• Behind the wheel
  • Mission
  • Meet the team
 

Behind the wheel

Wheelhouse Brewing Company is the vision of three friends who fell in love with a remote North Coast town. Established in 2013 in Prince Rupert, BC, Canada, the Wheelhouse Brewing Company was created to satisfy the demand for great quality, great tasting beer on British Columbia’s North Coast. But more than that, the partners simply love making and sampling varieties of beer and want to share that love with the people they live with. We are about doing something meaningful for the North and Wheelhouse Brewing Company is a way for the partners to give back to the northern community that has given them so much.

Our mission

Our mission is to showcase the vibrant nature of the north coast through quality beer produced locally that represents the people and the historical culture of the Northwest Coast.

The Three founders come from diverse backgrounds: three provinces, multiple degrees, and three supportive families. Along with a great team,
they bring the following stats to their game:

James Witzke

Special skills: Consume All (+3 constitution bonus), Growl of the Dump Bear (+5 persuasion), Rugby Tackle (+3 attack), Viking beard (+3 magic bonus), Party On (James gets final roll).

Craig Outhet

Special skills: Mentat (+5 intelligence with beer), Samsquanch (+3 height and strength), Hoagie (+70% success rate when compiling food, music, or documents), Bureaucrat (+3 Microsoft Office), Crack of the Brew Beast (two extra rounds per turn).

Kent Orton

Special skills: Arcane Lore (+3 wisdom), Japan Current (random valuable item appears), Ranger Zen (+3 defense), Monarchist (+6 dexterity when using any item made in a nation governed by a constitutional monarchy, -1 charisma), Fox of the North Star (+3 speed and agility, +1 luck).

  • Year round
  • Seasonal
  • Small Batch
Our beers
Flagship Pale Ale
Bold, citric, hop-forward, medium-bodied West Coast pale ale with a malty backbone.

5.3% ABV, 38 IBU
Historically, a flagship was the fastest, the biggest and the most heavily armed ship in a fleet. It carried the admiral and his most trusted men. We proudly fly our flag on this West Coast Pale Ale. A fine balance of five different malts and five hop additions, it is fresh and bold with assertive hop aroma and flavour. Worthy of a 21 gun salute.
Gillnetter Golden Ale
Crisp, clean, light-bodied German-style Kolsch Ale with hints of fruit flavours.

4.6% ABV, 20 IBU.
The Gillnet fleet has a long history in the salmon fishery of the North Coast. Over the years the vessels have changed from canoes and row boats to the diesel engines of today. This beer is made as a tribute to those ancient and modern day fishermen who form the backbone of the commercial fishery of the coast. A trustworthy, steadfast and consistent brew that is as gold as the sun setting on a perfect fishing day and as crisp and rejuvenating as the North Coast air.
Blacksmith Brown Ale
Full-bodied, dark brown, sweet and toasty ale with caramel notes. A true British Columbia Brown Ale: malt from the old country and hops from the new world.

6.3% ABV, 54 IBU
Because our original brewery on the harbour was once a blacksmith’s shop this brown ale pays homage to those craftsmen and labourers who did customized work for the ships up and down the coast. A robust and fortifying beer with old-world smoothness and the nose of West Coast hops, it cuts through the cold and damp while pairing well with hearty and fine foods alike.
Kazu Maru IPA
A bold, West Coast India Pale Ale. Citrus and Stone Fruit flavour and aroma from copious amounts of Mosaic & Idaho 7 hops.

6.8% ABV, 75 IBU
The fishing vessel Kazu Maru disappeared from the waters of Owase, Japan in 1985. A year and a half later it was found across the Pacific near Owase’s sister city Prince Rupert. Here it was lovingly restored and honoured. To this day the boat sits in the Mariner's Park in Prince Rupert's historic Cow Bay District.

This bold yet balanced IPA is a salute to those who have fallen in love with the sea, and who have given their life to it. Out of chaos comes beauty.
Foggy Harbour IPA
A North East IPA made with a hefty amount of soft oats and raw wheat. Big tropical flavours and aromas. Uber drinkable with a soft mouthfeel and a restrained bitterness.

6.3%
Brewed to be as Foggy as Prince Rupert Harbour located right outside our brewery doors.
Hunky Dory Hazy White IPA
A tantalizing blend of Belgian, Norwegian and American yeast strains and Citra, Galaxy and Mosaic hops. An opaque pour with fruity, juicy hop aromas and flavours.

6.1% ABV
Sailors on shore leave in Yokohama would inevitably find themselves on "Honcho-dori", a street that housed bars, clubs and other things that make sailors happy. This IPA will also make you happy. Words and language isn't static and Honcho-dori morphed into Hunky Dory. Pour youorself this beer and we promise, everything will be just Hunky Dory.
latissima Gose
Brewed with locally harvested Sugar Kelp (latin name Saccharina latiisima) which lends the beer a salty characteristic. We added lime zest and tangerines to give it a citrus kick. A super summer sipper that pairs well with having another beer.

5%
When the folks from Metlakatla Development Corporation and Ecotrust Canada approached us about using locally grown Sugar Kelp in a beer we did not hesitate. Sugar Kelp is a common algae found in the world’s temperate oceans. It is known to contain at least 30 minerals important to a good diet including potassium, calcium, and iron. This Gose was brewed with Metlakatla grown and harvested Sugar Kelp (latin name Saccharina latissima) and lime zest and tangerine.
Clara Lager - Salted Lime Mexican Lager
A bright, light lager brewed with heaps of flaked maiz for extra crispness. Lime zest and sea salt are added to make it extra crushable.

4.5 %abv
We set out to brew the ultimate summer beer. May we present Clara Lager. Clara is Spanish for a "clear, bright and light" beer. This one is a perfect summer sipper that will surely take you away to those hot days in the Mexican sun and quench those thirsty memories.
All Night Lager
A light pilsner dry hopped with a handful of west coast hops. A golden colour with a little citrus aroma and flavour.

5.2% abv
Well my friends, the time has come. To raise the roof and have some fun. The West Coast Pilsner is here to Party...Karamu...Fiesta...forever. A crisp dry hopped pilsner that is super crushable. So crushable that you could drink it ALL NIGHT LONG (all night).
New Zealand Pilsner
New Zealand hops bring a new world edge to this pale lager with a classic crisp pilsner. Motueka hops bring intense fresh lime zest and tropical fruit flavours. The result is a beer that is full flavoured and highly drinkable.

5.0% ABV
In the early planning stages of Wheelhouse Brewing, one of our founders had made a trip to New Zealand and smuggled some Kiwi brews back into Canada. During one of our late night planning sessions we enjoyed those beers and a real standout was a New Zealand Pilsner. Well it took us about 8 years but we finally made our own. Delicious and crisp with a nice citrus snap.
Chockablock IPA
A tantalizing blend of 5 different malts, 4 varieties of hops and 3 yeast strains. A juicy, hazy IPA that has it all.

6.4% ABV
In the late 18th century chockablock was a nautical term when the rope was pulled as far as it'll go, the tackle blocks are tight together and were said to be chockablock. Many modern words, terms and slang originate from nautical terminology. This brew is chockablock with ingredients. Resulting in a tasty brew!
All Inclusive Sour Ale
Pineapple & Coconut
Kettle sour beer with pineapple and aged on a heap of toasted coonut. Well balanced with each flavour coming in at just the right amount.

5.5% ABV
Let us whisk you away to the beach, palm trees and drinks with tiny umbrellas.
Aye Aye Captain Double IPA
A beer with intense tropical flavours and aromas, a soft body and opaque appearance. An immense amount of late and dry hopping gives this beer its tropical, juicy character. Heaps of oats and whet provide enough backbone to stand up to hops.

8.1% ABV
Ahoy-hoy matey. This Double “Aye”PA is so big it’s hard to fathom.
Blueberry Vanilla Tart
We started with a kettle sour beer base and then conditioned the finished beer on buckets of blueberry, vats of vanilla and loads of lactose. The sweetness from those ingredients balances the sour acidity of the beer.

4.3% ABV
An intensely easy drinking cross between beer and cream soda.
High Standards Pilsner
A Bohemian Pilsner brewed to style with traditional ingredients. Czech malt and Saaz hops. A malty, bready beer with noble floral hop aromas.

4.5% ABV
This Czech Pilsner has high quality malt and hops from the old country. Top shelf stuff. We brewed this beer with tremendous love and care. Nothing to hide behind here. Just quality ingredients and craftsmanship and time
Killer Wit
A Belgian Wheat ale brewed with a blend of traditional spices including coriander, chamomile flowers and orange peel.

4.7% ABV
Every spring transient Killer Whales return to the harbour right in front of our brewery. Brewed in anticipation of their annual visit, this beer is light, floral and effervescent.
Anniversary Winter Warmer
A malty, complex, strong beer of a fine vintage. Improves with age.

7.1% ABV, 40 IBUs
We opened this seaside brewery in the cold winter of 2013. To commemorate the occasion, and warm up in the process, we brewed this fine beer.
Benthic India Black Ale
Dramatically Hopped with simcoe and amarillo hops, this is a deep dark India Black Ale. Or Cascadian Dark Ale.

7% ABV, 70 IBUs
Benthic definition: "Of, relating to, or occuring in the depths of the ocean" Explore this India Black Ale brewed as black as the bottom of the ocean. Who knows what you'll find in the darkness.
First Mate White IPA
This White IPA balances a delicate malt bill with soft juicy citrus hops and a spicey Belgian Wit yeast. Galaxy, Citra and Mosaic hops are featured beside sweet orange peel.

6.5% ABV, 57 IBU


Originally brewed as a collaboration between Yellow Dog brewing and Wheelhouse Brewing, this white IPA was designed to reflect both of the masters who made it.

Initially laid back and mellow. This beer is carefully balanced with a delicate light body. Yet , once you spend some time with it, you will get to know a mischievous wild side through an amazing combination of Galaxy Mosaic and Citra hops.
Hold Fast British Pale Ale
An ale brewed in English style. Medium bitterness from UK East Kent Golding hops. The hops are supported by malt that introduce a caramel ‘sweetness’. Secondary malt flavours include nutty & biscuity.

4.5% ABV 45 IBU
Embrace the sailor's spirit with Hold Fast ESB – a brew steeped in nautical lore. 'Hold Fast,' once a rallying cry for seafarers gripping the rigging amidst stormy seas, now inspires our robust and steadfast ale. This ESB, with its firm grip on traditional flavors, is a tribute to the enduring courage of deckhands whose metacarpal tattoos spelled resilience. Each sip is a nod to those braving the high seas, a blend of boldness and hope, crafted for those who appreciate the grip of history in their glass. So here’s to holding fast, no matter the weather – in life, and in good beer.
Kilty Pleasure Scottish Ale
Typical of the Scottish Export style this beer has dark copper colour and a clean, malty, dry finish. An extended boil results in caramelization of the wort.

5% ABV, 25 IBUs
The guilty pleasure in the North, whether it be in Scotland or the BC North Coast, is a day out fishing for salmon. You'll never be empty handed with with this warm, bracing January release.
Oktoberfest Lager
An old world German style lager crafted particularly for drinking out of steins the size of your head. The beer pours a beautiful orange hue with a billowing white head. Bready malt flavours are balanced with just the right amount of floral bitterness.

5.5% ABV
Four people take to the stage. All dressed in traditional lederhosen and ready to kick off the season of harvest. Silence follows and the crowd leans in. Suddenly the Oompha band breaks out in a rousing polka and everyone heads to the dance floor.

One band member is particularly jovial. Shaped like the robust tuba that he brings to life with puffed cheeks, his rosy face and playful eyes inspires a jolly zest for life.

Our Oktoberfest Lager embodies the spirit and playfulness of that tuba player and embraces celebration!!
Scurvy Dog Spruce Ale
Bright summer ale brewed once a year when the Sitka Spruce tips are out. Fresh spruce tips give this beer a sweet, citrus taste.

5.3% ABV, 30 IBU
“Two of our men were employed in brewing spruce beer…Such a regimen soon removed all seeds of the scurvy from our people” – Captain James Cook

In the 18th century spruce beer became a part of daily life for the British Navy’s sailors. We hand pick tips from native Sitka Spruce trees for this beer to keep you hale and hearty. This crisp refreshing beer is perfect to enjoy on land or while exploring the Pacific Ocean.
Sea Level Saison
Fruity, spicy and dry lowland-style Cottage beer

5% ABV, 27IBUs
Like being by the ocean on a hot day, get the best of altitude and attitude with this French Farmhouse style beer. The hottest boil makes the best beer, and that only happens at Sea Level.
Smokehouse Kolsch
Part of our Smokehouse Series, this beer is made with 100% German ingredients. Hallertauer and Tettnanger hops, Kolsch yeast, German Pils, and Beechwood Smoked malts.

5.5% ABV, 32 IBU
Smokehouses have been used on the coast for hundreds of years. Originally used to preserve fish caught in the summer and fall, smokehouses of today are used to give a wonderful taste to wild caught fish.

A light bodied lagered ale using 100% German malt, hops and yeast. We add traditional German beechwood smoked malt to this brew to give it a hint of smoke. The result is an incredibly crisp, thirst quenching beer.
Smokehouse Porter
Our award winning robust porter with a big, silky mouthfeel and a strong smoky taste.

6.3% ABV, 55 IBU
Smokehouses have been used on the coast for hundreds of years. Originally used to preserve fish caught in the summer and fall, smokehouses of today are used to give a wonderful tasted to wild caught fish.

Our Smokehouse Porter uses smoked malt to contribute to a robust, well rounded porter that goes well with hearty foods or a roaring fire and a good book during a winter storm.
Vitamin Sea
This blonde ale is brewed with Norwegian farmhouse Kveik yeast and abundantly dry hopped for big, juicy tropical flavours and aromas.

5.2%, 48 IBU
Get your vitamins in this juicy, hazy pale ale. An invigorating daily dose dry hopped abundantly with Citra and Amarillo. Doctor's orders.
Blood Orange IPA
A juicy ipa brewed with a brand new strain of yeast, big Citra hops and blood oranges.

6.1% ABV
Wait, am I drinking juice here? No, it’s a beer. We brewed this beer with a crazy new strain of yeast and a whole lot of science. Science and blood orange juice. The result is JUICE BEER! Big and juicy orange aroma and flavour.
Japandanavian Light Lager
Japanese Sorachi Ace hops, rice, barley, and Scandinavian Kveik yeast bring welcome notes of dill, citrus, and clever cozy woodwork to this modern light lager.

4% ABV
Well-mannered, fresh, & with a clean finish, it was brewed where the Kuroshio Japan current meets the Norwegian settlements of the BC North Coast. Perfect for fishing, farming, and forest-bathing.
Yardarm English IPA
This balanced malty traditional IPA is rich with biscuit flavour and a swell amount of English hops

6.9% ABV
A yardarm is a horizontal spar on the ship’s mast. On the voyage to England to India, the ship's company would customarily wait until the sun was over the yardarm before having their first drink of the day. When you have a yardarm, you don’t need to check your sextant to know you’re in good taste.
Tannenbaum Stout
Traditional oatmeal stout with not-so-traditional spruce tips added resulting in a complex beer with the usual chocolate and coffee tastes you expect in a stout with the sweet evergreen zip from the spruce tips.

4.6% ABV, 32 IBU.
It happens every Christmas. Everyone has THAT uncle who has a bit too much too drink on the night you decorate ye ole Christmas tree. Sure, it starts mellow but get a few too many pints of the stout into him and pretty soon the ugly christmas sweater comes out, the stories don't stop, and he loads all the garland onto one side of the tree.

Eventually it culminates into a grand finale stumble and fall right into the Ol' Tennenbaum, crashing everything to the floor!

It is for this joyous Uncle that we present our Tennenbaum Stout.
50 Fathoms Dark Mild
Our haul from the depths uses authentic English malts and hops, plus our house-made organic black treacle for balanced biscuit, chocolate and caramel flavours with a moreishness you’ll only fathom after a mild session.

3.5% ABV
This classic working class beer fell out of favour in the 1950s when rumour spread the mild cask was the repository for pub spills and half-drinks.  With 70 years of hindsight and nostalgia we’re here to clear its name.
Strawberry Mint Tart
A hefty amount of malted wheat and Belgian yeast are paired fresh mint and conditioned on a heap of strawberries. This lightly soured beer is refreshing and tasty.

4.3% ABV
This beer will hit you like that perfect summer patio cocktail.
Arnold Palmer
A breezy Blonde Ale with added cold brewed tea and mounds of lemon peels and juice.

4.5% ABV
History says that golf legend Arnold Palmer’s favourite beverage was ‘half iced tea, half lemonade’. With that in mind we brewed this delightfully refreshing summer ale. Perfect for the 19th hole.
The Key to This Beer is the Lime
A Key Lime Pie Sour. A kettle sour with plenty of key lime juice. Brewed with bready malts for a little graham cracker crust and a little lactose for creamy sweetness.

4.3% ABV
A Key Lime Pie Sour. A kettle sour with plenty of key lime juice. Brewed with bready malts for a little graham cracker crust and a little lactose for creamy sweetness.
Vellamo Sahti
Sahti is a traditional Finnish beer made with barley, rye and oats. We foraged our own juniper twigs and used them in the mash to provide a balancing bitterness and piney flavours. It’ll be your holiday favourite!

5.8% ABV
According to Finish mythology, Vellamo is the goddess of water. Fishermen would pray to this beautiful goddess for good fishing luck. Sahti is a traditional Finnish beer made with barley, rye and oats. We foraged our own juniper twigs and used them in the mash to provide a balancing bitterness and piney flavours. It’ll be your holiday favourite!
Cranberry Orange Sour
Our monthly release for our Small-Batch-Series: An adorably light and refreshing beer brewed with orange zest and cranberries. Tart up front with that citrus zing coming in at the back end hiding just underneath the tang.

5.1% ABV
Our monthly release for our Small-Batch-Series: An adorably light and refreshing beer brewed with orange zest and cranberries. Tart up front with that citrus zing coming in at the back end hiding just underneath the tang.
Captain’s Table Saison
A dry finish and crisp body pair with saison yeast. We added fresh Lemongrass and Coriander seed to bring a delightful spicy and juicy aromatic finish to the beer.

5% ABV
This table saison was brewed to be enjoyed as a light, sessionable beer, on it's own or with mates and plates.
Bummer Summer Tart ISA
A tart & hazy India Session Ale that bursts with juicy flavour & aroma. A portion of the mash was soured to provide a light tartness.

4.2% ABV
The perfect beer for this summer of murder hornets, seemingly endless rainy days and oh yeah, a world wide pandemic.
Night Passage Coffee Lager
German style Pilsner with coffee from our friends at White Goat Coffee Roasters. A smooth lager with a clean, roasted edge. The cold brewed coffee infused into this beer gives a creamy coffee aroma and taste.

5.5% ABV
German style Pilsner with coffee from our friends at White Goat Coffee Roasters. A smooth lager with a clean, roasted edge. The cold brewed coffee infused into this beer gives a creamy coffee aroma and taste.
Where to find us
Draft

Terrace

Smithers

Prince Rupert

Prince George

Masset

Kamloops

Daajing Giids

Cans

Williams Lake

Vanderhoof

Valemount

Terrace

Smithers

Quesnel

Prince Rupert

Prince George

Port Clements

Penticton

Masset

Kitimat

Kelowna

Kamloops

Houston

Hazelton

Daajing Giids

Burns Lake

At Sea

Our Brewery
Prince Rupert at 380 Bill Murray Dr
T: +1 250-624-2739
E: cheers@wheelhousebrewing.com
FAQ

Do you allow pets?

Our patio is pet friendly.  Please keep your pet on a leash.   Pets are not allowed inside the brewery to comply with Northern Health regulations.

I am having a pizza party can I order a bunch of pizza from you?

YES!  We can take preorders of 10 pizzas or more!  We require AT LEAST 48 hrs notice (more is better for large orders).  This is because our dough is a 48 hr fermentation and rise so we need to plan to fulfill your order.  Call the brewery to arrange this!

What is this place?

Wheelhouse Brewing is a production brewery with a tasting lounge and a kitchen!  We produce all our beer in the building in our production space and package it up for sale in the front and beyond.

Our waterfront tasting room is split over two floors with a capacity of nearly 100.  We have as many as 15 beers on tap.  Beer is available in 16 oz glasses and 4 oz tasters in a flight.  Growlers and canned beer to go!  We also have a selection of cider and wine.  Non alcoholic choices are also available!

We have a wood fired pizza oven in our kitchen and provide a selection of fresh pizzas made with 48 hr fermented dough.  Check out our menu online!

 

 

Can I make a reservation?

We take reservations for large groups of 8-15 people.  Call the brewery to make your reservation.  48hrs notice is appreciated.   Group of over 15? Contact us for a private booking:  cheers@wheelhousebrewing.com

Do you rent brewery for parties or events?

YES!  We have a variety of rooms available for private events.  All at different capacities and prices.   If you’re interested,  contact us at cheers@wheelhousebrewing.com  and we will get back to you!

I am having party/ event/ wedding can I get a keg from you?

Yes we have 20l and 50l kegs available.  Beer style can vary depending on product availability . Give us a call or email us at cheers@wheelhousebrewing.com to set it up. Best to give us a week’s notice, even longer in the peak summer season.

 

 

Are children allowed in your brewery?

Yes children can come in and sit in the brewery. Our Lounge license allows children if they are accompanied by an adult.

How long does beer last or stay fresh in a growler?

We fill growlers right from our taps. If kept cold, the beer in a growler will stay fresh and cold for a week. Once it is opened the beer should be consumed in a couple of days.