John Mitchell Signature Collaboration

VANCOUVER, BC, OCTOBER 4^TH, 2025 – The prestigious John Mitchell Award for Brewing Excellence is proud to announce that the 2025 JOHN MITCHELL SIGNATURE COLLABORATION will be brewed in partnership with Fullers, Griffin Brewery, of Chiswick, England and Spinnakers Brew Pub in Victoria, BC.

THE HISTORY

In 1982, Alexander John Mitchell started an economic and cultural revolution when he pioneered Canada’s first craft brewery in Horseshoe Bay, BC.  

Two years later, John Mitchell, and his partner Paul Hadfield, changed the brewing industry forever when they opened Spinnakers, the first destination brew pub in North America. 

What many people do not know is that Fullers Griffin Brewery helped launch Canada’s craft beer industry when they agreed to donate fresh yeast to John Mitchell for his first beer, Bay Ale. John Mitchell was raised in the UK, and his favorite beer was Fullers London Pride. Mitchell’s Bay Ale was modelled after Fuller’s London Pride, and it quickly became known as the “best beer in Canada”. 

Fuller’s incredible show of support to John Mitchell and Horseshoe Bay Brewery in 1982, set the stage for what would become the first international collaboration in craft beer history and helped launch the modern-day craft beer revolution. 

THE JOHN MITCHELL SIGNATURE COLLABORATION

Today, we are commemorating this historic event by bringing together the John Mitchell Signature Collaboration, and the John Mitchell Award for Brewing Excellence, with Fullers Griffin Brewery via our host brewery, Spinnakers Brew Pub in Victoria.  

Collaborations are at the heart of craft beer culture, as demonstrated by Fullers donating yeast to John Mitchell in 1982. These practices not only lead to unique and innovative brews but also foster a strong sense of community among brewers, beer enthusiasts and consumers alike. 

The John Mitchell Signature Collaboration is a major component, and financial contributor, to the John Mitchell Award for Brewing Excellence. The John Mitchell Award was established to celebrate John Mitchell’s legacy as Canada’s original craft brewer, and to honour the next generation of brewers, and professionals, who have made a major impact on Canada’s craft beer industry.  

The John Mitchell Signature Collaboration, and the John Mitchell Award for Brewing Excellence, both generate funds that support the John Mitchell Legacy Endowed Scholarship at Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) Brewing and Brewery Operations Diploma program in Langley, BC. The scholarship helps the next generation of brewers, and craft beer professionals, pay for their education. 

ABOUT THE BEER

This historic Trans-Atlantic collaboration beer is an old-world style IPA, brewed with Fuller’s Brewery yeast, Field 5 Saanich Peninsula malts and old world and Northwest hops. The beer comes in at 5.2% ABV and 40 IBU’s of bitterness. It has a light malt character which helps create a highly session able IPA.

AVAILABILITY

The 2025 John Mitchell Signature Collaboration beer is being launched at Spinnakers Brew Pub in Victoria on October 14^th, 2025, from 5-7pm. This free event is open to the public and will feature this special beer on tap, cask and nitro. Cans of the beer will be available for sale. Guy Stewart, the head brewer/brewery manager of Fullers in the UK will be in attendance.  

The Barley Merchant, located at 20090 91A Ave in Langley, Twp, BC, will also be hosting a special launch event and will have the John Mitchell Signature collaboration beer on tap. The event starts at 6:00pm. Guy Stewart from Fullers will also attend this event. 

Single cans and 4-packs of the John Mitchell Signature Collaboration beer will also be available at select liquor stores on Vancouver Island and around the Lower Mainland. Check the website for details. 

PAYING IT FORWARD

Proceeds from the John Mitchell Signature Collaboration benefit the John Mitchell Legacy Endowed Scholarship at the Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) Brewing and Brewery Operations Diploma program in Langley, BC. KPU’s program was of particular significance to John Mitchell, who personally visited its Langley BC–based facility to meet students representing the future of brewing excellence. The current scholarship was established in 2019, after the passing of its trailblazing namesake. The 2025 John Mitchell Signature Collaboration highlights the legacy that John created for the next generation of brewers in Canada. John Mitchell paved the way for the craft beer industry to become what it is today.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The John Mitchell Award for Brewing Excellence wishes to thank the following sponsors for their ongoing support: Simon James Travel, Container World/Commercial Logistics, Canvas Craft, Fullers Griffin Brewery, KPU Brewing and Brewery Operations Diploma program, Canada Malting Corporation, Local Canning, Phoenix Packaging, Line 49 Design, Ripley Beverage, Hops Connect Canada, The Barley Merchant, Great Little Box Company/Ideon Packaging.

Media Contact

For media and enquiries, contact

Mr. John Ohler, Executive Director

John Mitchell Award for Brewing Excellence

T: 360-201-5140

E: info@johnmitchell.beer 

Media Assets: https://johnmitchell.beer/media

About the John Mitchell Award for Brewing Excellence

The John Mitchell Award for Brewing Excellence was established to recognize exceptional individuals who have made significant contributions to the brewing industry while embodying the spirit of innovation, brewing quality and the betterment of the craft beer community. Named in honor of the late great John Mitchell, a pioneer in the craft beer movement, this award seeks to celebrate, and perpetuate, his incredible legacy.

For more information about the John Mitchell Award for Brewing Excellence, please visit https://johnmitchell.beer/ 

About Kwantlen Polytechnic University

Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) has served the Metro Vancouver region since 1981, and has opened doors to success for more than 200,000 learners. Based at five campuses across Richmond, Surrey and Langley, KPU offers a comprehensive range of sought-after programs in business, arts, design, health, science and horticulture, trades and technology, and academic and career advancement. Learn more at kpu.ca. 

About KPU Brewing

The KPU Brewing & Brewery Operations Diploma is the only program of its kind in BC, and Kwantlen Polytechnic University was the first Canadian institution recognized by the Master Brewers Association of the Americas for a standard of excellence in brewing education. KPU is recognized as one of the top brewing schools in North America, placing first in 2019 and second in 2021 overall in the US Open College Beer Championship. KPU was awarded Brewery of the Year at the 2019 BC Beer Awards. More recently, a student team won bronze for their Signature Series beer at the 2022 Canadian Brewing Awards. Learn more at kpu.ca/brew. 

Media Contact

For media or sales enquiries, contact Mr. John Ohler

John Mitchell Legacy Endowed Scholarship

T: 360-201-5140

E: info@johnmitchell.beer 

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