*Editor's note: A previous version of this story said that Grey Fox was the first gluten-free brewery in BC, but Naito Beer in Cranbrook became the first when it opened a few weeks earlier.*
Grey Fox Brewing officially opened their doors on Dec. 17, making Kelowna home to one of BC’s first dedicated gluten free brewery.
In May 2022, 112 backers pledged $20,430 to the Kickstarter campaign that helped bring this project to life.
Founder and brewmaster Chris Neufeld was diagnosed with celiac disease in 2003 and knew he wanted to do something to contribute to the celiac community.
“I just saw this huge void in the marketplace,” he explains. “There are lots of good gluten free foods, but there’s really nobody in the beer sector outside of Eastern Canada or down in Washington.”
“It just seemed like a niche that needed to be filled.”
The beer is crafted from a combination of millet and rice, along with hops and yeast, and brewed in a dedicated gluten free facility.
At the facility, guests can try their choice of five beers including the Farmhouse Ale, Sly Saison, Quick Witted witbeir, Humble Lager and Agile IPA.
While growlers are currently the only take-home option, the brewery will have cans available for sale by the end of the month, which will be distributed to other local breweries and liquor stores.
To discover the taste of a small batch craft beer without the gluten, visit Grey Fox Brewing Thursday through Sunday.
“If people are coming in from out of town, don’t be scared to give us a call or shoot us a text,” Neufeld says. “I’m at the brewery a lot, so there’s a good chance I might be there.”
