Four breweries from Fernie, Nelson, Revelstoke and Golden have combined forces to create a new beer for the winter season and to help bring awareness to Avalanche Canada.

Four Kootenay breweries are set to release a collaborative brew called Powder Hwy Dark Saison with the intent of bringing awareness to Avalanche Canada and all the important work it does in the region. The breweries involved are Fernie Brewing Company, Nelson Brewing Co., Mt. Begbie Brewing Co. in Revelstoke and Whitetooth Brewing Co. in Golden and the beer will be launched in their tasting rooms on November 28th.

The Kootenay Breweries came up with the idea to partner together to highlight the creative and collaborative nature of the craft brewing industry and to celebrate the start of the winter season. In late October, brewers from the four companies combined forces to brew their first-ever collaborative beer. The Powder Hwy Dark Saison was brewed with seven specialty malts, including naked oats and smoked malt along with European hops. The addition of cranberries results in a dark and dry Saison with a touch of smoke and a tart kick.

As all four breweries are located in BC’s Rocky Mountain playground, known as the Powder Highway, they felt the brew was a fitting way to kick off the ski season, and to bring awareness to Avalanche Canada. “Being located along the Powder Highway, we’re all big fans of winter and what better time to launch a beer than the start of ski season?” says Lenka Hawrys, communications manager for Fernie Brewing Company. “We also wanted to bring awareness to the important work that Avalanche Canada does in our region. Their fieldwork and resulting avalanche bulletins keep us safe and we are really happy to support them.”

A ‘text-to-donate’ option on every can promotes donations to Avalanche Canada. The breweries also designed a custom Limited-Edition Powder Hwy ski sock and five dollars from the sale of each pair goes to Avalanche Canada. The custom socks are available for purchase at all four participating breweries.

Hawrys says Avalanche Canada’s South Rockies Field Team is also FBC’s current “Cheers to Charity” recipient and all profits from each Sample Flight sold in the FBC Tasting Room goes towards a charitable organization. Avalanche Canada South Rockies Field Team will receive all profits from Cheers to Charity until December 30th.

“We very much appreciate this terrific show of local support from all along the Powder Highway,” says Gilles Valade, Executive Director of Avalanche Canada. “These are our home mountains and we’re very grateful for the work and generosity of these four great breweries.”

Powder Hwy is available in 473-millilitre four-packs in limited quantities throughout British Columbia at select liquor stores. You can also find Powder Hwy on tap at select bars across the province. Powder Hwy launches in the FBC Tasting Room and the participating breweries on Thursday November 28th, in celebration of the winter season. Limited edition Powder Hwy ski socks are available at all four participating breweries. If you would like to text-to-donate to Avalanche Canada please text AVCAN to 20222 to donate $10. The four Breweries are all part of the BC Ale Trail, along the Kootenay Rockies East & Kootenay Rockies West Trails.