{"id":23591,"date":"2021-10-07T18:30:15","date_gmt":"2021-10-08T01:30:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bcaletrail.ca\/?p=23591"},"modified":"2025-12-29T10:29:23","modified_gmt":"2025-12-29T18:29:23","slug":"best-brewery-experience-2021","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bcaletrail.ca\/best-brewery-experience-2021\/","title":{"rendered":"R&#038;B Brewing Wins 2021 BC Ale Trail Best Brewery Experience Award"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"lead\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It\u2019s a tale of triumph when an old dog learns new tricks and is recognized as a leader of the pack. <a href=\"https:\/\/bcaletrail.ca\/breweries\/rb-brewing-co\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">R&amp;B Brewing<\/a> \u2014 a Vancouver craft beer pioneer \u2014 was nearly left behind by the craft beer evolution and explosion in the 2010s, but investment from a fellow brewery opened the doors to one of the funkiest and friendliest tasting rooms in the Lower Mainland. Today, 24 years after releasing its first beer, R&amp;B has earned the BC Ale Trail&#8217;s 4th Annual Best Brewery Experience Award.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/JiIWEar7rbo\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">BC breweries have built an incredible reputation for their ability to create an amazing experience for visitors \u2014 award-winning beers in infinite varieties alongside delicious food, served by proud staff who are the backbone of this warm community. Combined with the unique, modern, classic and eclectic designs of taprooms across the province, they provide you with a lasting impression.<\/p>\n<p>Over the last couple of months, the general public had the opportunity to vote for the brewery they thought deserved to win this award.<\/p>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: center;\">Congratulations to R&amp;B Brewing from The BC Craft Brewers Guild in conjunction with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westcoasttraveller.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">WEST COAST TRAVELLER<\/a>.<\/h4>\n<hr \/>\n<figure id=\"attachment_23636\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-23636\" style=\"width: 1024px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-23636\" src=\"https:\/\/ef5pdbk7uqr.exactdn.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Barry-Benson-jumping-for-joy-1024x768.jpg?strip=all&lossy=1&quality=90&webp=90&avif=80&sharp=1&ssl=1\" alt=\"Barry Benson - R&amp;B Brewing - Brian K. Smith\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-23636\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Barry Benson jumping for joy at R&amp;B Brewing in Vancouver (photo Brian K. Smith)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">R&amp;B Brewing co-founder and Vancouver sales manager Barry Benson \u2014 the \u201cB\u201d in R&amp;B\u2014has been there for every sip along the way. He is possibly the youngest 62-year-old you\u2019ll ever meet, full of enthusiasm and conviviality. In conversation, he is able to weave together disparate topics such as punk rock percussion, beer festival streakers, and Conrad Gmoser and Nigel Springthorpe\u2019s beards, at the drop of a coaster.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The staff at the R&amp;B Ale &amp; Pizza House share these traits. They bring energy, whether cracking jokes at the bar, enthusiastically recommending the Mushroom Bianca pizza special, or setting you and your friends up for a patio session in the sun.<\/span><\/p>\n<div id='gallery-1' class='gallery galleryid-23591 gallery-columns-2 gallery-size-full'><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/bcaletrail.ca\/best-brewery-experience-2021\/rb-brewing-tasting-room-e1633557293564-768x1024\/'><img width=\"739\" height=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/ef5pdbk7uqr.exactdn.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/10\/RB-Brewing-tasting-room-e1633557293564-768x1024.jpeg?strip=all&amp;lossy=1&amp;quality=90&amp;webp=90&amp;avif=80&amp;sharp=1&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"R&amp;B Brewing - Matt Carter\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-23629\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ef5pdbk7uqr.exactdn.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/10\/RB-Brewing-tasting-room-e1633557293564-768x1024.jpeg?strip=all&amp;lossy=1&amp;quality=90&amp;webp=90&amp;avif=80&amp;sharp=1&amp;w=739&amp;ssl=1 739w, https:\/\/ef5pdbk7uqr.exactdn.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/10\/RB-Brewing-tasting-room-e1633557293564-768x1024-246x300.jpeg?strip=all&amp;lossy=1&amp;quality=90&amp;webp=90&amp;avif=80&amp;sharp=1&amp;ssl=1 246w, https:\/\/ef5pdbk7uqr.exactdn.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/10\/RB-Brewing-tasting-room-e1633557293564-768x1024-461x561.jpeg?strip=all&amp;lossy=1&amp;quality=90&amp;webp=90&amp;avif=80&amp;sharp=1&amp;ssl=1 461w, https:\/\/ef5pdbk7uqr.exactdn.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/10\/RB-Brewing-tasting-room-e1633557293564-768x1024-691x842.jpeg?strip=all&amp;lossy=1&amp;quality=90&amp;webp=90&amp;avif=80&amp;sharp=1&amp;ssl=1 691w, https:\/\/ef5pdbk7uqr.exactdn.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/10\/RB-Brewing-tasting-room-e1633557293564-768x1024-411x500.jpeg?strip=all&amp;lossy=1&amp;quality=90&amp;webp=90&amp;avif=80&amp;sharp=1&amp;ssl=1 411w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 739px) 100vw, 739px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-23629'>\n\t\t\t\tThe eclectic tasting room at R&#038;B Brewing&#8217;s Pizza and Ale House in Vancouver, BC (photo: Matt Carter)\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/bcaletrail.ca\/best-brewery-experience-2021\/rb-brewing-raven\/'><img width=\"738\" height=\"898\" src=\"https:\/\/ef5pdbk7uqr.exactdn.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/10\/RB-Brewing-Raven-e1633565612995.jpg?strip=all&amp;lossy=1&amp;quality=90&amp;webp=90&amp;avif=80&amp;sharp=1&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"R&amp;B Brewing - Matt Carter\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-23592\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ef5pdbk7uqr.exactdn.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/10\/RB-Brewing-Raven-e1633565612995.jpg?strip=all&amp;lossy=1&amp;quality=90&amp;webp=90&amp;avif=80&amp;sharp=1&amp;ssl=1 738w, https:\/\/ef5pdbk7uqr.exactdn.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/10\/RB-Brewing-Raven-e1633565612995-247x300.jpg?strip=all&amp;lossy=1&amp;quality=90&amp;webp=90&amp;avif=80&amp;sharp=1&amp;ssl=1 247w, https:\/\/ef5pdbk7uqr.exactdn.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/10\/RB-Brewing-Raven-e1633565612995-461x561.jpg?strip=all&amp;lossy=1&amp;quality=90&amp;webp=90&amp;avif=80&amp;sharp=1&amp;ssl=1 461w, https:\/\/ef5pdbk7uqr.exactdn.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/10\/RB-Brewing-Raven-e1633565612995-692x842.jpg?strip=all&amp;lossy=1&amp;quality=90&amp;webp=90&amp;avif=80&amp;sharp=1&amp;ssl=1 692w, https:\/\/ef5pdbk7uqr.exactdn.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/10\/RB-Brewing-Raven-e1633565612995-411x500.jpg?strip=all&amp;lossy=1&amp;quality=90&amp;webp=90&amp;avif=80&amp;sharp=1&amp;ssl=1 411w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 738px) 100vw, 738px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-23592'>\n\t\t\t\tThe raven at R&#038;B Brewing&#8217;s Pizza and Ale House in Vancouver, BC (photo: Matt Carter)\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Love Rollercoaster<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> on the stereo, fresh-hopped beer and a jerk chicken pizza in front of us, classic LPs on the ceiling above us, and a taxidermist\u2019s finest hour in the form of a spread-winged raven behind us at the bar, Benson and I chatted about the brewery\u2019s sore spots and <em>soar spots<\/em>.<\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<figure id=\"attachment_23594\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-23594\" style=\"width: 1024px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-23594\" src=\"https:\/\/ef5pdbk7uqr.exactdn.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/10\/RB-Brewing-van-1024x768.jpg?strip=all&lossy=1&quality=90&webp=90&avif=80&sharp=1&ssl=1\" alt=\"R&amp;B Brewing - Matt Carter\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ef5pdbk7uqr.exactdn.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/10\/RB-Brewing-van-1024x768.jpg?strip=all&amp;lossy=1&amp;quality=90&amp;webp=90&amp;avif=80&amp;sharp=1&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/ef5pdbk7uqr.exactdn.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/10\/RB-Brewing-van-300x225.jpg?strip=all&amp;lossy=1&amp;quality=90&amp;webp=90&amp;avif=80&amp;sharp=1&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/ef5pdbk7uqr.exactdn.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/10\/RB-Brewing-van-768x576.jpg?strip=all&amp;lossy=1&amp;quality=90&amp;webp=90&amp;avif=80&amp;sharp=1&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/ef5pdbk7uqr.exactdn.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/10\/RB-Brewing-van-748x561.jpg?strip=all&amp;lossy=1&amp;quality=90&amp;webp=90&amp;avif=80&amp;sharp=1&amp;ssl=1 748w, https:\/\/ef5pdbk7uqr.exactdn.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/10\/RB-Brewing-van-1123x842.jpg?strip=all&amp;lossy=1&amp;quality=90&amp;webp=90&amp;avif=80&amp;sharp=1&amp;ssl=1 1123w, https:\/\/ef5pdbk7uqr.exactdn.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/10\/RB-Brewing-van-500x375.jpg?strip=all&amp;lossy=1&amp;quality=90&amp;webp=90&amp;avif=80&amp;sharp=1&amp;ssl=1 500w, https:\/\/ef5pdbk7uqr.exactdn.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/10\/RB-Brewing-van.jpg?strip=all&amp;lossy=1&amp;quality=90&amp;webp=90&amp;avif=80&amp;sharp=1&amp;w=384&amp;ssl=1 384w, https:\/\/ef5pdbk7uqr.exactdn.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/10\/RB-Brewing-van.jpg?strip=all&amp;lossy=1&amp;quality=90&amp;webp=90&amp;avif=80&amp;sharp=1&amp;w=1536&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/ef5pdbk7uqr.exactdn.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/10\/RB-Brewing-van.jpg?strip=all&amp;lossy=1&amp;quality=90&amp;webp=90&amp;avif=80&amp;sharp=1&amp;w=1920&amp;ssl=1 1920w, https:\/\/ef5pdbk7uqr.exactdn.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/10\/RB-Brewing-van.jpg?strip=all&amp;lossy=1&amp;quality=90&amp;webp=90&amp;avif=80&amp;sharp=1&amp;w=3840&amp;ssl=1 3840w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-23594\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">R&amp;B Brewing&#8217;s delivery van (photo: Matt Carter)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">R&amp;B Brewing\u2014with its proud moniker, \u201cEast Van Original\u201d \u2014 was established in 1997. Its East 4th Street location is in Vancouver\u2019s historic brewery district, <a href=\"https:\/\/bcaletrail.ca\/ale-trails\/brewery-creek-vancouver\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Brewery Creek<\/a>. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This district is largely centered within the Mount Pleasant neighbourhood, Vancouver\u2019s first suburb \u2014 southeast of the downtown core.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This neighbourhood was the site of a short-lived brewing industry in the late 19th century. Mount Pleasant was transforming from wilderness into a residential and industrial hub, with water from Brewery Creek \u2014 one of many fresh streams flowing through the area \u2014 harvested for business use, including the brewing of beer. With overuse, the creek began to shrink, eventually disappearing from public view in the 1920s. Partly, this was due to urban development paving over waterways, but the breweries in the area slowly shuttered their doors following multiple amalgamations and the introduction of Prohibition. No creek, no breweries, no need to honour the name \u2014 at least for another 70 years.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fast-forward to the 1990s. Two friends \u2014 Benson and Rick Dellow (soon to be \u201cThe R\u201d in R&amp;B) \u2014 were trying to find a path to continue working in the beer industry while not travelling so much. Former Molson employees, they made a jump together to Newlands Systems, a brewing equipment manufacturer. They designed and set up breweries in Japan, Russia, the USA, and Canada (including <a href=\"https:\/\/bcaletrail.ca\/breweries\/mt-begbie-brewing-company\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Mt. Begbie Brewing<\/a> in Revelstoke and <a href=\"https:\/\/bcaletrail.ca\/breweries\/russell-brewing-company\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Russell Brewing<\/a> in Surrey).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They decided to act upon their desire to stay rooted and start their own brewery, but Vancouver wasn\u2019t the first choice.<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><em><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cWe originally thought we might start the brewery out in Tofino,\u201d Benson said. \u201cWe were going to have Hugger Lager and Logger Lager and see which one sold better.\u201d<\/span><\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After briefly considering North Vancouver, Benson and Dellow started looking around Vancouver, when a building in Brewery Creek \u201cpopped up.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cIt was perfect,\u201d Benson said, reminiscing on how the site had to be adapted for brewing. \u201cThe whole building used to [belong to] BDH Chemicals as a chemical warehouse and distribution site. The brew house was in a safe room with sprinklers. It already had drains, though we couldn\u2019t use them. The old piping was glass-lined so the chemicals could flow to the sewer but didn\u2019t burn the pipes.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><script id=\"cr-init__7a3947d0bcf8dfa3\" src=\"https:\/\/starling.crowdriff.com\/js\/crowdriff.js\" async><\/script><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Brewing gear was brought in, the original loading bay was turned into the malt handling system, and Brewery Creek was soon to have its first brewery in many decades. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The adaptability of this building for brewing won the day despite the fact that, in the mid-1990s, Mount Pleasant wasn\u2019t living up to its name. It was a run-down neighbourhood where crime, drug abuse, and neglect were readily apparent. Neighbouring buildings housed sweatshops.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cIt was a nasty, nasty neighbourhood,\u201d Benson said, recalling that their back alley was often littered with needles.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Within that context, and shaped by provincial beer production laws of the time, it\u2019s no surprise that their business plan for the brewery focused strictly on manufacturing instead of hospitality. Their beers were to be sold in kegs or as packaged products.<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><em><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cWhen we set the brewery up,\u201d Benson said, \u201cyou could either be a microbrewery that produced in-house and sold out-house, or you could be a brewpub that produced and sold in-house, like Spinnakers.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After bandying about prospective names for the brewery \u2014 Vancouver Brewing Company and the tongue-stumbling Brewery Creek Brewing Company were early options \u2014 Rick and Barry put their initials in lights. R&amp;B Brewing was off and running with the two of them sharing all brewing and marketing\/distribution duties.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Benson said that working at Molson taught them a lot about quality control, and they aimed to bring that level of technical care to their brewing. However, the beers were designed to be the opposite of the ubiquitous macro lager, starting with the malty Red Devil Pale Ale. Later additions to the core line-up included Sun God Wheat Ale and Raven Cream Ale.<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_23595\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-23595\" style=\"width: 1024px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-23595 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/ef5pdbk7uqr.exactdn.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Tony-Lundy-Rick-Barry-at-Dix-2003ish-e1633558149411-1024x599.jpg?strip=all&lossy=1&quality=90&webp=90&avif=80&sharp=1&ssl=1\" alt=\"Cask festival at Dix - Lundy Dale\" width=\"1024\" height=\"599\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ef5pdbk7uqr.exactdn.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Tony-Lundy-Rick-Barry-at-Dix-2003ish-e1633558149411-1024x599.jpg?strip=all&amp;lossy=1&amp;quality=90&amp;webp=90&amp;avif=80&amp;sharp=1&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/ef5pdbk7uqr.exactdn.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Tony-Lundy-Rick-Barry-at-Dix-2003ish-e1633558149411-300x176.jpg?strip=all&amp;lossy=1&amp;quality=90&amp;webp=90&amp;avif=80&amp;sharp=1&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/ef5pdbk7uqr.exactdn.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Tony-Lundy-Rick-Barry-at-Dix-2003ish-e1633558149411-768x449.jpg?strip=all&amp;lossy=1&amp;quality=90&amp;webp=90&amp;avif=80&amp;sharp=1&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/ef5pdbk7uqr.exactdn.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Tony-Lundy-Rick-Barry-at-Dix-2003ish-e1633558149411-756x442.jpg?strip=all&amp;lossy=1&amp;quality=90&amp;webp=90&amp;avif=80&amp;sharp=1&amp;ssl=1 756w, https:\/\/ef5pdbk7uqr.exactdn.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Tony-Lundy-Rick-Barry-at-Dix-2003ish-e1633558149411-1134x663.jpg?strip=all&amp;lossy=1&amp;quality=90&amp;webp=90&amp;avif=80&amp;sharp=1&amp;ssl=1 1134w, https:\/\/ef5pdbk7uqr.exactdn.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Tony-Lundy-Rick-Barry-at-Dix-2003ish-e1633558149411-500x293.jpg?strip=all&amp;lossy=1&amp;quality=90&amp;webp=90&amp;avif=80&amp;sharp=1&amp;ssl=1 500w, https:\/\/ef5pdbk7uqr.exactdn.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Tony-Lundy-Rick-Barry-at-Dix-2003ish-e1633558149411.jpg?strip=all&amp;lossy=1&amp;quality=90&amp;webp=90&amp;avif=80&amp;sharp=1&amp;ssl=1 1600w, https:\/\/ef5pdbk7uqr.exactdn.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Tony-Lundy-Rick-Barry-at-Dix-2003ish-e1633558149411.jpg?strip=all&amp;lossy=1&amp;quality=90&amp;webp=90&amp;avif=80&amp;sharp=1&amp;w=384&amp;ssl=1 384w, https:\/\/ef5pdbk7uqr.exactdn.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Tony-Lundy-Rick-Barry-at-Dix-2003ish-e1633558149411.jpg?strip=all&amp;lossy=1&amp;quality=90&amp;webp=90&amp;avif=80&amp;sharp=1&amp;w=1536&amp;ssl=1 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-23595\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Tony Dewald, Lundy Dale, Rick Dellow and Barry Benson at a cask festival at Dix BBQ &amp; Brewery circa 2003 (photo: Lundy Dale)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">R&amp;B were early adopters and promoters of cask ales in Vancouver. These are beers that are conditioned in a sealed vessel (typically a 40-litre metal barrel called a firkin) and often have special ingredients or different hops added, resulting in creative one-off small batch brews.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cWe put the first cask beer engine in a restaurant \u2013 the Irish Heather \u2013 and they were going through about two to three casks a week,\u201d Benson said. Cask nights at legendary venues such as The Whip and Dix BBQ &amp; Brewery followed and cask festivals became a regular part of BC\u2019s craft beer calendar.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><em><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cIt got to the point where you could get a glass of cask ale every night of the week at two or three different places.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Creating casks proved to be a great way for brewers to experiment and to get feedback from beer drinkers on different flavours. A well-received cask experiment might evolve into a packaged product, Benson said, and casks are still on hand on weekends at R&amp;B today.<\/span><\/p>\n<div id='gallery-2' class='gallery galleryid-23591 gallery-columns-2 gallery-size-large'><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/bcaletrail.ca\/best-brewery-experience-2021\/rb-brewing-auld-nick-label\/'><img width=\"1024\" height=\"774\" src=\"https:\/\/ef5pdbk7uqr.exactdn.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/10\/RB-Brewing-Auld-Nick-label.jpg?strip=all&amp;lossy=1&amp;quality=90&amp;webp=90&amp;avif=80&amp;sharp=1&amp;fit=1024%2C774&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"attachment-large size-large\" alt=\"R&amp;B Brewing Auld Nick label\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-2-23637\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ef5pdbk7uqr.exactdn.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/10\/RB-Brewing-Auld-Nick-label.jpg?strip=all&amp;lossy=1&amp;quality=90&amp;webp=90&amp;avif=80&amp;sharp=1&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/ef5pdbk7uqr.exactdn.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/10\/RB-Brewing-Auld-Nick-label-300x227.jpg?strip=all&amp;lossy=1&amp;quality=90&amp;webp=90&amp;avif=80&amp;sharp=1&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/ef5pdbk7uqr.exactdn.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/10\/RB-Brewing-Auld-Nick-label-768x581.jpg?strip=all&amp;lossy=1&amp;quality=90&amp;webp=90&amp;avif=80&amp;sharp=1&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/ef5pdbk7uqr.exactdn.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/10\/RB-Brewing-Auld-Nick-label-1024x774.jpg?strip=all&amp;lossy=1&amp;quality=90&amp;webp=90&amp;avif=80&amp;sharp=1&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/ef5pdbk7uqr.exactdn.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/10\/RB-Brewing-Auld-Nick-label-742x561.jpg?strip=all&amp;lossy=1&amp;quality=90&amp;webp=90&amp;avif=80&amp;sharp=1&amp;ssl=1 742w, https:\/\/ef5pdbk7uqr.exactdn.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/10\/RB-Brewing-Auld-Nick-label-1114x842.jpg?strip=all&amp;lossy=1&amp;quality=90&amp;webp=90&amp;avif=80&amp;sharp=1&amp;ssl=1 1114w, https:\/\/ef5pdbk7uqr.exactdn.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/10\/RB-Brewing-Auld-Nick-label-500x378.jpg?strip=all&amp;lossy=1&amp;quality=90&amp;webp=90&amp;avif=80&amp;sharp=1&amp;ssl=1 500w, https:\/\/ef5pdbk7uqr.exactdn.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/10\/RB-Brewing-Auld-Nick-label.jpg?strip=all&amp;lossy=1&amp;quality=90&amp;webp=90&amp;avif=80&amp;sharp=1&amp;w=384&amp;ssl=1 384w, https:\/\/ef5pdbk7uqr.exactdn.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/10\/RB-Brewing-Auld-Nick-label.jpg?strip=all&amp;lossy=1&amp;quality=90&amp;webp=90&amp;avif=80&amp;sharp=1&amp;w=1536&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/ef5pdbk7uqr.exactdn.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/10\/RB-Brewing-Auld-Nick-label.jpg?strip=all&amp;lossy=1&amp;quality=90&amp;webp=90&amp;avif=80&amp;sharp=1&amp;w=1920&amp;ssl=1 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-2-23637'>\n\t\t\t\tBeautiful label artwork for Auld Nick Winter Ale from R&#038;B Brewing (photo: Brian K. Smith)\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/bcaletrail.ca\/best-brewery-experience-2021\/rb-brewing-raven-cream-ale-label\/'><img width=\"1024\" height=\"802\" src=\"https:\/\/ef5pdbk7uqr.exactdn.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/10\/RB-Brewing-Raven-Cream-Ale-label-e1633630445588.jpg?strip=all&amp;lossy=1&amp;quality=90&amp;webp=90&amp;avif=80&amp;sharp=1&amp;fit=1024%2C802&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"attachment-large size-large\" alt=\"R&amp;B Brewing Raven Cream Ale label\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-2-23638\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ef5pdbk7uqr.exactdn.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/10\/RB-Brewing-Raven-Cream-Ale-label-e1633630445588.jpg?strip=all&amp;lossy=1&amp;quality=90&amp;webp=90&amp;avif=80&amp;sharp=1&amp;ssl=1 1995w, https:\/\/ef5pdbk7uqr.exactdn.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/10\/RB-Brewing-Raven-Cream-Ale-label-e1633630445588-300x235.jpg?strip=all&amp;lossy=1&amp;quality=90&amp;webp=90&amp;avif=80&amp;sharp=1&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/ef5pdbk7uqr.exactdn.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/10\/RB-Brewing-Raven-Cream-Ale-label-e1633630445588-768x602.jpg?strip=all&amp;lossy=1&amp;quality=90&amp;webp=90&amp;avif=80&amp;sharp=1&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/ef5pdbk7uqr.exactdn.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/10\/RB-Brewing-Raven-Cream-Ale-label-e1633630445588-1024x802.jpg?strip=all&amp;lossy=1&amp;quality=90&amp;webp=90&amp;avif=80&amp;sharp=1&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/ef5pdbk7uqr.exactdn.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/10\/RB-Brewing-Raven-Cream-Ale-label-e1633630445588-716x561.jpg?strip=all&amp;lossy=1&amp;quality=90&amp;webp=90&amp;avif=80&amp;sharp=1&amp;ssl=1 716w, https:\/\/ef5pdbk7uqr.exactdn.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/10\/RB-Brewing-Raven-Cream-Ale-label-e1633630445588-1075x842.jpg?strip=all&amp;lossy=1&amp;quality=90&amp;webp=90&amp;avif=80&amp;sharp=1&amp;ssl=1 1075w, https:\/\/ef5pdbk7uqr.exactdn.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/10\/RB-Brewing-Raven-Cream-Ale-label-e1633630445588-500x392.jpg?strip=all&amp;lossy=1&amp;quality=90&amp;webp=90&amp;avif=80&amp;sharp=1&amp;ssl=1 500w, https:\/\/ef5pdbk7uqr.exactdn.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/10\/RB-Brewing-Raven-Cream-Ale-label-e1633630445588.jpg?strip=all&amp;lossy=1&amp;quality=90&amp;webp=90&amp;avif=80&amp;sharp=1&amp;w=384&amp;ssl=1 384w, https:\/\/ef5pdbk7uqr.exactdn.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/10\/RB-Brewing-Raven-Cream-Ale-label-e1633630445588.jpg?strip=all&amp;lossy=1&amp;quality=90&amp;webp=90&amp;avif=80&amp;sharp=1&amp;w=1152&amp;ssl=1 1152w, https:\/\/ef5pdbk7uqr.exactdn.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/10\/RB-Brewing-Raven-Cream-Ale-label-e1633630445588.jpg?strip=all&amp;lossy=1&amp;quality=90&amp;webp=90&amp;avif=80&amp;sharp=1&amp;w=1536&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/ef5pdbk7uqr.exactdn.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/10\/RB-Brewing-Raven-Cream-Ale-label-e1633630445588.jpg?strip=all&amp;lossy=1&amp;quality=90&amp;webp=90&amp;avif=80&amp;sharp=1&amp;w=1920&amp;ssl=1 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-2-23638'>\n\t\t\t\tBeautiful label artwork for Raven Cream Ale from R&#038;B Brewing (photo: Brian K. Smith)\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Throughout the first decade of the 2000s, R&amp;B grew to a team of more than a dozen employees and followed a rock \u2018n roll ethos. The brewery was wired with giant speakers; whoever got to brew got to choose the music.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver marked a particularly opportune time for the brewery to make big sales as it helped provide beer for a German pavilion.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cBeer from Germany was imported, but they ran out,\u201d Benson laughed. \u201cBeer was brought over from Germany in a large military cargo plane, but there was nowhere it could land in Vancouver. They had to land in Alberta and ship the beer here. During that time, we got orders for 30 kegs, 30 kegs, 30 kegs\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cThe yearly capacity here is about 5,000 hectolitres. During the Olympics, we did 600 hectolitres in one month.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Unfortunately, this temporary production boost was not a precursor to more immediate success. The Lower Mainland was about to experience a dramatic rise in the number of craft breweries, especially in East Vancouver.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In 2012, the neighbourhood welcomed Coal Harbour, Parallel 49, and Powell Street; 33 Acres and Brassneck opened mere blocks away from R&amp;B in 2013. Bomber, Main Street, Postmark, and Strange Fellows opened their doors in 2014. Thanks to recently relaxed liquor license laws, most of these breweries were able to build and operate tasting rooms on site, while R&amp;B, depending largely on sales of packaged product and keg accounts, was unable to adapt.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While a growler station was shoe-horned into the front of the building, a lack of wheelchair access hampered any attempts to redo their space. Plunking a tasting room into their office and lab space while bringing in guests through a delivery dock lift wasn\u2019t going to work. The old chemical warehouse that allowed them to get started was now a toxic deterrent to new business.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cThis brewery was built on a 1997 business plan,\u201d Benson pointed out. \u201cOur sales were plummeting and we were trying to decide what to do. It was too late for Rick and I to restart or put together a new business plan. The crunch was coming and the cash flow wasn\u2019t.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><em><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cWe thought we\u2019d sell the brewery.\u201d<\/span><\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Enter <a href=\"https:\/\/bcaletrail.ca\/breweries\/howe-sound-brewing\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Howe Sound Brewing<\/a>. The Squamish brewery, opened in 1996 by the Fenn family, was looking to expand its footprint in Vancouver. After opening the Devil\u2019s Elbow Ale House on Beatty Street in 2014, Howe Sound successfully purchased R&amp;B in 2015 but kept the brands separated.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cThey recognized that Howe Sound has a unique Sea-to-Sky feel, outdoorsy, while R&amp;B is more funky, rock \u2018n roll,\u201d Benson said. \u201cI think it was a really good decision.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There was a complete turnover of staff at R&amp;B except for Benson and Dellow \u2014 and Dellow eventually left as well, returning to work with Newlands Systems as a senior project brewer. (Dellow is currently the head brewer at PoCo Brothers Brewing.)\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Benson, no longer a co-owner but now a sales rep for the brewery, had to grit his teeth as the new owners enacted changes to the core beer lineup he had co-developed 18 years previously.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cI went through half a year of resentment,\u201d Benson admitted. \u201cThey chopped the Sun God, they started [messing] around with the recipes \u2026 but after about six months, I went \u2018You know what? You guys do what you need to do, and I will sell it. I\u2019ll be the B in R&amp;B, and I\u2019ll be an ambassador.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">And what Howe Sound did was put an influx of capital into the brewery, leading to two major developments: new brewing equipment to increase capacity, and the ability to expand. Adjacent space was acquired and plans were set in motion to open a tasting room and kitchen.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In 2016, with R&amp;B Brewing\u2019s refreshed production space taking up the rear of the building, the new R&amp;B Ale &amp; Pizza House opened up front, welcoming craft beer fans into a comfortable and laid-back 60-seat tasting room.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_23630\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-23630\" style=\"width: 1024px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-23630 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/ef5pdbk7uqr.exactdn.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/10\/RBAlePizzaHouse_Food-credit-RB-Brewing-1024x819.jpeg?strip=all&lossy=1&quality=90&webp=90&avif=80&sharp=1&ssl=1\" alt=\"RnB Brewing\" width=\"1024\" height=\"819\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ef5pdbk7uqr.exactdn.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/10\/RBAlePizzaHouse_Food-credit-RB-Brewing-1024x819.jpeg?strip=all&amp;lossy=1&amp;quality=90&amp;webp=90&amp;avif=80&amp;sharp=1&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/ef5pdbk7uqr.exactdn.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/10\/RBAlePizzaHouse_Food-credit-RB-Brewing-300x240.jpeg?strip=all&amp;lossy=1&amp;quality=90&amp;webp=90&amp;avif=80&amp;sharp=1&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/ef5pdbk7uqr.exactdn.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/10\/RBAlePizzaHouse_Food-credit-RB-Brewing-768x614.jpeg?strip=all&amp;lossy=1&amp;quality=90&amp;webp=90&amp;avif=80&amp;sharp=1&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/ef5pdbk7uqr.exactdn.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/10\/RBAlePizzaHouse_Food-credit-RB-Brewing-701x561.jpeg?strip=all&amp;lossy=1&amp;quality=90&amp;webp=90&amp;avif=80&amp;sharp=1&amp;ssl=1 701w, https:\/\/ef5pdbk7uqr.exactdn.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/10\/RBAlePizzaHouse_Food-credit-RB-Brewing-1053x842.jpeg?strip=all&amp;lossy=1&amp;quality=90&amp;webp=90&amp;avif=80&amp;sharp=1&amp;ssl=1 1053w, https:\/\/ef5pdbk7uqr.exactdn.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/10\/RBAlePizzaHouse_Food-credit-RB-Brewing-500x400.jpeg?strip=all&amp;lossy=1&amp;quality=90&amp;webp=90&amp;avif=80&amp;sharp=1&amp;ssl=1 500w, https:\/\/ef5pdbk7uqr.exactdn.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/10\/RBAlePizzaHouse_Food-credit-RB-Brewing.jpeg?strip=all&amp;lossy=1&amp;quality=90&amp;webp=90&amp;avif=80&amp;sharp=1&amp;w=384&amp;ssl=1 384w, https:\/\/ef5pdbk7uqr.exactdn.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/10\/RBAlePizzaHouse_Food-credit-RB-Brewing.jpeg?strip=all&amp;lossy=1&amp;quality=90&amp;webp=90&amp;avif=80&amp;sharp=1&amp;w=1152&amp;ssl=1 1152w, https:\/\/ef5pdbk7uqr.exactdn.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/10\/RBAlePizzaHouse_Food-credit-RB-Brewing.jpeg?strip=all&amp;lossy=1&amp;quality=90&amp;webp=90&amp;avif=80&amp;sharp=1&amp;w=1536&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/ef5pdbk7uqr.exactdn.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/10\/RBAlePizzaHouse_Food-credit-RB-Brewing.jpeg?strip=all&amp;lossy=1&amp;quality=90&amp;webp=90&amp;avif=80&amp;sharp=1&amp;w=1920&amp;ssl=1 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-23630\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Putting the Pizza (and more!) in Ale &amp; Pizza House. (Photo: R&amp;B Brewing)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cWhen this first opened, I was sitting here with Trevor [Magee of Howe Sound], just looking around \u2014 can you believe this?\u201d Benson said. \u201cIt was frickin\u2019 packed. Everyone was enjoying themselves.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There\u2019s synergy but not always symmetry: light fixtures don\u2019t necessarily match, much of the signage is hand-written, and the vibe is undeniably East Van. There\u2019s nothing that could be described as cookie-cutter, and for an 800-square foot space, it really rewards exploration. Sit at a wooden table and peruse the packed bookshelf behind you during one visit; come back on the weekend for a cask ale and watch a soccer game on a giant pull-down screen, or grab a window seat on a long padded booth to listen to a local DJ.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Speaking of music: the tasting room is purposefully designed to be a music-forward space. How many breweries feature a reel-to-reel as part of the decor?\u00a0 Many of the vintage speakers that used to blast out the brewers\u2019 favourite tunes in the brewery were brought out to the tasting room, re-wired, and mounted on the walls. You might hear soul, funk, ska, or rock \u2013 no matter the genre, the music sounds great in here.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At this point, it should be noted that Benson himself is an accomplished drummer, performing in a jazz band (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/eastvanjazzholes\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">The Jazzholes<\/a>)<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0and with punk outfit <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=QypEYLOalN4\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Aging Youth Gang<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The bar \u2014 guarded by a stuffed raven \u2014 has a dozen taps, representing six core beers and filled out with experimental or seasonal brews and the occasional cider or guest tap. Benson acknowledges that the one-offs and specialty beers drive a lot of return business, so the brew team and kitchen team are given free rein to experiment and develop new recipes. A dill pickle gose might not be for everyone\u2019s tastes, but it\u2019ll certainly grab your attention.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cWe\u2019re putting out one specialty brew every three weeks, so the [brewers] experiment a lot,\u201d Benson said. \u201cLet\u2019s see how charred oak works in a cask \u2014 would it work in a larger thing? How does this syrup or this flower work? We are continuously re-establishing ourselves with our [one-off] beers.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_23632\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-23632\" style=\"width: 1024px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-23632 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/ef5pdbk7uqr.exactdn.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/10\/2-RB-Ale-Pizza-House-Brewery-Creek-BC-Ale-Trail-1024x683.jpeg?strip=all&lossy=1&quality=90&webp=90&avif=80&sharp=1&ssl=1\" alt=\"R&amp;B Brewing - BC Ale Trail\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ef5pdbk7uqr.exactdn.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/10\/2-RB-Ale-Pizza-House-Brewery-Creek-BC-Ale-Trail-1024x683.jpeg?strip=all&amp;lossy=1&amp;quality=90&amp;webp=90&amp;avif=80&amp;sharp=1&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/ef5pdbk7uqr.exactdn.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/10\/2-RB-Ale-Pizza-House-Brewery-Creek-BC-Ale-Trail-300x200.jpeg?strip=all&amp;lossy=1&amp;quality=90&amp;webp=90&amp;avif=80&amp;sharp=1&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/ef5pdbk7uqr.exactdn.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/10\/2-RB-Ale-Pizza-House-Brewery-Creek-BC-Ale-Trail-768x512.jpeg?strip=all&amp;lossy=1&amp;quality=90&amp;webp=90&amp;avif=80&amp;sharp=1&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/ef5pdbk7uqr.exactdn.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/10\/2-RB-Ale-Pizza-House-Brewery-Creek-BC-Ale-Trail-756x504.jpeg?strip=all&amp;lossy=1&amp;quality=90&amp;webp=90&amp;avif=80&amp;sharp=1&amp;ssl=1 756w, https:\/\/ef5pdbk7uqr.exactdn.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/10\/2-RB-Ale-Pizza-House-Brewery-Creek-BC-Ale-Trail-1134x756.jpeg?strip=all&amp;lossy=1&amp;quality=90&amp;webp=90&amp;avif=80&amp;sharp=1&amp;ssl=1 1134w, https:\/\/ef5pdbk7uqr.exactdn.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/10\/2-RB-Ale-Pizza-House-Brewery-Creek-BC-Ale-Trail-500x333.jpeg?strip=all&amp;lossy=1&amp;quality=90&amp;webp=90&amp;avif=80&amp;sharp=1&amp;ssl=1 500w, https:\/\/ef5pdbk7uqr.exactdn.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/10\/2-RB-Ale-Pizza-House-Brewery-Creek-BC-Ale-Trail.jpeg?strip=all&amp;lossy=1&amp;quality=90&amp;webp=90&amp;avif=80&amp;sharp=1&amp;w=384&amp;ssl=1 384w, https:\/\/ef5pdbk7uqr.exactdn.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/10\/2-RB-Ale-Pizza-House-Brewery-Creek-BC-Ale-Trail.jpeg?strip=all&amp;lossy=1&amp;quality=90&amp;webp=90&amp;avif=80&amp;sharp=1&amp;w=1536&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/ef5pdbk7uqr.exactdn.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/10\/2-RB-Ale-Pizza-House-Brewery-Creek-BC-Ale-Trail.jpeg?strip=all&amp;lossy=1&amp;quality=90&amp;webp=90&amp;avif=80&amp;sharp=1&amp;w=1920&amp;ssl=1 1920w, https:\/\/ef5pdbk7uqr.exactdn.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/10\/2-RB-Ale-Pizza-House-Brewery-Creek-BC-Ale-Trail.jpeg?strip=all&amp;lossy=1&amp;quality=90&amp;webp=90&amp;avif=80&amp;sharp=1&amp;w=3840&amp;ssl=1 3840w, https:\/\/ef5pdbk7uqr.exactdn.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/10\/2-RB-Ale-Pizza-House-Brewery-Creek-BC-Ale-Trail.jpeg?strip=all&amp;lossy=1&amp;quality=90&amp;webp=90&amp;avif=80&amp;sharp=1&amp;w=5760&amp;ssl=1 5760w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-23632\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">R&amp;B Ale &amp; Pizza House in Vancouver, BC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fast-forward again to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. R&amp;B\u2019s production facility returned to the forefront to help the business navigate the first few months of closures. While the Pizza &amp; Ale House was closed, the business survived on \u201ccrazy\u201d amounts of off-sales and sold take-away pizzas. When the taproom re-opened, self-service switched to table-service and reduced capacity indoors was balanced by an expanded patio space outdoors.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Benson was even laid off for three months, which he described as a potential early look to what retirement will feel like: \u201cMy wife was the happiest, happiest person around and I got so much stuff done around the house.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">He\u2019s back at work now with the rest of the staff, and they are already scheming for R&amp;B\u2019s 25th anniversary next year. Some of the brewery\u2019s original beers might be resurrected; a Brewery Creek collaboration beer and a Brewery Creek block party have also been discussed.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_23639\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-23639\" style=\"width: 1024px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-23639\" src=\"https:\/\/ef5pdbk7uqr.exactdn.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Barry-Benson-in-front-of-RB-Brewing-1024x768.jpg?strip=all&lossy=1&quality=90&webp=90&avif=80&sharp=1&ssl=1\" alt=\"Barry Benson in front of R&amp;B Brewing\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ef5pdbk7uqr.exactdn.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Barry-Benson-in-front-of-RB-Brewing-1024x768.jpg?strip=all&amp;lossy=1&amp;quality=90&amp;webp=90&amp;avif=80&amp;sharp=1&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/ef5pdbk7uqr.exactdn.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Barry-Benson-in-front-of-RB-Brewing-300x225.jpg?strip=all&amp;lossy=1&amp;quality=90&amp;webp=90&amp;avif=80&amp;sharp=1&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/ef5pdbk7uqr.exactdn.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Barry-Benson-in-front-of-RB-Brewing-768x576.jpg?strip=all&amp;lossy=1&amp;quality=90&amp;webp=90&amp;avif=80&amp;sharp=1&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/ef5pdbk7uqr.exactdn.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Barry-Benson-in-front-of-RB-Brewing-748x561.jpg?strip=all&amp;lossy=1&amp;quality=90&amp;webp=90&amp;avif=80&amp;sharp=1&amp;ssl=1 748w, https:\/\/ef5pdbk7uqr.exactdn.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Barry-Benson-in-front-of-RB-Brewing-1123x842.jpg?strip=all&amp;lossy=1&amp;quality=90&amp;webp=90&amp;avif=80&amp;sharp=1&amp;ssl=1 1123w, https:\/\/ef5pdbk7uqr.exactdn.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Barry-Benson-in-front-of-RB-Brewing-500x375.jpg?strip=all&amp;lossy=1&amp;quality=90&amp;webp=90&amp;avif=80&amp;sharp=1&amp;ssl=1 500w, https:\/\/ef5pdbk7uqr.exactdn.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Barry-Benson-in-front-of-RB-Brewing.jpg?strip=all&amp;lossy=1&amp;quality=90&amp;webp=90&amp;avif=80&amp;sharp=1&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/ef5pdbk7uqr.exactdn.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Barry-Benson-in-front-of-RB-Brewing.jpg?strip=all&amp;lossy=1&amp;quality=90&amp;webp=90&amp;avif=80&amp;sharp=1&amp;w=384&amp;ssl=1 384w, https:\/\/ef5pdbk7uqr.exactdn.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Barry-Benson-in-front-of-RB-Brewing.jpg?strip=all&amp;lossy=1&amp;quality=90&amp;webp=90&amp;avif=80&amp;sharp=1&amp;w=1536&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/ef5pdbk7uqr.exactdn.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Barry-Benson-in-front-of-RB-Brewing.jpg?strip=all&amp;lossy=1&amp;quality=90&amp;webp=90&amp;avif=80&amp;sharp=1&amp;w=1920&amp;ssl=1 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-23639\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Barry Benson in front of R&amp;B Brewing in Vancouver, BC (photo: Brian K. Smith)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These plans are at the forefront of a recently-renewed independence. Howe Sound Brewing was purchased by Solterra Development Corp. in December, 2020. As Benson tells it, there was also interest in purchasing R&amp;B Brewing, but Solterra wanted the building as part of the sale. The owner of the building refused, so R&amp;B entered 2021 as its own entity under the direction of the Fenn family.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you think that Benson might lament his position as a former owner, think again. He\u2019s absolutely at ease with his sales and spokesperson role as part of a talented team.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><em><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cI get to do what I really like, which is going out, selling beer, meeting new people. The brew crew we have is the most amazing brew crew ever. The front of house staff is great. It\u2019s a pleasure working with this group.\u201d<\/span><\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script id=\"cr-init__944eae820741fad6\" src=\"https:\/\/starling.crowdriff.com\/js\/crowdriff.js\" async><\/script><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3><strong>R&amp;B Three To Try<\/strong><\/h3>\n<div id='gallery-3' class='gallery galleryid-23591 gallery-columns-2 gallery-size-large'><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/bcaletrail.ca\/best-brewery-experience-2021\/dude-chilling\/'><img width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/ef5pdbk7uqr.exactdn.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Dude-Chilling-e1633559437342.jpg?strip=all&amp;lossy=1&amp;quality=90&amp;webp=90&amp;avif=80&amp;sharp=1&amp;fit=768%2C1024&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"attachment-large size-large\" alt=\"Dude Chilling Pale Ale - R&amp;B Brewing\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-3-23602\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ef5pdbk7uqr.exactdn.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Dude-Chilling-e1633559437342.jpg?strip=all&amp;lossy=1&amp;quality=90&amp;webp=90&amp;avif=80&amp;sharp=1&amp;ssl=1 3024w, https:\/\/ef5pdbk7uqr.exactdn.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Dude-Chilling-e1633559437342-225x300.jpg?strip=all&amp;lossy=1&amp;quality=90&amp;webp=90&amp;avif=80&amp;sharp=1&amp;ssl=1 225w, https:\/\/ef5pdbk7uqr.exactdn.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Dude-Chilling-e1633559437342-768x1024.jpg?strip=all&amp;lossy=1&amp;quality=90&amp;webp=90&amp;avif=80&amp;sharp=1&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/ef5pdbk7uqr.exactdn.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Dude-Chilling-e1633559437342-421x561.jpg?strip=all&amp;lossy=1&amp;quality=90&amp;webp=90&amp;avif=80&amp;sharp=1&amp;ssl=1 421w, https:\/\/ef5pdbk7uqr.exactdn.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Dude-Chilling-e1633559437342-632x842.jpg?strip=all&amp;lossy=1&amp;quality=90&amp;webp=90&amp;avif=80&amp;sharp=1&amp;ssl=1 632w, https:\/\/ef5pdbk7uqr.exactdn.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Dude-Chilling-e1633559437342-375x500.jpg?strip=all&amp;lossy=1&amp;quality=90&amp;webp=90&amp;avif=80&amp;sharp=1&amp;ssl=1 375w, https:\/\/ef5pdbk7uqr.exactdn.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Dude-Chilling-e1633559437342.jpg?strip=all&amp;lossy=1&amp;quality=90&amp;webp=90&amp;avif=80&amp;sharp=1&amp;w=1152&amp;ssl=1 1152w, https:\/\/ef5pdbk7uqr.exactdn.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Dude-Chilling-e1633559437342.jpg?strip=all&amp;lossy=1&amp;quality=90&amp;webp=90&amp;avif=80&amp;sharp=1&amp;w=1536&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/ef5pdbk7uqr.exactdn.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Dude-Chilling-e1633559437342.jpg?strip=all&amp;lossy=1&amp;quality=90&amp;webp=90&amp;avif=80&amp;sharp=1&amp;w=1920&amp;ssl=1 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-3-23602'>\n\t\t\t\tDude Chilling Pale Ale from R&#038;B Brewing in Vancouver, BC \n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/bcaletrail.ca\/best-brewery-experience-2021\/marzen\/'><img width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/ef5pdbk7uqr.exactdn.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Marzen-e1633559399740.jpg?strip=all&amp;lossy=1&amp;quality=90&amp;webp=90&amp;avif=80&amp;sharp=1&amp;fit=768%2C1024&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"attachment-large size-large\" alt=\"M\u00e4rzen - R&amp;B Brewing\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-3-23601\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ef5pdbk7uqr.exactdn.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Marzen-e1633559399740.jpg?strip=all&amp;lossy=1&amp;quality=90&amp;webp=90&amp;avif=80&amp;sharp=1&amp;ssl=1 3024w, https:\/\/ef5pdbk7uqr.exactdn.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Marzen-e1633559399740-225x300.jpg?strip=all&amp;lossy=1&amp;quality=90&amp;webp=90&amp;avif=80&amp;sharp=1&amp;ssl=1 225w, https:\/\/ef5pdbk7uqr.exactdn.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Marzen-e1633559399740-768x1024.jpg?strip=all&amp;lossy=1&amp;quality=90&amp;webp=90&amp;avif=80&amp;sharp=1&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/ef5pdbk7uqr.exactdn.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Marzen-e1633559399740-421x561.jpg?strip=all&amp;lossy=1&amp;quality=90&amp;webp=90&amp;avif=80&amp;sharp=1&amp;ssl=1 421w, https:\/\/ef5pdbk7uqr.exactdn.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Marzen-e1633559399740-632x842.jpg?strip=all&amp;lossy=1&amp;quality=90&amp;webp=90&amp;avif=80&amp;sharp=1&amp;ssl=1 632w, https:\/\/ef5pdbk7uqr.exactdn.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Marzen-e1633559399740-375x500.jpg?strip=all&amp;lossy=1&amp;quality=90&amp;webp=90&amp;avif=80&amp;sharp=1&amp;ssl=1 375w, https:\/\/ef5pdbk7uqr.exactdn.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Marzen-e1633559399740.jpg?strip=all&amp;lossy=1&amp;quality=90&amp;webp=90&amp;avif=80&amp;sharp=1&amp;w=1152&amp;ssl=1 1152w, https:\/\/ef5pdbk7uqr.exactdn.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Marzen-e1633559399740.jpg?strip=all&amp;lossy=1&amp;quality=90&amp;webp=90&amp;avif=80&amp;sharp=1&amp;w=1536&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/ef5pdbk7uqr.exactdn.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Marzen-e1633559399740.jpg?strip=all&amp;lossy=1&amp;quality=90&amp;webp=90&amp;avif=80&amp;sharp=1&amp;w=1920&amp;ssl=1 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-3-23601'>\n\t\t\t\tM\u00e4rzen from R&#038;B Brewing in Vancouver, BC\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<p><b>Dude Chilling Pale Ale<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: a classic West Coast pale ale and an ode to the prank art re-naming of a nearby park. The can label is a great example of the revamped hand-drawn label designs by Saint Bernadine Mission Communications.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>M\u00e4rzen<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: gold-medal winner at the <a href=\"https:\/\/bcaletrail.ca\/kpus-brewing-school-wins-brewery-of-the-year-at-10th-annual-bc-beer-awards\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">2019 BC Beer Awards<\/a>. This German lager has all the bready maltiness appropriate for the Oktoberfest season.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/player.vimeo.com\/video\/545270673?h=df7d4f7b55&amp;title=0&amp;byline=0&amp;portrait=0\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><b>Green Screen IPA: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">a canned IPA with a partially-blank green label that renders itself invisible during Zoom meetings. Admit it, a surreptitious beer would make these meetings much more bearable.<\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">R&amp;B Brewing is part of the <a href=\"https:\/\/bcaletrail.ca\/ale-trails\/brewery-creek-vancouver\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Vancouver \u2013 Brewery Creek Ale Trail<\/a>, along with 10 other breweries and four taphouses. The pizza and ale house is a 15-minute walk from the Olympic Village (Canada Line) SkyTrain station or an 11-minute walk from the Main Street-Science World (Expo Line) station.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4>Please travel conscientiously, arrange a designated driver, and do not drink and drive. As of October 24th, 2021, you must show proof of double-vaccination for COVID-19 to be permitted entry. Please respect public health orders and hospitality workers. Thank you for your kindness!<\/h4>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>It\u2019s a tale of triumph when an old dog learns new tricks and is recognized as a leader of the pack. R&amp;B Brewing \u2014 a Vancouver craft beer pioneer \u2014 was nearly left behind by the craft beer evolution and explosion in the 2010s, but investment from a fellow brewery opened the doors to one &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/bcaletrail.ca\/best-brewery-experience-2021\/\">Continued<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":16,"featured_media":23634,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[295,682,647],"tags":[],"itin-listings":[2083,2325],"itin-regions":[1540],"itin-itineraries":[1542],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v21.4 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>R&amp;B Brewing Wins 2021 BC Ale Trail Best Brewery Experience Award &#183; The BC Ale Trail<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"R&amp;B Brewing Wins the 2021 BC Ale Trail Best Brewery Experience Award. 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