Four new craft breweries opened their doors this week across the province, much to the delight of thirsty British Columbians everywhere: Slow Hand Beer (Vancouver), Copper Brewing (Kelowna), Rustic Reel Brewing (Kelowna) and New Tradition Brewing (Comox). Here’s everything you need to know about B.C.’s newest beer-makers.
Slow Hand Beer
Slow Hand has taken over the former Doan’s Craft Brewing and Powell Brewery space on Powell Street, where founders Kurtis Sheldan and Chris Charron have a unique mission: to create a brewery devoted to making nothing but great lager beers. Much like the brewery’s previous tenants, Slow Hand has a full lounge licence offering full pints and tasting paddles, as well as packaged product. No growler fills, unfortunately.
1830 Powell St., Vancouver • SlowHandBeer.com
Copper Brewing
This brewery on Kirshner Road in Kelowna’s Landmark neighbourhood features an immaculately-designed 110-seat lounge in a modern industrial space. The focus here is “approachable” beer styles with a full menu provided by next-door neighbor, montREALfood.
#102–1851 Kirschner Rd., Kelowna • CopperBrewingCo.com
Rustic Reel Brewing Co.
The brainchild of beer-loving German-born owner Susi Foerg, this massive, 8,000-sq.-ft. space in Kelowna’s North End features a full kitchen, a private event space, a local artisan marketplace called the Tackle Box and classic, approachable North American craft beer styles. If you couldn’t tell, there’s a strong fishing and outdoors theme to this brewery’s branding.
760 Vaughan Ave., Kelowna • RusticReel.com
New Tradition Brewing
Owner Pat Savard’s great-grandpa paved the way for a unique family legacy: bootlegging beer during the prohibition. Today, the family is carrying on that legacy with a “New” Tradition, by brewing and serving beer the legal way. New Tradition’s unique and comfortable tasting room was constructed with recycled materials and ecologically friendly techniques.
#11—215 Port Augusta St., Comox • NewTraditionBrewing.com
The Growler
