It may be a small facility (just 1,000 square feet), but Bridge Brewing Company has some big ideas.
The North Vancouver "nano" brewery opened for business in July, and is serving up all-natural beer with just four ingredients: barley, hops, yeast and water. Founder Jason Stratton (pictured) explains most of the commercial beer manufacturers in Canada use clarifying agents in their beer, many of which are made from fish and animal by-products.
Some beers also contain high levels of corn syrup, he notes.
"One thing that's unique about our beer is that it's unfiltered and we don't use any processing agents," says Stratton.
A full-time accountant when he's not at the brewery, Stratton says the idea to start the business grew out of discussions with his wife Leigh, probably over some beers. Originally from North Vancouver, the couple had been in Alberta for about seven years where Stratton was working for a large company when they decided to return to the North Shore.
"When we came back we wanted to do something fun," he says with a laugh.
Stratton and his wife are joined at the brewing company by friend and brewer Patrick Doré.
"Part of the whole idea was to be green and sustainable and just try to make a product that people really enjoy. I don't think there's any grand intentions of becoming wealthy from the business," he explains. "If it pays for itself I think we're all going to be very happy."
The company is also striving to achieve zero waste, and in pursuit of quality ingredients, they are sourcing organic hops and grains.
When asked how much he knew about brewing beer before starting Bridge Brewery, Stratton admits with a laugh: "Absolutely nothing." It has been a learning experience. "I may not have made beer (before) but I certainly love to drink it."
