Beer column: Another BC brewery calling it quits after 12 years

It’s been a bit of a depressing theme in recent beer columns.

Last month it was Lighthouse Brewing in Victoria that announced its permanent closure following 27 years in business.

Unfortunately, another well-known BC brewery is calling it quits, as the owners of Torchlight Brewing in Nelson announced this week that they’ll be shutting down for good on Feb. 28.

It’s the end of a 12-year run for the popular brewery that first opened as a nano-brewery in June 2014 before expanding into a proper micro-brewery with a lounge in May 2017.

Owners Josh and Craig said the decision came “with very heavy hearts” after “much reflection.”

“This is not a decision we ever imagined having to make, and it comes after exploring every possible path to keep our operations going,” a social media post explained.

It’s never been the beer that made Torchlight special, the pair said, but rather the people who came through their doors over the past decade and change.

“From the regulars who became family, to the team who poured their passion into every batch, to the community that welcomed us from day one, we are deeply grateful,” they wrote in their farewell.

“Your support, your stories and your enthusiasm have meant more to us than we can express.”

The brewery was well-known for having some of the most fun can labels in the game, but also made sure those cans were full of delicious craft beer.

Two of their staples that I often would scoop up from my local liquor store are the Awesome Flavour Hazy IPA and Rhubarbarian Strawberry Rhubarb Raspberry Nordic Ale.

If you see either of these beers or any Torchlight creation at the liquor store over the coming weeks before they disappear from the shelves, I highly encourage you to buy them.

Of course, if you happen to be in the Nelson area before the brewery’s final day of business on Feb. 28, stop by and raise a pint to celebrate Torchlight’s run.

Josh Duncan is the NowMedia news director and a craft beer lover. Reach him at [email protected]. His beer column appears every Saturday afternoon in this space.