TORONTO

Blue Jays petitioned to bring back local beer

CTV Toronto

Kendra Mangione Managing Digital Producer, CTV News and BNN Bloomberg

Published Wednesday, July 2, 2014 11:57AM EDT

A Canadian flag is unveiled on the field before the Toronto Blue Jays take on the Milwaukee Brewers in interleague baseball action as they mark Canada Day in Toronto on Tuesday July 1 , 2014. (Chris Young / THE CANADIAN PRESS)

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A petition urging the Toronto Blue Jays bring craft beers back to the ballpark has already got the signatures of more than 2,000 thirsty fans.

Last season, Steam Whistle was available at a single concession stand in the park, but bottles from the brewery next door can no longer be purchased at the Rogers Centre.

"With the amount of great breweries we have in this city (including one across the street) it's embarrassing to ignore them," Cacace wrote on the online petition site, referring to Steam Whistle Brewing on 255 Bremner Blvd.

The petition is encouraging the stadium to better represent both Toronto and Canada.

"It's about being a good neighbour," he wrote. "It's about sourcing local when you have the opportunity."

Cacace called the stadium's decision not to renew its contract with Steam Whistle a "massive step backwards."

Neither party has issued an official statement explaining why the deal wasn't renewed.

The petition started by Jays fan and local restaurant owner Phil Cacace suggests the Rogers Centre add Ontario craft beers to its list of Anheuser Busch-InBev brews like Budweiser, Alexander Keith's and Stella Artois.

The stadium also serves Sleeman, brewed in Guelph, Ont., but the owner of Tallboys Craft Beer House said he hopes fans can soon purchase beers made within the Greater Toronto Area.

The GTA is home to several smaller beer makers including Amsterdam, Bellwoods, Great Lakes and Indie Alehouse.

At Miller Park, Milwaukee Brewers fans can sip Lakefront brews, as well as drinks from New Glarus, Horny Goat and Sprecher.

Flushing, N.Y.'s Citi Field, home to the New York Mets, serves up Sixpoint, Blue Point, Brooklyn and Ommegang.

Despite its name, Denver's Coors Field serves local, craft beers at stands throughout the stadium, including New Belgium, Oskar Blues and Breckenridge.

In Baltimore, Orioles’ fans can try beers from Heavy Seas, Evolution, Flying Dog and more.

"With the amount of fans that travel from other cities to watch their teams play at the SkyDome we're missing out on a great opportunity to showcase the great beer this city has to offer," Cacace wrote.