Mariner Brewing is under new ownership and the business people behind the enterprise are going to put their own stamp on the food, beverages and decor.
Patrons of Coquitlam’s only craft brewery can look forward to some big changes in food, beverages and decor in the coming months.
Mariner Brewing will under-go a bit of a revamp after two new owners, Gil Desaulniers and Steele Malott, took over the business from Wim Vander Zalm who is retiring.
Vander Zalm, who is well-known for his Art Knapp nursery business which closed in 2020, says it’s time to hand over the reigns of his newest endeavour to the next generation.
“They are really driving the business. They are doing an incredible job of moving things forward.”
The duo bought Mariner Brewing, located at 1100 Lansdowne Dr., in May, but already they have big plans for changes.
Malott, who owns Zimal Homes, a design, build and renovation business in Coquitlam, is looking forward to revamping the interior of the space.
Plans are to relocate the kitchen to the main floor, add a second-floor galleria and redecorate the space with a modern industrial design.
“Our modest goal is to be the best taproom around,” said Malott.
Desaulniers, a chiropractor who owns Optimum Family Chiropractic in Port Moody’s Suter Brook Village, is looking to update the food and beverage menu.
“I enjoy the process,” said Desaulniers, whose own dad brewed beer at home, including root beer for his kids.
In the coming weeks, Mariner Brewing will be testing out new dishes to see which should be added to the menu.
Rare at breweries, Mariner offers a wide selection of tasty menu items to soak up the libations.
Desaulniers wants to branch out, with the goal of ensuring quality in every detail at Mariner Brewing.
“It’s craft everything,” Desaulniers said.
Kombucha and cider will soon be on tap, as well as house-made non-alcoholic beer. Mariner will also create a line of syrups to make Italian-style sodas.
Deep friers will be brought in to add to the menu, which already includes a variety of snacks, including wings, nachos, handhelds, such as chicken club and barbecue pork sandwiches, and flatbreads.
The beer selection is already huge, and popular, with folks popping in to grab them out of the cooler in individual and mix packs.
Under the helm of brew master Liam Coulson, expect more of the same flavourful beer, including seasonal brews and four core beverages, which include:
- Polaris, a hazy Northeast style IPA,
- Venture blueberry sour, a sour ale brewed with blueberries,
- Orion lager, a lightly hopped brew with mandarin and traditional hops
- Ground Control, an easy-drinking American Pale Ale
There are many things that won’t change, Malott and Desaulniers promise, there will still be a friendly vibe in the taproom, which has become meeting place for trivia buffs, Coquitlam Crunchers and those who enjoy live music.
Desaulniers and Malott said Vander Zalm set up the business in such a way it just needs a few tweaks.
Vander Zalm said he’s looking forward to traveling and enjoying some relaxation.
Mariner was started to honour those who reach for the stars through space exploration and the business owners behind this Coquitlam brewery are no different.
“We’re made to explore – explore beer, the company, people, conversation and life,” said Desaulniers.
Meanwhile Vander Zalm is about to explore retirement and is planning to start a podcast about the joys and challenges of retirement with some like-minded people.
And you can expect to see more explorations from Desaulniers and Malott, as they fulfill their vision for Mariner Brewing Co. over the coming months.
Follow Mariner Brewing on Instagram.
—This story by Diane Strandberg originally appeared on Tri-City News
