Dozens of people sip the latest local brew while chatting farming, brewing and the newest topic of tariffs.
But anyone looking to buy this particular lager will need to visit the Saanich Peninsula.
The Feb. 6 event marked a timely launch of Small Gods Brewery’s new Peninsula Lager – made more meaningful with the potential of U.S. tariffs looming over Canadians.
The timing was purely coincidental as the Sidney brewer took an opportunity to create a beer where the entire process remains within a 10-kilometre radius, said Chris Bjerrisgaard, co-founder Small Gods Brewing Co.
“All of the barley is grown here, malted here at Field 5 Farm,” he told the crowd gathered in Central Saanich. “We brew the beer down in Sidney, spent grain goes to our farmers on the Peninsula.”
There are variations of the process in B.C. and Greater Victoria in particular, he noted with a nod to other brewers in the room – Ile Savage, Beacon Brewing, Herald Street Brewing and Category 12 – all known for turning to locally grown product.
In this case, the genuine “farm-to-glass-to-farm cycle” falls entirely within the region, with the Peninsula Lager on tap
Staying true to its name and origin, the beer is exclusively available at select establishments on the Saanich Peninsula, north of Keating Cross Road, including the Surly Mermaid, Mary's Bleue Moon Cafe, Jacks on the Water, 10 Acres at The Pier, The Pub at Brentwood Bay Resort, and the Small Gods Brewing Taproom.
“We’re really prideful of what we’re producing here. It is unique in story but it also is very unique in flavour in my opinion,” Bjerrisgaard said. “This truly does taste like the Saanich Peninsula.”
Sixth-generation Peninsula farmer Kyle Michell and his wife Jennifer bought what is now Field 5 Farm in 2015 and by 2018 were well on the path to malting their own product using a custom-made machine. The large drum incorporates the malting process from steeping and germinating to kiln drying with a panel providing digital access to control all elements of the process. The farm's been at full capacity for two years now, MIchell said, with a second drum awaiting install to double capacity to 400 tones of malt a year.
It’s the kind of growth that fuels stories shared across the province by MLA Lana Popham, minister of agriculture and food for B.C. – who dubbed the lager a “delicious, delicious product.” Lauding the “hyper-local” model, she called on growers, brewers, marketers and policy-makers to the front of the malting room.
“I believe that the food economy is one of the most important economies that we have,” she said, referencing the potential U.S. tariffs and praising local support. “I’ve never seen anything like I’ve seen in the past two weeks with consumers using their powers to make choices and sending a message, not only to the folks we’re having difficulties with but also to our farmers and producers. You have the support you need right now.”
