Shop Local Community Initiative: Beverages

The Tri-Cities has so much to offer, from restaurants to great shops, crafters to craft cocktails. We’re missing the places we go to often and are thinking about the owners of these businesses. We decided to get in touch, and spread the love. Find out how you can support local, all while maintaining safety and social distancing.

This week we're spotlighting some of our beloved small wine, spirits and beer businesses! Help us celebrate Yellow Dog Brewing, Patina Brewing, Provincial Spirits, Township 7 Winery, Mariner Brewing and Tinhouse Brewing!

In the coming weeks we'll also be highlighting some of our favourite food, services and speciality shops too, but check out all of these great local wine, spirits and beer shops - and find out how you can support them - below.

Tinhouse Brewing

We aim to make great beers that are balanced and drinkable - with something for everyone. Keep checking our social media for new beer releases including our TinBuddy Single-Keg releases!

How are you and the business doing? 

We are doing OK, all things considered. Most importantly, everyone in our team and their families are healthy!

How has COVID-19 impacted your business and how have you adapted?    

We've been deemed an "essential business" as we are a manufacturer that supplies the provincial government, so we are still brewing, packaging and selling beer. We closed our lounge to the public on March 17th, and that definitely has impacted our revenues. March is when sales to the public start to increase compared to January and February, which are typically the slowest months for our industry. So it was a bit disappointing to not be able to see how the business would have shifted with the seasons. However, we were able to set up a webstore that same day that we closed our lounge. The webstore lets local customers order flats of beer and merchandise for delivery to their homes. We knew a lot of our customers would either be in self-isolation or generally avoiding leaving home, so we thought it seemed the best way to get beer to them.

How can the community help support you during these times? 

I'd say continue to order beer online for delivery, or stop in and pick up some cans or a gift card from the brewery (we are open 12-7 daily for off-sales). If not from us, then from any of the other breweries in the Tri-Cities. If you are buying beer from your local liquor store, ask them to carry more PoCo products if they aren't already. We do expect to see a gradual opening later this spring, likely with reduced occupancy, so it definitely won't be the way things were. Most importantly, we want everyone to be safe, stay healthy, and as Dr. Bonny says "be kind". So take care of yourselves! 

Instagram: @tinhousebrewing

Facebook: @TinhouseBrewing

Website: www.tinhousebrewing.ca

Mariner Brewing

Mariner Brewing is a craft brewery in Coquitlam, B.C. that looks to explore the boundaries of brewing through experimentation and collaboration. With the Mariner tasting room, we seek to foster a vibrant community of seasoned craft beer drinkers and newcomers alike. Our name is inspired by space exploration of the 1960s, the allure of territory unknown, and the vast natural environment that surrounds us. (And it just so happens we’re right next to Mariner Way).

How are you and the business doing?

We are doing well considering the circumstances. As a small business, we have the advantage of being able to adapt and change quickly, which has really helped us these past few months. We feel very fortunate that our team has been so hardworking and flexible during this transition. We have been able to adapt the roles of our team (training our taproom staff to handle deliveries as well as helping our brewer in some production work) and are very proud to be able to say we have been able to keep our entire team together and working.

How has COVID-19 impacted your business and how have you adapted?

For us, the biggest change is that our seating area is no longer open. But we were able to quickly make changes to our business model, we have opened an online store where you can order beer and have it delivered directly to your house, no matter where you live in BC. Our taproom is also open for beer take out, and if you prefer not to leave your car we offer contactless ordering. Where you park in our parking lot, call in your order and we bring right out to you. 

How can the community help support you during these times?

Stay engaged. We have been working on organizing a number of virtual events for the month of May. We have live musical performances on our Instagram live page including Francis Henson May 2 at 4 pm, Graham Strange May 16th @ 7pm and Antonio Larosa May 29th @ 7pm. We are also hosting a Zoom Virtual Paint Night May 8th @ 7pm, taught by our own very talented Nik. If you would like to join in the paint night just send an email to tori@marinerbrewing.ca. And of course, you can support us by placing an order for delivery on our online store at www.marinerbrewingstore.ca or dropping by our taproom on your next beer run.

Instagram: @marinerbeer

Facebook: @marinerbeer

Website: www.marinerbrewingstore.ca

Township 7 Winery

In 2000 – this is where it all started – in the 7th Township of Langley. While some things have changed, like signage and our new cellar style tasting room, our principles and focus have not: we are just about making quality wine and nothing else. Off the highway and “Metro Vancouver adjacent”, our Fraser Valley winery is set in a lush agricultural landscape, surrounded by green vistas and the occasional trot by an equine explorer. Grape growing? Yes. Explore your inner wine geek without leaving the Lower Mainland and get to know this gem that has bubbly ambitions.

How are you and the business doing? 

We are doing okay, given the current global circumstances. Our team at Township 7 is working hard in meeting the needs of our customers while our tasting room remains closed. This includes upping our digital platforms and enhancing our delivery orders with free shipping for 4 bottles or more.

How has COVID-19 impacted your business and how have you adapted? 

There was a dramatic change within the first few weeks as our tasting rooms were converted to meet social distancing guidelines but soon realized it would not be enough given the severity of COVID-19. We have adapted by increasing our online presence dramatically which includes free shipping with the purchase of 4 bottles. We are running our Mother's day promotion which is a bottle of our 2019 Rosé and when you purchase a dozen roses you’ll receive a $30 gift certificate. We also partnered with the BC Hospitality Foundation for Wine Wednesday in celebration of Hospitality Hustle by bringing awareness to our industry partners, physical and mental health, and solidarity with hospitality workers.

How can the community help support you during these times? 

You can help us by purchasing our wine for curbside pickup or delivery and of course, you can find us in your nearby liquor stores. We encourage you to shop local and buy more BC wines, this keeps our economy going especially in British Columbia where hospitality thrives. We can't wait to see you soon for gatherings in our tasting room once we’re allowed to host again. Stay safe, take care, and relax with some Township 7 wine.

Instagram: @township7

Facebook: @Township7

Website: www.township7.com

Provincial Spirits

We hand make our premium cocktails from real juices, fresh botanicals and blend creative premium spirits in Port Coquitlam, BC. Our team believes that making delicious drinks and neighbourly banter is the key to good times.

How are you and the business doing? 

We're doing great! Our community has been so awesome in their support of us during this wild time. We know that neighbourly banter is something in short supply in this time and we exist to help keep those good times rolling.

How has COVID-19 impacted your business and how have you adapted? 

In order to maintain the health of our staff and community, we made the decision to close our tasting room and shifted our attention to curbside pick-ups and invested more of our attention and resources into growing our online business. The response to our dot com pivot has been fantastic and our community is loving the different delivery options we've got available. We're still concocting new drinks and launching them online and using this time to finesse our product line look and taste.

How can the community help support you during these times? 

Keep doing what they're doing! We're looking forward to hanging in person soon, but until then know that our online shop is open to keep your cocktails cup full. Check out https://www.provincialspirits.co/shop. As for the promotion to share with your readers, they can use the code BANTER when making an order of $30 or more and receive a free Midgie on us.

Instagram: @provincialspirits

Facebook: @provincialspirits

Website: www.provincialspirits.co

Patina Brewing

PATINA was inspired by a few individuals looking for a gathering place in their own community. Well, that and some highly spirited entrepreneurs with a love for great food and craft beer. Their career paths vary although the vision of PATINA inspired them to team up with some savvy business consultants and develop the concept. In a house on a hill, the brand was born. We’re a neighbourhood brewery; our mission is to produce outstanding craft beer and delicious bbq while forging connections in our community. Port Coquitlam is home to PATINA BREWING’s flagship location and we look forward to joining your community soon.

How are you and the business doing? 

We are doing good, we have had to lay off most of our staff and only have 4 employees left working Wednesday-Sunday.

How has COVID-19 impacted your business and how have you adapted? 

COVID-19 has definitely affected us, layoffs, operation hours, and our menu. We are open Wednesday-Sunday, 12-8pm for beer sales, we have just introduced lunch specials 12-4pm and then at 4pm our kitchen opens to our take out menu. We are accepting orders on-line, phone in, and walk-ups. Also, we are on UberEats for delivery.

How can the community help support you during these times? 

Our community has been awesome supporting us! We have had several groups place orders for themselves and family or friends. Customers order then deliver to their friends and family. We will continue to need the support of our great community!

Instagram: @patinabrewing

Facebook: @PatinaBrewing

Website: www.patinabrewing.com

Yellow Dog Brewing

We are Yellow Dog Brewing. We are a craft brewery and we make awesome beer. We opened our doors in 2014 and have been making some of the best craft beer in British Columbia ever since. Why do we do it? We love it. From the very start of the process of developing our delicious beer, to getting to know each customer who walks into our tasting room, we love every aspect of the world we’ve created.

How are you and the business doing? 

We are overwhelmed with all of the love and support that our community has shown us. We thank you as so much and we’re forever grateful. We miss seeing everyone and look forward to the day that we get to welcome you all back!  

How has COVID-19 impacted your business and how have you adapted? 

Adapting to the world's new norm, we knew that implementing a beer delivery service was important to us for a few reasons; firstly, to keep our staff busy and working, and secondly, to continue reaching our awesome customers. Now, because most things we do around the brewery are dog-related, we knew we wanted to name the home delivery service FETCH. At this point, we are only delivering to those living within the Tri-Cities: Port Moody, Anmore, Belcarra, Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, BUT, we’re trying our best to serve those living outside of the current route. We get a lot of requests to deliver to areas we don’t yet offer, so depending on demand we will make a special delivery out your way! FETCH runs 7 days a week, from 1-9pm. 

How can the community help support you during these times? 

Shop local! We support our community as much as we can and love when you do too! We’re very appreciative of everyone who continues to support us during these uncertain times. Each beer purchase goes a long way.

Instagram: @yellowdogbeer

Facebook: @YellowDogBeer

Website: www.yellowdogbeer.com