Susi Foerg never thought she91Ƶd end up opening a brewery, but that91Ƶs what she is doing.
The German-born, Kelowna-raised lover of all things outdoorsy has spent the majority of her career working for Valley First Credit Union as a teller and administrator. And, although she liked beer, she never imagined she would be at the helm of her own craft brewery.
91ƵI loved my job because I got to spend all day having five- to 10-minute conversations with credit union members who came in,91Ƶ she said. 91ƵI got to really know everyone coming in. I91Ƶm all about that human connection.91Ƶ
During a trip to the Sunshine Coast, Foerg visited Persephone Brewing Company91Ƶa farm craft brewery91Ƶand she instantly fell in love.
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91ƵIt was sunny and they had picnic tables in the grass and there were families and kids and dogs and I was like, 91Ƶoh my gosh!91Ƶ91Ƶ she said. 91ƵI didn91Ƶt really know what the craft beer world was like and I thought, 91ƵHoly! This is the dream.91Ƶ Then I wanted to try doing that here.
91ƵThe whole thing is, I get to create this company where I get to have all these conversations with people all day.91Ƶ
Foerg91Ƶs vision for her brewery, comprised of meticulous details and feminine touches, is not only to serve a tasty cold one but also offer a relaxed atmosphere that concentrates on bringing the outside in. And every square inch of the brewery has Foerg91Ƶs personality shining through.
91ƵThis project has been three years in the making and all my heart is in it. I thought about a lot of the specifics of what I want where and why and how,91Ƶ she said. 91ƵThere is a purpose and reason for every aspect in the place and I91Ƶm so pumped for people to come in when it91Ƶs done.91Ƶ
The taproom, open, dog-friendly patio and private party room will offer plenty of space for new conversations and connections.
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One thing you won91Ƶt find a lot of, though, is televisions.
91ƵThat91Ƶs not the shtick here,91Ƶ she said, noting 91Ƶthe guys91Ƶ weren91Ƶt particularly fond of the idea. 91ƵThat91Ƶs the thing about breweries, you sit at a communal table next to some random person and you start chatting over the beer and all of a sudden you91Ƶve made a friend.
91ƵOr, at the very least, you91Ƶve made human contact.91Ƶ
Foerg did say the TVs would be hung during major sports events.
Her brewery, located in a totally redesigned truck warehouse on Vaughan Avenue, will make a perfect addition to the growing craft beer scene in Kelowna and Foerg said she has been welcomed so far.
91ƵWe need more (breweries) in this area because the whole culture is going from one to another and trying different beers,91Ƶ she said. 91ƵA culture doesn91Ƶt happen without multiples of the same thing or similar things.91Ƶ
Rustic Reel Brewing Co. and its 91Ƶgood vibes91Ƶ are coming soon as Foerg hopes to open this summer.