TransLink rides into the craft beer scene with the ‘Platform Pilsner,’ a limited-edition brew made at Patina Brewing in Port Coquitlam

TransLink has officially boarded the craft beer train with the Platform Pilsner, a limited-edition Canadian brew created in collaboration with Patina Brewing Co. in Port Coquitlam.

Unveiled at a press conference at Patina’s brewery on Thursday, the TransLink-themed beer is being marketed as a distinctly Canadian craft pilsner, brewed with 100 percent Canadian ingredients and branded with a West Coast Express-inspired can design.

“This is a first for us,” said Anita Bathe, senior manager of media relations and issues management at TransLink. “We partnered with Patina by sharing our branding and creative assets, and together we’ve brought to life the Platform Pilsner.”

The purple-can design features rail-inspired graphics and nods to the regional transit system. Bathe said the collaboration is meant to reflect shared values between the brewery and the transit authority.

Bathe emphasized the product’s national identity. 

“It was important that this beer not only tasted great, but that it also stood for something. That something is local pride, Canadian quality, and community connection,” she said.

The Platform Pilsner will be available in four-packs at Patina Brewing and at select BC Liquor Stores across Metro Vancouver, just in time for the Canada Day long weekend.

Only 1,500 packs have been produced, but Bathe did not rule out making more if Patina sells out.

For Patina Brewing, the collaboration was a natural fit.

“We were super thrilled when TransLink reached out to us,” said Sarah Harbord, Patina’s director of operations. “We love doing collaborations. We love reaching out. We do a lot of volunteer fundraisers with other organizations. When TransLink called us, we absolutely said yes.”

Head brewer Jose Rojas described the beer as Patina’s own twist on a Canadian pilsner. “We brew it nice and cold, we rest it nice and long, it’s super crisp and clean, and we use some modern dry hopping techniques,” he said. “It’s not a regular lager, it’s not a regular pilsner—it’s a Canadian pilsner.”

Rojas said the beer brings together ingredients from across the country. 

“We have ingredients from Alberta, we have ingredients from Quebec, and we also have ingredients grown right here in B.C,” he said, adding the water is sourced from the Coquitlam watershed.

When asked why a transit agency would venture into beer, Bathe pointed to TransLink’s broader strategy to diversify its revenue streams.

“We’re always looking for new ways to generate revenue that isn’t from fares,” she said. “We want it to be fun and creative and really connect to our local community, so this was the perfect fit at the right time.”

Bathe added that TransLink is open to more product collaborations in the future: “Everything that comes to the table will be looked at to make sure that it aligns with our brand and values. If there are ideas and local businesses want to collaborate, we will definitely look at what that could look like.”