We at The Growler were under the impression that the swell of new brewery openings had subsided. That the boom had already taken place, and the industry was ready to level off, so beer lovers could go on and enjoy what we already have.
We were wrong! Boy. We were wrong. Already, we know of 15 new breweries set to open across the province by next summer, and we’ve heard rumblings of another handful in the works for the latter half of 2016.
Here’s a list of the breweries we know of for sure. What’s interesting is the number of new breweries opening in smaller communities across the province. Also interesting? It looks like Kelowna’s on the verge of its very own craft beer boom, which is excellent news indeed.
Best starting getting excited, people.
Kettle River Brewing Co. – Kelowna (February 2016)
We don’t know much, except that it’s supposedly opening early next year.
One Duck Brewing – Squamish (Winter 2015/2016)
Home brewer Jesse Paine set up a Kickstarter campaign to help fund the new Squamish Brewery, which will focus on small-batch Belgian styles.
Twin City Brewing – Port Alberni (Winter 2015/2016)
Owner / brewer Aaron Colyn is a PA local who studied microbiology and is now opening a brewery and tasting room that will focus on a broad range of West Coast styles.
Savoy Brewpub – Nelson (Early 2016)
Nelson’s first brewpub will be in the historic Savoy Hotel, which is being refurbished by the folks behind the Shambhala Music Festival.
The Parkside Brewery – Port Moody (Spring 2016)
Former Granville Island Brewing mastermind Vern Lambourne is opening his own brewery in the burgeoning Port Moody beer district on Murray St.
The Beer Studio – Function Junction, Whistler (Spring 2016)
Kevin Winter, previously of Mission Springs Brewing, is opening this tasting room-focused operation.
Riot Brewing – Chemainus (Spring 2016)
It only took five-and-a-half years, but Aly Tomlin, well known in Vancouver’s brewing scene going back a ways, is finally opening her own brewery.
Strathcona Brewing – Hastings Street and Hawks Avenue, Vancouver (Spring 2016)
FKA Turntable Brewing, but the owners changed it once they landed a building in the heart of Strathcona. It’ll be a big operation, with a tasting room reminiscent of Brooklyn Brewery’s.
Whitetooth Brewing Co. – Golden (Spring 2016)
Golden’s first brewery will be a 18hl production brewery with a tasting lounge, growler station and retail area.
Andina Brewing – Powell Street, Vancouver (Summer 2016)
A new Yeast Van addition founded by two brothers originally from Colombia, which will offer “a unique blend of Latin American and Canadian flavours.”
Luppolo Brewing Co. – 1123 Venables, Vancouver (Summer 2016)
Another Yeast Van-ish startup, with a tasting room focus. They’ll brew assorted styles of beer, with some Italian influence, but mainly West Coast, with a focus on variety.
Sooke Brewing Co. – Guess… (Summer 2016)
Three friends who grew up together in Sooke plan to launch this brewery, emulating Tofino’s model of starting small with a focus on growler sales and expanding to bottling as capacity allows it.
Starkhund Brewing – Clement Avenue, Kelowna (Summer 2016?)
This large (58,000-square foot!) facility, which will also include a pub and tasting room, will be situated on the old B.C. Fruit Packers Co-operative Fruit Market and warehouse site.
Langley Brewing – Uh, Langley? (No idea)
It’s not much more than a rumour and a Twitter account at this point, though we’ve heard the owners of Old Abbey Ales are involved in this one.
Sooke Oceanside Brewing – Beside the ocean in Sooke (??)
The founder is an executive chef who really wants to open a brewery in Sooke. Hopefully he can.
Have we missed any? Let us know by tweeting @thegrowlerbc or emailing us at editor@thegrowler.ca
