by Michelle Sproule | The long awaited opening of Strathcona Beer Company is coming up fast. The new 12,000 sqft facility opens in June with a 67 seat tasting room, gourmet pizza kitchen (cheffed by none other than Alex Carswell, formerly of Pizzeria Barbarella – one of our long-time pie faves), merchandise shop, and state of the art brewery. Their beer focus out of the gate will be on classic, international styles; they’re aiming for a Pilsner, Belgian Golden Ale, and a British IPA to kick things off, plus seasonal brews on tap like a Radler for summer and a Smoked Porter for autumn. Offerings in the tasting room will eventually pour from a dozen taps. There will also be a growler fill station and plenty of retail beer to take home. It will be no end of interesting seeing how its arrival will be received by the neighbourhood. (Personally, I don’t think 67 seats will be enough!) To get my bearings on their imminence and their layout, I did a walk-through last week with Tim Davis (Production Manager), Adrian McInnes (Creative Director), and Michael “Fezz” Nazarec (Brewmaster), the photos from which I’ve tucked below their own introductory press release…

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Strathcona Beer Company announces the opening of its doors this June, just in time for summer. The highly anticipated craft brewery and tasting room is the newest destination to Vancouver’s continuing craft beer boom.

Located on the corner of East Hastings and Campbell street in the heart of Strathcona, Vancouver’s oldest residential neighbourhood, the new 12,000 square foot building will provide a world class brewing facility, 67 seat tasting room, gourmet pizza kitchen and retail area selling exclusive apparel and brand collaborations.

Founded by a group of friends who share a strong interest for the local brewing scene and a deep rooted connection to the Strathcona neighbourhood, the brewery is as much a passion project as it is a business endeavour. Among those involved in the business are Tim Knight, Director from Heatherbrae Builders and President of the brewery, Adrian McInnes, Creative Director, and Brewmaster, Michael “Fezz” Nazarec.

“We chose Strathcona for its strong community feel, character, vibrancy and are dedicated to contributing to the neighbourhood in a positive way.“ says Strathcona Beer Company President, Tim Knight. ”We know that the brewery and tasting room will become a gathering place for local residents and fill a void for what has been missing in the area.”

The brewery’s primary offerings for the launch will concentrate on classic, international beer styles including a Pilsner, Belgian Golden Ale, and a British IPA, with seasonal brews on tap; a Radler for summer and a Smoked Porter for the fall. Patrons will be able to sample beer in the tasting room, which will eventually pour up to 12 rotating beer taps, top up their growlers at the in-house filling station or buy packaged products to go from the retail area.

The tasting room will have a modern-industrial feel incorporating board form concrete, white fir bar and table tops coupled with neon reveals, a modern representation on the heritage of the neighbourhood. Joining the team and leading the pizza kitchen will be Chef Alex Carswell, formerly of Pizzeria Barbarella, who will be creating a distinctive pizza menu along with an assortment of salads and light snacks.

Strathcona Beer Company opens at 895 East Hastings Street mid-to-late June. The tasting room will be open Monday through Sunday from 11am – 11pm.

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