It all started with a bucket used for picking stones, an old turkey burner, water, hops, yeast and malt. Using this basic equipment has made Stonepicker Brewing Company Inc. what it is today!
Joe’s idea of brewing beer came to him about 13 years ago. After doing some research, he decided to plant 3 acres of malting barley in the spring of 2006. It was planted and harvested successfully and put in a wagon in the shed. Being full-time pig farmers didn’t leave the Donkers a lot of free time to do what they wanted, and the barley eventually was fed to their pigs. After retiring from the pig business five years ago, Joe put his idea to work and planted grain once again. After much experimentation, it was now time to open a business.
Joe and his wife Mary have been retired from running their full-time swine operation for the past five years. It has always been the Donkers’ dream to brew beer. With all this time on their hands, they decided now was a good time to start. They have one son, Brian who lives with his wife, Olya, little girl, Katya and baby boy, Elias in Calgary, Alberta.
