It was big news in the summer of 2019. The new owners of a property on the northeastern outskirts of Penticton wanted to build and open a craft brewery.
What made the story particularly interesting was the location. Alongside the mega-popular KVR Trail just north of the McCulloch Trestle, the parcel had for years housed the "Trail Store" slushie and ice cream shop -- a welcome respite for thirsty cyclists, walkers and other KVR users.
The idea was to build the brewery facility just behind the Trail Store, convert the little shop into a tasting room, and add a glorious covered patio.
Slushies and other non-alcoholic refreshments would still be served and families and kids were still very much part of the plan. Only now there'd be some brews, a little food, and a whole bunch of seating.
And then, everything seemingly went quiet. No news, no brewery, no beer. One could be forgiven for thinking the whole concept went up in smoke.
But one would be very wrong.
This year, the progress has been palpable. The manufacturing facility sprung from the dirt just a month ago and is now well on the way to completion, towering over the old Trail Store. The required amenities are now in the ground. And the owners, pumped by recent developments, believe a late summer 2021 opening of a facility they've smartly named "Abandoned Rail Brewing Company" is within reach.
So we asked Scott Breier, who, together with a now very pregnant wife Nicole lives on the massive seven-acre property and shares ownership, what brought them to this moment in time.
And he explained that it all began in Langley, where the two gainfully employed wanna-be entrepreneurs lived prior to mid-2018. He came from Duncan, she from Toronto, and now together in Langley they fantasized about tossing aside the shackles of the workaday world and opening a brewery.
"We had decent jobs," said Nicole, "but we wanted to do something that we had some creative control over."
The brewery passion, added Scott, came from a mutual love for beer and an appreciation for "good wine, good food, and good product."
But when Langley proved to be a zoning and practical nightmare, the couple looked toward the south Okanagan. They'd summered and done the wine touring thing here for years and, like so many before, fell in love with the region.
"We found this place while we were looking for a wedding venue in April of 2018," laughed Scott, "and by August we'd moved in. So it was quick."
Soon after, the Breiers began jumping all the hurdles they needed to jump to secure government approval.
But one hurdle proved impossible to negotiate. The Agricultural Land Commission mandates that breweries situated within the Agricultural Land Reserve must grow at least two hectares of the crop used in their brews. And the Breiers had proposed one.
"When we moved in," explained Scott, "the property was loaded with fruit trees, and Christmas trees too, and we wanted to save some of those trees."
"So we applied for what's called 'non-farm use' and proposed to grow one hectare. That way we could keep the orchard going. But in the end the ALC said no."
So in 2020, the Breiers bought a Massey Ferguson combine in Enderby, cleared a bunch of trees, and grew and harvested two hectares of quality barley. That's something they'll continue to do every year going forward.
And on Tuesday of this week, Penticton city council gave their plans the thumbs-up prior to a public consultation period.
Needless to say, Nicole and Scott feel a little more upbeat now than at any other time in the last couple years about a venture they believe makes a lot of sense.
"We thought this was a great opportunity to put a brewery in wine country for something a little bit different," said Nicole. "We also knew along the KVR here there aren't a ton of stops. So we wanted to have somewhere where people could settle down and have some refreshing beverages and a bite to eat before they get back on the trail.
"And we wanted to make it as inclusive as possible so anyone -- families, kids, dogs -- can come and spend some time."
Additionally, the Breiers say they'll go the extra mile for cyclists with stuff like water bottle refills, air pumps, and more in the future.
Once completed, the 3,000-square-foot brewery floor will feature a ten-hectolitre system with three fermenters and six bright tanks. The tasting room, which will utilize much of the old Trail Store and be connected to the brewery, will be just shy of 900 square feet, with a 20-person occupancy limit and six taps to start.
The covered patio will be substantially larger than the tasting room at 85 seats, and both Nicole and Scott hope folks appreciate the near-idyllic outdoor setting even in the shoulder seasons.
Munchies will be served from food trucks and beer from 125 ml "taster" glasses at startup, but the Breiers hope to have a kitchen "down the road" and a lounge endorsement in the future that would facilitate standard pints and glasses and the option of serving red and white wines and perhaps a cider from supportive nearby operations.
Moreover, said Scott, customers can expect certain Abandoned Rail brews to incorporate fruit grown on the property.
"We still have apple trees, cherries, plums, peaches and blackberries," he said. "We even have Gewürztraminer grapes."
Completing the setup is their brewmaster, a fellow named Peter Schulz. A high school friend of Scott, Schulz completed a five-year program in Germany to earn the brewmaster title, and the Breiers seem immensely psyched that he's on board.
"He's classically trained," said Nicole. "He's the real deal. He produces amazing product."
Looking forward, the next big date on the Breier's calendar is June 16, when Nicole is due to give birth. One day before that, the manufacturing tanks arrive.
They hope to be brewing by mid-July and if all goes according to plan, the Abandoned Rail Brewing Company, apple slushies and all, will debut in late summer. Tentative hours will be 11 am to 8 pm in peak season and likely 2 pm to 6 pm in off season.
And yes, they do intend to remain open through winter.
The Abandoned Rail website, not operational 'til June, can be found here.
