Torchlight Brewing

A nanobrewery that has grown into one of the Kootenays' most popular beer destinations.

Nelson was a one-brewery town for more than 20 years before Torchlight Brewing opened in 2014. It started as an idea that two friends, Josh and Craig, had while enjoying some craft beer on a patio in Halifax. Inspired to open their own brewery back in their home town of Nelson, the friends set out on a path that changed their lives. First, they opened a nano-brewery in June of 2014, but found demand for their beer was outpacing their ability to make it. They then set about expanding into a proper micro-brewery, complete with a full lounge. This dream became realized in May 2017 as the new brewery rapidly filled with thirsty patrons.

The brewery’s lounge has 20 taps, including ciders and guest beers, and also offers wine and craft cocktails. Torchlight makes a wide range of beer styles well, with fun and colourful branding that often refers to videogames or pop culture. The kitchen’s offerings are just as impressive as the beer line-up — the head chef even smokes and cures bacon in-house.