The Kootenays’ cultural capital serves craft brews and cool art. The auditorium goes crazy as Margo Mayhem steps onto the stage with an inflatable flamingo around her tiny waist. Underneath, she’s wearing a corset and not much else. She strikes me as a Betty Boop character with her black curly hair and bright red lipstick. … Continued
On May 15, 2021, Nelson Brewing Company celebrates its 30th anniversary. We dive into the company’s “richer than a chocolate stout” history, and uncover the characters who made this neighbourhood brewery a stalwart of the BC craft beer scene. Nelson Brewing Company was founded in 1991. The history of brewing in this small Kootenay town, … Continued
With the Stanley Cup playoffs in full swing, writer Lucas Aykroyd catches up with former NHLers Matt Walker and Dave Babych and highlights links between hockey and craft beer in BC. Hockey and beer. For many British Columbians, those two topics are as inseparable as the Sedin twins. When the Vancouver Canucks get on a … Continued
West Kootenay Mountain Biking: Classic singletrack. Old-school downhill. Post-ride craft beer. When talking bikes and beer, does anywhere in particular come to mind? Worldwide, there are few places that fit the description like the region around Nelson, in the West Kootenay area of British Columbia. If true downhill biking and local craft beer are the … Continued
Like a jewel on the West arm of Kootenay Lake, Nelson is known as the “Queen City” and for having “more restored heritage buildings per capita than anywhere else in the province”. That’s one of the reasons I love it and it’s where I graduated from high school. Sadly, I don’t get back often. I … Continued
Nelson is pretty much the perfect walking town, particularly when you have four breweries to visit along the way. The city, which is on the Kootenay Rockies West Ale Trail, is compact and the architecture is beautiful — the fact that the economy tanked here in the 1970s means it was saved from the architectural trends … Continued
With an increasing number of brewery visitors meandering their way throughout the Kootenay Rockies this past summer, a couple of things have become clear. First, there is an increasing number of stops to make, beers to drink and small-town charm to be found — so best secure a few more days off work for your trip. … Continued