging beer for the Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation (NSLC) and select craft beer retailers. At the time, there were only two other craft breweries on NSLC shelves. “Part of our business plan was to really go after that wholesale packaged product market,” Emily recalls. “What that led to for us was really, really rapid growth for the first few years.”
That growth was tangible but also challenging. “We started off with four small 1,700 litre tanks,” Henry says. “We quickly grew out of those, and the opportunity presented itself to buy a larger 3,400 litre tank. We took that opportunity, and we have since been on a buying spree with 3,400 litre tanks, and even a 4,800 litre tank. All that said, we can do up to 20,000 bottles and cans a week.”
But as consumer interest shifted, so too did the brewery. “People have become more and more interested in visiting craft breweries and actually having experiences,” Emily says. “We’ve evolved our business so that we have a taproom, and we also have a retail presence in Halifax so that we can spend more time helping customers experience and understand our beer.”
Today, Boxing Rock operates three locations: the main production brewery and taproom in Shelburne, complete with beer school and even axe throwing; and a Halifax “test kitchen,” where new recipes are created and shared in small batches.
Community Backing and CBDC Support
Like many small businesses, Boxing Rock’s journey was made possible with local support. When the time came to expand into a taproom, the team at CBDC Shelburne stepped in.
“When it came time to start the taproom, the CBDC were there right from the get-go, with the funding and advice we needed to start up successfully,” Henry recalls.
Emily highlights what makes the organization so valuable: “The difference between the CBDC and some of the other lenders we’ve worked with is really that they’re part of our community and they understand our business. I can literally call them any time, any day, and ask any question I have, and they will help me try to figure out how to make it happen.”
Henry adds, “They’re great members of the community. They’re our friends. We see them throughout the community, at the supermarket, at the mall.”
That relationship reflects a shared vision: strengthening rural communities through sustainable businesses. For Boxing Rock, the CBDC’s presence has been a cornerstone of their success and growth.
Brewing Up National Recognition
In 2024, Boxing Rock’s reputation for excellence reached new heights at the Canadian Brewing Awards. The brewery earned three gold medals – one each for Temptation Red, Puck Off Blonde, and the company’s signature IPA. Those victories secured them the coveted title of Brewery of the Year, a recognition that placed the Shelburne-based company firmly on the national stage.
The wins were not just about the quality of the beer, but also about the journey behind it. For Emily and Henry, the honour helped validate the years of hard work, innovation, and dedication poured into every batch. The awards brought pride not only to the brewery but to the entire Nova Scotia craft beer community, showcasing that world-class beer can be brewed on the South Shore and celebrated across Canada.
Looking Ahead
As they celebrate more than a decade in business, Emily and Henry are still thinking about the future. Their sights are set on continuing to expand their reach across Atlantic Canada, deepening their customer experiences, and keeping the creativity flowing in both Shelburne and Halifax.
For Emily and Henry, Boxing Rock Brewing Company is more than beer—it’s a story of community, collaboration, and creativity. And, as local folklore has it, it all comes back to Boxing Rock itself: the fabled stone in Shelburne Harbour where feuding sailors were sent to settle disputes. Emily smiles as she recalls the legend: “We added the part where they also got a jug of beer to share if they managed to work it out.”
With that mix of heritage and innovation, Boxing Rock Brewing Company continues to brew not just pints, but possibilities—for its customers, its community, and the future of craft beer in Nova Scotia.