B.C. brewers create a true craft beer experience at Trail Beer Refinery

The new owners of the Trail Beer Refinery have brought a definite buzz to a community thirsty for its own quality craft brew.

Mary Lusty and Hedin Nelson-Chorney, owners of the Tailout Brewery in Castlegar, have bought the Silver City’s only craft beer restaurant/pub, and are determined to make locals proud.

“We’ve been looking to expand for a long time and had a finite space in Castlegar,” says Nelson-Chorney. “So when this place came up, it really made sense for us.

“It’s in close proximity, and part of the Kootenay culture, so it’s just nice to be part of Trail now, too.”

Lusty, from Ontario, and Nelson-Chorney, from Northern Alberta, were living in Canmore when they made the leap west of the Rockies and bought the Tailout Brewery five years ago. Since then they’ve treated patrons to excellent home-brewed ales, pilsners, stouts and lagers.

“We love the community vibe we have in Castlegar, and it would be great to bring that here as well,” Lusty says. “The community has been so great here already, it will be nice to have a place they call their own.”

The couple have already started brewing their own styles of beer, revealing two exciting new products, and many more to come.

“To start here, our two new core beers are going to be an Italian Pilsner and a Hazy Pale Ale, and then we’ll expand on that,” Nelson-Chorney says.

In addition to the core beers, the Refinery will also have a selection of several other beers, including Tailout brews, and seasonal beers rotated throughout the year.

Lusty and Nelson-Chorney commended the previous owners for making it so easy for them to move in and take over, leaving excellent staff and food menu to work with.

“Truthfully, what we want to do is have more of a brewery feel. We want people to come in after work and have a pint or after the game and have a beer with some delicious food as well.”

They are also embracing the buy-local theme and in addition to their own craft brews, will include craft beer and wine from around the Kootenays, as well as spirits from Trail’s own Kootenay West Distilling.

“We will try to do as much local as possible,” Nelson-Chorney says. “That’s what we do in Castlegar too. We are a local brewery, the locals support us and we want to support them.”

The Tailout is known for its many special events, whether it’s a talk on fly fishing the Columbia, a trivia night, or live music from West Kootenay musicians.

“Honestly, I think the biggest change you are going to see here is more events going on, some live music, try to be pretty connected with the Trail Smoke Eaters, and fun events we can throw for the town of Trail.”

Lusty says that they won’t carry over the ‘Tailout’ fishing theme from the Castlegar brew pub, but rather let the Refinery create its own unique vibe and embrace it.

The new Refinery owners also have a special announcement coming in September, but would not respond to an ‘off the record’ request to divulge the secret; so stay tuned…

“For the people who haven’t been back, I encourage them to come check it out,” added Nelson-Chorney. “Sit at the bar, have a beer, chat with your neighbour.

“The beer list is really good and so is the food.”

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