Kody Rosentreter was announced today as the head brewer for soon to be open North Basin Brewing Co. in Osoyoos. (Photo submitted)
Sophie Gray
Local Journalism Initiative
North Basin Brewing Co. announced today that Kody Rosentreter will be heading up the brewing team when the new Osoyoos craft beer establishment opens next fall.
Set to be the only craft brewery in town, owner Wes Greve said they are super excited to bring the young Alberta brewer on board to brew some staple, small batch beers for the community.
“I’m leaving that up to my brewer, but we’re definitely going to have all your traditional IPA, pale ale, pilsner, kolsch. I think he does a blonde and stout as well. The whole kit and kaboodle,” said Greve.
If all goes to plan, Greve hopes to have the doors open in September, if not earlier. The 50-person taproom will have patio space, as well as capacity for brewing a number of small batch, seasonal brews. Greve said they plan on keeping the production small, producing beer only for the taproom.
“I’m not going to distribute at all,” said the owner. “Maybe once in a while if the Owl or the Sage want a keg then I can roll one down the street for them but it’s not a big priority to distribute. We just want to keep it all in the tap room so if you want our beer you gotta come and see us.”
The idea, said Greve, is to appeal to the locals while also providing somewhere for families staying in town to hand out.
“I think with all the wine in the region it’s a great option for the dads and everyone who’s at the Watermark and what not,” he said. “Say the moms go out and wine tour then the dads can come in with the kids and still have a beer, hang out.”
Rosentreter is excited about the new space and concept.
“It’s a really good concept right now. I think the way the brewing industry is going it’s going to be definitely focused on the small, intimate taproom focused breweries and that’s where Wes and Catherine are headed
He likes to brew beer that’s approachable and that people like to drink, which both Greve and Rosentreter think will appeal to the local community during the winter.
“You go to some craft breweries and they’ve got like triple IPAs and really unapproachable beers for most people,” said Rosentreter. “I like it when people drink my beer and to be able to have one or two of them I think is a mark of a good beer in a taproom.”
Although Rosentreter does like to experiment once in a while. He said he does like to throw in the odd heavy beer or beer you wouldn’t see anywhere else. He said this is what drew him to the small Osoyoos brewery, along with the weather and the fruit in the region.
“Wes was talking about how there’s cherry festivals and peach festivals and stuff like that so to be able to do a couple of beers for those, one or two times a year, would be good.”
Rosentreter will be making the move to the new brewery in the summer if all goes as planned, just in time to help set up the brewing equipment. Bringing experience as head brewer at a small Sylvan Lake, Alta. brewery where he was hired before opening, Rosentreter is confident he’s got the knowledge to get North Basin Brewing up and running and can’t wait to trade in the Alberta winters for Osoyoos ones.
Wes Greve is one of the owners of North Basin Brewing Co. Together with wife Catherine Greve, he’ll be opening North Basin Brewing Co. in September. (Photo submitted)
