Peek inside Steel Toad Brewpub, opening soon in Vancouver

    1 of 6 2 of 6

      There will soon be another place to drink craft beer in the Olympic Village area--and this one is brewing its own beer.

      Steel Toad Brewpub & Dining Hall is gearing up to open at the end of September. It's located at 97 East 2nd Avenue (between Ontario and Quebec, next to the Hand Car Wash sign with the happy elephant).

      Housed in the heritage Opsal Steel Building, which dates back to 1918, the brewery is named after the "steel toads" who worked there over the years.

      This photo from Steel Toad's website shows the original heritage building.

      The building was disassembled and the original construction materials transported off-site for restoration. The new building makes use of this salvaged lumber and steel, and the structure is pretty impressive.

      I had a look inside at a recent media preview, and here's what I found.

      The bar sits in the centre of Steel Toad's huge hall.
      Carolyn Ali

      The hall is full of windows in a giant space with a central bar downstairs. Upstairs, there will be a loft with a more intimate dining area.

      Upstairs, there's a dining area in the works with nice wood accents.
      Carolyn Ali

      Brewmaster Chris Charron is at the helm, and he's aiming to open with six to 10 beers. These include a blonde, farmhouse saison, pale ale, rye IPA, and English bitter.

      The bar will also have guest taps from local and foreign brewers, as well as a cocktail program.

      Steel Toad will brew six to 10 beers to start.
      Carolyn Ali

      With executive chef Robbie Robinson at the helm, Steel Toad will be serving brunch, lunch, and dinner.

      The menu is already online for your perusal and includes dishes like gnocchi with rappini, soffrito, and pecorino, and these mussels with house ale.

      Dishes on offer include mussels and ale.
      Carolyn Ali

      Comments

      2 Comments

      Hazlit

      Sep 11, 2014 at 7:06am

      Really? Don't Vancouverites ever get sick of beer-pub food culture? Dear Vancouver where is your elitism? Where is Per Se for Vancouver?

      JF

      Sep 16, 2014 at 11:08am

      The exterior looked better before the renovation.