This week, we continue our new series of interviews with organizations who support CAMRA and the craft beer heroes behind them. The folks at Big River in Richmond tell us about their brewpub and the changes they’ve been making recently.
HOW LONG HAS BIG RIVER BREWING COMPANY BEEN AROUND?
Big River Brewing Company, Est’d 1997, is Richmond’s first and only brewery. We are situated along the banks of the Fraser River, also known as a “Canadian Heritage River”.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE BREWPUB IN A NUTSHELL?
Big River Brewpub is full of character, boasting a history-rich decor in a warm rustic atmosphere. Watch a game on one of our TV’s with sound during televised Canucks games. Along the far side of the brewpub is our brewery, where guests can see the inner workings of the brewing process behind glass walls. Guests love to see Michael Stewart working away on one of his finely crafted beers and seasonal beers. We recently released a new menu with international flavours that accompany Big River’s line-up of beers very nicely.
We have a brand new management team at Big River who are excited about craft beer and this unique combination of brewery, brewpub, restaurant and bowling centre. Michael Morris comes to us from another brewpub/restaurantas our General Manager and has a passion for customer service, good food and most importantly, he knows beer.
What is so unique at Big River is that we adjoin The Zone Bowling Centre, where guests can bowl while enjoying a pitcher, pint or taster rack of our renowned fresh craft beer. If you combine The Zone and Big River we are a terrific venue for large events.
DO YOU FIND THAT THERE IS A BIG LOCAL CRAFT BEER FOLLOWING IN RICHMOND?
Absolutely! People are more discerning and knowledgeable than ever. Beer lovers travel from place to place in search of locally crafted beers. While each brewery has something special to offer, what makes us special is that we are 100% locally brewed right here in Richmond. In fact, one of the local farms recycles our used grains by feeding their livestock with it, now that’s keeping it local.
Our beers have always had a faithful following and it’s grown exponentially over the past year. We introduced growlers this year and they have become tremendously popular; We see people dropping in regularly to get refills. Something that has also been very popular is our Taster Racks. Did you know we have had taster racks in our brewpub for a decade? The locals love the taster racks because they love variety and can be enjoyed on their own or with a meal.
We have seven varieties that tell a story of our beer and it’s an exploration with every pint they try! Watch for Big River Brewing Company at more Beer Festivals in upcoming months.
The brewery is winding up the “Summer of Wheat” series with Bufflehead Hefeweizen, a German wheat beer. This sweet and fruity full bodied Hefeweizen is in its traditional Bavarian unfiltered form.
This beer uses top fermented German yeast, which produces overtones of banana and clover with low hop bitterness. Currently being served at the brewpub in Richmond . This beer is named after a migratory sea duck that can be seen along the banks of the Fraser and wetlands during the summer months. We draw inspiration from our history and natural surroundings.
HOW BIG IS YOUR BREW SET UP?
Big River Brewing Company is a 10 HL Brewhouse which includes four fermentors and 16 serving tanks. We have a regular line up of 7 beers and various seasonal beers throughout the year. Look for our beers to start arriving in your local watering holes throughout the lower mainland.
YOU GUYS HAVE A COQUITLAM LOCATION TOO, CAN YOU TELL ME A LITTLE ABOUT THAT?
We have a second location in Coquitlam where we serve all of our beers and seasonal beers as well as the same menus. We have “The Fraser Mills Conference Room” that has state of the art audio visual equipment and available for functions up to 100 people. It has worked amazingly well for multi-faceted events, incorporating the private space with our food, drinks and bowling.
You can expect the same quality and execution of meals at either location, and of course Michael Stewart’s beers are available at both as well. It is an exciting niche to have fresh craft beer, restaurant and pub licensing with a bowling centre all wrapped up in one!
Our Brewmaster, Michael Stewart came to us with a whole new attitude, professionalism and experience in commercial brewing. Past brewmasters have never realized our breweries full capabilities, but Michael did. Since appointing him as our new Brewmaster one year ago we have experienced a new awareness of Big River by the locals and now the lower mainland. Michael has a large vibrant personality and has been inspirational through his love of his craft. You will see him speaking with staff and customers about our beers and educating anyone who asks on the process of brewing to understanding flavour profiles.
We have worked towards several goals over this past year. Rebranding, Event Participation and Outside Sales. Our rebranding and new out look inspired the names and the story behind the beers. We researched the history of the Fraser River and drew inspiration on that for the names of the beers and their back stories.
A few examples of our back stories are…
Old Curly Stout Old Curly was the name given to the first steam locomotive in BC. Originally used for the construction of CPR along the Fraser Canyon then at several railway logging operations on the coast.
RIVER PILOT ESB River Pilots are local experts in ship handling, who for decades have safely navigated large ships up and down the narrow fast waters of the Fraser River.
DRAGON DANCE PILSNER The island of Richmond, A precious pearl in the mouth of The Fraser; The home of our brewery is believed to be the “pearl in the dragon’s mouth” and considered to be good luck. The dragon dance is performed, the longer the dragon, the luckier you will become.
So from the pearl of the dragons mouth, Big River Brewing Company, to all the pioneers of British Columbia who settled along our history rich Fraser river we dedicate our line-up of beers to them.Tales born from the headwaters cascading down from the Rocky Mountains, through river valleys and rapids, where it ends its journey as it ebb’s and tides into the Pacific Ocean. We invoke conversation in this history where the story of our ancient river transcends an ancient beverage!
Big River’s located in Richmond (180-14200 Entertainment Blvd.) and Coquitlam (#15-228 Schoolhouse Street). Check out their website, Facebook or twitter for details on what’s brewing.
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