{"id":19871,"date":"2021-04-14T08:30:05","date_gmt":"2021-04-14T15:30:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bcaletrail.ca\/?p=19871"},"modified":"2022-03-12T13:41:28","modified_gmt":"2022-03-12T21:41:28","slug":"north-island-neighbours-tak-at-gladstone","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bcaletrail.ca\/north-island-neighbours-tak-at-gladstone\/","title":{"rendered":"North Island Neighbours: Tak at Gladstone Brewing"},"content":{"rendered":"

In this latest edition of \u201cNorth Island Neighbours”, Adam Chatburn chats with Tak Guenette, Head Brewer at Gladstone Brewing Co.<\/p>\n

So far in this series, I\u2019ve chatted with new friends; Patti From New Tradition<\/a> and Dave from Loveshack Libations<\/a>. This time I get to reconnect with an old friend, Takeshi Guenette, aka Tak, from Gladstone Brewing<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Adam Chatburn and Tak Guenette enjoying the Gladstone Porter in 2016<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

I first met Tak through the influential VanBrewers<\/a> homebrew group that has spawned many professional brewers. I suspect the first time we met would have been at a regular meeting in the sweaty secret attic bar above the Grandview Legion or possibly at the legendary VanBrewers Summer BBQ. Tak was assistant brewer at Steamworks Brewpub<\/a> where he learned the ropes from Conrad Gmoser, who would go on to co-found Brassneck Brewery<\/a> on Main Street in Vancouver<\/a>. At that time, Steamworks was launching its William Street brewery location<\/a> and much of the production had been moved there, but Tak managed to keep on in the Brewpub working on the British ale styles that we both love. After that, he had a spell at Parallel 49<\/a> under fellow VanBrewer Graham With until he moved to the Comox Valley in 2016 with his new wife, Ashley, and young family.<\/p>\n

Today he is head brewer at Gladstone Brewing<\/a> in Courtenay where he brings his savant knowledge, impeccably recreating classic styles.<\/p>\n

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Tak Guenette (front row, second from the right) was an active member of the influential VanBrewers homebrew club which fostered the development of several prominent BC brewers. This picture is circa 2012.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Adam Chatburn: Tak, do you remember the first time we met?<\/strong><\/h5>\n

Takeshi Guenette:<\/strong> The first time I remember meeting was at the VanBrewers winter AGM in 2012 (I think). I had brought in eggnog base with the intent to mix beernog, and you brought a plastic pin of fireweed mead. I proceeded to drink some rather sweet and boozy meadnog in a 1L tankard I’d won earlier that night, and we talked about brewing, mead, and many other things.<\/p>\n

AC: No wonder I don\u2019t remember it very well! I think that was my first ever VanBrewers meeting. I think I made a lot of friends with that mead. The AGM was held at the Parallel 49 site, months before it had any equipment or started brewing. So what brought you out of the city and into the Comox Valley?<\/strong><\/h5>\n

TG:<\/strong> Ashley and I had our first child in November 2015 and we were looking for somewhere more spacious to raise our family.<\/p>\n

AC: We have so much wonderful space up here; lots of young families are moving out this way. I\u2019m sure you miss lots of things but are you happy with your move? What makes the North Island special?<\/strong><\/h5>\n

TG:<\/strong> Definitely happy! The North Island is a beautiful place, especially the Comox Valley. Ashley and I both have a love for food, and being closer and more connected to where and who we get our food from has been a wonderful experience.<\/p>\n

AC: That\u2019s a great point, I\u2019ve found myself at farm stands and local butchers a lot more since I moved. We\u2019ve been raising our own chickens and putting in our own kitchen garden this spring has been very rewarding.\u00a0<\/strong><\/h5>\n