Roadtrippin’ To Discover The Best Sippin’

A round-up of craft breweries and bars in the West Kootenay region of British Columbia

Words by Vince Hempsall  and Photos by Peter Moynes

There’s a very good reason why the West Kootenay region of British Columbia is a hotbed for cold beer. After all, the area is famous for its outdoor activities and what better way to celebrate a fun day of recreating than with a delicious craft brew? In the winter months, this area of the province can enjoy upwards of 12 metres (40 feet) of snow and locals and visitors alike embrace it with some of the best downhill and backcountry skiing in the world, fat biking, nordic skiing, snowmobiling, skating, snowshoeing, and yes, even fishing. (Order a pint at Tailout Brewing and the owners might share with you their favourite winter fishing holes.) 

Once the outdoor fun is over for the day, aprés begins. Here are the best craft beer breweries and bars in the West Kootenay region of BC.

Rossland Beer Company

Home to Red Mountain Resort, the community of Rossland is famous for its skiing and fat biking. (Volunteers maintain over 17 kilometres of singletrack here.) It’s also home to the award-winning Rossland Beer Company owned by best friends Ryan Arnaud and Petri Raito. Conveniently located in the downtown core, the brewery is both modern and homey and you can have food delivered to your table from the excellent Underbelly restaurant across the street.  

• Rossland Beer Company: 1990f Columbia Ave, Rossland
• Phone: 250-362-2122
• Website: rosslandbeer.com
• Recommended Brew: Seven Summits Milk Stout won a gold medal at the Canadian Brewing Awards.

Trail Beer Refinery

The Trail Beer Refinery is one of the newer businesses in this heritage city and does an excellent job of tapping into the history of the area’s blue collar ethic while serving it all up with a side of style. The “Goal-den Ale” is an homage to the city’s Junior A hockey team, which has been playing in Trail for over 90 years. Their name, “Smoke Eaters,” was coined in 1928 when an angry fan threw a pipe on the ice and Trail’s Carroll Kendall picked it up and smoked it while killing a penalty. 

• Trail Beer Refinery: 1299 Bay Ave, Trail
• Phone: 778-456-2827
• Website: trailbeerrefinery.ca
• Recommended Brew: Try the Goal-den Ale, because the name’s a total winner.

Tailout Brewing

Opened in late 2019, Tailout Brewing is one of the best additions to Castlegar’s dining scene in recent memory. It offers a spacious, open setting and custom art that reflects the owners’ love of fishing. Plus it’s conveniently located just off the highway so whether you’re returning from skate skiing the Paulson or snowmobiling the Bombi, your pint is easily within reach.

• Tailout Brewing: Unit A, 1810-8th Avenue, Castlegar
• Phone: 250-608-9056
• Website: tailoutbrewing.com
• Recommended Brew: Our preferred catch of the day is the Single Spey IPA

Lions Head Smoke and Brew Pub

After buying this famous neighbourhood watering hole in Robson, Troy Pyett and Carly Hadfield established this motto: “Converting Bud drinkers and vegetarians since 2009.” Their plan obviously worked because the pub is regularly packed and has numerous craft beers on tap as well as a menu that features a variety of meats smoked on-site. Just don’t ask for a Budweiser.

• Location: 2629 Broadwater Rd, Robson
• Phone: 250-365-2739
• Website: lionsheadpub.ca
• Recommended Brew: The pub usually has beers from 15 different BC craft breweries. Take your pick.

Angry Hen Brewing

Brewmaster Shirley Warne established the Angry Hen craft brew pub in 2017 and it’s since become a de facto hangout in the small mountain town of Kaslo, which is famous for its beautiful views of Kootenay Lake and the surrounding mountains. Located on the community’s quaint main street, Angry Hen serves up a variety of beer, all of which have clever names related to chickens, such as Kluckin Kölsch and Tough Old Bird. You’ll also find Angry Hen and other Kootenay craft offerings at the recently refurbished Kaslo Hotel down the street.

• Angry Hen Brewing: 343 Front St, Kaslo
• Phone: 250-353-7446
• Website: angryhenbrewing.com
• Recommended Brew: Don’t leave without trying the Wild Rooster Hazy Pale Ale. It’ll ruffle your feathers.

Nelson Craft Breweries

The city of Nelson has no shortage of craft beer offerings. In fact, there are three breweries located within an eight-block radius in the city as well as over a dozen bars and restaurants that serve local brews. The three breweries include the venerable Nelson Brewing Company, which has been in existence since 1991, as well as Backroads, with its stylish wooden picnic tables, and Torchlight, located in the old Sear’s Warehouse building. They’re all within walking distance of one another making it easy to try a few different offerings. New dining establishments where you can find an excellent array of local craft brews include the Bear and Sturgeon located on the main floor of the Savoy Hotel and Beauties Pizza. Both are on Baker Street, the city’s famous thoroughfare. 

• Nelson Brewing Company: 512 Latimer St, Nelson
• Phone: 250-352-3582
• Website: nelsonbrewing.com
• Recommended Brew: Whether you’ve been holding ski poles or fishing poles all day, the Bent Pole IPA is a perfect way to follow up.

 

• Backroads Brewing: 460 Baker St, Nelson
• Phone: 778-463-3361
• Website: backroadsbrewing.com
• Recommended Brew: It’s always the season for their Saison.

 

• Torchlight Brewing: 125 Hall St, Nelson
• Phone: 250-352-0094
• Website: torchlightbrewing.com

Recommended Brew: Awesome Flavour Hazy IPA. Name says it all.

Erie Creek Brewing

Colin and Lynn Hango opened Erie Creek Brewing in 2020 because they felt the community of Salmo really needed a hangout spot. Located in an old bank, the brewery boasts an active music scene so you can enjoy plenty of local tunes to wash down your flight.

• Erie Creek Brewing Company: 117 4th St, Salmo
• Phone: 250-357-2479
• Website: eriecreekbrewingco.com
• Recommended Brew: The Cream Ale has apparently converted a number of lager aficionados.

Valley of the Springs Winery 

The best kept regional secret is that Arrow Lakes is a prime grape growing region. The winery’s orchard was planted in 2007, started as a hobby but became a full-time business. Valley of the Springs opened its cellar door in 2020 and now has an expected yield of 700 cases per year. Enjoy a charcuterie board and a bottle of their red, white or rose by the outdoor fireplace at their tasting room.

• Valley of the Springs Winery: 890 Alexander Rd, Nakusp
• Phone: 1-250-265-3075
• Website: www.valleyofthespringswinery.com
• Recommended Brew: The 2019 sparkling rose that is only available at the winery.

Burton City Cider

After planting the trees and testing many batches, the cidery opened its doors to customers in 2016. At the tasting room find ciders on tap, tours, lunch options and pizza nights. Located on a 30-acre farm at the edge of Arrow Lakes with views of the Monashees and Mt Ingersoll, it’s worth planning to spend more than a moment here.

• Burton City Cider: 5470 Highway 6, Burton
• Phone: 1 250-265-7044
• Website: www.burtoncitycider.ca
• Recommended Brew: Raspberry dry cider