Beer column: Slackwater may be gone from Penticton, but it’s still in liquor stores

It’s been 19 months since the Slackwater Brewing taproom shut its doors in downtown Penticton.

Since then, BNA Brewing has taken over the space and put their own fun twist on it, while Slackwater has continued to produce its award-winning beer at Parkside Brewing in Port Moody.

While Penticton residents and visitors to the South Okanagan city no longer have the ability to go enjoy a pint or flight in Slackwater’s taproom, the brewery’s creations remain very much available.

In fact, you’ll find Slackwater beers at many craft-focused liquor stores across British Columbia, as well as many BC Liquor Stores as of May 1.

Headwaters Pilsner recently came into stock at 69 BCLS locations for a tidy price of just $12.79 for a four-pack.

A silver-medal winner on the national stage and a bronze-medal winner provincially, Headwaters is beautifully-balanced between imported Pilsner Malt and European Noble hops.

The bright, crisp and clean beer comes in at an easy-going 4.5% ABV with 17 IBU.

Another perfect summer beer from Slackwater is the Dos Mas Salted Lime Cerveza, a light and refreshing 4% Mexican-style beer with fresh key lime and pink sea salt.

If you’re looking for hops, try Slackwater’s popular What The Fog? New England IPA, while the Party Wave Hazy Pale Ale is the option for those seeking a juicy beer in the sun.

Another seasonal four-pack option is the Everything's Gonna Be OJ Orange Wheat Ale, while the brewery also has a gold-medal winning light lager, the Lo-Tide Lager, available in six packs.

Last, but certainly not least because this beer has won the most awards of all, is the Idleback Amber Ale.

At 5.5%, Slackwater describes this one as “malt-forward yet balanced by a sprinkle of West Coast Cascade hops,” and it’s arguably their signature beer.

Losing their Penticton home did not stop Slackwater co-owners Liam and Kelsey Peyton from producing some fantastic beer for British Columbians to enjoy, so keep an eye out for their cans at your local liquor store.

Josh Duncan is the NowMedia news director and a craft beer lover. Reach him at [email protected]. His beer column appears every Saturday afternoon in this space.