Gary Lohin, Brewmaster/Partner at Central City Brewers and Distillers

Published by Leonardo Calcagno

Who are you and your current job?

Gary Lohin, Brewmaster/Partner at Central City Brewers and Distillers

What was the inspiration behind your brewery?

I started brewing because I couldn’t find a beer to drink that I was passionate about. Our new facility is designed to push the levels of Craft brewing, where we are unencumbered in making any style of beer, whether it’s a Pilsner or a 2yr old barrel aged Sour. We also have a passion for whiskey and have integrated a distillery within our brewery too.

Can you give us a tour of your beer scene?

Our beer scene is very vibrant here in BC. It’s certainly the most competitive in the country, and if you don’t make good beer, you won’t survive as a brewery. There are approximately 130 breweries in BC and amongst them brewers who’ve medaled at the World Beer Cup, which is the most prestigious competition in the world for beer.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to start a brewery?

For anyone that is looking to start a brewery, you should have passion and be in it for the long haul. You won’t get rich because the craft beer scene is hot right now. What’s your business going to do when the market cools, and it will!