First Visit to Gladstone Brewing
Gladstone Brewing Co. General Manager Jonathan Parker
Gladstone Brewing Co. located at 244 4th Street in Courtenay, has been packed with locals and tourists alike since officially opening its doors in early 2015. The brewery occupies a former auto garage which conveys an old-timey industrial charm both inside and out. On this occasion I was able to sit down with General Manager Jonathan Parker to learn more about their immediate success and future plans for the brewery. Despite putting in some long hours of late (Gladstone hosted a wildly popular local Talent Show the previous night), Jon was willing to stay and chat with me on one of their many inviting sun-soaked patio tables before calling it a day.
Since Surgenor Brewing closed it’s doors in 2011, there has been little to get excited about with regards to quality food and beer in the valley. Jon confirmed that when he first moved to Courtenay several years ago there was very limited dining/beer options compared to what he was used to in Victoria. While not surprising given small-town Courtenay’s enticing quaintness, today the area boasts three craft breweries: Gladstone Brewing Co., Forbidden Brewing, and Cumberland Brewing (all with inviting tasting rooms) and a number of tasty additions to the restaurant scene boasting quality local ingredients and plenty of BC craft beer on tap. In recent news, Gladstone Brewing Co. has partnered up with the popular Atlas Café to create a new addition to the scene; The Cornerstone Tap House (former location of Zocalo’s), which could be operating in the coming months (not confirmed).
I asked Jon what Gladstone was excited about and what we might have to look forward to in addition to the Cornerstone. Gladstone would like to begin a monthly cask program whereby they could take their level of experimenting to the next level while also offering their patrons something new and interesting to sample. ‘This is also a great way to do some research and development by gauging customer’s opinions on these experimental brews’, says Parker. There is also a collaboration IPA available in May between Gladstone and Royston Nano Brewery’s Brad Harris. Funds from beer sales will also benefit the Y.A.N.A. and oncology departments of the B.C. Children’s Hospital. More information on the intriguing Royston Nano Brewery and R.I.P.A. benefit beer can be found on their website: http://www.roystonnanobrewery.com
Other news at Gladstone these days is the ever present idea of expansion. They have been very creative with their space thus far, says Jon, but they are always looking for new ways to utilize their space. Installing a garage door separating the tasting room and patio, for example, would add to the tasting room’s attractive open air feeling while also allowing the brew staff to move equipment in and out of the brewery without having to dismantle windows and doors. Pretty and Practical. Some might be aware of the recent departure of former brew master John Adair from Gladstone. Daniel Sharratt, one of the brewery’s founders and also the talented home brewer responsible for several of the mainstay beer recipes at Gladstone, has assumed the role with the help of several additional full time brewers.
At the time of my visit Gladstone, Cumberland, and Forbidden Brewing all offered an impressive 7 different beers on tap. Admittedly I was not impressed with everything I tried but I would suggest a visit to all three if you are in the area nonetheless. Gladstone has provided the most consistent beer quality in my humble opinion yet I look forward to visiting each brewery. All offer an inviting tap room, tasty and diverse beer offerings, and friendly staff. The White Whale Pub/Restaurant seems to be the most endorsed pub in town for both their surprising variety of BC craft beer as well as their delicious menu. Like Forbidden, Cornerstone, Atlas, and Gladstone, The White Whale is also easily walkable from the city centre and most hotels. *Townsite Brewing is only a ferry away in Powell River for anyone looking to experience some excellent beer beyond the valley.