![\"Small](\"https:\/\/ef5pdbk7uqr.exactdn.com\/app\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Small-Gods-exterior-scaled.jpeg?strip=all&lossy=1&quality=90&webp=90&avif=80&sharp=1&resize=1920%2C1440&ssl=1\")
Small Gods Brewing<\/b><\/a><\/h3>\n9835 Third Street<\/strong><\/p>\nI got a sneak peek at this very new business on the day they got the call that the final paperwork had been approved and they were cleared to launch. Needless to say, the excitement in the air was palpable. With a storage room filled with four-packs ready to go out the door and fresh bread already in the oven, the team behind Small Gods was ready to hit the ground running. I sat down with Chris Bjerrisgaard, one of the owners, to chat more about the beer, food, and inspiration behind this stunning brewery.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnything but nautical,\u201d was the reply from Bjerrisgaard when asked about the inspiration for the theme (a sentiment repeated by Alexa Fetherston from neighbouring Beacon Brewing).<\/p>\n![\"Small](\"https:\/\/ef5pdbk7uqr.exactdn.com\/app\/uploads\/2022\/08\/smallgod1-scaled.jpg?strip=all&lossy=1&quality=90&webp=90&avif=80&sharp=1&resize=750%2C745&ssl=1\")
Chris Bjerrisgaard at Small Gods Brewing in Sidney, BC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nSidney is Canada\u2019s only Book Town, a designation given to communities with a high concentration of bookstores. With that in mind, Small Gods was born as an homage to American poet and novelist Jim Harrison. His most famous poetry book In Search of Small Gods<\/i> was published in 2009 and quietly sits inside the brewery among the bookshelves. The literary theme runs deep, including d\u00e9cor, beer names, and the intention of hosting literary trivia and writer readings. A true haven for bibliophiles and zythophiles<\/a> alike.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n![\"Small](\"https:\/\/ef5pdbk7uqr.exactdn.com\/app\/uploads\/2022\/08\/smallgods-Chris-Johnny-scaled.jpg?strip=all&lossy=1&quality=90&webp=90&avif=80&sharp=1&resize=786%2C750&ssl=1\")
Chris Bjerrisgaard and Johnny Kostiuk at Small Gods Brewing in Sidney, BC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nJonny Kostiuk is the head brewer and co-owner. Previously with Deep Cove Brewers and Distillers<\/a>, he is a passionate outdoorsman with family on the Island so it didn\u2019t take much to convince him to move to Sidney to co-launch this new project. The beer style is small batch and ultra-premium, taking inspiration from mainland breweries like Brassneck<\/a> and Field House<\/a>, but keeping their community in mind.<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t![\"Neverending](\"https:\/\/ef5pdbk7uqr.exactdn.com\/app\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Small-Gods-pilsner-portrait-scaled.jpeg?strip=all&lossy=1&quality=90&webp=90&avif=80&sharp=1&fit=768%2C1024&ssl=1\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tNeverending Pilsner at Small Gods Brewing in Sidney, BC\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/ef5pdbk7uqr.exactdn.com\/app\/uploads\/2022\/08\/smallgods5-scaled.jpg?strip=all&lossy=1&quality=90&webp=90&avif=80&sharp=1&fit=768%2C1024&ssl=1\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tA flight of beers at Small Gods Brewing in Sidney, BC\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\nI tried a few of their flagship beers including the Neverending<\/i>, a true Northern German pilsner made with heritage Barke pilsner malt<\/a>,\u00a0German noble hops, and German lager yeast. I also really enjoyed the hazy pale ale (Promised Land<\/i>), a passion fruit kiwi sour (Rouenna), <\/i>and the California IPA (Run, River<\/i>) \u2014 all the beers are named after books inspired by the origin region of the beer style. They are brewing what they like to drink and have 12 taps in the tasting room, including one nitro tap.<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t![\"Small](\"https:\/\/ef5pdbk7uqr.exactdn.com\/app\/uploads\/2022\/08\/smallgods7-scaled.jpg?strip=all&lossy=1&quality=90&webp=90&avif=80&sharp=1&fit=768%2C1024&ssl=1\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tBread baking at Small Gods Brewing in Sidney, BC\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t![\"Small](\"https:\/\/ef5pdbk7uqr.exactdn.com\/app\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Small-Gods-pretzel-scaled.jpeg?strip=all&lossy=1&quality=90&webp=90&avif=80&sharp=1&fit=768%2C1024&ssl=1\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tA tasty pretzel at Small Gods Brewing in Sidney, BC\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\nBut what about that bread I mentioned earlier, you may be asking. The intention was to always have a food program to go along with the beer and Bjerrisgaard mulled over a few options before settling on deli sandwiches, a style of food that is not very prevalent on the South Island. Award-winning chef Brad Holmes of OLO restaurant fame is designing the menu. Essentially Bjerrisgaard reached out and asked Holmes \u201cWhat would you do if you made Subway?\u201d Expect decadent classic deli subs including an Italian, meatball, and what is sure to be my favourite, a cheesesteak using house-made beer cheese. To quote Jim Harrison, \u201cThe idea is to eat well and not die from it \u2014 for the simple reason that that would be the end of your eating.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t![\"Small](\"https:\/\/ef5pdbk7uqr.exactdn.com\/app\/uploads\/2022\/08\/smallgods-Chris-and-cans-scaled.jpg?strip=all&lossy=1&quality=90&webp=90&avif=80&sharp=1&fit=768%2C1024&ssl=1\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tSmall Gods Brewing in Sidney, BC\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t![\"Small](\"https:\/\/ef5pdbk7uqr.exactdn.com\/app\/uploads\/2022\/08\/smallgods-cans-scaled.jpg?strip=all&lossy=1&quality=90&webp=90&avif=80&sharp=1&fit=768%2C1024&ssl=1\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tSmall Gods Brewing in Sidney, BC\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\nSmall Gods’ beers are available in cans directly from the brewery. Distribution will begin soon so you can also look for them in local stores.<\/h4>\n
\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/ef5pdbk7uqr.exactdn.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/07\/13-Beacon-Brewing-Sidney-BC-Ale-Trail-scaled.jpg?strip=all&lossy=1&quality=90&webp=90&avif=80&sharp=1&resize=1920%2C1283&ssl=1\")
<\/p>\n
Beacon Brewing<\/b><\/a><\/h3>\n9829 Third St<\/strong><\/p>\nAlexa and Tristan Fetherston were on a road trip to Oregon in 2019 visiting multiple breweries when the idea to open a brewery came up in conversation. While in Astoria, another seaside community, they wondered why their hometown of Sidney did not have something similar. Tristan had been a homebrewer for years and once he had his wife Alexa on board, it was full steam ahead. Beacon Brewing opened its doors in October 2021 \u2014 just two doors down from Small Gods’ location.<\/p>\n
There are quite a few similarities between Beacon Brewing and Small Gods Brewing. They are both located on Third Street as part of a newly built condo development, allowing them to open without having to renovate or change any old building codes. They both shunned the nautical theme that tends to dominate businesses in the area. Tristan worked for Telus for many years and the name Beacon is an electrical reference (a light beacon). Plus, there is the metaphorical meaning: a gathering place for locals. Both breweries mentioned wanting to cater to their community, acknowledging the unique makeup of Sidney, and to create a beer list that would please a wide range of tastes. Lastly, both businesses expressed excitement to be open on the same street, recognizing that having multiple breweries in a location will benefit them both in the long run. Look at what this has done for the town of Port Moody<\/a> after all.<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t![\"Beacon](\"https:\/\/ef5pdbk7uqr.exactdn.com\/app\/uploads\/2022\/08\/beacon4-scaled.jpg?strip=all&lossy=1&quality=90&webp=90&avif=80&sharp=1&fit=768%2C1024&ssl=1\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tThe team at Beacon Brewing in Sidney, BC\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t![\"Beacon](\"https:\/\/ef5pdbk7uqr.exactdn.com\/app\/uploads\/2022\/08\/beacon1-scaled.jpg?strip=all&lossy=1&quality=90&webp=90&avif=80&sharp=1&fit=768%2C1024&ssl=1\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tBeacon Brewing in Sidney, BC\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\nRounding out the ownership team is Steven Hardy, Alexa\u2019s brother. This is very much a family-owned business, and the space is very kid-friendly with an old-school arcade game and lots of board games to play with. Not to mention monthly comedy nights, music bingo Mondays, and live music on Friday nights.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nFrank Alton is the head brewer, having met Tristan while working at a homebrewing shop in town. They describe their beer as easy drinking and sessional and this is reflected in the great selection of lower-ABV options, something I very much appreciate. Their flagship line-up includes a very quaffable lager, a traditional pale ale, a west coast ISA, a nice hop-forward IPA, and a popular dark mild. They have a few rotating taps, including a sour and a very cool pilsner tap that features a new style of pilsner every month.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n![\"Beacon](\"https:\/\/ef5pdbk7uqr.exactdn.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/07\/14-Beacon-Brewing-Sidney-BC-Ale-Trail-scaled.jpg?strip=all&lossy=1&quality=90&webp=90&avif=80&sharp=1&resize=1920%2C1280&ssl=1\")
Beacon Brewing in Sidney, BC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nUnlike Small Gods, Beacon Brewing does not distribute, but they do have a few screw-top cans available for off-sale purchase at the brewery. The small space does not have a kitchen, but they do offer a great variety of Central and North Saanich food businesses, including Bicycle Pizza, Jenny\u2019s Smoke Shack salmon, Island Nut Roastery snack mix, Adriana\u2019s tortilla chips, and Sidney Scones on the weekends.<\/p>\n
\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t![\"Howl](\"https:\/\/ef5pdbk7uqr.exactdn.com\/app\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Howl-scaled.jpg?strip=all&lossy=1&quality=90&webp=90&avif=80&sharp=1&fit=768%2C1024&ssl=1\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tHowl Brewing in North Saanich, BC\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t![\"Howl](\"https:\/\/ef5pdbk7uqr.exactdn.com\/app\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Howl2-scaled.jpg?strip=all&lossy=1&quality=90&webp=90&avif=80&sharp=1&fit=768%2C1024&ssl=1\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tHowl Brewing in North Saanich, BC\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\nHowl Brewing<\/b><\/a><\/h3>\n1780 Mills Rd<\/strong><\/p>\nThis pico-brewery (even smaller than a nano-brewery) is attached to the Fickle Fig Farm Market.<\/a> Despite its small size, it creates quite a large selection of beer, albeit in tiny batches. They focus on using seasonal and locally sourced ingredients and often use very old, sometimes medieval recipes. The first brewery to open in the Sidney area back in 2018, you can find their bombers in some select local beer stores and in some local Sidney restaurants.<\/p>\n
\nAnd now the bakeries…<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/ef5pdbk7uqr.exactdn.com\/app\/uploads\/2022\/08\/10-Acres-Cafe.jpeg?strip=all&lossy=1&quality=90&webp=90&avif=80&sharp=1&resize=1920%2C1440&ssl=1\")
10 Acres Cafe in Sidney, BC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n10 Acres Market Cafe<\/b><\/h3>\n
<\/b>9805 Seaport Place<\/strong><\/p>\nThis popular Victoria farm-to-table restaurant opened a cafe and market in Sidney. It\u2019s the perfect place to grab a coffee, some frozen meals to make at home, and most importantly, incredible bread. A favourite is the sourdough loaf and their traditional French baguette. They sell out fast so be sure to get there early.<\/p>\n
\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/ef5pdbk7uqr.exactdn.com\/app\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Brittania3-scaled.jpg?strip=all&lossy=1&quality=90&webp=90&avif=80&sharp=1&resize=1920%2C1440&ssl=1\")
Britannia’s Cafe in Sidney, BC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nBritannia\u2019s Cafe<\/strong><\/h3>\n2310 Beacon Ave<\/strong><\/p>\nBritannia Walsh started her baking career as a delivery driver before quickly working her way up the ranks of a large bakery to become an assistant baker, and then eventually the owner of Lone Tree Bakery, a beloved wholesale bakery. When the cafe side of the business had to close, Walsh took over the old Mother Nature\u2019s Market space right on Beacon Ave, a former wholesale client. The new cafe opened in early June and is a great addition to this bustling street. They make incredible muffins that are absolutely massive, and the turnovers are a must try. They serve some great breakfast items including some cool savoury puff pastry items and their lunch menu includes a burger, salads, soups, and some sandwiches that are served on her unique bread that is marbled pink with the inclusion of beets into the dough.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/ef5pdbk7uqr.exactdn.com\/app\/uploads\/2022\/08\/fickle3-scaled.jpg?strip=all&lossy=1&quality=90&webp=90&avif=80&sharp=1&fit=768%2C1024&ssl=1\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tThe Fickle Fig Farm Market on Mills Rd, North Saanich\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/ef5pdbk7uqr.exactdn.com\/app\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Fickle1-scaled.jpg?strip=all&lossy=1&quality=90&webp=90&avif=80&sharp=1&fit=768%2C1024&ssl=1\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tThe Fickle Fig Farm Market in downtown Sidney, BC\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\nThe Fickle Fig Farm Market<\/b><\/h3>\n
1780 Mills Rd & 2489 Beacon Ave<\/strong><\/p>\nAlthough they have a second location in downtown Sidney, the main location off Mills Road just above the airport is worth the drive and visit. The converted old nursery is an idyllic setting for their bakery, restaurant, gelateria, and farm. There are so many delicious items here, including pillowy soft focaccia bread, a very good ham-and-cheese croissant, fresh pizza dough, and decadent chocolate brownies. Go for the baked goods but stay for the beer: Howl Brewing is right next door.<\/p>\n
\n\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t![\"Quince](\"https:\/\/ef5pdbk7uqr.exactdn.com\/app\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Quince2-scaled.jpg?strip=all&lossy=1&quality=90&webp=90&avif=80&sharp=1&fit=768%2C1024&ssl=1\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tThe Quince Cafe in Sidney, BC\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t![\"Quince](\"https:\/\/ef5pdbk7uqr.exactdn.com\/app\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Quince1-scaled.jpg?strip=all&lossy=1&quality=90&webp=90&avif=80&sharp=1&fit=768%2C1024&ssl=1\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tThe Quince Cafe in Sidney, BC\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\nQuince Cafe<\/b><\/h3>\n
2527 Beacon Ave<\/strong><\/p>\nThis tiny cafe is a local favorite for both sweet and savoury lunch items including the blueberry coffee cake, decadent shortbread cookies, and a lovely quiche. They also make daily soups, salads, and a handful of sandwiches. The space is small with no indoor seating so it\u2019s the perfect choice to grab a treat to take to the beach, only a few steps away.<\/p>\n
\n<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t![\"Sidney](\"https:\/\/ef5pdbk7uqr.exactdn.com\/app\/uploads\/2022\/08\/sidneybakery5-scaled.jpg?strip=all&lossy=1&quality=90&webp=90&avif=80&sharp=1&fit=768%2C1024&ssl=1\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tThe Sidney Bakery is famous for its doughnuts.\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t![\"Sidney](\"https:\/\/ef5pdbk7uqr.exactdn.com\/app\/uploads\/2022\/08\/SidneyBakery1-scaled.jpg?strip=all&lossy=1&quality=90&webp=90&avif=80&sharp=1&fit=768%2C1024&ssl=1\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tThe Sidney Bakery.\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\nSidney Bakery<\/b><\/h3>\n
2507 Beacon Ave<\/strong><\/p>\nOkay so not everything in Sidney is new! In fact, this beloved bakery has been serving the community since 1944, one of the oldest continuously running bakeries on Vancouver Island. That is a lot of time to perfect your recipes and it shows. They are most famous for their doughnuts, cinnamon buns and croissants. If you\u2019re feeling nostalgic, they make a killer pound cake, a classic apple pie, and a traditional Eccles cake, a British dessert similar to a turnover.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
\n![\"](\"https:\/\/ef5pdbk7uqr.exactdn.com\/app\/uploads\/2022\/08\/scones3-scaled.jpg?strip=all&lossy=1&quality=90&webp=90&avif=80&sharp=1&resize=1920%2C1440&ssl=1\")
Sidney Scones<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/h3>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Sidney Scones<\/b><\/h3>\n
2310 Beacon Ave<\/strong><\/p>\nChelsey Columbus makes incredible scones with super quirky flavours like Sour Patch Kids, Banana Split, and Dunkaroos. Columbus originally only sold them at farm markets, online, and at collaborating storefronts (like Beacon Brewing), but now you can get them daily at the new Britannia\u2019s on Beacon bakery where she shares the space.<\/p>\n
\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/ef5pdbk7uqr.exactdn.com\/app\/uploads\/2022\/08\/tonolli2-scaled.jpg?strip=all&lossy=1&quality=90&webp=90&avif=80&sharp=1&fit=768%2C1024&ssl=1\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTonolli\u2019s Deli & Cafe in Sidney, BC\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/ef5pdbk7uqr.exactdn.com\/app\/uploads\/2022\/08\/tonolli3-scaled.jpg?strip=all&lossy=1&quality=90&webp=90&avif=80&sharp=1&fit=768%2C1024&ssl=1\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTonolli\u2019s Deli & Cafe in Sidney, BC\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\nTonolli’s Deli & Cafe<\/b><\/h3>\n
2400 Bevan Ave<\/p>\n
Exciting news that this popular Central Saanich cafe has opened a second location! Now cyclists can visit without having to huff-it up the Island View hill. There are two things that are a must try when visiting this cafe: the German Apple Cake and the savoury cheese scone. They also make lovely soups, sandwiches, and a great breakfast sandwich.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/ef5pdbk7uqr.exactdn.com\/app\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Bayview-Bonnie-with-food3-225x300.jpg?strip=all&lossy=1&quality=90&webp=90&avif=80&sharp=1&ssl=1\")
Bonnie Todd of Off the Eaten Track Food Tours visiting Bayview brewing in Ladysmith, BC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Bonnie Todd is the owner of Off the Eaten Track Food Tours<\/a> in Victoria, BC.\u00a0She is passionate about discovering and promoting the culinary culture on Vancouver Island and is a regular contributor to local publications including Edible Vancouver Island<\/a> and MicCHEK<\/a> podcast.<\/small><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
I got a sneak peek at this very new business on the day they got the call that the final paperwork had been approved and they were cleared to launch. Needless to say, the excitement in the air was palpable. With a storage room filled with four-packs ready to go out the door and fresh bread already in the oven, the team behind Small Gods was ready to hit the ground running. I sat down with Chris Bjerrisgaard, one of the owners, to chat more about the beer, food, and inspiration behind this stunning brewery.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnything but nautical,\u201d was the reply from Bjerrisgaard when asked about the inspiration for the theme (a sentiment repeated by Alexa Fetherston from neighbouring Beacon Brewing).<\/p>\n Sidney is Canada\u2019s only Book Town, a designation given to communities with a high concentration of bookstores. With that in mind, Small Gods was born as an homage to American poet and novelist Jim Harrison. His most famous poetry book In Search of Small Gods<\/i> was published in 2009 and quietly sits inside the brewery among the bookshelves. The literary theme runs deep, including d\u00e9cor, beer names, and the intention of hosting literary trivia and writer readings. A true haven for bibliophiles and zythophiles<\/a> alike.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Jonny Kostiuk is the head brewer and co-owner. Previously with Deep Cove Brewers and Distillers<\/a>, he is a passionate outdoorsman with family on the Island so it didn\u2019t take much to convince him to move to Sidney to co-launch this new project. The beer style is small batch and ultra-premium, taking inspiration from mainland breweries like Brassneck<\/a> and Field House<\/a>, but keeping their community in mind.<\/p>\n I tried a few of their flagship beers including the Neverending<\/i>, a true Northern German pilsner made with heritage Barke pilsner malt<\/a>,\u00a0German noble hops, and German lager yeast. I also really enjoyed the hazy pale ale (Promised Land<\/i>), a passion fruit kiwi sour (Rouenna), <\/i>and the California IPA (Run, River<\/i>) \u2014 all the beers are named after books inspired by the origin region of the beer style. They are brewing what they like to drink and have 12 taps in the tasting room, including one nitro tap.<\/p>\n But what about that bread I mentioned earlier, you may be asking. The intention was to always have a food program to go along with the beer and Bjerrisgaard mulled over a few options before settling on deli sandwiches, a style of food that is not very prevalent on the South Island. Award-winning chef Brad Holmes of OLO restaurant fame is designing the menu. Essentially Bjerrisgaard reached out and asked Holmes \u201cWhat would you do if you made Subway?\u201d Expect decadent classic deli subs including an Italian, meatball, and what is sure to be my favourite, a cheesesteak using house-made beer cheese. To quote Jim Harrison, \u201cThe idea is to eat well and not die from it \u2014 for the simple reason that that would be the end of your eating.\u201d<\/p>\n 9829 Third St<\/strong><\/p>\n Alexa and Tristan Fetherston were on a road trip to Oregon in 2019 visiting multiple breweries when the idea to open a brewery came up in conversation. While in Astoria, another seaside community, they wondered why their hometown of Sidney did not have something similar. Tristan had been a homebrewer for years and once he had his wife Alexa on board, it was full steam ahead. Beacon Brewing opened its doors in October 2021 \u2014 just two doors down from Small Gods’ location.<\/p>\n There are quite a few similarities between Beacon Brewing and Small Gods Brewing. They are both located on Third Street as part of a newly built condo development, allowing them to open without having to renovate or change any old building codes. They both shunned the nautical theme that tends to dominate businesses in the area. Tristan worked for Telus for many years and the name Beacon is an electrical reference (a light beacon). Plus, there is the metaphorical meaning: a gathering place for locals. Both breweries mentioned wanting to cater to their community, acknowledging the unique makeup of Sidney, and to create a beer list that would please a wide range of tastes. Lastly, both businesses expressed excitement to be open on the same street, recognizing that having multiple breweries in a location will benefit them both in the long run. Look at what this has done for the town of Port Moody<\/a> after all.<\/p>\n Rounding out the ownership team is Steven Hardy, Alexa\u2019s brother. This is very much a family-owned business, and the space is very kid-friendly with an old-school arcade game and lots of board games to play with. Not to mention monthly comedy nights, music bingo Mondays, and live music on Friday nights.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Frank Alton is the head brewer, having met Tristan while working at a homebrewing shop in town. They describe their beer as easy drinking and sessional and this is reflected in the great selection of lower-ABV options, something I very much appreciate. Their flagship line-up includes a very quaffable lager, a traditional pale ale, a west coast ISA, a nice hop-forward IPA, and a popular dark mild. They have a few rotating taps, including a sour and a very cool pilsner tap that features a new style of pilsner every month.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Unlike Small Gods, Beacon Brewing does not distribute, but they do have a few screw-top cans available for off-sale purchase at the brewery. The small space does not have a kitchen, but they do offer a great variety of Central and North Saanich food businesses, including Bicycle Pizza, Jenny\u2019s Smoke Shack salmon, Island Nut Roastery snack mix, Adriana\u2019s tortilla chips, and Sidney Scones on the weekends.<\/p>\n 1780 Mills Rd<\/strong><\/p>\n This pico-brewery (even smaller than a nano-brewery) is attached to the Fickle Fig Farm Market.<\/a> Despite its small size, it creates quite a large selection of beer, albeit in tiny batches. They focus on using seasonal and locally sourced ingredients and often use very old, sometimes medieval recipes. The first brewery to open in the Sidney area back in 2018, you can find their bombers in some select local beer stores and in some local Sidney restaurants.<\/p>\n And now the bakeries…<\/p>\n <\/b>9805 Seaport Place<\/strong><\/p>\n This popular Victoria farm-to-table restaurant opened a cafe and market in Sidney. It\u2019s the perfect place to grab a coffee, some frozen meals to make at home, and most importantly, incredible bread. A favourite is the sourdough loaf and their traditional French baguette. They sell out fast so be sure to get there early.<\/p>\n 2310 Beacon Ave<\/strong><\/p>\n Britannia Walsh started her baking career as a delivery driver before quickly working her way up the ranks of a large bakery to become an assistant baker, and then eventually the owner of Lone Tree Bakery, a beloved wholesale bakery. When the cafe side of the business had to close, Walsh took over the old Mother Nature\u2019s Market space right on Beacon Ave, a former wholesale client. The new cafe opened in early June and is a great addition to this bustling street. They make incredible muffins that are absolutely massive, and the turnovers are a must try. They serve some great breakfast items including some cool savoury puff pastry items and their lunch menu includes a burger, salads, soups, and some sandwiches that are served on her unique bread that is marbled pink with the inclusion of beets into the dough.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n 1780 Mills Rd & 2489 Beacon Ave<\/strong><\/p>\n Although they have a second location in downtown Sidney, the main location off Mills Road just above the airport is worth the drive and visit. The converted old nursery is an idyllic setting for their bakery, restaurant, gelateria, and farm. There are so many delicious items here, including pillowy soft focaccia bread, a very good ham-and-cheese croissant, fresh pizza dough, and decadent chocolate brownies. Go for the baked goods but stay for the beer: Howl Brewing is right next door.<\/p>\n 2527 Beacon Ave<\/strong><\/p>\n This tiny cafe is a local favorite for both sweet and savoury lunch items including the blueberry coffee cake, decadent shortbread cookies, and a lovely quiche. They also make daily soups, salads, and a handful of sandwiches. The space is small with no indoor seating so it\u2019s the perfect choice to grab a treat to take to the beach, only a few steps away.<\/p>\n 2507 Beacon Ave<\/strong><\/p>\n Okay so not everything in Sidney is new! In fact, this beloved bakery has been serving the community since 1944, one of the oldest continuously running bakeries on Vancouver Island. That is a lot of time to perfect your recipes and it shows. They are most famous for their doughnuts, cinnamon buns and croissants. If you\u2019re feeling nostalgic, they make a killer pound cake, a classic apple pie, and a traditional Eccles cake, a British dessert similar to a turnover.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n 2310 Beacon Ave<\/strong><\/p>\n Chelsey Columbus makes incredible scones with super quirky flavours like Sour Patch Kids, Banana Split, and Dunkaroos. Columbus originally only sold them at farm markets, online, and at collaborating storefronts (like Beacon Brewing), but now you can get them daily at the new Britannia\u2019s on Beacon bakery where she shares the space.<\/p>\n 2400 Bevan Ave<\/p>\n Exciting news that this popular Central Saanich cafe has opened a second location! Now cyclists can visit without having to huff-it up the Island View hill. There are two things that are a must try when visiting this cafe: the German Apple Cake and the savoury cheese scone. They also make lovely soups, sandwiches, and a great breakfast sandwich.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Bonnie Todd is the owner of Off the Eaten Track Food Tours<\/a> in Victoria, BC.\u00a0She is passionate about discovering and promoting the culinary culture on Vancouver Island and is a regular contributor to local publications including Edible Vancouver Island<\/a> and MicCHEK<\/a> podcast.<\/small><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\tSmall Gods’ beers are available in cans directly from the brewery. Distribution will begin soon so you can also look for them in local stores.<\/h4>\n
\n<\/p>\nBeacon Brewing<\/b><\/a><\/h3>\n
<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\tHowl Brewing<\/b><\/a><\/h3>\n
\n10 Acres Market Cafe<\/b><\/h3>\n
\nBritannia\u2019s Cafe<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\tThe Fickle Fig Farm Market<\/b><\/h3>\n
\n<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\tQuince Cafe<\/b><\/h3>\n
\n<\/div>\n<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\tSidney Bakery<\/b><\/h3>\n
\n<\/h3>\n
Sidney Scones<\/b><\/h3>\n
\n<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\tTonolli’s Deli & Cafe<\/b><\/h3>\n
\n