Former MP Alaina Lockhart has moved her career from politics in Ottawa to a small town in New Brunswick. The industry? A business venture into a craft brewery.

Lockhart served as the MP for Fundy Royal from 2015-2019, where she sat as the Parliamentary Secretary to Small Business and Tourism during that time.

She claims that the brewery operations at Hand Forged Craft Beer is much different than her political career, but has felt a need to get back into business after selling hers a number of years ago.

“I think clearly when I was involved in leadership in the community, (my husband) Rick has been involved in that too, so it’s always been important for us, and we’re able to come at things from different angles. He is a craftsman and I like bringing the community together.”

Alaina and Rick experimented with the brew just before the COVID-19 pandemic, mostly brewing out of a small taproom. But, when the coronavirus hit New Brunswick, it made way for the operation that they have today.

“Brewing is an excellent way for a community to find its identity,” said Alaina.

“Rick has done a good job in doing that, so they go hand in hand.”

“I’ve always said it, I think every small town in New Brunswick can have the support of a craft brewery,” said Rick.

“We started out very very small and never thought we’d needed to expand, but the want was so great that we did.”