By Malin Jordan
Langley’s Smugglers Trail pub and brewery took home a silver medal at the 2021 Canadian Brewing Awards recently held in Quebec City.
Co-owners Jamie Overgaard and Stephen Gregorig had decided to enter as many brews as they could in the annual awards contest.
“Each one goes to a panel of certified cicerone judges and you get reviews of how each beer scored,” Overgaartd explained.
“The process allows you to see the feedback from a professional taster’s point of view.” (A cicerone is the beer equivalent of a sommelier.)
Gregorig and Overgaard said they were shocked when they found out how well all their beer did, as they were only a few points off from winning in numerous categories.
The Canadian Brewing Awards are widely known as the most prestigious craft brewing awards in Canada, added Overgaard, and the annual event moves from province to province each year.
READ ALSO: Where can you find one of the best taprooms in the world? Langley, that’s where.
Overgaard said the silver medal win was extra special to the two brewers as the Orion 1-1 IPA was launched to support a B.C. charity and to honour a close friend, Trevor Greene, who suffered a debilitating brain injury in Afghanistan.
“The first photo we sent out (after the win) was to our friend Trevor Greene,” said Overgaard. “He’s the one behind the whole fundraising side of this with Honour House.”
READ ALSO: ‘It’s a tip of the cap,’ Smugglers’ Trail Caskworks launches new beer to help support B.C. charity
Gregorig said Honour House still needs recognition and the support that goes with that just to keep the doors open.
“They’ve given away more than 11,000 free (night stays) to our service people, either as first responders, the military, or any of their families,” explained Gregorig. “It’s a safe, free place to stay for them while they’re getting treatment and going through recovery.”
Gregorig said he hopes more people become aware of what Honour House is doing.
“To get this national recognition, not only does it recognize Smugglers, it also gives that nod to Honour House and hopefully raises more awareness about their mission.”
Gregorig said it was edifying to win a silver medal for a beer that has such an in-depth story and for a beer that supports a charity.
Langley’s Five Roads Brewing also won at the ceremony, bringing home a gold medal for their beer Permanent Resident IPA, which they entered in the American Style IPA category.
Smugglers’ Trail has been brewing since 2017, but only opened their brewery and taproom on the Port Kells/Walnut Grove border in October 2020. They are located at 9339 200A Street.
For more info, visit smugglerstrailcask.com.
editor@cloverdalereporter.com
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