POSTMARK BREWING

If you’ve ever wished that you could bottle up the westcoast and take it home with you, wish no more – Postmark Brewing has you covered. Co-founders Nate Rayment (formerly of Howe Sound Brewing) and Steve Thorp opened Postmark Brewing in 2014 to make good beer for their friends – something that could replace the larger brewery’s 12-pack. What started out in four tanks has very quickly turned into a 15 tank production, holding 80 hectolitres (8,000 litres) – their friend list has definitely expanded.  In fact, the production is growing so quickly that Postmark has taken over the neighbouring building to house its own bottling station.

Located within the Settlement Building, Postmark has a growler station for those on the run, complete with twelve taps to fill up on your favourite beer. If you’re less committed to one type, there’s a fridge stocked with cans of their Blonde beer and 650mL bottles of the staples. Postmark currently has five staples that are offered year-round, and a rotating list of seasonal beers. A full list can be found here.

The brewery aims to create approachable and flavourful session craft beers that celebrate the westcoast and its lifestyle with beers for every occasion. While the cans show off their original branding vision, the bottles’ labels are more westcoast inspired, with photos shot by their friends or revered photographers.

Part of the westcoast influence comes out in their focus on collaborations. From music to photography, art, clothing, and events, Postmark has paired up with other local companies to create some unique and interesting products, many of which are conveniently sold between the growler station and the fridge. 

And if you’ve got some time to spare, put your name on the list for a bite at Belgard Kitchen, the brewery’s tasting lounge.  We hear they serve an awesome weekend brunch, and can speak to their amazing their dinner menu. Make sure you stay for dessert – the Baked Pistachio Yogurt is worth any wait.

A: 55 Dunlevy Avenue | T: 604.699.1988 | W: postmarkbrewing.com

Hours: Monday – Friday 11am – 11pm | Saturday – Sunday 10am – 11pm

BESTIE

Everyone has a bestie - that person you don't need to make plans with cause you're always together and who you trust above all else... That friendship might be in trouble, though, when you start spending all your time with your new Bestie, the delicious German street food inspired sausage and beer parlour in Chinatown.  Even if your old bestie is happy to visit Bestie with you, they won't be happy when you refuse to share - the food it just too good.

The menu at Bestie is simple with a choice of several sausages to make up either a Currywurst or a Sausage and Sauerkraut.  Both the Currywurst and the Sausage and Sauerkraut come with crispy golden fries that form the perfect addition to the meal. A selection of salads and pretzels are also available. Bestie values community and supports local growers, butchers and brewers. The sausages are made at Oyama Sausage on Granville Island and all the produce is sourced from local farms (as local as the urban farm three blocks away). There are four taps at the bar that serve up a rotating cast of local craft brews, available in a massive 24 oz. ceramic stein that really rounds out the Vancouverized German street food experience.

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THE SETTLEMENT BUILDING

n the heart of Railtown, The Settlement Building is a perfect representation of the neighborhood as a whole. The five tenants of the space each display a creative and collaborative approach to their craft while focusing on the promotion of Vancouver's identity and West Coast lifestyle.

Postmark Brewing is a microbrewery that serves an extensive list of beers brewed in small batches right in the building. Patrons can glimpse a behind-the-scenes view of the brewery's inner workings from the growler fill station. Large, chrome vats of beer fill the double height space and contrast nicely with the exposed timber beams supporting the building's structure. Growler sales are the obvious retail choice but Postmark also offers a variety of apparel with their west coast inspired branding. We particularly like the topo lines on select growlers.

The Vancouver Urban Winery (VUW) is the second major tenant in The Settlement Building. The VUW operates as a boutique winery, and supplies wine for The Settlement Building and for several other establishments around the city. The VUW also has a tasting room that serves several different wines from across British Columbia. The tasting room hosts tasting events throughout the year that are open to the public, but often require tickets to be purchased in advance.

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