A special new commemorative beer has been brewed to honour Canadian pioneer, John Mitchell. Forty years after craft beer was first officially served in Canada, BC’s Russell Brewing Co. is set to release John Mitchell Signature Cascadian Dark Ale.
The beer has been brewed in collaboration with staff, students and alumni from Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU)‘s Brewing & Brewery Operations Diploma program, in order to raise funds for a cause that directly benefits the BC craft beer movement: a brewing school scholarship in Mitchell’s name.
The project was initiated by, and has the approval of, John Mitchell’s longtime associate John Ohler. Before Mitchell’s passing in 2019, Ohler was formally entrusted to act as Steward of Mitchell’s craft beer legacy. This first fundraising project is also a means of introducing newcomers to the Grandfather of Canadian craft beer.
Mitchell made a huge impact in the industry when he opened Horseshoe Bay Brewing in Vancouver on July 6, 1982. After opening that location, the Canadian craft beer industry grew to what it is today with over 1,000 breweries across the country.
The John Mitchell Signature Cascadian Dark ale beer was made at Russell Brewing on June 8 and released on July 6 at the brewery, marking 40 years since Horseshoe Bay Brewery and the first beer were launched.
“I tried to make a beer that would please as many people as possible, rather than something that’s way too flavourful in one category, and some people don’t like it,” McBride says.
It took two months to create the beer, “Out of the whole process of designing and brewing the beer, it was interesting not only to see Mitchell’s recipes but rewarding to see people enjoy the beer.”
“I felt super lucky to be able to work on this,” he says. “I had a lot of stress following it through its process and hoping that it turns out nice. It’s really cool to be able to do something like this.”
John Ohler, the executive director for the John Mitchell Foundation reached out to the KPU brewing department to see if they would be interested in doing a collaborative beer with a brewery. Since Russell Brewing has three KPU alums and one student working there, they thought it would be the perfect fit.
Proceeds from the beer will go to the John Mitchell Legacy Endowed Scholarship, which gives $1,000 to a KPU brewing student to support future generations of brewers in the industry. Bremner says their goal is to raise $20,000 towards the scholarship.