Biggest breweries in the Kootenays
Fernie Brewing Company's First Trax beer sitting along side Wild Horse Creek. — Keith Powell photo.
Business in Vancouver newspaper recently published a list of the biggest breweries and beer distributors in B.C. A number of Kootenay beer makers appeared on the list, lead of course by Labatt Breweries makers of Kokanee beer. Molson is B.C.'s biggest brewer with sales at $268 million.
The sales figures below are based on sales to the BC Liquor Distribution Branch for year ending March 31, 2013 (except Fernie is for 2012)
| Ranking on list | Name | Location | Sales |
| #2 | Labatt's Breweries of Canada | Creston | $ 246 million |
| #17 | Nelson Brewing Co. | Nelson | $ 2.4 million |
| #20 | Mt. Begbie Brewing Co. | Revelstoke | $ 1.7 million |
| not on list | Fernie Brewing Co. | Fernie | $ 1.1 million* |
*2013 not available
Arrowhead Brewing Company of Invermere did not appear on the BC Liquor Distribution Branch's schedule of payments to suppliers. Though small the Kootenay craft beer industry is growing and has garnered a number of awards in brewing festivals and shows.
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