Not many two and a half year olds make big impressions but for the folks at Ladysmith’s Bayview Brewing Company making big impressions seems to be a growing habit.
Previous to this past October the local popular watering hole had won four B.C. and national awards for a few of the beers they have produced including top rated craft beer as chosen by Creekside Crafters.
Then on Oct. 18, in New Westminster, more than a dozen breweries from the Island were acknowledged at the Canada Beer Cup with Bayview being one of them. The annual event is hosted by the Canadian Craft Brewers Association. The Canada Beer Cup is “a national competition celebrating independently owned and operated breweries across Canada,” with judges from Europe, the U.K., the United States and Canada participating, according to their website.
The following day, Oct. 19, the B.C. Beer Awards took place with more than 75 provincial breweries being judged. This competition was hosted by the BC Craft Brewer’s Guild.
“The Canada Cup event judged more than 1,500 different beers from all across Canada,” said Rod Alsop, co-owner of Bayview Brewing.
Bayview had entered four of their brands in the Canada Cup judging and had six entered in the BC Beer awards event.
“We were very fortunate, over the two days of competition, that our products were highly judged,” Alsop said. “Our Famous Ladysmith Blonde, which has won awards in the past, took first place in the North American Light Ale category, along with our Cowichan Valley Common was also a first place winner in the North American Amber and Brown ale category."
The third award the brewery received in the BC Beer Awards was for their Bayview Brunette which took second place in the North American Amber and Brown ale category.
“We were also really excited to receive the gold medal for our Cowichan Valley Common beer in the Sasquatch Hop category,” Alsop said.
“All the recipes are our own," Alsop said. "We get together and talk about what we want to do and then we’re into it. It’s all collaboration.”
The brewery, located at 204 Bayview Ave., has 12 different beers on tap at any given time as well as non-alcoholic beverages and soft drinks.
“We don’t just dazzle the beer judges,” Alsop said. “This past weekend one of our employees, Sarah Abdulkafi, received the ‘best customer service’ award at the Ladysmith Chamber of Commerce Spirit Awards and we are very proud to have received the ‘People’s Choice’ award, at that event, for our business.”
The brewery/restaurant has 25 employees.
“Along with quality beers, Bayview features a delicious and varied unique menu, a pet and family friendly patio and great staff," said Alsop.
“We are grateful to operate in such a wonderfully supportive, community oriented town. It's the people who come that make the community environment so special.”
