Canoe Brewpub, a well-established Victoria restaurant and craft brewing venue, is set to join the CRAFT Beer Market Restaurant and Bar family.
CRAFT Beer Market has acquired the “celebrated” Victoria venue, adding it to a family of seven other venues currently operated by the company – which includes a flagship location in Vancouver’s Olympic Village.
In a joint press release issued from the Truffles Group and CRAFT Beer Market, a statement describes the upcoming changes as “an exciting transformation.”
“This is wonderful news for our guests, team and beer lovers in Victoria,” says Don Calveley, Founder, The Truffles Group. “CRAFT Beer Market brings the same commitment to community involvement, excellent service and outstanding food and beverage that have been the hallmark of Canoe Brewpub for the past 18 years.”
Calveley, who owns the Truffles Group, notes that he will continue to own the land, buildings and marinas at the Inner Harbour location and will be leasing the restaurant, patio and brewpub space to CRAFT Beer Market.
“We could not be more excited,” says CRAFT Founder and President PJ L’Heureux. “Canoe will be our first brewing facility and the first member of our family in Victoria.”
CRAFT says that it is “committed to significant renovations of the property” in the near future, however, L’Heureux emphasizes that not much will change for now.
For locals who have grown fond of the beers on tap at Canoe, it sounds like the house products will stay as well.
“Our plan is to keep Canoe as Canoe for the time being,” says L’Heureux.
According to CRAFT, the plan is to continue brewing the Canoe Mainstays at the brewery while exploring “progressive” North American and global brewing cultures.
With CRAFT Beer Market expanding operations into Victoria, other local brewers have started to express their excitement.
“I’ve been enthusiastic about the approach that CRAFT Beer Market takes to showcasing the brewers’ art since they opened nearly 10 years ago,” said Matt Phillips of Phillips Brewing. “It’s been an honour to be a partner of theirs as they have opened more locations in both eastern and western Canada, and I look forward to welcoming them to the neighbourhood.”
In the release, CRAFT Beer Market is emphasizing that it will remain “committed to the local communities that support their brands.”
“We admire Canoe as a community builder in the city and love the history of the building that is Canoe’s home,” adds L’Heureux.
CRAFT says that there was an alignment in cultures and values between its own brand and Canoe’s, which was a major driver in the acquisition.
Graham Cox
