On a day that could have been bleak, folks at a Sea to Sky brewery made it special.
Squamish's Caroline Favot died March 9, 2024, while snowmobiling, leaving behind a grieving family in Ontario and plenty of friends in the Sea to Sky.
Staff at Squamish's , where Favot worked part-time as a server, have created a "Ride With Caroline" beer in her honour.
They also hosted an event for her on International Women's Day, last weekend.
"Women鈥檚 Day is not only this Saturday. It鈥檚 every day. Girls run the world, after all. This year, and every year hereafter, we鈥檙e remembering one of our own鈥攐ur sweet, sweet Caroline," reads a Backcountry .
"Grab this beer with intention. Smash the patriarchy. Follow your passions. Do the thing. Love purely. Take nothing for granted."
Favot was known for her adventurous spirit.
"Caroline lived her life with an unwavering spirit of generosity and adventure," her family said in her. "She was a free spirit and approached each day with boundless energy; embracing every moment with enthusiasm and grace that touched all who knew her."
Backcountry鈥檚 co-founder Ben Reeder credited his female staff for the initiative.
"It was run all by women. So, it was very organic. The women got together and wanted to honour her, and figured that International Women's Day would be a perfect day to do that," he said.
"They brewed the beer, they designed the beer. One of her good friends designed the label. So, it was really nice, and I think well received."
Funds from the beer will go to .
The beer, a spicy margarita sourbeer, contains 5.5% alcohol, with 8 IBU (International Bitterness Units), meaning it has low bitterness.
"A sour brewed in collaboration with the women of Backcountry who helped to design this beer concept," said Reeder, in a follow-up email to The 小蓝视频.
"Our sour base, with a healthy amount of lactose, conditioned on lime puree and spiked with a mix of hot peppers, orange zest and agave flavour. A balanced sour with a hint of lingering heat鈥攁 margarita in a can!"
The can's label is design by Ashley Baechler.
The Saturday event wasn't advertised: it was for friends and family, Reeder noted, including Favot鈥檚 parents who came out from back east.
Reeder said he thought it "was a good healing moment."
"It's always good when the parents get to meet their kids' friends and see the outpouring of support," Reeder said.
"I've been there. I've had some close family pass and I know that these kinds of things, they really do, help start the healing process, however long that takes."
Favot's mom, Jane Ohlke, who spoke to The 小蓝视频 on behalf of the family, said they were touched by the support.
"We are overwhelmed by the kindness of the people at Backcountry Brewing who thought of a way to honour Caroline and to have a get-together for her family and friends," Ohlke said.
"Everything you could think of that would be nice, they did. There was food, flowers, and 'Ride with Caroline' beer they served and gave to people before they left. They shared funny stories, too," she added.
"On the one-year anniversary of Caroline's passing, she was recognized for International Women's Day. We will always cherish that."
The public can find the Ride With Caroline beer at Backcountry, of course, throughout the Sea to Sky and in the Lower Mainland.
Dubh Linn Gate Irish Pub and RMU Whistler are carrying it, too.
