THUNDER BAY - Patricia DePiero is fairly certain she has what it takes to be named Thunder Bay’s Real Northern Logger.
“I really enjoy Northern Logger beer and I’m also really strong, an independent woman, I’m a single mom with two kids, I play roller derby, I’m a welder, so I think I fit that mold quite perfectly,” she said.
DePiero was one of five finalists competing to be named the Real Northern Logger at the Sleeping Giant Brewing Company on Saturday.
The local craft brewery launched the competition earlier this year at its pop-up shop at the Intercity Shopping Centre.
Sachiko Brayshay, one of the organizers, said a lot of people put their name forward and an online poll whittled the competition down to five contenders.
“We wanted to do this competition because we wanted to engage our customer base and let them have a chance to be to be part of some fun activities we are doing,” she said. “And Northern Logger is our top beer, and everybody’s top favourite, and he’s the best looking.”
The five finalists faced off in a timed obstacle course at the brewery on Saturday, which included log carrying, axe throwing, plaid shirt folding, wood piling, and of course, beer pouring.
Randy Devost was one of the contenders looking to be the Real Northern Logger and he said he signed up because he wanted to be part of what he saw as a community-building event.
“I’ve built a lot of friends I’ve made through craft beer and the brewery,” he said. “It’s just great things to be a part of.”
Devost believes he is the Real Northern Logger because he is a provider and a family man, just like the loggers of old, but it’s more about being part of a growing trend in the city.
“The competition is pretty tough,” he said. “Everybody is pretty into the craft beers now a days and they really do enjoy it. The Sleeping Giant Brewery does a great job of community building and it brings us all together for fun. And everybody is right into it, dressed right up and everything.”
For DePiero, who is also the captain of the Grizzly Madams Roller Derby team, which has plaid uniforms, a bear paw logo, and beards, the competition felt like a perfect fit.
“When I saw this challenge, I thought this is made for the Grizzlies, this has to be something we partake in,” she said.
Going into the challenge, DePiero said she was most nervous about the axe throwing competition and she practiced for three hours to prepare. All that practice paid off and the axe stuck on her second of two tries.
But DePiero thinks she had everything else locked down, which is what makes her the Real Northern Logger.
“I think I rocked the entrance, I think I rocked the outfit, I got a lot of fans here,” DePiero said. “I’m pretty strong, I’m good at folding, as I said I’m a single mom.”
Two finalists from Saturday’s competition will face off next weekend at Intercity Shopping Centre. The winner will receive free beer for a year (not unlimited).
