Episodes
Breweries can be a strong focal point for any community. Many of them align their name with the characteristics or features of their surroundings. Today I find myself mid-island on Vancouver Island in the town of Courtenay, British Columbia. Located on the traditional, unceded territories of the K’ómoks First Nation.  Ace Brewing opened its doors in 2019, and is proud of their Vintage Aviation theme reflecting the history of the Comox Valley and Canadian Air Force. I sat down with their head...
Published 08/20/21
Published 08/20/21
It's always a great feeling escaping the city and visiting the communities around the province. I've traveled to Vancouver Island to visit Alberni Brewing Company, a new brewery that recently opened up in Port Alberni. I sat down with co-owner Heather Welsh.
Published 07/16/21
There is a spot in the lower mainland that has seen a major shift to an entertainment district in recent years, and that spot is located in North Vancouver. Located on the traditional unceded territories of the Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh. The brewery House of Funk opened their doors a little over two years ago after seeing a gap in the British Columbia market. They have seen major growth and have even developed a sister brand to them. I sat down with owner Darren Hollett.
Published 06/25/21
In this episode, I find myself in North Vancouver, British Columbia. Located on the traditional unceded territories of the Tsleil-Waututh, Squamish and Musqueum. This area has seen a major boom of breweries opening in recent years, but there is one brewery that is a bit of an outlier on the map compared to the cluster of others. Wildeye Brewing is a quiet gem on the north shore, with a large tasting room and patio in the shadow of the surrounding mountains and trails. I sat down with the...
Published 05/20/21
Back in 2016 a new brewery opened up with something a bit different to offer. I’m in Vancouver, British Columbia. Located on the traditional unceded territories of the Tsleil-Waututh, Squamish and Musqueum. In the neighborhood of East Van, also known in the craft beer community as “Yeast Van” is Luppolo Brewing. They opened and have stuck to offering Italian style beers, while expanding their styles and food as well. I sat down with Brewer and Co-Owner Ryan Parfitt.
Published 04/24/21
The neighbourhood of Mt. Pleasent has seen a major transformation in recent years, and a key establishment that has played a major role is Main Street Brewing. Situated inside a Vancouver City Heritage Building, which originally was a brewery when first built apart of the historic Brewery Creek district. I sat down with co-owners Nigel Pike & Cameron Forsyth.
Published 03/19/21
There has been a lot of breweries opening in British Columbia over the last couple of years, and North Vancouver has been one of those hot spots. North Point Brewing is a cozy cabin themed brewery on a quiet street in North Van. I sat down with co-owner Liam Jeffries and brewer Paul Kovamees.
Published 02/12/21
Normally when I’m traveling to the Okanagan, I typically stop at a halfway point for a break to stretch my legs, maybe gas up the car and grab a quick snack and continue on my journey. But now knowing there is a brewery, I may have to reconsider my stopover. I’m in the town of Merritt, British Columbia. Typically a three hour drive from Vancouver, this town is now home to The Empty Keg Brew House. I sat down with Co-owner and Brewer, Kyle Hall.
Published 01/08/21
I've travelled to a top vacation destination in British Columbia. Whistler is known for its skiing, but it is also home to a lot of fantastic Summer activities, and of course, not to mention, great craft beer. In this episode speak with Brewer Derrick Franche at High Mountain Brewing and Owner/Brewer Kevin Winter at Coast Mountain Brewing.
Published 12/11/20
I've travelled to Kelowna to visit a brewery in a 100-year-old building. BNA Brewing opened their doors in 2015 and have been gradually expanding ever since. Not just a brewery, this build also houses a great eatery of theirs as well as an upstairs bowling alley. I sat down with one of the owners Kyle Nixon.
Published 11/20/20
I'm back in the Okanagan Valley visiting Penticton. In recent years, this region has seen a major boom in new craft breweries opening, but there are a couple who have been around for a few decades. I visit Tin Whistle Brewing and The Barley Mill Brewpub.
Published 10/14/20
This time of year there is so much going on in the beer world. Notably, fresh hop season! I connected with friends of the podcast, CLS Farms and Yakima Valley Hops to talk about their hop programs and importantly their One in Eight Fresh Hop Campaign, which is raising money and awareness during Breast Cancer Awareness month.  I spoke with Shelley Desmarais of CLS Farms and Jeff Perkins of Yakima Valley Hops. To learn more and order this year's 1 in 8 Fresh Hops, head to:...
Published 10/08/20
I've traveled to the municipality of Nanaimo on Vancouver Island, visiting a brewery that has been around since 2013. With two locals, one being their production brewery and the other their brewpub, Longwood focus heavily on local ingredients and supporting the local community. I sat down with Owner/Brewmaster Harley Smith. Longwood Brewery http://longwoodbeer.com/ Podcast created and hosted by: Aaron Johnson Recorded on location on Longwood Brewery - Nanaimo, BC Editing & mixing by:...
Published 09/15/20
In my first revisit episode, I catch up with friends of the podcast Bridge Brewing. I first spoke with them on episode 23 of the podcast, and a lot has changed since then. Located in North Vancouver along Lonsdale Avenue is their new second location, The Bridgedeck. I sat down with Co-Owner and  Director of Consumption, Leigh Stratton.
Published 08/14/20
During the COVID-19 lockdown, I started a series of live stream interviews reaching out to brewers and others in the beer industry. I thought I would share these interview as bonus content for this podcast. In this first episode my guests are beer and real life brothers... Clete Hanson of Another Beer Co. in New Westminster, BC and Matthew Hanson of Whistle Punk Brewing in Spokane, WA. The audio is from the original live stream that happened on Apr 13, 2020
Published 07/28/20
I'm in the Cowichan Valley visiting a brewery who has been around since 2018. Small Block Brewing is located in the township of Duncan on Vancouver Island. I sat down with co-owner Aaron Scally.
Published 07/17/20
I've traveled to Kamloops, British Columbia. I had the opportunity to visit a new brewery just before launch while attending Brewloops 2019. Bright Eye Brewing is a brewery dreamt up by two friends who became inspired after visiting a Vancouver based brewery. I sat down with Bryan Craig.
Published 06/12/20
In this episode of the podcast, I'm focusing on a single community on Vancouver Island. Mid-Island you'll find the communities of Qualicum Beach and Parkville. Located here are two very different types of breweries. I spoke with Dave Paul of LoveShack Libations and Dave Woodward of Mount Arrowsmith Brewing.
Published 05/20/20
In this episode of the podcast, I'm focusing on a single community on Vancouver Island. The city of Port Alberni is located pretty much in the center of Vancouver Island, with the drive being just over an hour from Nanaimo. I'll be speaking with both of the breweries who've open here, Twin City Brewing & Dog Mountain Brewing.
Published 04/22/20
In the Okanagan Valley is the small British Columbia town of Penticton. In recent years, this town has seen a boom in local breweries opening their doors. So much so that Lonely Planet named Penticton Canada’s “craft beer capital" for the year 2020.  In this episode, I'll be featuring two brewers from two breweries, Ross Thompson of Cannery Brewing and Liam Hutcheson of Bad Tattoo Brewing.
Published 03/20/20
Last Summer I was enjoying... and slightly melting, in the heat of the Okanagon while visiting Kelowna, BC. Kettle River Brewing Company is a small batch neighborhood brewery that has seen great support from the community as well as the local industry. Opening their doors in 2016 they've since expanded and added to their location. I sat down with Chris, Wilson, and Russ from the brewery.
Published 02/21/20
In the provincial capital of Victoria, not too far away from friends of the podcast Swan's Brewpub and Spinnarks is another historic brewery. Open in 1996 Canoe Brewpub is located in a historic 100-year-old building close to the Victoria Waterfront by the Johnson Street Bridge. In recent years they've had some major renovations done to the space with some more on the way. I sat down to their brewmaster Kyle York.
Published 01/22/20
I was very fortunate to travel to a region of the province I've always wanted to visit. I hit the road and headed north to Valemount, British Columbia. In this small town in the interior, they have an award-winning Brewery and a pretty awesome beer festival as well. I sat down with the general manager of Three Ranges Brewing, Michael Lewis.
Published 12/20/19