Find out what’s brewing in Rossland

Going from humble beginnings to a beloved hangout, Rossland Beer Co. proves good beer and good company never go out of style

by Danielle Brost — March 09, 2026

What started as a simple venture is now a popular West Kootenay staple. — Photos courtesy of Rossland Beer Company

In a mountain town known for powder days, bike trails and tight-knit community spirit, Rossland Beer Company has carved out its own place in the Kootenay craft beer scene. What began as a small U-brew operation down the hill in Trail has grown into a beloved gathering place where locals and visitors come together over well-crafted beer and easy conversation.

Co-owner Petri Raito says the brewery has always been about more than trends or gimmicks. Built on friendship, a passion for brewing and a deep connection to Rossland itself, the brewery focuses on quality, consistency and creating a space where people can unplug, share stories and enjoy the moment. We spoke with Raito about how the brewery got its start, what makes Rossland Beer Co. unique, and why community remains at the heart of everything they do.

For readers who may not know you yet, can you tell us who you are and your role at Rossland Beer Co.?

My name is Petri Raito. I am lucky enough to be one of the owners. There are two of us: my business partner and friend Ryan Arnaud, who is the man who makes all the delicious beer. I take care of the other side, so to speak.

What inspired the creation of Rossland Beer Co., and how did the brewery get its start?

Ryan and I grew up together and after travelling and working we sort of circled back and ended up where we both wanted a life change.

We started splitting costs on some fancy brewing equipment for home and it kind of spun out of control. We had dreams and ideas that felt like they were getting closer and closer. So, in a nutshell, we wanted to go into business together and share the risk financially. We were in it together if it busted.

We bootstrapped and started as small as possible, but we found a market. We were one of the first breweries in our area except for Nelson Brewing Company, who we have always admired for their longevity and respect for how hard it is to start a brewery in a community where it’s new—or in our case, where there were many breweries almost 100 years ago.

Starting was extremely hard. We had to change zoning bylaws for manufacturing in the downtown core, deal with capacity issues and install tanks into a very small space. There have been many roadblocks along the way, but we are proud of what we have become.

How would you describe your brewing philosophy?

Our philosophy is simple: make the best beer we can. We focus on fermentation, water chemistry and freshness more than gimmicks. We don’t chase trends and are more into making beers people want a second and third of after a day of skiing or biking.

Are there any flagship or fan-favourite beers you’re especially proud of?

We don’t really have a favourite. We’re proud of all of our beers. If they don’t pass the taste test, down the drain they go.

Most beers have small changes for each brew to try to improve the quality.

What makes Rossland Beer Co. unique within the Kootenay craft beer scene?

You just have to see it to know. Besides the big stacked tanks that shine at you, it’s almost a campfire vibe that is hard to explain. We’re proud that people aren’t on their phones and that there’s a great balance of locals and visitors.
We don’t have lots of distractions at the brewery and we don’t have sit-down food options. (We do have a killer local salsa and chips though.) We encourage folks to bring in local food options.

The difference with our place is that we aren’t known for anything besides our beer and “the vibe.” It’s something you can’t copy. Being unique is kind of the one thing we are known for.

How does being based in Rossland influence your brand, culture or community connections?

Being in Rossland is silly fun. The friends we have here are what make it all work. The guests who come to visit are fun and new, but the locals are what keep our business running. The town is made up of a wicked cast of characters who are simply awesome. The culture of Rossland is something you have to experience.

We believe in the outdoors and we believe we should be outside as much as possible—but we also believe in getting together and enjoying our surroundings together. The saying “how lucky are we?” is real and used often.

What’s one thing customers might not realize goes into running a brewery?

For the brewing side of the business, people wouldn’t know how much cleaning is involved. It’s 90 per cent of brewing. Cleaning kegs, tanks, random parts and floors has to be done before any brewing starts.

What’s next for Rossland Beer Company?

We will dream big as always and try to be involved with our community as much as possible. But being in our 14th year we know that times—and months—get tough and margins get smaller and smaller. The industry has taken its lumps the last few years.

But we are still standing and proud. We believe a small, unique community brewery like ours has a place. Go support local owners and local small businesses who care about their community.

I would also like to finish by saying how proud we are of our team at the brewery. They encompass what the brewery is all about. People say “good vibes” when they talk about our brewery—and that starts with them.