East Van Beer Wife

On this episode, I spent an afternoon in December virtually chatting with Jesse Bussard! Besides being my first international guest Jesse is also an incredible badass. Jesse is the Executive Director of the North American Craft Maltsters Guild. Additionally, she is Co-Founder of Fermentana, a Montana-based events promotions company focused on using fermented craft beverages to create positive change in communities through unique and educational experiences. She started the first Craft Beer week for Bozeman, Montana, was the president of her local homebrewers club for 4 years, and was the chapter leader for Pink Boots Montana for 2 years. Oh, and did I mention she also has a graduate degree. No big deal or anything. We discussed how important it is to support local which includes local farmers and breweries along with knowing where your gain comes from and minimizing your carbon footprint. Follow Jesse on Instagram @ as well as North American Craft Maltsters Guild on Instagram @craftmalting and Fermentana @fermentana.llc. 

On this episode, I spent an afternoon in December virtually chatting with Andi Kowalski from Tool Shed Brewing Co! From the corporate world in banking to the brewing world at Fernie Brewing Company then Tool Shed Brewing Co. - Andi did a complete career change almost 6 years ago. With Andi being the operations manager for Tool Shed, we had a lot to talk about in regards to being a woman behind the scenes keeping the lights on and beer flowing in a male-dominated industry. We discussed life before Covid-19 and how breweries are adapting during this new pandemic world as well as being “a gay” in the industry and fighting the government. Follow Andi on Instagram @ampers_andi and you can find Tool Shed Brewing Co. on Instagram @toolshedbeer. **This episode is sponsored  by Good Night Out Vancouver! https://www.goodnightoutvancouver.com@goodnightout_vancouver

On this episode, I spent the afternoon of the winter solstice virtually chatting with Christina Owczarek from XhAle Brew Co. Christina decided to turn the garbage year 2020 was into something good and start a contract brewing company! Christina has put out 2 beers since October 2020 and both are meant to turn heads and start a conversation - “Impeachable”; a beautifully hopped peach wheat ale with Trump's ugly face plastered on the side of the can and “See Ya Next Tuesday”; an Aussie Style C-olsch - no further context required. Christina and I discussed not only her passion for the craft beer industry but also drug decriminalization, mental health services, harm reduction, and white privilege. We fit a lot into an hour and spoke about the things you “aren't supposed to talk about”. Follow Christina on Instagram @just_craft_beer_xtina as well as XhAle Brew Co. on Instagram and Facebook @xhalebrewco.**This episode is sponsored  by Good Night Out Vancouver! https://www.goodnightoutvancouver.com@goodnightout_vancouver

On this episode, I welcome the very brave and amazing Fadwa Bouziane! Originally from Quebec, Fadwa moved to BC to attend Emily Carr University. While studying to complete her Masters of Fine Arts, Fadwa moved up to Squamish to live and play and eventually work for Backcountry Brewing. While with Backcountry, Fadwa was met with racism both from fellow staff and customers. When she decided to disclose the acts of racism to the owners and management nothing was done and Fadwa was forced to quit. While we do discuss her experience at Backcountry, this episode is more than that. Fadwa and I had a real honest conversation on how breweries can be genuinely anti-racist. It's more than just saying you have policies or “zero tolerance” - you have to back it up with actions. If your space only feels safe for white-passing, cis-gendered able-bodied people; you are doing something wrong. Take a real hard look at yourself - if you aren't actively working in anti-racism work, you are part of the problem. I hope everyone who listens takes away some concrete ideas and messaging for making all spaces safe for our BIPOC friends and family. Follow Fadwa on Instagram @farfadois

On this episode, I had a virtual nightcap right before Christmas with Amanda Barry-Butchart from Central City Brewers & Distillers AND from BC Beer Awards! We covered a lot of topics in quite a short period of time and I enjoyed every second of it. We spoke about Amanda's early days getting into craft beer, some of the OG greats in the brewing community, and how women should be building each other up instead of tearing each other down. I found out more about Red Racer's dealcoholized beer as well as all the answers to my burning BC Beer Awards questions. I may go on a few tangents about broken glasses and apartment cockroaches so it is an all-around good time. Follow Amanda on Instagram @amandamlbb as well as Central City @centralcitybrew and BCBA @bcbeerawardsOn a side note - I know the world is hurting right now for many reasons and I am sending all my love and support to everyone who is suffering. Let's continue to show that love and kindness reign supreme and there is no place in this world for racism. Additionally, remember to prioritize your own mental health friends! Stay safe out there!

On this episode, I spent an afternoon in November chatting virtually with Tanya Crocker from Coast Mountain Brewing! From Vet Nurse to Production Manager, Tanya did a complete 180 in her career and I am so glad she did because she is an amazing asset to the brewing community. Tanya and I talk all things beer on the Sea-to-Sky including Whistler during COVID-19, what beers are a must-have on the mountain, and Coast Mountains' POW Pilsner which raises money for Protect Our Winters. Follow Tanya on Instagram @tcrocklife and Coast Mountain Brewing @coastmountainbeer. Also, shout out to @thebeerfarmers up in Pemberton who we talk about a lot in this episode. (Special guest appearance at the end from my partner @eastvan_rambler and our toddler brewer in training, Barlow!)

On this episode, I spent the afternoon chatting with Molly Graham from Red Truck Beer Company! Besides talking about how much Molly loves the craft beer industry we discussed working with what you got in an industry made by men for men, and finding allies in the community. We also talk about drunk farm animals so really this episode has something for everyone. Follow Molly on Instagram @Mollybrews and find Red Truck online at RedTruckBeer.com (Disclaimer: Molly and I sat down together inside the brewhouse of Red Truck at the start of November before more restrictions were put in place in BC due to COVID-19. To keep myself and others safe, as well as, to follow Dr. Bonnie Henry's orders; all my interviews moving forward have been and will be virtual.)

On this episode, I spent the afternoon virtually chatting with Meghan Fulton from Strange Fellows Brewing and Diversity in Brewing! This whole episode really focuses on the importance of creating diversity and inclusion within the brewing community. We discussed the amazing work Diversity in Brewing is doing to celebrate and support BIPOC people and LGBTQ2S+ people in their brewing endeavors as well as how spaces can become safer for marginalized people (on top of a multitude of other things). Follow Meghan on Instagram @Blackvogue as well as Strange Fellows Brewing @strangefellowsbrewing and Diversity in brewing @Diversityinbrewing 

On this episode, I spent the afternoon chatting with Natalia Andrzejczak from Container Brewing! We discussed her thoughts on being a woman in beer and brewing and how the industry can create more equality as well as her Certified Cicerone certification and passion and desire to use it for judging. Follow Container Brewing on Instagram @ContainerBrewing as well as Brewdog @Brewdogoffical and @brewdoglothianroad

On this episode, I spent the afternoon virtually chatting with Natasha Peiskar from Establishment Brewing! We discussed her journey into craft beer; starting in Vancouver, BC, and continuing in Calgary, Alberta, her Advanced Cicerone certification, and how she is supporting and mentoring other women in craft beer. Follow Natasha on Instagram @hoparella and Establishment Brewing @estbrew

On this episode, I spent the afternoon chatting with Diana McKenzie from Callister Brewing! We discussed what it's like to own and brew in East Vancouver, her journey to craft beer and soda, the current state of brewing during COVID-19, real estate in Vancouver, supporting local businesses, and of course, being a woman in craft beer. Follow Callister Brewing on Instagram @Callisterbeer