Granville Island Brewing
Canada's first microbrewery, brewing since 1984.
Granville Island Brewing Company (GIB) began as a brewery on Granville Island in Vancouver, British Columbia, and was founded in 1984. It markets itself as "Canada's first microbrewery." Mitch Taylor started the company that year. The first brewmaster, a German import, left in 1988 after winning a lottery. In 1989, the brewery was sold to Andrew Peller Ltd., a wine conglomerate. That same year, Potters IXL hired James Holden from Carling O'Keefe Breweries to improve product quality and consistency and to work with a new union. Potters funded building renovations, installed a 120-hectolitre maturation cellar, and upgraded the bottle filler with new labelling equipment. Holden created the recipe for the brewery’s first non-lager pale ale, introduced in 1990. He quit soon after, moving to Vietnam to manage a new brewery installation, because the union was very difficult to work with. Shortly after he left, most production moved to Kelowna (around 1994), and a small 10-hectolitre craft brewery was installed on Granville Island for a one-person operation. Long-time brewmaster Vern Lambourne joined the company in 2002 (though this date may need correction, likely 1994–1996). Between 1984 and 2005, only five new beers were released. In August 2005, Andrew Peller Wines bought Granville Island Brewing from Taylor, renovated the original site under the Granville Bridge in 2006, and expanded into larger facilities in Kelowna. In 2009, Molson Coors Canada purchased the brewery through its subsidiary, Creemore Springs Brewing, from Andrew Peller Wines. Molson Coors became the world’s third-largest beer corporation in 2016. Among breweries with locations in British Columbia, Granville Island ranks seventh in sales to the BC Liquor Distribution Branch.
Though most operations moved to Kelowna in the Okanagan Valley, the original brewery still makes some products and offers daily beer-tasting tours. It sits directly under the Granville Bridge, which crosses False Creek into downtown Vancouver. The taproom serves twelve beers on tap, four of which are usually limited releases available only there.
The brewery names its beers after local places and neighbourhoods in British Columbia. Core beers include Island Lager, English Bay Ale, Brockton West Coast IPA, and Kitsilano Juicy IPA. Draft exclusives are False Creek Peach Sour and Cypress Honey Lager.
Quick Facts
- Hq Location
- Granville Island / Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Owner
- Creemore Springs, a Molson Coors subsidiary
- Founded
- 1984
- Production
- 60k Hectolitres Est.
- Industry
- Alcoholic beverage
- Products
- Beer
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Granville Island Brewing was founded in 1984 by Mitch Taylor. The first brewmaster was a German import who quit in 1988 after winning a lottery. In 1989, the brewery was sold to Andrew Peller Ltd. Potters IXL hired James Holden from Carling O'Keefe to improve product quality and work with a new union; he developed the recipe for Granville Island's first non-lager pale ale, added in 1990. Holden later quit due to difficulties with the union and moved to a project in Vietnam. The larger operation moved to Kelowna around 1994, and a small 10-hectoliter craft brewery was installed in Abbotsford. Long-time brewmaster Vern Lambourne joined around 1994 to 1996. Between 1984 and 2005, five new beers were released. In August 2005, Andrew Peller Wines purchased the brewery from Taylor and renovated the original facilities, expanding into larger facilities in Kelowna in 2006. In 2009, Molson Coors Canada purchased Granville Island Brewing through its subsidiary Creemore Springs Brewing.
Reader's Guide
Granville Island Brewing holds a notable place in Canadian brewing history as a self-proclaimed first microbrewery. Its original location under the Granville Bridge in Vancouver continues to operate, offering tours and a taproom with twelve beers on tap, including limited releases. The brewery names its beers after local places and neighbourhoods, such as Island Lager, English Bay Ale, and Kitsilano Juicy IPA. Through a series of ownership changes—from founder Mitch Taylor to Andrew Peller Ltd., then to Creemore Springs (a Molson Coors subsidiary)—the brand has maintained a presence in both its original Vancouver site and a larger Kelowna facility. Its core and seasonal offerings, along with taproom exclusives, reflect a focus on local identity. As the seventh largest brewer in British Columbia by sales to the BC Liquor Distribution Branch, it represents a blend of craft origins and corporate scale.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who founded Granville Island Brewing and when did it start?
Mitch Taylor established the brewery in 1984 on Granville Island in Vancouver, British Columbia. It has since branded itself as Canada's first microbrewery.
Why does Granville Island Brewing call itself 'Canada's first microbrewery'?
The company holds that title because it began brewing in 1984, making it the earliest dedicated microbrewery operation in the country. This claim is central to its identity and marketing.
What happened to Granville Island Brewing after its early years?
In 1989, the brewery was sold to Andrew Peller Ltd., a wine-focused conglomerate, marking a major shift in ownership. That same year, Potters IXL brought in James Holden from Carling O'Keefe Breweries to boost product quality and consistency.
Who owns Granville Island Brewing today?
The brand currently sits under Molson Coors, which acquired it through its Creemore Springs division in 2009. This places it within one of the largest brewing corporations in the world.
How does Granville Island Brewing rank among breweries in British Columbia?
Based on sales reported to the BC Liquor Distribution Branch, it holds the seventh-largest position among brewers that have locations in the province. It remains a recognizable name in the local craft beer scene.
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