Beer lovers wanting to visit North Vancouver’s newest brewery will likely have more opportunities to do so.
On July 8, district council voted to support additional capacity and operating hours at Beva Brewing & Blending, which opened last December in the Norgate neighbourhood.
If rubber stamped by the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch, the brewery’s capacity will be expanded from 70 to 100 patrons and staff. Likewise, business hours would extend by around one to two hours each day: Monday to Thursday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Friday, 11 a.m. to 11: 45 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 11:45 p.m.
Staff recommended council pass the amendment to Beva’s licence, stating that the proposal had received public support and would contribute to a vibrant commercial street as well as the broader community.
Before voting unanimously in support of the proposal, councillors bubbled over with praise for the fledgling business.
As the capacity expansion mostly related to an exterior patio, Coun. Lisa Muri commented on a rendering of the fencing around it.
“I think this is a good example of the kind of fencing that is appropriate throughout the municipality, and I would hope staff takes that into consideration when we look at other village and town centre areas,” she said.
In addition to Beva opening in the Norgate area, Coun. Jordan Back noted that Bridge Brewing is building another brewery location and lounge nearby.
“I think there’s an opportunity in this area to create a destination for breweries,” he said. “It’s already an interesting mix of businesses that are down in this part of the district, so it’s great to see that this is doing well.”
Sitting as the acting mayor at the meeting, Coun. Herman Mah said he’d visited Beva a few times since it opened.
The new brewery has a laid back, friendly atmosphere that’s also welcoming to families, he said.
“I did take opportunity this weekend to speak with some of the other business owners, especially the one right next door at North Shore Sports Swap, and they had nothing but praise for the professionalism and the operation done by [co-owner Graham Elliott] and his partners,” Mah said. “So I am happy to support this.”
