The Spotlight is a series of interviews with the craft beer heroes behind local organizations who are helping grow the beer scene in our fine city. This week’s spotlight is on Liberty Wine’s Commercial Drive location, who are presenting the tasting event on June 4. We chatted to manager Will Ford about this brand new festival.
How did the festival get started?
The genesis of this festival arose from the success of our East Side Beer Fest which is held at the Wise Hall in March. We have been able to raise over $10,000 for the Greater Vancouver Food Bank over the past two years and figured we could do even better to help feed Vancouver’s hungry. Best of the Northwest was born.
How do you choose the best of the Northwest? Sounds like quite the challenge!
We love a good challenge and we hope local beer lovers do as well. Ticket holders will receive a voters card and they will have to choose one candidate for each of: Best B.C. Brewery, Best U.S. Brewery and Best of Show. Votes will be cast upon exit and the winners will be announced following the event. Beerthirst and UnTapped are the participating vendors that will be pouring Washington and Oregon beers.
You’ll have to buy a ticket to find out!
Liberty’s Commercial Drive location is in the heart of craft beer country. How have you guys seen customer’s tastes in beer change as the craft beer scene grows here?
It has been a fascinating experience observing consumers attitudes over the past two and a half years. It has always been part of our philosophy to stock and promote the best quality brews that are currently available in BC. That for us is 90% craft beer. Any beer lover that has entered our beer section can quickly recognize that we do not purchase from BDL. This philosophy was first met with “Where’s your Budweiser?” and we have watched it evolve to the point of “Did you get the new Cantillon shipment yet?”. The passion and excitement of beer lovers these days is a lot of fun to be a part of.
What new local breweries will be taking part?
One of BC’s newest breweries, Dageraad, from Burnaby will be pouring. As well as Bomber Brewing and Parallel 49. The other BC breweries pouring will be Driftwood, Central City, Howe Sound, Russell, Phillips and Coal Harbour.
Anything else you want to add?
Tickets are available at Liberty Wine Merchants locations – Commercial Drive, Point Grey, Park & Tilford and Granville Island. We can also do paypal transactions, call 604.633.1922 for more info.
There will be some light nibbles graciously donated by Commercial Drive businesses.
A silent auction will also take place.
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