Kokanee & Beyond: How Columbia Brewery Sparked Creston’s Craft Scene
- blawrence1701
- Aug 5
- 7 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
By Brian Lawrence
More than 60 years after its creation, there’s no doubt about it: Kokanee beer is legendary and still the 'Beer Out Here'. Having expanded beyond the Kootenays to shops, pubs and restaurants across the country and many of the western United States, thousands of beer connoisseurs are enjoying a taste of Creston right now, whether they know it or not.
While Kokanee Beer was the first to put Creston on the map, the region has since developed a vibrant beer, wine, and spirits scene, solidifying its reputation as a hub for locally crafted delights. But to truly appreciate this reputation, let's begin with the history of the Columbia Brewery, the home of Kokanee, and see how far local libations have come since!
A Sip Through History
The Columbia Brewery started its operations in 1959, though its roots trace back to 1898 with the establishment of the Fort Steele Brewery, which relocated to Fernie a few years afterward. In the 1950s, breweries from nearby Cranbrook, Fernie, Trail, and Nelson combined to create Interior Breweries. This consolidated company then opted to construct a modern brewing facility in Creston, benefiting from its strategic position along both Highway 3 and the Canadian Pacific Railway — it still includes a dedicated train spur — as well as the excellent water quality in the Creston Valley.
Construction began in 1958, and was completed a year later at a cost of $2.5 million. At the time, it was one of only three independently owned and operated brewing companies in Canada, and was nicknamed the “Grand Ol’ Mountain Brewery” by employees, an expression of pride in their small piece of the industry. Brewmaster Kai Jacobsen then put Creston on the map in 1962 when he created the Kokanee Beer, naming it for the famous West Kootenay glacier on Kootenay Lake and hinting at the Pilsner-style beer’s “cool, crisp, glacier-fresh taste”.
Throughout the 60's, the brewery expanded as the demand for Kokanee and other locally made brews grew across BC, leading the Brewery to achieve many industry firsts — including being the first to hire women for beer production post-WWII in 1973. In 1974, the Columbia Brewery was then acquired by Labatt Brewing Company and began being distributed across Canada, gaining Kokanee further popularity.
However, Kokanee truly gained fame in the 1980s and 90s through their now-famous, award-winning TV commercials featuring a crafty sasquatch and later a scheming, but dim-witted park ranger trying to catch him (seen here)— which significantly boosted the brand's popularity during that era.
Eventually, in the late 90s, Labatt Brewing and the Columbia Brewery merged with Anheuser-Busch, becoming part of the larger brewing conglomerate AB InBev. This further expanded Kokanee beer’s reach into other parts of Canada and the Western US.
Since then, Columbia Brewery has undergone numerous expansions and upgrades to produce other brands. Today the Columbia Brewery spans 4,100m2 (44,000 square feet) and is still one of the Creston Valley’s biggest employers, with well over 100 employees working to produce an average of one million cans of beer a day, including Budweiser, Bud Light, Alexander Keith's and, of course, Kokanee — not too bad for a small brewery with humble beginnings!
Touring the Columbia Brewery
Taking advantage of the mild summer climate in the Creston Valley, the Columbia Brewery unveiled a new open-air Kokanee Beer Gear Store in 2024. Located in a pavilion just south of the brewery's parking area, this venue includes both a merchandise shop and a tasting area, and serves as the starting point for brewery tours. Whether you're interested in witnessing 1,100 beer cans whizzing by each minute or the impressive scale of a 120,000-litre fermenting tank (or even if you're not), it's a must to take a peek inside!
Beginning at the Pavilion, the tour then proceeds into the Brewery itself . With numerous expansions over the decades, the tour offers a journey through the brewery's history, starting with mid-20th century equipment such as the original copper brew tank (still onsite!) and gradually transitioning to sleek modern stainless steel gear as the tour progresses. Check out the video below to get an idea of what to expect!
The tour then walks you through rest of the brewing process right to the canning line, a seeming maze of machinery that ensures that all that fresh Kokanee, Bud Light and many other beers brewed here are ready to be transported across the country! The tour finally concludes back at the Beer Gear Store, where you can sample some brews and pick up Kokanee & Columbia Brewery merchandise to commemorate your visit. Once the tour wraps up don't miss the chance to take a selfie with the bronze sasquatch statue in front of the brewery, a tribute by local wildlife sculptor Karl Lansing to the iconic Kokanee mascot.
Has the video & tour description piqued your interest in partaking? The Kokanee Beer Gear Store welcomes visitors from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday, from May to September. Tours are available every hour from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. Visit kokaneebeergearstore.ca to learn more!
The Craft Ripple Effect
While the Columbia Brewery was Creston’s claim to libation fame with its beloved Kokanee beer for nearly five decades, recent years have seen an impressive surge in other local craft offerings, which have put the region firmly on the map as a wine and beer (and more!) destination. This craft ripple effect not only enhances the local beverage scene but also complements the legacy of Kokanee, showcasing Creston as a vibrant hub for libations.
Local Wineries
Creston's warm climate and fertile soil has also become home to a number of vinyards in the last two decades. Skimmerhorn Winery & Vineyard made a splash as the valley’s first winery with their initial harvest in 2006. Baillie-Grohman Estate Winery launched a few years later right next door! In 2012, Wynnwood Cellars Estate Winery, made the winery roster a trio — which became a quartet when Red Bird Estate Winery took flight in 2018.
Cider, Spirits and Craft Beer
The area's agricultural reputation extends beyond just grapes and wine in Creston! William Tell Family Estate began offering hard apple cider in 2013, and now makes a range of them using apples, peaches, pears, and strawberries, as well as cider vinegars, craft sodas, and wine spritzers available at the Creston Valley Farmers’ Market. The recently opened Pippin Point also launched its own varieties of small-batch ciders grown on its farm in Wynndel, which also hosts a tasting room and restaurant. The aforementioned Red Bird also started brewing its own apple, pear and raspberry ciders in 2024! And Baillie-Grohman Winery has also just launched their own apple cider in 2025.
In downtown Creston, Sternwheeler Craft Distillery got its start in 2017, using saskatoons, peaches, black currants, apples, and cherries from Duck Lake Saskatoon Berry Farm to create gins, brandies, moonshine, and other spirits. Finally, the nearby Wild North Brewing is the new kid on the booze block, opening in 2021 to offer eight beers on tap after overhauling a former Greyhound bus station to develop a microbrewery and tasting room, whose patio has become a popular haunt for locals throughout the year!
Run, Walk or Tour To Taste
Recently the area's growing community of wineries, breweries, cideries and distilleries of the joined forces as the Creston Valley Libation Producers Society to meet the growing interest in local craft beverages. In July 2023, they launched the annual Hop to Vine Hustle, a fun event that invites participants to walk or run an 11 KM loop between the eight participating wineries, cideries, distilleries and breweries (including the Columbia) to sample each one's unique beverages. The event then concludes with a lively celebration featuring music and delicious food in the picturesque Millennium Park, right in the heart of downtown Creston.
And while the Hop to Vine Hustle is a highlight of the year, there's no need to wait for the event to create your own personalized libations adventure. Thanks to the self-guided Creston Libations Tour, you can embark on your very own DIY tour at any time! The tour allows you to pickup a passport booklet and collect stamps at all participating breweries, wineries, cideries and distilleries. Once you've gathered stamps from each location, you can enter to win an array of exciting prizes sponsored by the society. So, gather your friends, explore the local flavours, collect those stamps and maybe win a prize!
Sip, Smile, and Stay Awhile
The Columbia Brewery and its iconic Kokanee Beer have undeniably shaped Creston's vibrant libations scene, placing the community firmly on the map as a destination and helping attract a growing number of visitors eager to experience all the area's many local flavours!
As you might expect, a few days won't suffice to sample them all, so why not consider staying to explore the area for a while? Creston is brimming with activities, from golfing and fishing to exploring local artisan studios and fruit stands. You also won't want to miss the chance to visit the outdoor farmer's market on Saturday or enjoy some live music at one of the local pubs. Be sure to checkout the Play, Eat, Shop, Events and Stay sections our the website for more ideas and inspiration for your trip itinerary!
With so many exciting options, your visit to Creston is sure to be memorable. As you savour the delightful offerings from the Creston Valley, remember to share your adventures with us! Use #explorecrestonvalley on social media tag us and showcase the "Beer Out Here" and all the other fantastic libations you discover along the way!
Until next time... Bottoms up!
Freelance writer Brian Lawrence is a former editor and publisher of the Creston Valley Advance. In his spare time, he enjoys hiking and trail running, and acting in and directing productions with Creston's Footlighters Theatre Society.
