SMITHERS, B.C. – The Smithers Brewing Company (SBC) has brought one of Canadian craft beer’s highest honours home to the Bulkley Valley, winning the prestigious “Brewery of the Year” title at the 2025 Canadian Brewing Awards.
The local brewery earned the top prize at the national competition held last weekend in Vancouver after taking home an impressive six medals across multiple beer categories.
“It’s quite overwhelming. We’re all humbled to be recognized with such a prestigious award,” said SBC’s head brewer. “To be recognized amongst so many excellent breweries in this country is quite an honour and we’re grateful.”
The brewery, which opened in 2018, won two gold medals, for its Bootlegger Brown Ale and Great Craic Irish Red Ale. It also earned three silvers for its Salz und Säure Gose, Old Man Winter Ale, and Margarita Monday Tart Ale, as well as a bronze for its Feck Off Irish Stout.
The head brewer noted that while his team is known for being “mad scientists,” five of the six awards were for traditional beer styles, which he hopes will showcase their commitment to quality across the board.
He gave credit to his entire team, the immense support from the Smithers community, and also gave a special “big shout out” to Prince Rupert’s Wheelhouse Brewing Company, where he got his professional start in the industry after years as a home brewer.
The Canadian Brewing Awards is the country’s largest and most prestigious competition for craft beer. This year’s event featured over 1,600 entries from nearly 270 breweries across Canada.
