Patrick Evans

Part of a family of longtime farmers in the Comox Valley since the 1960s, Patrick and Evansdale Farms purchased the former UBC Research Farm in part to save it from development, but more to allow him to put into practice a new type of agriculture that moves away from mass produced commodities, and more into value added production with a sophisticated ‘farm gate’ retail side.

The idea of a unique high value beverage produced completely on the farm, where the used barley waste becomes food for the farm animals, speaks to environmental sustainability. Crop trials in 2006 produced a bumper crop and proved the viability of growing malting barley on site.

Evans is in preparation of the contruction of the distillery buildings and getting the fields ready to receive the first crop. Plans call for the initial batch of 25,000 litres to be distilled in the new premises by the fall.

Use the links below the photo at left to learn about proprietors Jay Oddliefson and Andrew Currie.