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Frank Appleton

The legendary brewmaster, consultant, and writer Frank Appleton discusses his new memoir, Brewing Revolution: Pioneering the Craft Beer Movement (Harbour Publishing, 2016), with Joseph Planta.


Brewing Revolution: Pioneering the Craft Beer Movement by Frank Appleton (Harbour Publishing, 2015).

Click to buy this book from Amazon.ca: Brewing Revolution [1]


Text of introduction by Joseph Planta:

I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver, at TheCommentary.ca.

Frank Appleton joins me now. He’s considered the father of Canada’s craft-brewing movement, and he has just published a memoir: Brewing Revolution: Pioneering the Craft Beer Movement. It’s a lively book that brings the English-trained brewmaster to British Columbia, where he works for one of the ‘Big Three’ breweries in Canada, Carling O’Keefe, Molson and Labatt’s, where they produce bland, predictable beer. He also writes, and by 1982, he and John Mitchell launch the Horseshoe Bay Brewery. It’s the first of its kind, and soon they’re producing the iconic Bay Ale, which is brewed from Appleton’s recipe. In the book he looks at the challenges of establishing a cottage brewery, the difficulties dealing with BC’s Liquor Control Board, as well as provides us with insight as to how breweries are designed and run. It’s a fascinating read, and made more interesting by the fact I haven’t had a beer in over 15 years, and when I did, I didn’t care for it. I’ll ask Mr. Appleton about whether I could take to beer like I do scotch, brandy, gin, vodka, and whatever else I can get my hands on. Frank Appleton is a consultant brewmaster, who has advised some twenty operations from design, starting up, and brewer training. In 2009, he received the Lifetime Achievement Award for Leadership in Craft Brewing from CAMRA Victoria Chapter. This new book is published by Harbour. Please welcome to the Planta: On the Line program, in Edgewood, BC, Frank Appleton; Mr. Appleton, good morning.