Stanley Park Brewery
by Jake Maracic
Situated in the west end of Vancouver is historic Stanley Park. The park has a rich history of use over centuries however, the city of Vancouver has changed much over time and Stanley Park has evolved with these changes. The Klondike Gold Rush of 1897-1898 fueled both individual’s desire of wealth and also the British Columbia economy. For more information on the gold rush visit Jacqueline’s page http://vancouvertraces.weebly.com/hbc-1849-brigade-trail.html. The local ports flourished during these few years, so much so, that others began to take notice of the growing British Columbia economy. This allowed the city to grow and also encouraged new business ventures such as breweries within the city. It is during these years of growing prosperity that The Stanley Park Brewery began brewing within the park itself. Much has changed in the park since 1897-the brewery’s conception- yet the brand remains intact, a testament to local heritage and history.
Stanley Park is classic piece of Vancouver heritage that likely has not gone unvisited by a local grade school class in ages. It offers a stretch of nature within a bustling city environment. It however, was formerly much less urban and much more “natural”. As seen on this map from 1893 we can see that Vancouver is already a fairly large city, however Stanley park is essentially an outskirt with minimal development aside from: A bridge leading to the zoological gardens and recreation area. Also, a single, small development sits in front of the park, this appears to be the original location of the Stanley Park Brewery. This hypothesis is validated by information retrieved from this archival record which states that the original location of the brewery was on the “foot of Georgia Street West on ‘Park Drive’ now called ‘Lagoon Drive’” which would place it exactly where this development was located. This is where the Stanley Park Brewery was located for several years however, by 1911 the drive of tourism clearly was not enough to sustain Vancouver’s brewers and many sought work elsewhere or closed, the latter was the fate of The Stanley Park Brewery.
The cited archival documents are primarily of a conversation with Stanley Park Brewery owner (one of three) John Benson, and local historian J.S. Matthews. In which Benson explains many details of the brewery’s history. It operated within a house that was built prior to 1889 for George Grant Mackay. This house was not used as a brewery until “sometime between March 1896 and September 1897” and “The Royal Brewing Co. took it over January 20th 1902”. The property was leased from Frank Foubert, and eventually his wife after his death. Interestingly Benson says that the brewery “got [their] water from the city water pipes” meaning that although development was sparse in the area they were still connected to the city system. Benson outlines his fellow brewery owners of the as “Frank Robertson, Fenwick Smith”. Within the same archival record is a small excerpt from The Province newspaper from January 20th 1902 (the date that The Royal Brewing Co. succeeded Stanley Park Brewery operations) saying “Royal Brewing Co. has taken possession of a small brewery at Cedar Cottage, and will make a speciality of brewing a heavy English ale” which would have been served cold by the glass at Brockton point, attracting the many sports teams who occupied the area. Benson closes by saying that “In the end, the city took [the property], and we had to move; exappropriated it or something; we got notice to move and brewery ceased.” Benson’s statement outlines the end of the brewery in 1911.
The Stanley Park Brewery indeed did close its doors in 1911, however its products are still available in an overwhelming amount of liquor stores today, how is this possible? The brewery was re-launched under the Mark Anthony Group portfolio who chose to maintain the breweries namesake in order to highlight its historical nature. The brewery continues to produce beers, certainly in a similar style to its previous operation. According to the official Stanley Park Brewery website it was a Belgian brewmaster who originally founded and commanded the brewery during its brief period of operation, this is paid homage to with the modern brewery’s focus upon a “Belgian style” ale. Sadly the resemblance to the previous operation ends there, as the modern brewery is no longer located within Stanley Park. Under the new branding the brewery is now located 32km from its original location in Delta British Columbia. The change of location could have arisen for a number of reasons however, a clear shift towards environment integrity; that it is to say a lack of commercial enterprises upon park grounds is a likely explanation and cause for the city to have forced the move. The following figures are a view from approximately the breweries original location.
Stanley Park is classic piece of Vancouver heritage that likely has not gone unvisited by a local grade school class in ages. It offers a stretch of nature within a bustling city environment. It however, was formerly much less urban and much more “natural”. As seen on this map from 1893 we can see that Vancouver is already a fairly large city, however Stanley park is essentially an outskirt with minimal development aside from: A bridge leading to the zoological gardens and recreation area. Also, a single, small development sits in front of the park, this appears to be the original location of the Stanley Park Brewery. This hypothesis is validated by information retrieved from this archival record which states that the original location of the brewery was on the “foot of Georgia Street West on ‘Park Drive’ now called ‘Lagoon Drive’” which would place it exactly where this development was located. This is where the Stanley Park Brewery was located for several years however, by 1911 the drive of tourism clearly was not enough to sustain Vancouver’s brewers and many sought work elsewhere or closed, the latter was the fate of The Stanley Park Brewery.
The cited archival documents are primarily of a conversation with Stanley Park Brewery owner (one of three) John Benson, and local historian J.S. Matthews. In which Benson explains many details of the brewery’s history. It operated within a house that was built prior to 1889 for George Grant Mackay. This house was not used as a brewery until “sometime between March 1896 and September 1897” and “The Royal Brewing Co. took it over January 20th 1902”. The property was leased from Frank Foubert, and eventually his wife after his death. Interestingly Benson says that the brewery “got [their] water from the city water pipes” meaning that although development was sparse in the area they were still connected to the city system. Benson outlines his fellow brewery owners of the as “Frank Robertson, Fenwick Smith”. Within the same archival record is a small excerpt from The Province newspaper from January 20th 1902 (the date that The Royal Brewing Co. succeeded Stanley Park Brewery operations) saying “Royal Brewing Co. has taken possession of a small brewery at Cedar Cottage, and will make a speciality of brewing a heavy English ale” which would have been served cold by the glass at Brockton point, attracting the many sports teams who occupied the area. Benson closes by saying that “In the end, the city took [the property], and we had to move; exappropriated it or something; we got notice to move and brewery ceased.” Benson’s statement outlines the end of the brewery in 1911.
The Stanley Park Brewery indeed did close its doors in 1911, however its products are still available in an overwhelming amount of liquor stores today, how is this possible? The brewery was re-launched under the Mark Anthony Group portfolio who chose to maintain the breweries namesake in order to highlight its historical nature. The brewery continues to produce beers, certainly in a similar style to its previous operation. According to the official Stanley Park Brewery website it was a Belgian brewmaster who originally founded and commanded the brewery during its brief period of operation, this is paid homage to with the modern brewery’s focus upon a “Belgian style” ale. Sadly the resemblance to the previous operation ends there, as the modern brewery is no longer located within Stanley Park. Under the new branding the brewery is now located 32km from its original location in Delta British Columbia. The change of location could have arisen for a number of reasons however, a clear shift towards environment integrity; that it is to say a lack of commercial enterprises upon park grounds is a likely explanation and cause for the city to have forced the move. The following figures are a view from approximately the breweries original location.
This is an incredibly popular area of Vancouver with many residents and tourists flocking to there on a daily basis. There is however, no mention of the brewery’s existence that I could find anywhere in the area. I find the lack of acknowledgement towards this early form of industry within this area of Vancouver to be unfortunate. I believe residents and tourists would be interested in the historical use of this area, even the modern Stanley Park Brewery brand should be interested in highlighting its historic past. Little is known of this brewery’s brief existence however, it clearly played an important role in a unique and emerging area of early Vancouver. Its products can still be enjoyed today, although they are no longer produced within Stanley Park.
Those interested in learning more about this area and topic should consider:
Stanley Park's Secret: The Forgotten Families of Whoi Whoi, Kanaka Ranch, and Brockton Point
The Economics of Beer
B.C.’s Pioneer Brewers
Brewed in Canada: The Untold Story of Canada's 300-Year-Old Brewing Industry
For a plethora of historic images this article Beer in Vancouver is an excellent source.
The Economics of Beer
B.C.’s Pioneer Brewers
Brewed in Canada: The Untold Story of Canada's 300-Year-Old Brewing Industry
For a plethora of historic images this article Beer in Vancouver is an excellent source.