Several taps at Trench Brewing and Distilling

By Tommy Osborne

Craft breweries

B.C. craft brewers could be in for a rough 2024, what about Prince George?

Dec 28, 2023 | 4:47 PM

PRINCE GEORGE – 2024 could be the end for many craft breweries across the province, as the B.C. Craft Brewers Guild says approximately 40 of 240 brewers could be facing closure. A combination of rising costs and fierce competition, along with covid ruining what chances many breweries had to begin with, has put breweries across the province in a dire situation. But what about in Prince George? According to Trench Brewing and Distilling’s General Manager and Executive Chef Brian Quarmby, Prince George breweries are actually doing quite well.

“We just got out of Christmas and we had the busiest Christmas season we’ve had with company buyouts and things of that nature,” Quarmby said.

While Trench is doing well, it doesn’t mean there aren’t challenges. Quarmby said craft beer sales have gone down during and after the pandemic, but Trench has been able to stay in business by diversifying. Whether it’s events, food, merchandise, or selling more than just beer, it’s important to be ready to adapt at a moment’s notice.

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“Seltzer has been huge for us. We started doing the vodka iced teas and that has really been a savior for us for sales wise. “

Another huge benefit for Trench and other Prince George breweries that set it apart from the rest of the province is the fact that they’re in Northern B.C. and the relative lack of competition helps our breweries stay in business. While the lack of business is great, it doesn’t mean there aren’t challenges either. The fact we’re so far from the more competitive lower mainland also means higher costs, especially with the supply chain.

“For us to get down in liquor stores and in Vancouver, we have to ship it down to Vancouver, get it approved, it comes back to us, and then we send it again. The liquor stores and in Prince George, we have to send it down to the warehouse in Vancouver and then it gets sent back and delivered to the liquor stores up here,” Quarmby said.

“Cost of goods are higher than they even are in the mainland. We see a lot more shortages, things of that nature. So it definitely keeps you on your toes and you have to be able to adapt very quickly and figure out solutions kind of on the fly,” he continued.

While there are challenges, many Northern B.C. breweries also greatly benefit from being in Prince George and the area.