Need a reason to crack a beer? This new beverage pack not only offers exclusive brews, but money from every sale goes towards helping B.C.’s beautiful southern resident killer whales.
Vancouver Island Brewing has launched a special edition Pod Pack in support of the Pacific Salmon Foundation. The federally incorporated non-profit charitable organization is dedicated to the conservation and restoration of wild Pacific salmon, which is a vital food source for killer whales.
A killer whale and her calf are shown in a recent handout photo from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Pacific Twitter feed. Researchers with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans are cheering after spotting all three pods that make up the endangered southern resident killer whale population. THE CANADIAN PRESS / HO-Twitter, @DFO_Pacific
The pack was created through collaboration with four other local breweries on the island. Twin City Brewing, Isle Sauvage Brewing, Land and Sea Brewing and White Sails Brewing all took part to help.
One dollar from every Pod Pack sold will go towards the cause.
Chris Bjerrisgaard, Vancouver Island brewing marketing director, says through this product and other initiatives the brewery hopes to raise $20,000 for the organization.
Bjerrisgaard says the brewery launched the product for a number of reasons — both environmental and community based.
“One, is that our logo is a southern resident killer whale and we wanted to be able to make sure we’re supporting them and doing what we can to sustain them so they can continue to exist well into the future,” he told Vancouver is Awesome.
The killer whale has been the logo of the brewery since it opened in 1984.
“The orca just really represents Vancouver Island as a whole – in how they exist in communities, are friendly and work together in large groups,” says Bjerrisgaard.
“It’s probably the most iconic animal for the island itself; it’s very specific to the coast of British Columbia.”
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He says a big part of the project was also creating a system to connect with other smaller breweries on the island.
“We wanted to do something fun, push our limits and see what kind of innovative products we could make within the craft beer community,” says Bjerrisgaard.
The Pod Pack is made up of four unique beers. The name of each individual brew is the namesake of one of the southern resident killer whales.
Here’s what to expect:
One Twenty Three West (123w) created and designed the Pod Pack; Great Little Box Company custom printed the packaging. Photo Vancouver Island Brewing
- Ocean Sun by White Sails Brewing – Nanaimo, B.C., a Double IPA, 8.0% ABV
- Rainshadow by Twin City Brewing – Port Alberni, B.C., a Blackberry-Raspberry Sour, 5.5% ABV
- Mystic by Îsle Sauvage Brewing – Victoria, B.C., a Dry Hopped Sour, 5.0% ABV
- Deadhead by Land and Sea Brewing – Comox, B.C., a Hazy Session IPA, 4.5% ABV.
Without question, Bjerrisgaard says the brewery will make the limited edition packs an annual product.
One Twenty Three West (123w) created and designed the Pod Pack; Great Little Box Company custom printed the packaging. Photo Vancouver Island Brewing
The Pod Pack is now available at Vancouver liquor stores. With a box designed to look like a killer whale, you won’t miss it.
