Representatives from four local Nanaimo breweries were on hand Saturday, April 1 to begin creation of a special beer set for an early May launch. (Longwood Brewery)

By Alex Rawnsley

beer season

‘We think a lot of people will enjoy:’ Nanaimo breweries partnering on celebratory beer

Apr 5, 2023 | 5:16 AM

NANAIMO — Exactly what it is remains a closely guarded secret, but a rare collaboration between four local breweries is currently simmering.

Both Longwood Brewery and Longwood Brew Pub, along with Wolf Brewing and White Sails Brewing have joined forces to create a unique, never-before-brewed in Nanaimo beer ahead of the fifth annual Nanaimo Craft Beer Week.

Longwood Brewery’s Harley Smith provided few details on the offering, only saying it will be a great beer for the warmer month of May and has a “Belgian influence”.

“Everybody’s doing their own seasonal as an individual brewery so picking something that fit in with everybody’s program was probably the most difficult part, we all know what we like to brew and we all know what the public wants somewhat, but we don’t want to compete with our own individual releases.”

Ingredients were first brought together Saturday, April 1 and will work their magic over the coming weeks ahead of a May 1 launch.

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Once ready, the brew will be available on tap at each of the four participating establishments for the first week in May as well as a limited, packaged run.

The opportunity to come together was a long time coming, initially pitched a few years ago before pandemic-related delays pushed everything back.

“A type of collaboration like this sort of exemplifies how our industry works,” Smith said. “We’re a tight-knit group, however we compete on the shelf we still collaborate amongst ourselves. We’re largely battling the big beasts of the brewing world, but as a group we’re stronger.”

Matt Carter of the Nanaimo Craft Beer Society said their primary goal is to promote local beer options and get people trying something new.

He hopes this blend of brewing ideas will get more people out and trying local craft.

“Obviously you want a beer that’s interesting to show off the skill and talent of the local brewers but you also want something, it’s that classic word, drinkable. That’s got some flavours that we think a lot of people will enjoy.”

The beer will officially launch at an event on May 1 at Firehouse Grill.

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