Craft Beer & Wilderness Retreat
Passion. The intense enthusiasm for something that elevates life from mundane to remarkable. It provides purpose and direction in life. For Brad Harris, that passion is beer.
How he came to realize his passion is a long story which Brad loves to tell……. over a beer. And it burns strong not only for drinking beer, but for talking about it, making it, using it to motivate change, exchanging it for services rendered, and most importantly, sharing it with friends and family.
Along with his wife Dennyse, Brad has travelled extensively – literally around the world in 365 days on one of several trips. They have visited countless wonderful places together and experienced hundreds of incredible adventures. And beer and food have been a constant along the way.
While the world holds many jewels to discover, their own back yard, near the west coast of Vancouver Island, still remains one of the most rugged, least visited places on earth. They wondered how they could bring their love of travel, adventure, wilderness, luxury, food and beer – all together in this magical setting, and how they could share this experience with others?
The idea to organize the Craft Beer & Wilderness Retreat was originally discussed as a culinary experience for couples, the kind of retreat that Brad and Dennyse would love to attend together—they wanted to provide an experience for everyone to enjoy. The exceptional food, paddle boarding, kayaking, yoga, historical lectures, eco trip to Yuquot, workshops, and the opportunity to relax in a unique wilderness setting provide enough enjoyment even without the beer.
The retreat showcases the creativity and excellence of the BC brewing industry. Featuring professional brewers from well known BC breweries, there is ample opportunity to explore beer from the inside out. The brewers also bring specially cultivated beers for the gala beer and food pairing event on the final evening. The diverse styles of beer lend themselves to food pairing with a much wider palate than wine can offer.
Nootka Sound Resort exemplifies sustainable luxury in the wilderness. The service is warm and friendly, the food sublime. Breakfasts are hot and hearty – exactly what you would expect from a fishing lodge, and three course menus are the norm for lunch and dinner. Add a 24-hour snack bar, two cicerones (beer sommeliers) to help with personalized beer selections, and you are well on your way to a culinary experience like none other.
Daily workshops on beer appreciation, styles, cellaring, pairing and more will keep your mind sharp. Optional yoga sessions will keep your soul focused. Paddle activities will keep your body alert. Historical presentations about the area will keep your mind intrigued. And the half-day trip to Yuquot / Friendly Cove will ignite your passion within.
Overall, the Craft Beer & Wilderness Retreat reminds us to experience life to the fullest – with beer!
