Also available in Monday Magazine, originally posted on December 31st, 2020.
We’re probably all pleased that 2020 is over, and while we’ve still got a little ways to go before things can get back to a true normal, we have great new things to enjoy, local establishments in need of our help, and a little more time to enjoy the benefits of our current situation.
It may have been mentioned a few times before that a new brewery was coming to the Herald Street, in the Brewery District. Well, it’s here! Herald Street Brew Works, the project from the folks behind The Drake Eatery and New Westminster’s Steel & Oak opened just before Christmas, as an early holiday gift for everyone. The space is great, with a mezzanine overlooking the main floor, and a possible rooftop patio in the works, hopefully by the time the weather calls for it.
Beers started pouring back on December 14th, and they are open until 10 PM every night of the week, and with a wide variety of ten beers on tap at the time this is being written, there is something for everyone. For more information, you can head to their website, www.heraldstreet.com.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, one of our local breweries has run into some trouble. V2V Black Hops Brewing has shut down their tasting room in Langford, hopefully temporarily, as they have had difficulty accessing any government assistance through the pandemic because of their business start date. The brewery has provided support for veteran’s charities since its inception, and is hoping to reopen, but much of that is relying on their sales through liquor stores and restaurants to bring them back from the brink.
They have started an ambassador program in the hopes of recruiting fans of their beer to request their product in as many outlets as possible, and there is more information on the program on the social media pages, which you can find by going to their website, www.v2vblackhopsbrewing.ca.
Finally, as more restrictions have been put back in place, a number of breweries are bringing back the easiest way to get their beer: Delivery! Local breweries benefit the most from sales directly through them, so it only makes sense to make use of this service, so check with your local brewery to see if they can bring their beers right to you, saving you time and energy and making it easier for you to support your local businesses.
Matter of Beer 