https://untappd.com/CheckerheadBrewing

Checkerhead Brewing, 10602 Sherburne Drive, Sooke, BC (2026)

08/21/2026

There was a bit of a debate around which image should represent the Raspberry Checkerweizen going ON-TAP today. 🍺❤️

I was pretty fond of the Salvador Dalí-esque version where the beer is pouring directly into the inside of my checkered head. My beautiful and charming wife, however, felt it was just a wee bit creepy. 😂

So… democracy wins. We went with the image that looks more like the original Checkerweizen label, with a healthy dose of raspberry augmentation. And honestly? I think she was right. 🍓

But the name “Just Call Me Raspberry” has a much better story.

It goes all the way back to a party I threw long before Checkerhead Brewing was officially open. Our friend Robin (robin) liked the homebrew-scale version of this beer so much that she spent a good chunk of the party wandering around saying:

“Just Call Me Raspberry.”

Over and over.

Eventually I figured there was only one reasonable response:

“Okay… we’ll just call you Raspberry.” 😂

And now, years later, here we are.

JUST CALL ME RASPBERRY — Raspberry Checkerweizen is officially joining the taps today. It’s fruity, refreshing, a little bit cheeky, and absolutely loaded with late-summer raspberry goodness.

I have a feeling this one is going to be VERY well received… and disappear VERY quickly.

So if you’re headed out to Shirley this weekend, here’s what’s pouring:

🍺 1. Hidden Wonders — Blackberry Wit
🍓 2. Just Call Me Raspberry — Raspberry Checkerweizen
🤡 3. Stu’s Rusty Unicycle — Red Ale
🏔️ 4. Man of the Mountain — Dark Mild
🍻 5. C & B Bitter
🇩🇪 6. Skinny German Juggle — Märzen

⚠️ MÄRZEN WARNING: I’m down to my LAST KEG of Skinny German Juggle Märzen. If you’ve been meaning to grab one before it disappears, Friday would be a very good day to do it.

Looking forward to filling your glass with liquid joy, happiness, and enough raspberries that you’ll want me to call YOU Raspberry too. 🍓🍺❤️

08/20/2026

Spent some time this morning getting the bottle caps ready for this weekend, because if you order “Just Call Me Raspberry” — Raspberry Checkerweizen as part of your tasting flight, this is the cap that will be going onto your flight board. 🍺🍓

I’m super excited to finally get this one ON-TAP!

There’s a pretty cool story behind this beer. It features GAAN-19, an experimental Canadian hop that Aurora McLachlan from Topp's Hops generously gifted me. GAAN-19 is currently in brewing trials and was bred with modern Canadian lagers in mind. It brings layered sweetness, herbal and grassy character, and a touch of citrus—a clean but characterful twist on classic lager hop profiles.

But the hops are only half the story. 😏

This beer spent some serious quality time sitting on a ridiculous amount of raspberries while it was still in the fermenter before making its way to the brite tank for carbonation. The result is a fruit-forward, refreshing take on a German Hefeweizen.

Of course, adding raspberries to a Hefeweizen is about as far from the Bavarian Reinheitsgebot of 1516 as you can get. 😂

But sometimes you have to break a few rules in the name of deliciousness.

And, if I may say so myself, this one is pretty damn tasty. A fun, fruity way to finish out the summer!

🍻 ON-TAP THIS WEEKEND:

Hidden Wonders Blackberry Wit
Just Call Me Raspberry — Raspberry Checkerweizen
Stu’s Rusty Unicycle Red Ale
Man of the Mountain Dark Mild
C & B Bitter
Skinny German Juggle Märzen
⚠️ MÄRZEN WARNING: I’m down to my last keg of that Skinny German Juggle Märzen. If you want to get your hands on some before it disappears, Friday would be your best bet!

Looking forward to filling your glass with liquid joy, happiness, raspberries and just a little disregard for 500-year-old brewing regulations. 🍺❤️

08/16/2026

I knew this day was coming, and honestly, I’m a little surprised Chain Reaction Hazy IPA held on as long as it did! 🍺

But by the end of Saturday, the last drop was poured and Chain Reaction is officially SOLD OUT! 🎉

Which, of course, means we’re down to FIVE taps of deliciousness at Checkerhead Brewing today. Here’s what you can still whet your whistle with:

🍺 1. Hidden Wonders Blackberry Wit
🍺 2. Skinny German Juggle Märzen
🍺 3. Stu’s Rusty Unicycle Red Ale
🍺 4. Man of the Mountain Dark Mild
🍺 5. C&B Bitter

And there’s plenty more goodness on the way!

If everything goes according to plan, Raspberry Hefeweizen should be ON TAP next weekend, with a whole lineup of beers hot on its heels:

🍓 Raspberry Hefeweizen
🌿 Hop Juggler SMASH — Mosaic Edition
🌱 Roger’s Rakau Pale Ale
🍺 Moroccofied Cerveza
🍓 Liquid Shirley Hard Seltzer

I’m particularly excited about getting those tanks emptied because that means I can start brewing the fresh-hopped beers made with hops from my very own little hop yard. 🌿🍺 Those should start appearing in September!

Figuring out what to brew, when to brew it, and how to keep the tanks moving is basically mental Tetris for a brewer—and, honestly, it tickles all the right parts of my brain. 😂

Hopefully, the end result tickles your taste buds just as much.

Thanks for continuing to drink my beer, empty my tanks, and give me an excuse to keep making more. ❤️

Looking forward to filling your glass with happiness and joy!

08/14/2026

You don’t brew beer just to look at it… and I must be doing something right, because the taps are starting to run dry! 🍺

We’ve gone from 8 taps → 7 → now 6, with a very good chance we’ll be down to 5 before the weekend is over.

So, what’s ON TAP this weekend—and what’s about to disappear? Here’s the lineup:

🍻 1. Hidden Wonders Blackberry Wit
Back on tap at the beginning of August and selling FAST! This one has definitely found its fans.

🍺 2. Skinny German Juggle Märzen
A classic German-style lager made with malt from Bavaria for that extra-authentic taste. Big thanks to Paul Van Der Ham for brewing this one with me!

🍺 3. Stu’s Rusty Unicycle Red Ale
Made its return last weekend and is already proving to be a hit with our patrons.

🍺 4. Man of the Mountain Dark Mild
A tribute beer to my good friend Sean Rank—the original Man of the Mountain. IYKYK. 😉

🍺 5. C&B Bitter
Dark. Roasty. Delicious. A tip of the hat to Warren Boyer for brewing this one with me.

🍺 6. Chain Reaction Hazy IPA
Our tribute beer to Colten Nash, which I had the pleasure of brewing with Iain Warren.

🚨 CHAIN REACTION WARNING! 🚨

This one is down to its LAST KEG and I fully expect it to disappear this weekend.

So if you’ve been meaning to try it—or you’re Lee Jantzen and have been waiting for your moment—this is your warning. 😜

Once that keg kicks, we’ll be down to 5 taps until next week, when I’m hoping to get a couple of beers currently sitting happily in fermenters carbonated, conditioned and ready to join the lineup.

But don’t worry…

There’s plenty of beer in the pipeline. 🍻

The taps may be getting emptier, but there’s lots more to look forward to at Checkerhead!

Come get it while it’s here.

08/13/2026

Public Service Announcement! 📣

As much as I love my little brewery and everything that comes with it, I also really love my life as a performer. So when my new cruise ship agent, Starbook Entertainment, called and asked if I could fill in for another performer who had to cancel an Atlantic crossing, my first thought was:

“I’d better check with the wife.” 😂

I ran it by Emiko Yoshikawa, expecting at least a little hesitation.

Instead: “Ireland? They want to send you to IRELAND? You should totally go!”

So… I said yes. 🇮🇪🍀

On August 24th, I’m flying to Ireland and joining Sapphire Princess for a one-week contract sailing from Cobh, Ireland to Sydney, Nova Scotia.

Which means that while I’m away, Checkerhead Brewing will be CLOSED August 28, 29 & 30.

So please don’t make the trek out to Shirley those days… because I’ll be somewhere in the middle of the Atlantic, juggling my way toward that SWEET SWEET JUGGLER MONEY! 🤹‍♂️💰🚢

The timing is slightly tricky because, of course, this happens right around hop harvest time in my little hop yard. 🌿🍺 Thankfully, our son Owen, Lucky River, is coming for a visit and may be able to lend a hand. And for that, I am VERY grateful.

Sometimes I honestly have no idea how all of these pieces fit together.

It reminds me of one of my favourite moments from the 1998 movie Shakespeare in Love, when Geoffrey Rush’s character is asked how everything will work out.

His answer?

“It’s a mystery.”

And honestly… that pretty much sums up my life.

It’s a mystery.

I’m just incredibly grateful that somehow, it all seems to work out. ❤️

08/08/2026

🍺 ONE BEER ENDS… ANOTHER ROLLS IN! 🚲💨

All good things must come to an end, and I’m semi-sad to announce that IN JEST ESB is officially SOLD OUT!

I absolutely loved making this beer with Thom Riley and Jeremiah from and even more, I loved how it turned out. Judging by how quickly you folks kept coming back for it, I wasn’t the only one! 😁

But when one beer rides off into the sunset, another one rolls into the taproom…

🍺 Introducing the return of STU’S RUSTY UNICYCLE RED ALE! 🚲

This one is very Checkerhead:

🌿 Willamette hops grown right here in the Checkerhead hop yard
💧 Water from our well
🌾 Malt from Field Five Farm Ltd.
🍯 And our house yeast strain, propagated from the honey produced by our very own bees

And the name? Stu.

Stu is one of the legendary Four Swordsmen of the Apocalypse — the dream team of friends who have jumped in on countless projects, solved countless problems, and helped turn the crazy idea of Checkerhead Brewing into the place it is today.

Can Stu ride a unicycle?

🤷‍♂️ I honestly have no idea.

But if you put a motor on one, I suspect Stu would be willing to find out. 😂

🍻 WHAT’S ON TAP RIGHT NOW:

1️⃣ Hop Juggler SMASH — Fresh-Hopped Galena Edition
There’s only a whisper of this one left…

2️⃣ Hidden Wonders Blackberry Wit

3️⃣ Chain Reaction Hazy IPA — Collab with Iain Warren
Could sell out this week!

4️⃣ Skinny German Juggle Märzen — Collab with Paul Van Der Ham

5️⃣ Stu’s Rusty Unicycle Red Ale 🚲

6️⃣ Man of the Mountain Dark Mild

7️⃣ C & B Bitter — Collab with Warren Boyer

And for those looking for something non-alcoholic, I’ve also got six varieties of Checkerhead Craft Kombucha:

🍊 Orange Pekoe
🫐 Black Currant
🍓 Raspberry Lemonade
🍑 Peach Cocktail
🍯 Honey Bush
🌴 Paradise

So come on out to Shirley, grab a seat, and let me fill your glass with a little joy, happiness, and possibly some questionable unicycling decisions. 😁

Cheers! 🍻

08/03/2026

Do I need to grow my own hops? 🍺🌿

No.

Do I grow my own hops anyway?

Absolutely.

Not because it’s the easiest way to make beer, but because it keeps me connected to every glass I serve in the tap room.

These are my Chinook hops, and this year they’re absolutely going off. The bines are loaded with cones, and in just a few weeks they’ll be picked by hand and tossed straight into the kettle for a fresh-hopped West Coast IPA I’m planning to brew with a couple of friends from Vancouver Island Brewing.

Fresh-hopped beers are something special. Instead of drying and packaging the hops, they’re harvested and brewed almost immediately, capturing bright, vibrant flavours that only come around once a year. It’s brewing that’s dictated by nature’s calendar—not mine.

The plan (assuming Mother Nature cooperates) is ambitious:
🍺 A fresh-hopped West Coast IPA featuring Chinook, Cascade, Centennial, and Galena
🍺 A crisp Pilsner showcasing Sterling
🍺 A Black Currant Ale highlighting Brewer’s Gold
🍺 A Raspberry Stout built around Fuggles
🍺 And, of course, another Hop Juggler SMASH featuring one of the other varieties growing here in the Checkerhead Hop Yard.

One of the greatest gifts of this season has been all of you. Your visits, your support, and your incredibly generous Google reviews have kept the taproom busy enough that I’m brewing far more often than I was able to last year. That means more opportunities to turn these homegrown hops into fresh beer.

If you’re looking for something to do this BC Day, come wander through the hop yard while it’s at its absolute peak. It won’t look like this for long—harvest is just around the corner, and before you know it these beautiful green cones will be finding their way into the glasses we’ll be raising together.

Here’s to growing beer. 🌿🍻

07/31/2026

The taps are full... but I have a feeling they won’t stay that way for long. 🍻

Heading into the long weekend, all eight taps at Checkerhead Brewing are pouring. If history is any indication, though, I suspect we’ll be down to five or six by the time the weekend wraps up.

Here’s what’s waiting for you:

🍺 1. Hop Juggler SMASH – Fresh Hopped Galena Edition (Only ONE keg left!)
A true single malt, single hop beer showcasing fresh Galena hops from the Checkerhead Hop Yard.

🫐 2. Hidden Wonders Blackberry Wit (Back by popular demand!)
A refreshing Belgian Wit with blackberry goodness, brewed as a tribute to my friend and world champion magician Shawn Farquhar.

🌫️ 3. Chain Reaction Hazy IPA
A collaboration with Iain Warren (Iain Warren) from Seriously Good Beer.

🇩🇪 4. Skinny German Juggle Märzen
A collaboration with Paul Van Der Ham (Paul Van Der Ham) from Category 12 Brewing.

🎭 5. IN JEST ESB (Only ONE keg left!)
A collaboration with Jeremiah and Tom Riley (Thom Riley) from Vancouver Island Brewing.

🍇 6. Liquid Shirley Acai & Blackberry Hard Seltzer
This keg is hanging on by a thread... it may not survive the weekend.

🌲 7. Man of the Mountain Dark Mild
Back on tap after a long hiatus.

🇬🇧 8. C & B Bitter
A collaboration with Warren Boyer (Warren Boyer) from Rusted Rake Farmhouse Brewery.

If you’ve had your eye on the SMASH, the ESB, or the Hard Seltzer, Friday is probably your safest bet. Once those kegs kick, that’s it until they’re brewed again.

Looking forward to seeing some familiar faces, meeting a few new ones, and filling a whole lot of glasses with happiness this long weekend.

Cheers! 🍻

07/30/2026

Just in time for blackberry season... 🍇🍺

Tomorrow, Hidden Wonders Blackberry Wit makes its return to the taps at Checkerhead Brewing.

This beer is my tribute to my good friend Shawn Farquhar (Shawn Farquhar)—someone who has dedicated his life to creating moments of genuine wonder. More than once, guests at the brewery have asked me if I know Shawn, and they don’t just mention his show... they absolutely rave about it.

Having experienced Hidden Wonders (Hidden Wonders Speakeasy) myself, I completely understand why. It’s an intimate evening filled with laughter, impossible moments, brilliant storytelling, and world-class sleight of hand. You leave wondering, “How on Earth did he do that?”

When I started planning this blackberry wit, I knew I wanted it to be more than just another seasonal beer. I wanted it to capture a little of that same sense of surprise and delight that Shawn creates every night.

Is a beer worthy of honoring a world champion magician? I’ll let you decide. But I can promise that every pour has been crafted with the same care, patience, and passion that goes into creating unforgettable experiences.

So if you’re a fan of blackberries, Belgian witbier, or simply discovering something unexpected, stop by beginning tomorrow and experience Hidden Wonders Blackberry Wit for yourself.

Sometimes the greatest surprises come in a glass.

🍻

07/30/2026

As a young teenager growing up in Nepean, Ontario, I’d disappear into the woods after the weekend looking for empty stubbies left behind after bush parties. I’d haul them back to The Beer Store, cash in the deposits, and suddenly I had enough money for the important things in life... bubble gum, potato chips, and, if I was feeling fancy, a bag of Hickory Sticks.

Back then, the humble stubby was everywhere. Breweries didn’t think of bottles as disposable—they washed them, refilled them, and sent them back out into the world. The idea of a single-use glass bottle would have seemed ridiculous.

When stubbies disappeared from store shelves, homebrewers rescued them. They’re incredibly tough, easy to clean, and perfect for bottling beer.

Today I hit the jackpot.

Someone on Facebook Marketplace was giving away 26 dozen old-school stubbies... for FREE! These little beauties are about to begin another life. They’ll be washed, sanitized, filled with fresh Checkerhead Brewing beer, and enjoyed all over again.

That got me thinking about packaging in general.

I’ve also started collecting used howlers and growlers from our patrons. Of course you can buy a shiny new Checkerhead Brewing growler, but if someone donates a clean used one, I’ll happily wash it, sanitize it, and give it to the next customer—for free. One less bottle manufactured. One more bottle kept in circulation.

Sometimes the best ideas aren’t new ideas—they’re the ones we’ve forgotten.

So if you’ve got old stubbies, dusty growlers, or lonely howlers sitting around the garage, bring them by! I’d love to give them a new purpose... and fill them with something delicious.

♻️ Reuse. Refill. Repeat.

Checkerhead Brewing

08/21/2026

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08/16/2026

08/14/2026

08/13/2026

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