The Commute Collab

Studio Brewing and Steel & Oak collab logo

When our friends at Studio Brewing decided to open their doors, we started the countdown to our first collab with our new neighbours.
What better way to celebrate the short commute between us than with a home and away collaboration brew? But what to make? A lager, obviously. But what kind?

It so happens that in Germany, Cologne (Köln), home of the Kölsch and Dusseldorf, where Altbier reigns supreme, are just a short commute away from each other; 40 mins down the Autobahn.

And that’s called inspiration: An S&O Kölsch and a Studio Brewing Altbier, just a short Commute away. 

We brewed The Commute Kölsch with Heidelberg Pilsner malt for a crisp, clean taste. We added German nobel hops (Perle, Spalter Select and Hersbrucker) to bring a floral, herbal and pleasingly spicy aroma to the table. Fermented cold with a traditional Kölsch yeast, subtle fruity esters linger on the finish before disappearing before the next sip.

On Sunday October 3rd we will be launching The Commute Kolsch at S&O and Studio will launch The Commute Altbier at their brewery. We encourage you to take the commute between our two breweries as both will have food trucks, beer, music and some little bonus swag items to go with your Commute cans.

At Studio:

  • The Commute Altbier Cans
  • Both beers on tap
  • S&O x Studio Buttons
  • Live Music
  • Taps And Tacos Food Truck

At S&O:

  • The Commute Kolsch Cans
  • Both beers on tap
  • Studio x S&O Stickers
  • Vinyl Always
  • Burgerholic Food Truck

We’ve created a handy map to show you how to either, walk, bike, transit, or drive between Studio and Steel & Oak so that you can commute on Sunday, or any other day of the week!

Get Wet with S&O and ABC

Water balloons hitting people in the face

UPDATE: AUGUST 25TH // EVENT POSTPONED

Hey folks with the Thursday looking like it’s going to be cold and wet (and not the fun kind of wet) we’ve decided to postpone the Water Frolic until a sunnier time.

Thanks for understanding.

Team S&O and ABC

–

Our friends at ABC have challenged us to a friendly duel of water prowess and we want you to join us!

Bring your friends and family (yes this is family friendly) to Hume Park on Thursday, August 26th for what we’re hoping will be the largest Water Fight Frolic New West has ever seen!

Details:

Time: 5PM-Dusk

Date: Thursday August 26th

Location: Hume Park

Bring: Water spraying devices, sponges, picnic blanket, picnic dinner, beverages, swim suit.

A reminder that Hume Park is licensed so you can bring a couple ABC or S&O beers with you. We have also set up a “Park Delivery” option on our online store so you can order beer directly to the Water Fight Frolic.

How to?

  • Order beer like normal
  • Enter in your address
  • Click “ship”
  • Select Hume Park!

Boom, your beer will be delivered for free and cold to Hume Park for 5PM on August 26th! Just look for the S&O tent for pick up.

For now, mark your calendar, contact your friends, wrangle up the kids, and join us for a family friendly evening of beer, laughter, and getting wet.

The Brewery is Hiring!

BREWERY // FULL-TIME

We’re continuing to grow and looking for someone to join our brewery as part of the production team!

If you thrive when each work day looks different, then look no further! We’re a small team so this full-time position will be varied with many aspects of brewery operations, although your main focus will be packaging line management, inventory management, and quality control.

If you like tinkering, building, fixing things, well that’s music to our ears. This position will need someone with mechanical aptitude and a penchant for detail-oriented work.

This position will mainly be Monday to Friday with the rare possibility of some weekend work. Many aspects of this job are also quite physical and will require you to be on your feet for extended periods of time.

Responsibilities:

  • Be responsible for all aspects of packaging, including canning, bottling, and kegging
    • Scheduling packaging runs
    • Logistics and ordering of packaging materials
    • Set up, operation and take down of canning and bottling lines
    • Quality control during the packaging runs
    • Troubleshoot and repair machines as required
    • Schedule and perform preventative maintenance as required
    • Train other staff as required
  • Move and organize all finished products and raw materials to/from the warehouse
  • Maintain inventory of finished products and raw materials
  • Maintain and clean and safe work environment
  • Some cellar work in the brewery as required
  • Other general duties as required

Previous brewery experience is not required.

If you think you’d be a good fit, please send your resume along with a write up about why your previous experiences would make you suited for this position. Those resumes can be sent to: eric@steelandoak.ca with the subject line: BREWERY TEAM.

Steel & Oak is committed to being an inclusive space. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability or age. We encourage anyone interested and qualified to apply.

The S&O Guide to Licensed Parks in New West

We made a digital guide of licensed parks in New West for you to enjoy a beer in this summer!

The City of New Westminster has licensed specific areas in 7 parks around the Royal City. We’ve created a handy digital map and beer pairing guide for you to download below!

Just click the images and save them to your phone.

Remember to tag us in your #NWParkBeers photos @steelandoak to be featured and automatically entered to win some sweet prizes!

If you need to re up on your New West Park Beers, you can always order at neatstuff.steelandoak.ca!

Licensed Parks in New West Map
Licensed Parks in New West Beer Pairing Guide

#NWParkBeers can be enjoyed until dusk at the 7 designated parks.

The City of New Westminster will be displaying signage around the parks so that you can easily identify if you are in the proper area for public beer enjoyment!

Please enjoy responsibly and fingers crossed that licensed parks in New West could be come a permanent fixture in our city!

Sustainable Fish Now Available at Steel & Oak

Skipper Otto at Steel & Oak

We’re super excited to partner with a rad company called Skipper Otto.

Skipper Otto is transforming the seafood industry. They cut out the “middle person” to provide members with complete transparency around what their fishing families are catching, where, and how.

They’re keeping independent small-scale fishing alive in BC’s coastal and Indigenous communities, protecting our valuable ocean resources, and ensuring customers have direct access to wild, sustainable, totally traceable seafood.

Here is how it works!

  1. Members sign up and pay before the fishing season starts to secure a share of the catch and to support small-scale fishing families.
  2. Skipper Otto works with independent fishing families, who hit the seas knowing they’ve got a guaranteed market for their catch, and are fully supported by fair, living wages. They catch only what is abundant and sustainable that fishing season.
  3. Members take their pick of the catch by placing an order online, choosing from Skipper Otto’s selection of sustainable, 100% traceable seafood.
  4. Members pick up their order from Community Partner locations across Canada, like Steel & Oak!

Sign up here so that you can conveniently pick up your seafood with your beer at S&O!

What is ZOIGL? Look for the Zoiglstern to find out!

What is a Zoigl? Well, it’s a historical experience.

The name Zoigl is from the Franconian vernacular for “sign.”

In Franconian home brewing, a Zoigl was a six-pointed blue-white star, shaped from two triangles similar to a Star of David. 

In northeastern Bavaria during medieval times every landowner had the right to brew their own beer at home. Zoigl would often be brewed in a communal brewhouse and each brewer would then take some home to ferment in their own cellar.

When the beer was ready they would put up that 6 pointed star which they referred to as a Zoiglstern. This signified to neighbours and passers by that the beer was ready to drink and folks would just walk into these homes and enjoy Zoiglbier until it was gone.

Zoigl is a form of Kellerbier but with highly kilned malt, giving it an amber colour and a malt forward flavour. It’s less hop forward than a traditional Bavarian Kellerbier but still has a refreshing bitterness on the finish.

We invite you to our living room (at the brewery) to try our version of Zoigl while it lasts!

Pipsqueak Small IPA

Limited Release: 02/04/21 – 473ml cans / On Tap in the Tasting Room

Brewed with Marris Otter, Pilsner, Oats and Wheat, Pipsqueak Small IPA was dry hopped with Motueka, Azzaca and Loral.

Notes of lime zest and pineapple are prevalent with a blooming garden, lightly herbaceous undertone. Medium-light body and refreshing, juicy finish. Rawr.

Pipsqueak is available in the Tasting Room, Online, and is shipping to Liquor Stores across BC!

Steel & Oak COVID-19 Safety Plan

We are committed to follow all the guidelines mandated by WorkSafeBC and the official Public Health Order. The plan includes our increased safety protocols and required usage of PPE.

https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/health-feature/coronavirus-disease-covid-19

https://www.who.int/health-topics/coronavirus

Our goal is to create a workplace that is aware and responsive to changing needs as a result of COVID-19. Our awareness and diligence will help reduce the risk of person-to-person transmission. 

  1. Reducing the number of people in the business at one time and creating more space between customers and staff.
  2. Adding physical barriers where it is difficult to maintain physical distancing. Providing PPE and training staff on proper usage.
  3. Establishing the new guidelines, rules and cleaning regiments and train staff accordingly.

     PHYSICAL DISTANCING

To reduce the risk of person to person transmission we will:

  • reduce the number of customers to maintain 6ft distancing at all times
  • provide sanitization stations for customers and staff to use before service and after using washroom
  • wear Personal Protective Equipment (mask, visor, gloves)
  • not hug, shake hands or any other physical contact
  • place markers on floor for safe distancing
  • post directions to inform customers of proper procedures
  • assign tables to customers and seat based on first come, first served
  • seat customers when all guests in the party have arrived
  • enforce all limitations in a respectful manner
  • Serve tables instead of bar self-service
  • have a dedicated service spot at every table
  • stand back at least 3 feet from table when speaking to guests
  • touch only the bottom third of the glass when serving
  • place drinks on dedicated service space at table and guests will reach for their drinks after server steps away.
  • have 2m distance markers for take home counter
  • have marker on floor for 1 person only to wait for washroom
  • keep doors and windows open when possible to allow fresh air into our space
  • clean and sanitize every table, seat and menu between guests

    CLEANING AND SANITIZING 

Routine cleaning and sanitizing will be integral to prevent further infections. To ensure our commitment to the safety of our staff and customers we are only using Health Canada approved chemicals for cleaning and sanitizing. Our glasswasher has been calibrated to dispense the required amount of chemicals to properly neutralize any potential viruses or bacteria. Our promise for continued safety is that we will:

  • sanitize credit/debit pin pads after each use
  • sanitize the fridge door handle after each use
  • sanitize POS system, tap handles, music equipment and common use items regularly and particularly when staff change positions
  • clean and sanitize each table, chair and menu after customer use
  • clean and sanitize washroom every 30 minutes
  • regularly sanitize common areas throughout the workday
  • thoroughly clean and sanitize every surface at the end of each day

STAFFING PROTOCOLS

We have educated all our staff on proper hygiene, sneeze and cough etiquette as well as knowing the signs and symptoms of Covid-19. To ensure staff is healthy and able to create a pleasant experience, they will:

  • stay home if they have experienced any symptoms of Covid-19 or signs of illness and self-isolate
  • inform us immediately and stay home if they have had close exposure to any person positively diagnosed with Covid-19
  • self-isolate after travelling
  • wash and sanitize after arriving to work, taking a break, using the washroom, handle garbage, touching personal phone, eat, smoke, cough, sneeze, blow nose or touching shared equipment or any surface that may be contaminated. Proper hand washing techniques are posted at each available sink.
  • avoid scratching or touching hair, eyes, nose, mouth and face with unwashed hands
  • wear required PPE and ensure that they will not touch face because of discomfort or heat and will keep their PPE clean and sanitized
  • not share any PPE items
  • take care if wearing gloves to not touch face with gloved hands, change them regularly, remove them carefully, dispose of them immediately and wash hands afterwards

To ensure our staff is healthy and happy, we will:

  • have regular conversations regarding health and safety with them to address all concerns so we can improve our Covid-19 response where needed
  • have resource information on Covid-19, bullying and mental health and wellness accessible
  • make sure all visitors for deliveries and service are recorded to assist with tracking in our delivery log
  • actively monitor our social media and guest feedback online and in person to ensure we are not experiencing any backlash or negative engagement with customers
  • manage any difficult situations that may arise accordingly and support the staff during this transition time

CUSTOMER PROTOCOLS

We are so pleased to have our guests join us again and have a few guidelines to make your visit pleasant and safe. To ensure your safety and physical distancing we ask that you are aware of these changes:

  • hand sanitizing stations have been provided on the patio, by the door, the washroom and the to go counter for you to sanitize upon entering and leaving the area
  • groups will be limited to a maximum of 6
  • a host/hostess will greet you and assign a table for your group
  • a server will come and take your order once you are settled
  • please stay seated unless you need to use the washroom
  • only one person may wait in the designated spot for washroom
  • customers required to wait must keep the appropriate 2m distancing
  • customers purchasing to go items will wait in a separate location to those waiting to be seated
  • to minimize contact we ask that you dispose of your own trash in the bins provided
  • one person in your group to be a health contact and register with first, last name and phone number
  • practice safe physical distancing at all times

We are confident that with all of us following these safety precautions, we will all be able to ensure a pleasant experience every visit. Thank you for being patient and considerate of our staff and other guests as we navigate these un-certain times together. We appreciate you and wish you the very best.

Steel & Oak Brewing Co.

Next Steps

At Steel & Oak, we’ve always been proud to be an open and inclusive company and space. A place that all people can be comfortable regardless of the colour of your skin. In taking some time to think since #blackouttuesday I’ve realized that we’ve become complacent. As soon as you think the problem doesn’t apply to you or your business because you’re “not a racist”, you’ve already lost the plot. We recognize this and will change.

This isn’t a short process. It’s a committed journey to education and taking actionable steps to ensure that Black Lives Matter and that our company and we as human beings never stop working towards the society we want to live in.

Steel & Oak Brewing Co. may have Company at the end of its name, but the reality is we are a small group of people who want to contribute and improve our community. We are making the commitment to do better and encourage our fellow members in the craft beer industry to do the same.

What good are words, or social media posts, without action? Action that we as a company and community advocates need to be held accountable to. We have started a company BIPOC Action Group. This group will put yearly and quarterly action items in place to ensure that our company is working towards constant learning and improvement and we will share those steps and action items with you here.

Here are our first steps:

  • Create an internal BIPOC Action Group to create yearly and quarterly goals each year that our company needs to achieve.
  • Review our hiring policies and procedures to ensure that they are inclusive and encourage BIPOC to apply.
  • Staff training on how to confront unconscious bias and how to be an active ally to all BIPOC.
  • Continue to donate to BIPOC organizations as we recognize that action and progress need financial support.
  • Commit to updating this page on what our next goals and action items are and keep you looped in so that you can feel confident you’re supporting a company that walks the walk.

This is just our first step. We understand it is our responsibility to do the work and continually educate ourselves and our team. We also welcome any information, dialogue or resources that you may feel are helpful to improving the lives and opportunities of Black, Indigenous and People of Colour. Thank you in advance.

Please continue to donate to and support your local charities, initiatives and businesses run by the BIPOC in your community to the best of your means.

Black Lives Matter. Let’s change.

-Jorden

SO5 – Steel & Oak’s Fifth Anniversary

Steel & Oak Fifth Anniversary

*This Blog Post will be updated leading up to SO5 on Sunday July 7th*

SO5 – Steel & Oak’s Fifth Anniversary Party

Here are the details on our upcoming party!

  • Date: Sunday, July 7th
  • Time: 1PM-6PM
  • Location: Behind the Brewery
  • Space: We’re taking over the entire parking lot this year and have occupancy for 1,000. Previous years we’ve only had occupancy for 500 so you should get in quick and without lining up.
  • Line Ups: There will be less of them. We’ll have more token stations, more pouring staff, and you can buy food direct from vendors instead of committing to it beforehand. This should alleviate the “great lineup situation of 2018”. We’re also open for an extra 2 hours so people will likely filter in throughout the day rather than the made rush of previous years.
  • Beer: We will have 3 Beer Stations:
    • Flagship Station: Simple Things Pilsner, Royal City Ale, Red Pilsner, Roselle Wheat Ale, Dark Lager
    • Limited Station: Vibrant Things Tropical Pale, Lumena Saison w/ Timut & Lemon zest, Marzen, Meantime India Pale Ale
    • Anniversary Station: Smoked Hefeweizen, 999 Brett Pilsner, Funf DIPA, Sapperton Sour Red Lager w/ raspberries.
  • Food: We will have 4 food options this year including; Big Day BBQ, Down Low Chicken Shack, Big Shucker Oysters, and Earnest Ice Cream. Both Big Day and Down Low will have vegan options as well.
  • Kids: There will be our famous S&O Lemonade for the kidlets as well as an improved kids area with less sketchy bouncing and more interactive fun.
  • Merch: Also new for this year, our Tasting Room will be delicensed and turned into a SO5 merch and bottle shop. We’ve got some new gear just for the anniversary and some cellared beers that will also be available for purchase.

Looking forward to seeing you on Sunday July 7th from 1-6 for an afternoon of beer, food, music and your neighbours all hanging out at Steel & Oak!

Cheers,

Jorden