Canada, BC: Britannia Brewing Co. eyeing new location in Kelowna

A Lower Mainland craft beer company is expanding to Kelowna, InfoTel.ca reported on June 6.

Britannia Brewing Co. has locations in the Steveston neighbourhood of Richmond and in Ladner. It wants a pub/restaurant at 8999 Jim Bailey Rd. in the industrial north end of Kelowna bordering on Lake Country.

The location is 140 metres from Grey Fox Brewing, a brew pub that opened last December.

“The location at 8999 Jim Bailey Rd. is in a mixed use industrial area with many hard-working individuals that would welcome a beer after a long hard day,” says the liquor licence application filed with the City of Kelowna. “The area needs a positive social gathering hub and, as more residential projects unfold in the area, the brewery will provide a space to fill this void.”

And, while two breweries within walking distance of each other don’t make a brewery district, that’s how it started in another industrial area of Kelowna, at the northern end of downtown.

Kettle Valley Brewing opened there in July 2016, followed by Red Bird Brewing a year later. Now there are close to a dozen craft breweries and other liquor establishments within walking distance of each other.

Lake Country Brewing is a three-minute drive away from Britannia in the Lake Country Plaza.

Britannia Brewing is applying for a lounge licence for 97 people with space for another 90 on two patios.

It will offer eight to 12 core beers along with seasonal varieties, local ciders and some local wines, along with food like burgers, pasta, sandwiches and salads.

“The beer we produce is a high quality, sociable beer style that has a focus on drinkability,” the application says. “The market focus will be beer drinkers looking to make their way into the craft beer market in search of a more approachable product that is brewed local and fresh.”

Operating hours will be 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. five days a week, staying open until 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

“Britannia Brewing will be a family and pet friendly brewery,” the application says. “The intent is to provide a comfortable space for social gathering with a focus on community involvement and inclusion. The brewery will be a place that everyone, no matter what experience or knowledge of the craft beer industry, will feel welcome to come in, enjoy of glass of their favourite beer and feel comfortable trying something new.”

The liquor licence application has to go to city council before being passed on to the province for final approval.

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