Announcing John Mitchell Signature Cascadian Dark Ale

HONOURING CANADA’S ORIGINAL CRAFT BREWER

A special new commemorative beer is brewing! 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.

CHEERS TO FORTY YEARS

In 1982, Alexander John Mitchell sparked a national beer revolution by founding Canada’s first craft brewery at Horseshoe Bay, BC. By spurring needed changes to legislation, Mitchell and his partners spearheaded an economic and cultural awakening in Canada’s brewing industry. From that one pioneering location, the Canadian craft beer industry has now grown to boast over 1000 enthusiastic breweries.

As of today, June 17th 2022, it has been exactly four decades since Mitchell’s first Horseshoe Bay Brewing creation, Bay Ale, was sampled by a select few at Mitchell’s nearby Troller Pub.

Next month, on July 6th, it will be 40 years to the day since the ale was first served to the general public, officially birthing Canada’s craft beer era. In celebration, a special beer release ceremony will be held at Russell Brewing’s soon-to-be-opening tasting room in Surrey.