CAMRA continues its series of interviews with organizations who support CAMRA and the craft beer heroes behind them. We’re excited to introduce you to the folks who brew your favourite beers, run your local homebrew store, sling suds at your local taproom, or make sure your liquor store is stocked with craft beer deliciousness.
This week’s spotlight is on brewpub and brewery Steamworks, which is set to expand to a new production location this summer. They recently brought on Australian brewmaster Caolan Vaughan to oversee the expansion and transition, and we had the chance to pick his brain about what they have planned.
How would you describe Steamworks in a nutshell?
I guess over the 18 years Steamworks has been running the brewpub has become institution of Vancouver. It’s a fantastic place be and work!
How long have you been working at Steamworks?
Prior to joining Steamworks I was running a brewery in the UK and I move over here in January this year to help with the new expansion project.
How do you find the craft beer scene in BC differs from the one in Australia?
One similarity would be that craft beer is exploding in both places with great beers in both locations. However, BC being part of the Pacific North West has had greater exposure to vast variety of fantastic beers. So in regards to this the BC craft scene would more advance than in Aus. but really there are many similarities.
What is your favourite kind of beer to brew?
I love brewing beer! I don’t really have a favourite style to brew but I do love brewing new beers but I also love consistently brewing beers from our core range.
Why did Steamworks choose Burnaby for the new brewery location?
We looked at so many location around Vancouver and Burnaby but the location that we chose just screamed out to us. It is a great location that already had areas for a tasting room, office and most importantly a great production space.
Do you have a date for when it will open yet?
We hope to be brewing early August and have the tasting room open up not long after that.
Any plans for new beers once you move into the new location?
I have many plans to be brewing some new beers but my focus initially will be to get the Pils and Pale honed on the new system.
Will you be filling growlers there? Will you have a tasting room/tours?
We certainly will be filling growlers and running tours out of our cellar door/ tasting room.
Any other news you’d like to share?
To be honest I am so insular in regards to the project at the moment that I don’t really know too much of what is happing outside of it. What I can say is that I very excited to be the first brewery in Burnaby and can’t wait to be making some great beers for those thirsty people out there!
Check out the Steamworks website and facebook for news about the new location. CAMRA also has an Off flavours education class coming up on July 23 at the Steamworks Brewpub location run by Danny Seeton.
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