From Hobby Brewers to Brewmasters: Success at the Woodyard Pub & NWT Brewing Co.

NWT Brewing Co. – and the adjoining restaurant, the Woodyard, is the brainchild of university sweethearts and business partners, Fletcher and Miranda Stevens. It all started with Fletcher’s quest for cheaper beer. Then, when Miranda gave him a special Christmas gift – a home brewing kit, their fate was sealed. “I was fascinated by all the factors that can affect beer and did a lot of research – and practice – on what makes the perfect brew,” Fletcher says. “We served my homebrew at our wedding in 2012 and people loved it and said we should start a brewery. I wasn’t happy at my job and I loved making beer so it started from there.” 

Miranda also saw the need in town for a niche restaurant. Having worked in the service industry for 15 years, she knew an opportunity when she saw one. While her original dream was to run a little café, after some persuading from Fletcher they decided to marry the two ideas and the NWT Brewing Co. was born. The Woodyard pub opened in November 2015, and NWT Brewing Co. served the first home brew on New Year’s Eve. It was such a hit thirsty patrons drank the taps dry. “It’s a real sense of accomplishment. When we first poured our own brews this past New Year’s Eve it was both satisfying, gut-wrenching and a huge sense of relief that we’d finally done it,” says Fletcher. “We showed people we could put our beer where our mouth is, so to speak.” 

They experienced several challenges prior to pouring that first pint, many to do with the fact regulation, taxation, licensing and inspections for a microbrewery were mostly foreign to the Northwest Territories. But they were undeterred. “During some difficult times prior to opening, we kept thinking about what a great space it was going to be and now it feels good when we hear people laughing and enjoying what they’re drinking, in this space that we’ve worked so hard to create,” Miranda adds.  They have not only managed to keep bar stools packed since opening day, they have also put Yellowknife, NWT on the microbrew map. They’ve been recognized nationally for their excellent brews – most recently, in May, their Kicksled Cream Ale won a bronze at the Canadian Brewing Awards. If all goes well in the next year or so, clientele-favourite brews such as Ragged Pine pale ale will be on tap in local pubs and six-pack cans will be available for sale. 

“This whole thing has totally gone beyond our expectations and we are happy to have taken this risk and built this business, together,” says Miranda.  YKCI

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