Our story
Starting in 2016, Chris and Frank's vision for the Ugly Pike Podcast was to amass the single largest database of muskie angling educational material anywhere in the world by harnessing the knowledge of this amazing community, and sharing it all with show listeners. The brand itself was derived from the Ojibway word 'maashkinoozhe', meaning 'ugly pike' when translated back to english. Ugly Pike Podcast quickly grew into one of the top fishing podcasts in North America and so as a result of that success, the idea to create a crisp and refreshing beer was born!
Fishing is part of Canadian culture, of its identity. A generation that is not educated on the jewels of Canadiana is one that will fail to pass them onto their own children. Ugly Pike Brewing Co was created as a way to celebrate these moments. For fathers, mothers, and friends to celebrate the joys of a great day spent outdoors creating special moments.
Founded in 2022 by Chris Walter and Frank Ungaro, Ugly Pike Brewing Co was several years in the making. Six years of podcast growth and success brought them to a new opportunity. An avid listener and master brewer approached the guys to create a beer that reflected the Ugly Pike brand and its values….and the Ugly Pike Brewing Co was born!
The goal was to create a crisp and easy drinking beer while preserving the principles that anglers have for stewardship of the environment. Our beer is produced using a zero waste philosophy. Our spent grain is used as feed for Canadian farmers. Our state of the art 5 vessel brewhouse uses 60% less water in cleaning than regular brew operations do. Just as is the case on the water, when we make our beer, it is always with an eye to sustainability and proper stewardship of the environment.
Frank Ungaro
Frank holds a BA degree with Honors from McMaster University in the field of International Political Relations. Originally headed for Law School, Frank received an offer to enter the corporate world and pursued a career in corporate sales, working with professional sports organizations.
Frank is also one of the longest practicing Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belts in Canada. He began his jiu jitsu journey under Royce and Rorion Gracie at The Gracie Academy in Torrance, California. Currently, Frank instructs at his academy, Passador BJJ in Niagara Falls.
Frank lived abroad in Osaka, Japan for a year, as he pursued his black belt in Judo from the original school of judo founded by Jigoro Kano, the illustrious Kodokan.
Frank has been an avid angler his whole life and enjoys hunting.
Co-founder of Ugly Pike Podcast and Ugly Pike Brewing Company.
Frank brings passion and a well rounded perspective, forged by years of study and travel, to all projects in which he participates. He currently enjoys life as an entrepreneur/investor.
Christopher Walter
Chris holds a BA degree with High Honors in Architectural History and a Masters of Landscape Architecture. He has dedicated his life to designing, building and rehabilitating the environment with a career spanning 3+ decades including 15 years living overseas working on globally recognized projects.
A natural born angler, much of Chris’ life is defined by his love and respect of the outdoors. He has successfully instilled these values in his children.
Lifestyle choices including athletics, a ‘hands-on’ philosophy, amateur photography and artistic passion which underpin the development of new ideas.
Co-Founder of Ugly Pike Podcast and Ugly Pike Brewing Company.
Chris brings creative energy, vision and strong professional values to every business endeavor he undertakes.