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Cutwater Brewery: Lake Country's Newest Destination Worth the Drive by BoostBC
- Alyssa
- Jun 24
- 4 min read
Updated: Jul 1
Cutwater Brewery: Lake Country's Newest Destination Worth the Drive
When you think of the Okanagan, a few things probably come to mind: sunshine, lake days, great food, and good company. At Cutwater Brewery, all of those elements come together under one roof and after five years in the making, it's finally here.
Richard Marken and the Cutwater team have poured everything into bringing this vision to life in Lake Country, right on Highway 97 between Kelowna and Vernon. Richard is no stranger to the craft beer world - he's also the founder of the beloved Bright Eye Brewing in Kamloops - but Cutwater is something entirely its own.
The Name Says It All
"A cutwater is the front edge of a boat that slices cleanly through the water," explains the team. "That idea resonated with us - forward momentum, clean lines, and purpose."
Inspired by the adventurous, outdoor lifestyle that defines the Okanagan, Cutwater was built to be more than just a brewery.
"We wanted a name that felt rooted in this region, where people spend their summers on the lake, outdoors, with friends, chasing good times."
Whether you're stopping by after a day on the water, meeting friends on a Friday evening, or grabbing a family lunch - Cutwater is built to be a destination.
"We want Cutwater to feel like a destination, not just another taproom."
What's on Tap Right Now
Every great brewery has that one beer they'd hand to a first-time visitor.
At Cutwater, the house lineup is anything but boring:
House Brews - all $9.25 for 18oz, $6.70 for 12oz, $3.85 for 6oz:
The Baron - A true Bavarian Lager. Crisp, malty, earthy hops. 5%
Berry Potter - Strawberry Gose with a hint of sea salt. Tart, sweet, summer in a glass. 5%
Lazy Daze Crazy Hazy - Big NE IPA packed with Azacca & Galaxy hops, bursting with tropical fruit. 5.5%
Scarlett Raspberry Lemonade - German-style sour wheat ale with tart raspberry and lemon. 5%
Peachy Keen - A refreshing new wheat ale with juicy peach and tangerine. 5% (NEW)
Highlander Red IPA - Caramel malt, light chocolate, smooth and clean. 5%
Bohdi Stout - Roasted malt, chocolate, caramel notes. Smooth and satisfying. 5.2%
They're also pouring guest taps from great BC breweries including Britannia Brewing, Hoyne Brewing, and Nelson Brewing - plus ciders from Shuswap Cider Company and wines from Summerhill Pyramid Winery, 50th Parallel Estate Winery, and more.
The Food Is Seriously Good Too
Cutwater's kitchen goes well beyond typical brewery fare. Think Poke Nachos, Bang Shrimp, Crispy Brussels Sprouts, and a Pickle Pizza that deserves its own fan club. The burger program is the real anchor - their Double Smash Burger with American cheese, house burger sauce, and caramelized onions on a brioche bun is exactly what you want in your hand with a cold pint.
There's also Pad Thai, an Ahi Tuna Poke Bowl, a Steak Sando, and a warm chocolate chip cookie dessert that should be illegal. See the full menu here.
And Hoppy Hour? All week, 3–5pm and 8pm to close - plus all day Monday. You're welcome.
Built for Evolution, Not the Shelf
Behind every easy-drinking pint is a surprising amount of precision. "Brewing is part art, part science, and part obsession," says Richard. Water chemistry, yeast health, temperature control, quality testing - every detail matters.
"One of the hardest things in brewing isn't creating a great beer once - it's making sure pint number 500 tastes exactly as good as pint number one."
In a region packed with great Okanagan breweries, Cutwater stands out by staying fresh and staying local. Because they're not chasing large-scale distribution, they're free to experiment.
"Most breweries have to think, 'Will this survive six months on a liquor store shelf?' We get to think, 'What tastes incredible right now?' Some breweries build consistency through repetition. We build excitement through evolution."
Cutwater Dream collaborations by Brewer, Lance Jacobs:
The future at Cutwater looks as creative as the tap list. A few dream collaborations would be:
A Cherry Bourbon Whiskey Stout paired with original music from local musician Gaz Jordan
A sunset-inspired Hefeweizen featuring artwork from Lake Country mural artist Kelly Wright
A custom SMaSH Burger Pale Ale designed to pair perfectly with a smash burger from Marc at Bernie's
"Craft beer is all about bringing together local talent, creativity, and community to create experiences people remember."
And that is exactly what that team at Cutwater hopes for: more collaboration, more creativity, and more memorable moments shared over great beer.
Go Find Your New Favourite Pint
🕐 Sun–Thurs 11am–10pm | Fri–Sat 11am–11pm
This Local Spotlight was brought to you by BoostBC - a Kelowna-based digital agency dedicated to helping BC businesses grow, get found online, and connect with their communities.
We shine a light on incredible local businesses across the Okanagan and beyond - from breweries and restaurants to service providers and makers. Know a business that deserves their moment? Nominate a local business for a free spotlight - it's 100% free and a great way to show some love to the people building our communities.
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