James Boileau, 39, Andrew Lavigne, 52 and Dana Barnaby, 53, are longtime Kits residents. The
trio, who have been friends for years, all have successful careers. Boileau, is a business coach,
marketing consultant and author of Own Your S**t, Lavigne, a documentary filmmaker and
Barnaby, a film DP. It was Lavigne, the beer enthusiastic in the group, who first proposed
launching a beer company that captures the spirit of Kits, five years ago. When the pandemic hit
and their careers were thrown curve balls, Boileau, Lavigne and Barnaby decided now was the
perfect time to launch Kits Beach Beer. In Spring 2020, Boileau opened Kits Beach Coffee – at
Kits Beach – as a way to get into the market and start building awareness for the Kits Beach
brand.
The partners spent the last year perfecting their recipe. “Our flagship beer, Kits Beach Beer, is a
crisp, clean, lightly hopped Summer Ale with hints of citrus,” says Barnaby. “Vancouver has over
25 beer companies but we’re the only one on the west side,” says Lavigne. Kits’ residents are
already seeking out the brand which launches May 21st, just in time for the long weekend.
Kits Beach Beer merchandise including hats, t-shirts, tote bags, beach
blankets and biodegradable sunglasses, will be available for sale on the website as well as at
Kits Beach Coffee. “We want to build a brand that represents Kits and all the reasons we love
living here,” says Boileau. The brand plans to introduce a new commemorative design every
year. “This year we collaborated with local Kits’ artist Mo Sherwood, on a
beach inspired Summer 2021 poster that will be featured on our t-shirts.”
For now, Kits Beach Beer, which is self-funded by the three partners, is a side hustle, but
Boileau, Lavigne and Barnaby are already looking at expanding the brand with a Kits Grapefruit
Ale, two seasonal releases – Kits Summer Radler and Kits Winter, a dark Mexican lager, and
Kits Ginger, a non alcoholic, Caribbean influenced ginger beer.
Kits Beach Beer can be purchased online at www.kitsbeachbeer.com, a pack
of four, 473 ml cans is $14.95. Delivery within Kits is free of course. Kits Beach Beer can also
be purchased or enjoyed at Kitsilano Liquor Store, Burrard Liquor store, the Regal Beagle
Gastropub, Rocky Mountain Flatbread, TurF, The Ellis and Chewies Oyster Bar.
For a complete list of availability please visit the website: www.kitsbeachbeer.com.
