About Us
We are brewers, scientists, and fermentation enthusiasts.
We believe in producing high-quality cultures that you can trust.
ongoing support for every brewery
Bundle your quality control
Our QC Bundles are designed to give breweries consistent access to Escarpment’s expertise at a predictable cost. Each bundle includes a set number of tests and consultation hours, plus specialty services like species ID and wort sugar analysis. If you don’t use everything in a given month, your credits roll over into liquid yeast or nutrient purchases — so nothing goes to waste.
Bundles also unlock added perks like free shipping, sensory reviews, and even access to experimental strains. Whether you’re brewing 500 hL or 20,000 hL, there’s a bundle built to fit your needs.
Quality Control when you need it
Ad-hoc testing
Not ready for a bundle? Our ad-hoc testing options let you choose exactly what you need, when you need it. From microbiological plating and species ID to advanced analyses, you get the same expert results as our bundle customers.
This flexible approach is perfect for breweries who want occasional quality checks or targeted insights without a monthly commitment. Pair ad-hoc tests with your existing brewery processes, or use them as a stepping stone toward a QC Bundle when you’re ready for more consistent support.
Pre-poured Plates
Plate your beer samples for contaminants without investing in an autoclave or laminar flow hood. We produce and sell pre-poured agar plates for your brewery lab.
FAQ
What if I don’t use all my services in a bundle?
No worries! Any unused services automatically convert into store credits that you can use for liquid yeast or yeast nutrient orders. That means there’s no “use it or lose it” — you get full value from every bundle.
Do I need a subscription?
Not at all! Our bundles are available on a month-to-month basis, so you’re never locked into a long-term contract. And if you just need a few tests here and there, our ad-hoc services are purchased individually — pay only for what you use.
What kinds of breweries use this service?
All kinds! From small 500 hL breweries to 20,000+ hL operations, we have bundles and services that fit every size and style of brewery. No matter your scale, we can help you get the QC support you need.
Why should I do my QC testing with Escarpment Labs?
Working with Escarpment Labs gives you access to the expertise and knowledge of our team, helping ensure your beer consistently meets your high standards. Running your own lab or hiring a full-time technician can be expensive — our bundles and ad-hoc services provide the same quality control support without the overhead, so you can fill any quality assurance gaps and keep your brewery running efficiently.
LAB SERVICES DICTIONARY
Sample: One can or unit of product being tested.
Test: A method where a sample. is assessed, providing a positive or negative result.
Service: A group of tests which provide an overall assessment of the quality of a sample and generates actionable results.
Add-On: A service that is ordered alongside another service to alter it for an additional fee.
Credit: Amount of monetary value that can be used towards the purchase of liquid yeast or liquid yeast nutrient (i.e. Yeast Lightning, Seltzer Lightning).
Because we learned by doing, we speak with confidence and act with skill to help you grow your craft and brew your best. We start with yeast and end with a thriving community of scientists, entrepreneurs, makers and devoted consumers.
Our products taste of
pride and friendship
Founders Angus Ross, Nate Ferguson and Richard Preiss met while working in a yeast research lab at the University of Guelph.
A collective love for beer and brewing led them to found Escarpment Laboratories, intending to add value to the craft beverage landscape and hang out in breweries for a living.
Our purpose:
Harnessing the science of cultures.
Since 2015, Escarpment Laboratories has helped hundreds of breweries achieve their fermentation targets. We grow our reputation as industry leaders by innovating every single day and teaching as we learn.
Nate Ferguson
Cofounder Nate Ferguson has been working in the beer industry for nearly a decade, mainly focusing on microbiological Quality Control and Quality Assurance which is what he teaches at Niagara College for the Brewmaster Program. Nate is our creative and technical wizard and always finds ways to solve challenging technical problems in-house and for clients.
Richard Preiss
Cofounder Richard is an active brewing scientist and long-time homebrewer. At Escarpment, Richard's focus is on translating new research into exciting products and knowledge for brewers. Richard loves to help our team and the brewers we work with to solve problems, overcome challenges, and unlock efficiencies. One day, Richard will write a manifesto on Brettanomyces.
Angus Ross
Cofounder Angus Ross launched the idea for Escarpment Labs, based on the clear need for a domestic Canadian yeast lab for craft brewers. In the early days, Angus did it all: propagation, sales, marketing, cleaning pumps... Today, Angus manages human resources, finances and sales at Escarpment. Angus is a big fan of funky, Bretty beers.
Luisa Muhleisen
Luisa is our Lab Manager, overseeing both Internal and External Quality Control activities at Escarpment Labs. Formerly, Luisa enjoyed careers as an Analytical Chemist in Big Pharma and as a Brewer with Big Beer, and is happy with it all coming together with her role at Escarpment. In her spare time Luisa performs improv but will never ask you to go to her shows. Promise.
Patrick Wynn-Williams
Pat is our Sales and Logistics Specialist. He's here to make sure that you find the right products to suit your needs, as well as ensure that it arrives on time for your brew. Pat is a veteran brewer with a decade of experience in the craft brewing industry, as well as a Food Science graduate from the University of Guelph.
Attilio Consigli
Attilio is one of our Lab Technicians. He graduated from the University of Guelph with a specialization in Microbiology and a minor in Biotechnology. Attilio is the green-thumb for our Hanlon location as he carefully tends to our beloved plants. He is basically a walking meme reference machine and enjoys sipping on Saisons while sitting under the sun.
Chris Waterton
Chris is our Fulfillment Manager who graduated from the Brewmaster program at Niagara College in December 2019. He has a high attention to detail honed through years of working in the food & beverage industry. Chris uses his experiences to ensure packages leave the door on time keeping the brewer’s goals in mind. He is also a member of our marketing team, helping in the design process of various projects. Chris goes by more nicknames than any human should. Most know him as just one, Waterton.
Nicole Irvine
Nicole is our Marketing Lead, responsible for attracting customers online through social media & content marketing. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Communications from Carleton University, and completed the Brand Management program at Algonquin College. Nicole’s ideal day involves the Joey special (2 pizzas), Disney movies, and a selection of hazy IPAs.
Mark Korczynski
Mark is our Sales Coordinator, responsible for overseeing your orders from start to finish. He has been working in the craft beer industry for the past 6 years and is proud to be a part of the Escarpment team. Mark has a bachelor's degree in Kinesiology from The University of Western Ontario. An avid musician, he plays bass in a local band in his hometown of Hamilton, Ontario.
Camille Regimbal
Camille is our Harvesting Technician. She graduated from Trent University with a Bachelor degree in Biology with a specialization in environmental biology. In her spare time, you'll find Camille taking a hike to do some birdwatching, curled up with a book, or working on her next crochet project.
Emily Storey
Emily is our Data Scientist and Software Developer. She has a Master's degree in Electrical & Computer Engineering from the University of Toronto, where she worked in Machine Learning and Spectroscopy. When she's taking a break from being a numbers nerd, you can find her running on trails, doing some sewing or needlework, or out in the garden enjoying a pint of homebrewed Dark Mild.
Shelley Beirnes
Shelley is an optimistic and enthusiast Account Manager on our Sales team with over two decades spent in the brewing industry, on both the brewing and supply & manufacturing sides. When she's not visiting with our customers and talking fermentation, she's spinning vinyl, camping in her van, or watching Everton FC implode. She appreciates a good campfire spent with friends.
Chris Bunting
Chris is our Sales Associate that is primarily focused on customer service and managing client orders. He came our way from U of Gs MBIOT program, where he started off as a Co-op student for us. Chris is a food fermenter and baker, in his spare time you'll find him enjoying a beer at a Rugby game or off somewhere on his precious bike. Chris is vying for the title of fastest cyclist at Escarpment.
Tomas Fischer
Tomas is one of our Laboratory Technicians, a recent graduate of the University of Guelph's Microbiology program, and wannabe pirate. When he isn't looking under the microscope, you can find him rock climbing, plotting for his D&D campaign, or enjoying a cold one by the lake. Tomas is excited to expand his knowledge on all things yeast and brewing related.
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