There are at least 3 brewing companies in the West Kootenays:
In Creston there is the Columbia Brewing Company, in Revelstoke there is the Mt Begbie Brewing Company and in Nelson there is the Nelson Brewing Company, advertising organic ales.
Given this choice, make it a point to sample some of the local brews while traveling in the region.
The region isn't well known for wineries; there just isn't the heat or the soil available here the way there is in the Okanagan. However, despite that, there are at least two wineries in the region: Columbia Gardens Vineyard & Winery (http://www.cgwinery.com/) just south of Trail and Skimmerhorn Winery & Vineyard (http://www.skimmerhorn.ca/) in Creston.
