On August 8th, I attended the opening party for Daniel Frankel’s new Brewhall, Vancouver’s first and only craft brewery and large-scale foodhall, beerhall, arcade and coming soon beer store. They are a collaboration brewery, working with many brewing partners and serving the freshest beer possible right from TANK to TAP.
The foodhall features a menu made from fresh, local ingredients with an emphasis on made-from-scratch product, designed to be shareable. With a balance of addictive casual comfort food and healthful modern meals, BREWHALL offers affordable food that is nutritious, wholesome and nourishing.
Guests were treated to a table of cheeses and charcouterie, along with some of the popular favourites which included mini-cheeseburgers, spicy korean chicken bites, corn dogs, ketchup chips, pizzas, and more along with beer and other drinks.
On the main floor, you’ll find large picnic tables along with high-tops and bar-seating, creating a communal feel that encourages guests to interact with each other and meet new friends. The fast-casual counter service format is non-committal and also creates an area to interact. The BREWCADE features classic arcade games including four-person Pacman and a selection of pinball machines. BREWHALL’s north patio is a perfect place to soak up some afternoon sun and play a game of corn toss with a friend (or a stranger).
Upstairs on the mezzanine is the DRINKLAB where you’ll find a rotating cocktail list and an extensive whisky bar, led by Kyle Statham of Two Arms Whiskey Society. The space is also used as a test bar for their Tap & Barrel locations and will host various tasting events, focused on food and beverage innovation.
Inherent to Tap & Barrel’s values and culture is environmental stewardship, and what is more environmentally friendly than brewing in-house, pouring the freshest beer right from bright tanks directly to the taps? BREWHALL calls this TANK TO TAP, focusing on collaborations and pushing the boundaries of small-batch product development. So far, Head Brewer, Kerry Dyson, has created eleven collaborations with some of B.C.’s best breweries along with four signature series brews. Today, the brewery is welcoming Superflux to brew its twelfth, and highly anticipated, collaboration.
BREWHALL is located in the heritage Opsal Steel Building at 97 East 2nd Avenue in Vancouver.
By: Richard Wolak