 Lakeport was founded by William (Bill) Sharpe in 1992 as a premium beer brewery, located in a historical brewery building on Hamilton’s port lands owned by the Hamilton Port Authority.Sharpe created and launched many new brands of premium beer, as well as negotiating contracts to brew beers for other brands such as President's Choice.However, the premium beers did not sell well, and by 1999 Lakeport was in bankruptcy protection.