Gladstone Brewing Company – Courtenay BC’s new Craft Beer Watering Hole

by Dustan Sept

  

July 9, 2015

Gladstone Brewing Company – Courtenay BC’s new Craft Beer Watering Hole

Vancouver Island has seen a plethora of breweries open in 2015 and they are not where you may expect. The Gladstone Brewing Company has entered the ranks of BC craft breweries and calls the small town of Courtnay home. Located approximately an hour drive north of Nanaimo, craft beer is making its way to the rural communities of BC.

Gladstone Brewing Company is located in an old garage and with the historic location the automotive theme lives on. Decorated with old automotive shop paraphernalia and a classic feel to the place there is a certain nostalgia and homely nature to the brewery. It isn’t all history here though as a patio sits out front for some summer-air beer sipping and the beer is anything but old.

The beer from Gladstone is not meant to fit into a niche but it is tending towards the Belgian styles. On their opening weekend the tap list included a total of six beers but the crown favourites seemed to tend towards the Belgian Single and the Belgian strong. With temperatures in the high 20s though, it is no surprise that the Pilsener was also going down quicker than it could be poured.

Upon opening the brewery the beer was only available on-site for direct consumption and growler fills. Local establishments have since started pouring the beer and Gladstone’s reach will surely spread quickly across the province. Bottles are not here yet but they are on their way. It may be a few months before you will find bomber bottles of these in-demand beers but it will happen soon. Keep an eye out for the beer to arrive at your favourite pub or liquor store soon. It is worth the wait!

gladstonebrewing.ca