A new crop of pint-sized producers popping up across the province are proving why smaller is sometimes better when it comes to brewing craft beer in B.C.

Even smaller than the local micro-brewery, the so-called nanobrewery is grabbing market share and producing some fine brews.

At North Vancouver’s Bridge Brewing Company, batches are so small that some -- like its pumpkin pie spiced stout -- sell out in mere hours.

“We keep growing and can't keep up with production,” said Jason Stratton, who founded the company 16-months ago. It's housed in a 1,000 square foot space.

Some of its offerings have included an IPA called Hopilano, Indian Arm Ale, Lynn Canyon Red, North Shore Pale Ale and a “We-Eat” wheat beer.

"I just wanted to start my own business and I wanted to keep it small and I wanted to do something fun and what's more fun than beer?" Stratton said.

His wife Leigh has come on board, taking on the title of director of consumption.

“So really my job is to get people to drink beer,” she told CTV News.

Chef turned brewer Patrick Dore has been brewing in small, 800-litre batches, putting them into the category of nanobrewery.

Rick Green of CAMRA B.C., a volunteer-run organization dedicated to promoting craft beer, says the concept of nanobreweries makes perfect sense in a world-class -- and expensive -- city like Vancouver.

"It’s a particularly strong trend in Vancouver simply because of the real estate prices here," he said.

Green says more people are starting small companies to cash in on the craft beer craze as demand for local beers grows and more restaurants like Biercraft stock them.

He likens the appreciation of craft beer the way many people would sample and savour a fine wine.

“It's not about drinking it for refreshment or getting drunk at a frat party,” he said.

Bridge’s nano concept may be a victim of its own success. While so far it’s been brewing in very small batches, they’ve had to invest in some much larger tanks to meet demand.

"Ultimately you can't stay as a Nano,” said Stratton. “You have to keep growing and that's not to become big, just bigger."

It’s expected the new tanks will make Bridge a microbrewery within several weeks. The company will still produce high-quality artisan beer, just more of it.