CRAFT Beer Market opens is Kelowna

CRAFT Beer Market’s newest location opened its doors to the public for the first time this week in Kelowna. The much anticipated opening has been in the works for a couple of years with construction of the restaurant getting underway five months ago.

CRAFT will have the Okanagan’s largest selection of draft beer with 100 beers from all over the world, with a heavy focus on beers brewed right here in B.C. It will also feature an extensive selection of wines, spirits, cocktails and non-alcoholic options.

Located in the former Paramount Theatre on Bernard Avenue, the new restaurant preserves some of the history of the building. The original Paramount sign was refurbished and the entrance and lobby feature reclaimed wood walls from the theatre. The wood was removed during demolition and then stored for two years before being put back up.

“The Paramount Theatre was an important space for the community and we really wanted to incorporate some of its history into the design of the restaurant,” says PJ L’Heureux, founder and president of CRAFT Beer Market.

The restaurant also features a rooftop patio overlooking Lake Okanagan with seating for 200, complete with outdoor shuffleboard courts.

Kelowna is the seventh location for Calgary-based CRAFT Beer Market.

Big wins for VIB at Tastings World Beer Championships

Victoria’s Vancouver Island Brewing won a pair of silver medals at the Tastings World Beer Championships Best Sour Ale Competition.

Each month, World Beer Championships reviews a different category of beer each month with the July 2018 competition featuring the best sour ale and fruit beers. VIB’s Ukidama Lychee Yuzu Saison and Tidal Series Grapefruit Agave Gose both won silver medals in the competition, beating out beers from all over the world.

The Ukidama Lychee Yuzu Saison is a spicy session saison that combines the Asian Lychee and Yuzu fruit. The Tidal Series Grapefruit Agave Gose is a Paloma cocktail-inspired take on the esoteric sour wheat style.

Both beers are available at liquor retailers across the province, with the Ukidama Saison also available in VIB’s new Summer Outpost Mix Pack 12-pack.

Category 12 gets a lounge licence and pizza

Category 12 Brewing’s tasting room in Central Saanich recently received its lounge endorsement, allowing the brewery to now serve up full pints of Dr. Michael Kuzyk’s delicious beers. Those pints will also pair perfectly with a Pizzeria Prima Strada pizza—the mobile wood-fired pizza oven will be on location at the tasting room at 2200 Keating Cross Road every Thursday to Sunday.

“We’re excited to showcase our locally made beer selection alongside a company that takes as much pride in their product as we do,” said Category 12 co-owner Karen Kuzyk in a press release this week. “Our ability to serve pints and this partnership helps cement Victoria as a ‘must-see’ craft beer destination.”