After an afternoon tasting some wonderful wines from the small guys at Garagiste North in Kelowna recently (and spitting – I was working after all), it was time for a palate cleanser. For me, that means a nice hoppy IPA. Luckily, I found a brewpub a short distance away – the BNA Brew Pub. Inside, Monti was manning the tasting room and pulling pints and tasters as well as filling growlers.
BNA, named after the British North America Tobacco Company, which originally occupied the historic building, is new on the Kelowna bar scene – it has only been open for about three months. Four beers are available to try in the tasting room, their light and refreshing Kolsch and Earl, a flavourful Pale Ale with vanilla notes as well as two other seasonal offerings. To date, they have made about a dozen different beers and try to always have an IPA to offer. Liam McCormack is the brew master responsible for these tasty beers. (Beer geeks can check below for tasting notes and specs on their offerings)
Kyle Nixon is president of BNA Brew Pub. The Nixon family is well known in Kelowna for their association with the Eldorado Hotel. The eatery offers a great line up of Okanagan wines, BC craft brews and exotic cocktails as well as an impressive food menu featuring tempting items such as Steamed Pork Bun, Tuna Tartare, Smoked Brisket Taco, Pork Vindaloo, Tagliatelle and Canneloni as well as all the usual pub fare. They source all their produce from two local farms that are only a few kilometres away – you can’t get any fresher than that. Minors, accompanied by an adult, are allowed in the tasting room and in the eatery, until 10 pm.
You’ll love NBA’s motto:
Smile.
Life really isn’t that serious. We make it hard.
The sun rises. The sun sets.
Don’t complicate it. Have a beer.
The tasting room is open one to six daily and the eatery operates from 4 until late every day. You can find them at 1250 Ellis Street.
BNA Beer Tasting Notes and Specs
EARL
Pale Ale
ABV 5.75% 45 IBU
Contemporary Pale Ale showcasing the citrus & spice qualities of the hops. The addition of Earl Grey tea compliments these flavours and smooths the finish.
Available for growler fills, tasting flights, and sleeves
SLOW NIGHT, SO LONG
Kolsch
ABV 5% 23 IBU
Crisp, dry, thirst quenching. An homage to the hard work that goes into BNA.
Available for growler fills, tasting flights, and sleeves
PAST BREWS
BLOOD SUGAR HOPS MAGIK
IPA
ABV 6% 60 IBU
Fruit-forward hops & a blood orange twist
RED ROTHCHILD
Red Ale
ABV 5.5% 25 IBU
Munich malt, smoked maple (currently unavailable)
TWO HOPS TO PARADISE
Saison
ABV 5.5% 15 IBU
A lavender-infused Saison with grains of paradise & orange peel. Crisp, light spiced, citrusy floral, refreshing.
CNA
ISA
ABV 5.4% 56 IBU
A red & white ISA celebrating 148 years of Canada. Ingredients from across this great nation combine to connect us all! Berries, grains, honey, potato, and hops galore. Oh Canada!
THE SORACHI KID
India Saison
ABV 5.6% IBU 50
This beer is composed like a summer wheat beer, with the colour of a pale ale. It comes across as a mild IPA with the crisp esters of a Saison yeast, and finishes dry with an herbal lemongrass note.
DANGEROUS DREAMS
Harvest Ale
ABV 4.8% 20 IBU
A wheat-forward brew with hints of Okanagan Valley stone fruit.
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