Lana Rodlie
Rossland News
Rosslanders are counting down the days until Rossland Beer Company finally opens its doors.
In the meantime, partners Petri Raito and Ryan Arnaud have organized a fun competition to keep beer-drinkers in the loop.
The two are after a name for their pale ale which is described on their Facebook site as: “juicy . . . a big blast of citrus hops that works into a bitter grassy hop on the finish. A sweet malt helps to balance this beer out . . .”
Wanting a name that reflects the Rossland lifestyle, they’ve already received quite a few suggestions: Mine Shaft Pale Ale, Pay Dirt and Hopilicious, to name a few. But they’re open to more suggestions.
They’ll pick their favourite three and then have people vote for the best on their Facebook site. The winner will receive a Rossland Beer Company pint glass, t-shirt, growler (1.9 litre mug), mini-growler (one litre mug) with two free refills, a 650 ml bomber with the new name, and bragging rights.
The deadline is one week after publication in the Rossland News.
“We started in the summer of 2012,” said Raito. “We made eight or nine (varieties) and will now likely do three or four. We made a lot of beer and are upgrading to a full-on brewery so we’re very excited about the change.”
The pair will focus on stout, India pale ale and amber beer as well as a gluten-free variety.
“We want to make them different – new.”
The gluten free beer is a different process, Raito explained, using a different grain.
“It will be seasonal so we’ll have it once in a while. (Gluten-free) is a different demand.”
Once up and running, Rossland Beer will be available in local pubs and restaurants, as well as their location at 1990 A Columbia Ave. between the old hardware store and the new laundromat.
“At the brewery, we’ll have growlers so a customer can take it with them and reuse it.”
As for brewery tours, Raito said it’s a small operation but people will be able to view the workings.
Raito came to Rossland seven years ago “for the great outdoors.” He partnered up with Arnaud who’d been travelling and experimenting with the art of brewing beer. They started with a shop in Trail but moved back up to Rossland so they could walk to work.
Realizing they needed more space in order to accommodate their goal of producing 1000 to 2000 litres of the liquid gold per week, they leased a building and commenced renovations.
“Opening is a tough word,” Raito said. “It takes three weeks to a month for a batch to be ready. So it should be available in June, July or August. It’s tough to say.”
Send an email to: drink@rosslandbeer.com with ideas or check out their Facebook site.