“I found it so inspiring to work with these young entrepreneurs and their craft beer project. I have enjoyed watching their business grow and expand. They have become a destination in the Parksville community.”
Kelly McBride
CFCI Business Development and Credit Officer
Email: info@arrowsmithbrewing.com
Website: arrowsmithbrewing.com
Parksville is best known for its gorgeous beaches, resorts and restaurants. But what could go even better at any of those places? A delicious craft beer! Mount Arrowsmith Brewing Company, named for a local mountain, became the region’s first commercial craft brewery in 2017, and is the result of a labour of love conceived over a game of ping pong by cousins Matt Hill and Dan Farrington.
The key to the operation, of course, was getting the right brewer to create the company’s product in the 80-hectolitre facility. They happily stumbled upon Dave Woodward, a UK-trained brewer who has spent 16 years creating craft brews in England, Whistler, Tofino and Langford whose creation. Mount Arrowsmith brew won 3 medals at the 2018 World Beer Awards, including the Double Gold: Arrowsmith Blonde, Best Golden Ale worldwide!
“It was at about that time the craft brewing scene was really starting to explode,” Hill recalls. “I think the ‘aha!’ moment came when we were talking about hearing all these success stories in the craft brew industry, and how that was really changing small communities and being a powerful force all around B.C.” The tap room is licensed to serve one sleeve or a four-brew tasting flight per customer. Customers may also purchase 64-ounce growlers/ 32-ounce grumblers that can be refilled from the taps, or buy pre-bottled, 650-ml “bomber” bottles.
