Torchlight Brewing in Nelson is one of 6 breweries that collaborated on the new EXPLORE BC Peach Farmhouse Ale, a special release beer created in celebration of BC Craft Beer Month that is now available at select locations around British Columbia.
We asked the folks at Torchlight Brewing to tell us a bit about their brewery — and to also let us know how they like to eat a peach. Because, you know, the beer has peaches in it.
1. What’s the story behind the name of your brewery?
The concept of the name Torchlight is all about showing people the way and guiding them toward great beer.
2. What sets your brewery apart from others in BC?
It’s certainly not unique among craft brewers in BC, but the beer comes first. Well-made and innovative beers are what it is all about. We aren’t afraid to try new things. We’re not held to classic styles or the big trends of the moment. We experiment and make something new. Balance and drinkability are key, even if the balance you are looking for is an imbalance.
That and we’re super involved with the community and put on a lot of creative events, which brings me to your next question.
3. How do you interact with your local community?
We just finished putting on the first Kootenay Beer Fest here in Nelson. We collaborated with all the local breweries to do that. We like to be involved in community events. On October 12th we are hosting a local government candidates forum done in a speed dating style. It should be a fun twist. We are big into nerd culture. Some of our beer names and labels really show that. On October 30th we are running a Dungeons and Dragons event with a Halloween-themed adventure that we created in-house. We’ve done these kinds of events before and we pack the brewery with people all playing the same game.
4. Are there any unique challenges to brewing in your area/region?
Being out in the Kootenays, our biggest challenge is distribution to the rest of the province. It’s a long drive from here down to the coast so it’s not easy to get our beer to all the places we would like to.
5. What did you bring to this collaboration (a unique ingredient, idea, technique?) or what does it mean to you to be part of this collaboration?
I was pushing for the peaches pretty hard in this beer. We love making, and drinking, fruit beers and we have used peaches quite a bit.
6. What was your favourite part of the Brew Day?
My Zoom tour of the brewery and introduction to everyone. Unfortunately, I couldn’t make it down to the lower mainland for the brew day so I was just a floating head being carried around on a laptop.
7. What is your favourite way to eat a peach?
Water peaches. That’s the best. Go for a swim in the lake while you eat your peach. That way you don’t have to worry about the juice. It’s liberating.
The EXPLORE BC Peach Farmhouse Ale is a collaboration between six breweries from across British Columbia. BC peaches present a beautiful golden-orange colour, while the Lærdal Kveik yeast and BC hops provide fruity, floral flavours above a clean rounded malt base that elevates the whole beer. Lastly, a pinch of BC sea salt makes this ale sparkle. This limited edition Peach Farmhouse Ale is a true representation of our province that pairs perfectly with BC’s natural beauty.
The EXPLORE BC Beer Series, brought to you by the BC Ale Trail in partnership with Destination B.C., celebrates the fall season with a new limited-edition craft beer, and new special offers to explore the province’s vast Ale Trail network. Created for BC Craft Beer Month, the EXPLORE BC Peach Farmhouse Ale, is a collaboration by six breweries representing all of the province’s major tourism regions, and produced by Ravens Brewing Company, will be available at select liquor stores, restaurants and craft breweries across the province.
“EXPLORE BC is an Official Mark of Destination BC Corp., used with consent.”
