Courtenay man Dave Brimacombe may have left the military, but he still has military spirit.

After leaving the Canadian Forces, Brimacombe and his wife started Wayward Distillation House in Courtenay, B.C. with employees that are all ex-military or military spouses.

"There are a lot of differences between how career military do things and how the civilian does it," he told All Points West host Robyn Burns.

"We build a sense of community in the military that usually isn't replicated in casual employment on the civilian side. So everyone who works with us, we spent so much time developing real relationships with them and it makes it so much easier to operate together."

Wayward has been in operation for the last two years and was possible because of skills Brimacombe learned through Prince's Operation Entrepreneur, a program that helps veterans learn entrepreneurial skills.

His business produces artisan spirits made from fermented mead, a wine made from honey. The company says its honey comes from B.C. producers.

Brimacombe says the opportunity to help fellow veterans and their spouses — who often have a hard time finding work because they may need to change bases with their military partners — has been "absolutely amazing."

"I like to say I spent 15 years getting paid by the people. Now I make booze for the people," he said. "It's really, really rewarding, making something with your hands, crafting, creating something, that maybe people don't need, but they appreciate and want."

With files from CBC Radio One's All Points West

To hear the full story, click the audio labelled: Welcome to the Courtenay distillery staffed entirely by ex-military, military spouses