E-Malt.com News article: Canada, BC: Lighthouse Brewing Company to close production facility but its brands to continue to be brewed locally

One of Victoria’s longest-running craft breweries is closing its production facility, but its best-known beers will continue to be brewed locally, Victoria Buzz reported on January 20.

Phillips Brewing & Malting Company has confirmed it will acquire the beer brands and intellectual property of Lighthouse Brewing Company, with the transition set to take effect January 25th.

The move comes as Lighthouse prepares to shut down its brewery after 27 years in operation.

Lighthouse co-owner and general manager Ben Thomas announced on Monday that the brewery would close by the end of January, citing mounting economic pressures and major challenges facing the craft beer industry.

At the time, he said the Lighthouse brand had been purchased by another local Victoria brewery that was committed to carrying the torch forward.

That brewery is Phillips, which says it will take over brewing, packaging, marketing, and sales for Lighthouse’s portfolio of beers, including Shipwreck IPA, Race Rocks Amber Ale, and Company Lager.

“After 27 years of serving the craft beer community here on Vancouver Island, it was important for us to find a craft brewery who could continue the legacy of the Lighthouse brands,” said Thomas.

“Phillips is a recognized and respected leader in the B.C. craft beer industry and will be able to continue investing behind Lighthouse and uniquely position the beers going forward.”

Phillips president Jim Lister said the acquisition is about preserving a piece of Vancouver Island’s craft beer history.

“Phillips believes in the power of our local Vancouver Island community, and this is yet another example of finding a unique way to ensure the pioneering Lighthouse portfolio of beers continues to live on,” Lister said.

“We are honoured to add Lighthouse’s beers to our broader portfolio and appreciate their trust in us to help guide the brand’s future while respecting its traditions.”

While the beer brands are moving to Phillips, Lighthouse’s physical production facility is a separate matter.

Victoria Buzz previously reported that the Lighthouse brewery space at 836 Devonshire Road in Victoria has been listed for sale.

That listing includes the production facility and more than $2 million worth of brewing and packaging equipment, but does not include the Lighthouse brand or intellectual property.

The 16,000-square-foot facility is designed for large-scale production rather than public-facing service, with the ability to package cans, bottles, and kegs across multiple products and brands.

The listing notes a maximum production capacity of up to 47,000 hectolitres and an asking price of $699,000 for the equipment and facility assets only.

The separation of the brand sale from the equipment listing helps explain how Lighthouse’s beers can continue under Phillips while the brewery space itself is being marketed independently.

Thomas said Lighthouse’s closure was driven by a combination of long-term and recent challenges, including the ongoing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, rising inflation, supply chain issues, high provincial taxes, tariffs, and increased production costs.

He also pointed to the BCGEU strike last fall as a major factor that affected the brewery’s ability to continue operating.

“There are many external factors that contributed to this decision, including economic and market conditions, unsustainable overheads, saturation of the beer market, and changes in consumer drinking habits,” he said, adding that the past year was particularly difficult.

The Lighthouse tasting room will close at the end of January. Before that, the brewery is planning a “thank you” party for the community on Saturday, January 24th.

Thomas said more details about the closure will be shared in the coming days.

Despite the closure, Thomas expressed gratitude for the support Lighthouse received over nearly three decades.

“We always tried our best to make beers that you would like as much as we did,” he said. “Thanks for allowing Lighthouse to be a part of your life’s memories and moments.”

He added that the craft beer industry across BC is struggling and encouraged people to support local breweries wherever possible.


20 January, 2026