Tourism Smithers

We had the pleasure of sitting down with Cam McKeigan, the Head Brewer behind Smithers Brewing Company's success, to learn about his journey and what this award means to him and the team. Cam's story is one of passion turned profession. What started as a curiosity inspired by his father's early homebrewing and a fascination with the craft beer scenes in Victoria and Vancouver quickly blossomed into a full-fledged obsession. “I was obsessively homebrewing,” he shares, “I brewed just over 300 batches in my tiny apartment.” Brews of varying calibers that he’d then get to testing with friends. "Drain the swamp" parties, he called them, just to clear out the cellar and make room for the next experiment.

"Within six months of my first homebrew, I was hired on by the crew at Wheelhouse Brewing in Prince Rupert," Cam shares, a testament to his rapid learning and infectious enthusiasm. His time at Wheelhouse was crucial, giving him hands-on experience and a taste of the professional brewing world. But Cam had a bigger dream. He wanted his own brewery.
 
This dream led him to the beautiful mountain town of Smithers, where he met up with Blaine and Adin, who brought the business acumen to Cam's brewing expertise. Together, along with Sashca and Jeremy, they founded Smithers Brewing Company. It's a familiar story of collaboration and shared vision that resonates throughout the community. "We discussed the vision of what our ideal brewery would look like, and it looked startlingly like Smithers Brewing Company," Cam says with a smile.

Winning "Brewery of the Year" is a monumental achievement, and it's one Cam doesn't take lightly. "It does feel pretty surreal," he confesses. While immensely honored, he also experiences a touch of imposter syndrome, knowing the caliber of other brewers across Canada. Yet, his meticulous, scientific approach to brewing undoubtedly played a significant role in their success. He also emphasized that the achievement is a team effort with support from his partners Blaine, Adin, Jeremy and Sashca, and key staff members Deb, Sarah, and Matt. "It takes a lot of great people to make a brewery go," he says.

Beyond the awards, Cam's passion remains rooted in the craft. "We have always prioritized making great beer," he states firmly. Their rotating menu and diverse selection reflect this dedication, from staples like lagers and pale ales to unique seasonal brews. And it's not just about brewing; it's about being part of the Northern BC brewing community, a close-knit and supportive network. "Our neighbouring brewers up here in the North are very good at what they do. Everybody's so supportive of one another" Cameron praises. Collaboration brews between Northern breweries have become a favourite, a way to learn from each other and celebrate their collective passion.

For those visiting Smithers for the first time, Cam has plenty to recommend. "If you like doing outdoor things, this is a great little hub for that," he suggests, highlighting the town's year-round appeal for activities like mountain biking, fishing, hiking, and snow sports. Smithers itself is a "quaint little mountain town" with a vibrant arts and music scene. He also emphasized the blend of industry and Swiss mountain town aesthetics and the friendly community. And of course, a visit to Smither's Brewing Company is a must, where you can taste the award-winning beers and experience the warm hospitality firsthand.

As our time with Cameron comes to an end, I thank him for making great beer and for everything he and his team are adding to the Smithers community.

“Oh, thanks, man. I really appreciate that. I'm glad we're here, too. I wouldn't want to be anywhere else.”