If you want to quench your thirst on a warm spring afternoon, you can now try an award-winning beer at either of Comox鈥檚 two breweries.

Land & Sea Brewing Company, and RAD Brewing Company, were recently recognized for their work at the 2024 Canadian Brewing Awards, held in Hamilton, Ont., on May 23-25.

Welcoming 800 competing breweries across the country this year, a panel of beer judges awarded medals to the best beers in 61 style categories.

Among them was Land & Sea鈥檚 Glacier Cream Ale and Portside American Pale Ale, which won gold and silver respectively, while RAD clinched bronze for its American Style India Pale Ale.

鈥淚t鈥檚 such an honour鈥�

Tessa Gabiniewicz began brewing professionally in 2009 at the Nelson Brewing Company. Over the years, she worked at several well-renowned brewhouses across the province, gaining invaluable experience.

Eventually, she settled down in Comox, becoming Land and Sea鈥檚 head brewer when it opened its doors in 2018.

Along with her assistant brewer, Levon Oslen, she is proud to be recognized by the beer industry for her work.

鈥淚t鈥檚 such an honour, honestly,鈥� Gabiniewicz said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 something that I鈥檝e been working hard towards my whole career and I鈥檓 proud of both of those beers.

鈥淚 think it represents all the hard work, perseverance and dedication that we put in and I hope that鈥檚 what it reflects. We strive for quality and we are always working to the best of our abilities, solving problems, and trying to better ourselves and our recipes.鈥�

Known as one of their flagship beers, Gabiniewicz developed the gold-winning cream ale in the early days of Land & Sea, with the Comox Valley in mind.

鈥淭he Glacier Cream Ale was kind of my ode to the Lucky Lager crowd here on the Island. I knew that if I came in with big bold flavours, it would be a tougher sell,鈥� said Gabiniewicz. 鈥淚 wanted this cream ale to be a gateway beer. It鈥檚 not quite a lager because it has more character than most lagers would, but it鈥檚 still really easy to drink. It鈥檚 clean, crisp and crushable and I think this cream ale is a perfect example of that.鈥�

Shortly after developing this blonde beer, Gabiniewicz created a brew with a little more kick. That鈥檚 when the Portside Pale Ale was born.

鈥淚 wanted to make something that drank like an old-school West Coast IPA but at a lower (alcohol level) so something more approachable,鈥� Gabiniewicz said. 鈥淚t has a base of two-row malt with hops that have a citrus and pine-forward taste, but also have some sort of juicier tangerine notes behind it鈥� which kind of balances out the flavours and gives a little bit more perceived sweetness. It鈥檚 light and refreshing, but still medium-bodied.鈥�

Gabiniewicz said she and Olsen strive to make the best possible beers.

鈥淲e鈥檙e always putting out stuff that tests our ability to challenge us as brewers,鈥� Gabiniewicz said. 鈥淏ut we鈥檙e also brewing things that we鈥檙e proud of and like. We鈥檙e not brewing beers to win awards, we鈥檙e just brewing beers that we love.鈥�

鈥淲e鈥檙e very grateful鈥�

Similar to Gabiniewicz, RAD鈥檚 head brewer, Tyler Papp, has worked at numerous breweries throughout across Western Canada before landing in Comox.

Alongside RAD鈥檚 co-owner Chris Morrison, Papp was proud to receive the bronze for his American Style IPA - one of the event鈥檚 most competitive style categories.

鈥淚t鈥檚 always great to win anything, especially at a national level, with so many great breweries out there鈥� and we鈥檙e very grateful for that,鈥� said Papp. 鈥淚t means a lot to bring something back to the Valley and I feel like (this award) gets us on the map a bit more and helps sales.鈥�

With more than two decades of experience in the industry, the award-winning brewer skillfully crafted this seven-per-cent beer based on the knowledge he acquired over the years.

鈥淚t鈥檚 definitely a bit more piney, citrusy, and resinous, with a little bit of caramel malt,鈥� Papp explained. 鈥淚t has a slight sweetness but it finishes dry and I feel it鈥檚 got a high drinkability, even if it鈥檚 a beer with a higher alcohol level. You can have a couple and still be wanting it.鈥�

Having opened their doors in July 2023, Morrison and Papp, with less than a year of operation, believe this award is a testament to their dedication and hard work.

鈥淚n the last few years, it鈥檚 been difficult for a lot of brewers to make it work in terms of the business model coming out of COVID, which hit people pretty hard,鈥� said Morrison. 鈥淭here鈥檚 also a huge competition on the shelves right now so that鈥檚 why (we want to) keep it local to keep costs of distribution low and (stay here) in the Valley and Campbell River.鈥�

鈥淚t鈥檚 all about quality, not quantity; that鈥檚 kind of our motto here,鈥� Papp added.

To try these award-winning beers, visit Land & Sea located at 2040 Guthrie Rd. and RAD at 215 Port Augusta St.

The beers are also sold in some of the Valley鈥檚 liquor stores and restaurants. For more information about the two breweries, visit landandseabrewing.ca and radbrewco.com

To see the full 2024 Canadian Brewing Award winners鈥� list, visit canadianbrewingawards.com

NEWSLETTER: Sign up for local news updates to your email