I love the craft beer scene in British Columbia and the Kootenays are right at the heart of it. With every town in the region seemingly having a craft brewery, I have selected my five favourite breweries and five beers to drink in the Kootenays, BC.
First up in my list of five beers to drink in the Kootenays is my favourite tipple from Fernie Brewing Company. Project 9, or simply P9, is named after a famed mountain bike trail in the Elk Valley. This Bavarian Pilsner is brewed with Munich, Pilsner and Pale Western Canadian malts. delivering a clean, crisp and tasty Bavarian Pilsner.
Just down the road from Fernie is Cranbrook, a town surrounded by natural beauty. Fisher Peak Brewing, which takes its name from nearby Mount Fisher, can be found in the Heid Out. The brew house sits above the brewery. Fisher Peak Brewing proudly do not add carbonation to their beers. When you sit down for one of their beautiful meals, try my favourite beer from their collection, the Elephant Run Ale. This traditional English Pale Ale has a modern twist to it, it heavily hopped with five different American hops and packs a huge flavour.
Next up is the Arrowhead Brewing Company based out of Invermere, I previously included this brewery and their amazingly named beers in a list I wrote for Matador Network. You can read about that here. With catchy names and distinctive 1950s style branding, Arrowhead Brewing Company have got a cool vibe and their beers do not fail to keep up. My favourite? It has to be ‘I’ve been thinking about getting the band back together’. This sessionable IPA has a hoppy flavour that keeps on giving.
Nelson Brewing Company need no introduction for beerheads in British Columbia. This organic brewing company has long been a favourite in the BC craft brewing scene. There are simply too many beers to choose from, so I shall list my four favourites. The Hopgood IPA, Paddywhack, Faceplant and a beer I have just tried recently, Happy Camper Summer Ale. I can’t wait for my next trip back to Nelson this Fall but if you are in Fernie and desperate to try one of these fine ales, head on over to the Kodiak Lounge at the Raging Elk Hostel. They have a selection of these and more on tap.
The High Country Klosch is one of my go to beers when I am eating at Yamagoya in Fernie. The Mt Begbie brewed kolsch is crisp, clear and refreshing, perfect for washing down an order of chicken karaage. This Revelstoke based brewery has a nuclear scientist putting his energy into creating beautiful beers. With a tasting room open to the public, Mt Begbie is another brewery I can’t wait to visit this Fall.
What are your favourite beers from the Kootenays and further afield in British Columbia, let me know in the comments below.
I have previously written about 5 places to grab a beer in Fernie for Hello BC.
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