HIDDEN GEMS OF BC: BREWING UP NEW MEMORIES IN THE EAST KOOTENAYS

BREWING UP NEW MEMORIES IN THE EAST KOOTENAYS >> KIM LAWTON

As soon as Dr. Bonnie Henry meeting the brewery team and touring the announced the beginning of breweries. Craft breweries are community Phase 3 of BC’s Restart Plan, gathering spaces, and I love getting a allowing travel within BC, sense and a feel for the personality of my husband and I started planning an each brewery. Like each community, each adventure. With a goal of discovering brewery has its own distinct feel and I love some new hidden gems in BC’s beautiful that every brewery has its own story to tell. backyard, we decided on a trip to Revelstoke and Golden, in the East At Rumpus Beer Co. in Revelstoke, we Kootenays. met owner Fred Orndorff. Barely a year old, Rumpus was established in June The majestic mountains, scenic views, 2019 in downtown Revelstoke. Their stunning waterfalls, and interesting cozy and inviting taproom is warm hikes were the perfect and comfortable, like your complement to the delicious grandparents’ rumpus room. craft beers and eats that we They have closed their small enjoyed throughout our taproom temporarily due to four-day getaway. the pandemic, but it’s still a hub in the community as We had driven through both locals and tourists stop for Revelstoke and Golden in the a chat and a visit while they past, but had not spent any pick up growlers and crowlers time exploring these charming of beer to go at the front-door mountain towns. Part of the draw beer station. They offer a rotating to this area was that most of our Fred Orndorff at selection of locally inspired Rumpus Beer Co. adventures would be outdoors. creative beers with lower ABVs. We spent a day in Yoho National Park, hiking Wapta Falls, enjoying a picnic at We had a nice visit at Mt. Begbie Brewing, Takakkaw Falls, a walk around Emerald also in Revelstoke, where we met with Lake, and the stunning Natural Bridge. We Darryn Shewchuk, the Director of Sales also hiked a short but spectacular trail called and Marketing. Founded in 1996 by Bart the Meeting of the Waters at Illecillewaet and Tracey Larson, Mt. Begbie is one of Campground between Revelstoke and BC’s early craft breweries. We enjoyed Golden. flights and delicious eats on their large, sun-drenched patio, looking out at their Whenever we explore a new area, a visit namesake Mount Begbie, Revelstoke’s most to the local breweries is a must. We are identifiable mountain peak. supporters of the concept of earning your beer, (search #earnyourbeer); Mt. Begbie will celebrate their 25th nothing tastes better than a anniversary in Spring 2021 and delicious craft beer after a they’ve grown a lot through hike in BC’s wonderland. the years and racked up On this trip, we had the quite a collection of awards. opportunity to visit all three They’ve moved locations, local breweries: Rumpus Beer rebranded, and added new Co. and Mt. Begbie Brewing equipment. With a goal of in Revelstoke, and Whitetooth being plastic-free, their most Brewing in Golden. recent addition is a new boxing Darryn Shewchuk machine. Their 4-packs of 473ml I enjoy trying the beers at each local at Mt. Begbie tall cans now come in in recyclable brewery when I travel. I also really enjoy carboard boxes. Wapta Falls

We spent a great afternoon at Whitetooth Brewing, Golden’s family-owned and operated brewery, established in 2016. We met with co-owner Kent Donaldson for a beer, a tour, and a chat. Named after the Whitetooth peak at the ski hill on Kicking Horse Mountain, Whitetooth Brewing is on the road down from the ski hill. Celebrating mountain culture, all of the beers have a Golden reference, making the brewery and the beers special ambassadors of Golden.

The large 100-seat patio offers gorgeous views of the Purcell Mountains on one side and the Rocky Mountains on the other side. It’s the perfect spot for a delicious craft beer and a visit with friends while soaking up the sunshine in a physically Kent Donaldson at distant way. Whitetooth Brewing

We had an awesome adventure on our fourday road trip to Revelstoke and Golden. If you are looking for an opportunity to explore more of BC, add these beautiful mountain towns to your upcoming travel bucket list. Visit www.bcaletrail.ca to plan your next craft beer adventure in Revelstoke and Golden, on the Kootenay Rockies East Ale Trail.

Until next time, cheers.

Kim Lawton is a craft beer fan, a long-time supporter of the craft beer movement, President of CAMRA South Okanagan and the Marketing Director at Cannery Brewing in Penticton.

Kim can be reached via Instagram @DogLegMarketing Read more of Kim's travel stories at hiddengemsofbc.ca