Canadian Breweries History: Columbia Brewery
The Columbia Brewery can trace its roots back to the Fort Steele
Brewery, opened in 1898 with Albert Mutz as the founding Brewmaster.
Construction has been completed on this reproduction of the original
brewery, which can be found at the entrance to the Fort Steele Heritage
Village North of Cranbrook.
In 1901 the Fort Steele Brewery relocated to Fernie. In 1910 it
became known as the Fernie/Fort Steele brewery. The Fernie/Fort Steele
brewery was one of 4 mountain breweries brewing beer in the Kootenays.
Breweries in Cranbrook, Nelson and Trail were also active.
Late in the 1950's these four breweries were combined under one name
known as Interior Breweries. In 1957 Interior Breweries decided it wanted to
brew its fine quality beers from one location - Creston. Creston had an
excellent water source and was central to their geographical market
In 1959-60 Interior Breweries started producing their beers from
the newly built brewery in Creston and in 1965 Interior Breweries changes
their name to Columbia Brewery.
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