It only came out a month or so ago, but already it’s a collector’s item.
All 500 bottles of a local, craft beer — brewed specifically in honour of an informal, men’s social group in Steveston — are sold out.
The owners of Britannia Brewing Company teamed up with the Steveston Mens Support Group (SMSG) to release a special batch of SMSG Adrift Hop Blonde Ale, with a customized label designed by the Steveston Tattoo Co.
All net proceeds from the sales of the beer are being donated to two local charities of the group’s choice.
But with the new brewer — which also recently opened a pour-house/restaurant on Bayview Street and Second Avenue in Steveston — having no plans to release any more of the coveted ale, it seems that SMSG members have their hands on a prized possession, unless they’ve drunk it already.
“This new business opened up; they approached us and we talked about releasing a special beer, with the goal being the net proceeds going to charity,” said Ross Lundie, founding member of the SMSG, which started off as a text message to five buddies about a pub crawl almost five years ago and has grown to a social group boasting more than 400 members.
“The guys loved the idea and we put it out to a vote for what kind of beer we would like to have. We voted for a blonde ale.
“One of our members also runs the Steveston Tattoo Company and he designed the label. It’s good fun and brings the community together and supports a local business at the same time.
“And several of the guys actually went to the brewery and assisted with the bottling and labeling of the beer.”
Trystam Hayden, of Britannia Brewing, said they were aware of the group due to some members coming into their Steveston restaurant.
“We thought it would be a good idea to do something local and give a little back to charity,” said Hayden.
“We obviously don’t make money out of this, but it was really well received and we’re very happy it went so well.
“We just made one batch and they were all ordered and gone; it was a one-off, and we’ve no plans to make any more. We might look at something similar in the future, however.”
Hayden said Britannia is “slowly but surely” growing its brand and has just received approval to start selling growlers at its brewery on Horseshoe Way in Ironwood.
