This year’s release of Cannery Brewing’s Wildfire Dark Lager is as timely as ever.
The brewery is located in Penticton, where thousands of evacuees are currently taking refuge from the destructive Bald Range wildfire burning around nearby Summerland.
Wildfire Dark Lager is an annual release from Cannery that pays tribute to wildland firefighters across British Columbia and Canada.
Every year, Cannery donates a portion of the proceeds from the sale of this beer to the Canadian Fallen Firefighters Foundation (CFFF).
“As we have with each batch of Wildfire for more than a decade, this fundraising beer helps support the very important work of the CFFF,” Cannery co-owner Ian Dyck explains.
“Every person who fights these wildfires puts themselves in danger every day to keep us all safe. We recognize the importance of the work of the CFF in honouring those who have died in the line of duty.”
Wildfire was actually the subject of my first ever beer column just over three years ago in August 2023, less than two weeks before the McDougall Creek wildfire tore through West Kelowna.
Given all that’s going on in Summerland right now, it felt like the perfect weekend to put this beer back in the spotlight. Here’s what Dyck has to say about what’s inside the can.
“Wildfire is a light, refreshing North American Lager with additional flavour and complexity resulting from a darker malted barley,” he says. “Deceptively light on the palate, this beer delivers complexity without being heavy.”
Click here to find out what BC liquor stores are carrying Wildfire.
With the Bald Range wildfire in mind, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention a pair of Summerland breweries that are currently closed due to evacuation orders.
Giants Head Brewing and Detonate Brewing Company are both staples in the South Okanagan community and could use some support as they go several days without any business during one of the busiest times of the year.
While you can find and buy Giant’s Head beers in liquor stores, Detonate doesn’t package and distribute their beer, which means you’ll have to make a note to visit them in person once they reopen.
Of course, whether you’re a beer drinker or not, supporting Summerland businesses is a great way to show love to evacuees right now. Here’s a story on #SummerlandStrong for ideas on how to do that.
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. Check out his work for the BC Ale Trail here!
