Penticton’s beloved Abandoned Rail Brewing Co. (ARBC) is turning two on April 6th. We sat down with owners Scott and Nicole Breier to chat about all things craft beer. Get to know them and ARBC here.

How did you get here? Why a brewery?

It was a passion. We always loved the brewery environment and the community hub that a lot of them are. We wanted to create a place that was family-oriented. A place that we would go to— dog-friendly, family-friendly, chill, and that had good beer and food.

Our friendship with Peter, our brewer, who was then brewing at Steel & Oak allowed us to experience a taste of it through him. We knew that if we ever opened a brewery, we wanted to create the best beer we could and knew that that was Peter.

We were living in Langley at the time and looking for a space there but the permitting in the city was tough and we couldn’t find a spot that spoke to us. Then, we were in Penticton looking for a wedding venue and saw this property on the KVR. It happened fast, it felt like a pipe dream. We first looked at it in May of 2018, Peter agreed to start working with us, and then we moved to Penticton in August to get started.

A lot of great beer come out of ARBC over the past two years. In your opinion, what are the top 3 beers brewed since inception?

Scott: One Track Mind Pilser— it’s a good anytime beer, easy to drink, and crisp. The Kühler Cold IPA, and Zwei— a Bourbon Barrel Aged Weizenbock which we will be releasing in the brewery on our birthday.

Nicole: Red Hef Hefeweizen, Smoke & Mirrors Smoked Lager— I like anything smokey, and last year’s Pilsno Grigio Pilsner… I hope Peter brings it back.

What are your favourite early BC breweries (who do you look up to)?

The ones that inspired us were Fieldhouse; they created an awesome space. 33 Acres, and Steel & Oak (Peter was obviously a big part of that and they make great beer). Another standout is Four Winds—a classic.

What is the most notable challenge you've faced over the past two years?

The seasonality of the business is our most consistent challenge. We’re still trying to figure it out. It’s constantly changing. Between COVID-19, fires, travel bans, and highway closures there are always factors that force us to pivot to figure it out.

We're constantly working harder and harder to try to get people in the door during the off-season, coming up with new ideas and events. Every spring, during those first busy days, we're hit with the need for more staff and figuring out how to serve this many people this fast. It goes from 0 to 60, and it's all weather-dependent. We're learning to be flexible!

What are you drinking on a Friday night? I asked Nicole this first and she laughed at me as she is expecting her second child later this month. Re-phrased: When your baby is born, what are you drinking on a Friday night?

Nicole: Probably red wine. My parents just brought me a bottle of Tobin James from California that I’m quite excited about. We also have a few put aside from the bench for this summer.

Scott: Probably one of our seasonals, ha! Or, if you catch me on a special Friday night, maybe an Old Fashioned or glass of red wine with Nicole.

What, restaurants, breweries, bars, or wineries, should people check out this summer in the Okanagan?

Kin & Folk!

There are so many good ones. Wayne & Freda, One 14, Elma, Theos, Poplar Grove.

Where do you see craft beer in the future? In the next 5 years, 10, 20 years in BC?

That’s kind of a tough call. Right now, there seems to be a trend away from craft beer. It seems like the new generation is leaning towards non-alc. and RTDs (ready-to-drink).

Some BC breweries have been closing due to rising costs and rising interest rates. And, craft beer can sales are down. It’s hard to say, but I don’t think there will be as many breweries opening up as there have been in the last 10 years.

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Abandoned Rail Brewing's Brewery Birthday Bash will take place on April 6th from 12 to 7 pm at the brewery. The Lobster Pot food truck will be on-site from 2 to 7 pm, new beers will be released, and Sean Peterson will be playing from 3 pm to 6 pm. See you there!