There’s something that just works about the pairing of craft beer and mountains: bold flavours, a spirit of adventure, and endless stories waiting to be told. Few places capture that relationship better than Whitetooth Brewing Company, which celebrates its 9th anniversary this week.
Whitetooth opened its doors on November 27, 2016, and has been a pillar of the Golden community ever since. The motivation to start the brewery was simple: “a passion for great beer.” But as Tasting Room Manager Brenna Donaldson explains, maintaining a locally sustained craft brewery is anything but simple.
“Big picture, it’s a difficult business to be in… you want to bring in great ingredients, you want to support Canadian business, but you also want to make money,” says Donaldson.
Through everything that has come their way, from pandemics to shoulder seasons and the usual uncertainties of small business, there’s one thing Whitetooth can always rely on: the community.
“They might be everyday regulars or regulars you see every other season,” Donaldson says. “But the most important thing is making sure you’re building these friendships and relationships.” For Whitetooth, feeding into community relationships also means prioritizing what Golden values most. Donaldson says In this case, sustainability. “We give all our spent grain to local farmers, so it’s like a win-win, where it’s not a waste for us.”
That commitment is evident. Whether it’s creating beers for events like Guide Days at Edelweiss Village & Resort, supporting Emberfest, or collaborating with the Golden Cycling Club, Whitetooth’s presence in the community runs deep. “It doesn’t have to be beer-related. It can just be us as a crew showing up somewhere to support,” Donaldson adds.
One thing that stood out during my conversation with her was her consistent use of the word we when talking about the brewery. We mean the entire Whitetooth team. It’s clear the brewery operates as a unified crew, with every staff member playing an essential role, whether they’re experimenting with new beer ideas on cask night, running the social media, or recommending the next great hire.
“I love our team so much,” Donaldson says. “We’re somehow so lucky to continually bring in these amazing people who work incredibly well together.” Their involvement even extends to designing the poster for this weekend’s anniversary party.
So how do you celebrate nine years of great beer and community? By throwing a Warped Tour–themed party, of course.
On Saturday, November 29th, Whitetooth will be serving up a special 9th-anniversary white stout and hosting a full lineup of music. From 3 to 5 pm, families can enjoy a set by Mister Bird. Then, from 7 to 10 pm, The Bulldogs take the stage, followed by DJ Number One Dad to finish out the night.
If you’re looking for plans this weekend, stop by Whitetooth, warm up, and raise a glass to nine years of memories, community, and damn good beer. Let this anniversary be a reminder of how a strong community can support us, and how we, in turn, can pour back into it.
Here’s to nine years of Whitetooth, and many more to come. Cheers!
