One of the biggest and fastest-growing sectors in British Columbia is the brewery industry, and it can be seen in Kelowna as there are now 18 different breweries.

91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 been exciting to watch because it91裸聊视频檚 been so rapid,91裸聊视频� said Ken Beattie, executive director of the B.C. Craft Brewers Guild. 91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 really become a hotbed. It91裸聊视频檚 really built to a destination, and we91裸聊视频檙e really encouraged by what we see.91裸聊视频�

Since 2018, 12 separate breweries have opened in Kelowna, accounting for nearly 15 per cent of all breweries in the province that opened in that time.

There are currently 235 breweries across B.C.

Everything is coming together at the right time for the brewery industry, as pandemic restrictions are lifted going into the spring. The brewery district took a bit of a hit during the pandemic, but with restrictions being lifted and the provincial government extending the simplified licensed patio program until 2023, it91裸聊视频檚 a big win.

91裸聊视频淗istorically, breweries had to apply for a food-primary license in order to get a patio but during COVID because Dr. Henry and our health and safety, we wanted everyone outside, they allowed breweries to open patios and it really was the lifeline the breweries needed across the province to maintain and stay open,91裸聊视频� said Beattie.

Beattie is also impressed by how breweries and restaurants came together and helped each other out over the last two years.

91裸聊视频淎 lot of breweries are quite small and they don91裸聊视频檛 have room for a kitchen, so it makes it great to be able to support the community,91裸聊视频� said Beattie.

During COVID, many breweries partnered with restaurants with breweries providing their beer to the restaurant and the restaurant would provide its food to the brewery. Some breweries hire food trucks to provide the food for the day.

91裸聊视频淭hat91裸聊视频檚 the bit of the silver lining,91裸聊视频� said Beattie. 91裸聊视频淏reweries tend to be community hubs and community meeting places and we encourage them to work with their local partners down the street.91裸聊视频�

With the number of breweries growing throughout the province, some have been able to expand and some have collaborated when creating a new beer.

91裸聊视频淲e91裸聊视频檙e going to see some consolidation of maybe breweries working together in order to expand because there91裸聊视频檚 opportunity,91裸聊视频� said Beattie. 91裸聊视频淐anadian craft breweries and B.C. craft breweries are working together in situations to expand their reach or diversify their distribution and we91裸聊视频檙e going to see more of that.91裸聊视频�

One of the best examples of that is in the Okanagan where Bad Tattoo Brewing opened in Penticton in 2014 and expanded to Kelowna in 2021.

There are 16 breweries in Kelowna and many are in close proximity to each other, while two are in West Kelowna.

With summer around the corner and the restrictions lifted, there91裸聊视频檚 an amazing amount of choice available for everyone in Kelowna.

91裸聊视频淏y all indications, people are itching to get out and enjoy and stay local,91裸聊视频� said Beattie. 91裸聊视频淚91裸聊视频檓 really expecting the breweries and patios and will be packed and busy all summer.91裸聊视频�

READ MORE: Kelowna Ale Trail launches tasting passport

jordy.cunningham@kelownacapnews.com
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