From vancouverisawesome.com
'It's been a long time for us to find a place that worked.'
The guys behind Humblebee are eager to welcome folks to their new place.
"We're both pretty excited. I feel like it's been a long time for us to find a place that worked," says Pierre Vacheresse, who co-founded Humblebee with Jeff Gillham.
The new Humblebee space has experience as a tasting room. They're moving into 1830 Powell St. That was the home of Slow Hand Beer Company before they moved to Threefold just a couple of blocks away.
Slow Hand has actually "been super helpful" getting Humblebee set up in their new space, Vacheresse says.
The new tasting room will take advantage of the wood panelling of the space to create a cosy vibe, he adds, with the goal of making a space that feels like a familiar, friendly basement to hang out in.
"We're super excited to bring in something we're proud of and really captures what we want to put out there," says Vacheresse.
He notes the space is ideal for drinks at the end of the work week or for the weekend, with flights and glasses on the menu.
It's mead but brewed more like beer, founders say
On tap will be Humblebee's meads (which are brewed as braggots), like The Bee's Knees or Monkberry Moon Delight. They're bringing back one of their signature brews right now, too. Champion of the Sun, which includes orange and saffron, is coming, but only temporarily due to the war in Iran.
"This will probably be the last batch of it for a little while," Vacheresse says. "The price of saffron has skyrocketed."
Slow Hand beer is also on tap. Snacks are available, and a food program will follow later this spring or summer.
The tasting room will also operate as a retail location for anyone seeking cans of Humblebee.
Humblebee's mead is brewed as a braggot, which isn't like the typical honey wines people might think of.
"What Jeff and I decided to do is brew it more like a beer," says Vacheresse.
They keep the alcohol levels low (five per cent), use ale yeast, and integrate a gluten-free beer (all their drinks are gluten-free).
The grand opening for Humblebee is April 30 at 4 p.m. The tasting room is located at 1830 Powell St. near Victoria Drive.
It's open Thursdays and Fridays from 4 to 10 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from 2 to 10 p.m.
https://www.vancouverisawesome.com/food-and-drink/vancouver-mead-open-new-tasting-room-12219702
