B.C.’s newest craft brewery, Slackwater Brewing, officially opened today in downtown Penticton following a six-month renovation of the former Mule Nightclub.
“We’re so incredibly proud to be a permanent fixture in this community,” said Slackwater co-founder Liam Peyton in a press release earlier today. “[Penticton] has really inspired myself and our entire team—all of whom have earned the high fives and handshakes they’re now getting after the effort it took to get this space opened up.”
Former Powell and Postmark brewer Chris Vandenberg is at the helm of Slackwater’s 10 hectolitre brewhouse. His beers have already garnered high praise—including winning the Peoples’ Choice award at both the Okanagan Fest of Ale and the Great Okanagan Beer Festival.
Inside, the interior is clean, modern and bright with watercolour tones and wood throughout—a far cry from its dark, sticky past as Penticton’s most notorious nightclub. Making full use of both levels of the building, Slackwater’s ground floor plays host to a large, open taproom wrapping around its brewery with a stage for live music and garage doors leading to a streetside patio. Upstairs, a parlour games lounge, dining room, rooftop patio and private dining room all get their own double-sided bar looking down onto the brewery itself.
The brewery will have eight taps of Slackwater beer on draft, as well as four rotating guest taps, seasonal casks, cider and local wines. The brewery also features a full kitchen with beer hall-inspired dishes, such as Nashville-style chicken, ale-braised bratwurst, Okanagan summer salads and beer-cheese fondue.
“We weren’t sure as to how a counter-service operation of this scale would work but it seemed to be well received and added to the casual ambiance of the room,” Peyton notes.
Slackwater Brewing is located at 218 Martin St. and is open from 12 to 10pm daily, and 11am to 11pm on Fridays and Saturdays. The ground floor taproom is family-friendly until 8pm with a kids’ menu.
