While Vancouver takes centre stage as a host city, communities across the province are joining the excitement with fan zones, watch parties, beer gardens, live entertainment, and plenty of opportunities to cheer alongside fellow fans.

So, whether you’re looking for a lively place to catch a match, gather with friends, or soak up the atmosphere, you’ll find plenty of ways to join the celebration this summer in our Match Day Pints Guide. We’ve created this list of the best fan zones, watch parties, and community events happening around British Columbia. Click on any participating brewery below for event details, or find all of these events in the BC Ale Trail app. Don’t have it yet? Download it today and take BC’s craft beer scene with you.

Cheers to a summer of great matches, great beer, and memorable moments!

Metro Vancouver & Fraser Valley

Vancouver

FIFA Fan Festival

The official FIFA Fan Festival at Hastings Park will be BC’s largest tournament celebration, featuring giant screens, live entertainment, food vendors, cultural programming, and interactive fan experiences throughout the tournament.

Granville Island

One of Vancouver’s most iconic destinations is getting into the soccer spirit with free public match screenings throughout the tournament. Between games, explore the Public Market, waterfront patios, and vibrant craft beverage scene.

R&B Brewing

Watch matches on a massive 140-inch screen while enjoying special Team Canada food and beer pairings.

Parallel 49 Brewing

One of Vancouver’s largest breweries has transformed its 250-seat patio and event space into an outdoor viewing area for all of the games this June and July, featuring a giant outdoor screen, DJs, food, and more.

Luppolo Brewing Company

Showing select matches in the tasting room. Table reservations are highly encouraged.

Steamworks Brewing Co.

Serving as Vancouver’s unofficial Swiss headquarters, welcoming fans of all nations throughout the tournament.

Steamworks Mount Pleasant Kitchen & Taphouse

Showing matches in the taphouse throughout the tournament

Strathcona Beer Co.

Offering watch parties, snacks, and match-day drink specials.

Container Brewing

Enjoy patio parties for every game, all tournament long.

East Vancouver Brewing Company

Enjoy a pint and good food while they show matches all tournament long. Table reservations encouraged.

Strange Fellows Brewing

Watch the world’s best teams compete all tournament long while enjoying Strange Fellows’ award-winning beers.

Main Street Brewing

Enjoy all the Team Canada matches along with select tournament games. Open early for select games.

Howe Sound Brewing

Showing every match in the brewery throughout the tournament and offering $12 double Caesars and $20 jugs of Howe Sound Lager during the games. Enjoy a $20 burger and beer special from Monday to Friday. Open 30 minutes before early games.

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North Vancouver

Uber Eats Canada Soccer House

The Shipyards will become home to Uber Eats Canada Soccer House, a waterfront gathering place featuring match screenings, special events, entertainment, food, and plenty of opportunities to celebrate Canada’s biggest soccer summer yet.

Strathcona North

Showing every match with early openings for select morning games, true 20oz pours, and daily happy hour specials.

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Surrey

Public Watch Parties and Community Events

Three free Soccer Fan Zones at Surrey Civic Plaza, Cloverdale Agriplex, and South Surrey Athletic Park will feature giant screens, food trucks, family-friendly activities, and licensed beer gardens.

Way Back Brew Co.

Showing matches all month long, making it easy to settle in with a locally crafted pint and soak up the match-day excitement.

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New Westminster

Public Watch Parties and Community Events

New Westminster is Fired Up for soccer with public watch parties, cultural programming, community events, and activities taking place throughout the tournament.

Howe Sound Taphouse & Kitchen

Showing every match in the brewery throughout the tournament and offering a special $8.50 breakfast menu and $12 double Caesars, as well as a $20 burger and beer special every day. Open 30 minutes before early games.

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Delta

Public Watch Parties and Community Events

Watch matches from Ladner’s Chisholm Street Wharf or the North Delta Recreation Centre while enjoying community programming and activities.

Four Winds Brewing Co.

Showing every match in the taproom.

Four Winds Beach House & Brewery

Catch every match on large projectors and TVs overlooking Boundary Bay.

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Coquitlam

Public Watch Parties

Public match viewings will rotate between several outdoor locations, creating neighbourhood gathering spaces for fans throughout the tournament.

Mariner Brewing

Showing every tournament match on the big screen with full sound, plus daily soccer-themed T-shirt giveaways and Team Canada jersey raffles on select match days.

Side Quest Brewing Co.

Showing all matches (that start between 12-7 pm) with the sound on. No cost to come, happy hour from 12-6 pm with $5 pints.

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Port Moody

Train Wreck Brewing

Join fellow fans for match screenings throughout the tournament.

Yellow Dog Brewing

Showing all matches throughout the tournament and hosting special giveaways during every Canada match. Grab a pint and join fellow supporters as Canada takes on the world’s best.

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Port Coquitlam

Taylight Brewing

Extended hours, international match celebrations, and tournament-themed food and beer specials throughout the tournament.

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Langley

Camp Beer Co.

A massive outdoor watch party experience featuring every match, special soccer mug club perks, custom cask beers, food features, and a final match celebration.

Dead Frog Brewery

Catch all the action throughout the tournament while enjoying a lineup of locally crafted beers.

Five Roads Brewing

Watch Vancouver-hosted matches while enjoying specials on their soccer-themed Mexican lager. Team Canada goals unlock $5 beers.

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Chilliwack

Sidekick Brewing

Showing every match in the taproom, with $15 60oz pitchers during Team Canada games.

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Pitt Meadows

Foamers’ Folly Brewing

Showing every single match LIVE. Grab a $5 pint and enjoy the festivities!

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Squamish

Howe Sound Brewing

Showing every match in the brewery throughout the tournament and offering a special breakfast menu and $12 double Caesars, as well as a $20 burger and beer special from Monday to Friday. Open 30 minutes before early games.

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Pemberton

Bridge Brewing

Catch every match on multiple screens, full sound, delicious handcrafted eats, and a pint of your favourite craft beer in hand.

Sunshine Coast

Gibsons & Sechelt

Public Watch Parties and Community Events

Both Gibsons and Sechelt have received provincial funding to support free celebrations. Keep an eye on local event listings for details on community viewing parties and special programming throughout the tournament

Persephone Brewing Company

Join fellow fans for watch parties and receive 10% off on match days when you mention “Match Days.”

The Spare Room at The Alley

Pair all the action with Persephone pints and a full pub menu featuring burgers, wings, and more.

Vancouver Island

Victoria

Public Watch Parties and Community Events 

Downtown Victoria is embracing the tournament with outdoor watch parties, street activations, and community events hosted in partnership with local businesses throughout the city.

Driftwood Brewing

Enjoy all the games on their new 75″ TV, starting at 12:00pm daily. Select matches shown with sound.

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Langford

Public Watch Parties and Community Events

Langford’s cultural district will come alive with public match screenings, local vendors, food trucks, live entertainment, and a licensed beverage garden. It’s an ideal stop for soccer fans travelling through southern Vancouver Island.

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Comox Valley

Public Watch Party

Celebrate Canada’s opening match with a community gathering featuring live music, cultural performances, and a shared viewing experience in one of Vancouver Island’s most scenic regions.

Interior BC

Kamloops

Public Watch Parties and Community Events

Riverside Park will serve as Kamloops’ soccer headquarters, with matches broadcast on a large outdoor screen at the Rotary Bandshell. Team Canada games and the tournament final will feature enhanced programming, including food trucks, family activities, live entertainment, and a beer garden.

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Kelowna

Kelowna Beer Institute

Transforming into “England House” for every England match, complete with a dedicated viewing room, prizes, food specials, and a pint included with admission.

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Penticton

Yellow Dog Brewing

Catch Canada’s matches with fellow fans while enjoying locally crafted beer and the vibrant atmosphere of Penticton’s brewery district.

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Salmon Arm

Public Watch Parties

Salmon Arm is planning a series of free community watch parties, giving visitors another reason to spend time in the Shuswap region during the tournament.

Ricochet Brewing & Taphouse

Join the After the Pitch celebrations with an expanded street-side patio, food specials, outdoor games, and 36 BC craft beverage taps.

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Cranbrook

Public Watch Parties and Community Events

The East Kootenays will join the celebration with public viewing opportunities and soccer-themed community events throughout the tournament.

Northern BC

Prince George

Public Watch Party

Prince George will host a community watch party for the soccer final, bringing fans together to celebrate the culmination of the world’s biggest sporting event.

Join the Celebration

One of the best things about the beautiful game is how it brings people together. This summer, communities across BC are creating spaces where fans can gather, cheer on their favourite teams, and be part of the excitement.

Whether you’re watching from a waterfront fan zone, a community watch party, or your local brewery patio, there’s no shortage of ways to experience the soccer spirit. And while the tournament may be a global event, it’s also a great opportunity to celebrate local. BC’s craft breweries are producing world-class beer in communities across the province, and many are opening their doors for match-day festivities.

So pull on your lucky jersey, gather your crew, and raise a locally crafted pint to a summer of great beer, unforgettable moments, and world-class soccer.

For further resources, visit Super, Natural BC.

The post Match Day Pints: Where to Celebrate the Beautiful Game in BC appeared first on The BC Ale Trail.

My most recent Hops Among Friends interview was with David and Annamarie Beardsell from Red Collar Brewing in Kamloops. At the end of the interview, they got to pick who I would interview next, and they suggested Chloe Smith and Cédric Dauchot from Townsite Brewing.

Townsite Brewing opened up in 2012 in Powell River on the Sunshine Coast Ale Trail.

It was great to speak with this craft brewing powerhouse couple about their background, their love of all things craft beer-related, and their passion for living in Powell River on the Sunshine Coast. I was fortunate to have had the opportunity to visit Powell River back in 2015. I met Chloe and Cédric at that time, and I enjoyed a brewery tour with Cédric. Now, I’m looking forward to a future trip to Powell River to revisit their brewery and to discover some more hidden gems in the area.

Cédric and Chloe are the owners of Townsite Brewing. Chloe is the General Manager and Cédric is the Brewmaster. They have two young children, Beatrix (age 9) and Hugo (age 7).

Kim: How did you both get your start in craft beer?

Cédric: I went to the Institute Meurice in Brussels. At the time, it was one of three universities in Belgium where you could learn to become a brewer. I always knew I wanted to work in a brewery. After school, I worked around Europe. I worked with Les 3 Brasseurs in France, and then the company moved me to Montreal where I managed a chain of brewpubs. I looked after the expansion as the company opened up a number of locations in downtown Montreal, one in the suburbs, and then one in Toronto. I supervised the expansion of the brewpubs, managing the construction, the hiring and management of staff, running the labs, and more. I met Chloe after living in Montreal for one year.

Chloe: I studied chemistry at the University of Saskatchewan. I knew early on that I didn’t want to become a lab rat. I spent some time travelling around Europe in the early 2000s and enjoyed drinking some amazingly great beers. It was during this time that I started looking into beer and researching how it was made. I learned that, with my science background, I could get into this industry. So, I went back and got my diploma online from the American Brewers Guild. I moved to Montreal in 2003 and I took a job with one of the original craft breweries in Montreal, McAuslan Brewing. Several years later, Cédric hired me as head brewer at one of the brewpub locations.

KL: Tell me about the start of Townsite Brewing?

Cédric: Around 2008, we started seeing the second wave of microbreweries opening up in Montreal. As more and more breweries were opening up, we thought, if they can do it, we can do it too.

Chloe: So, in the winter of 2010, we moved to Saskatoon with a business plan to open up our own brewery. We had the plans and the knowledge, but we didn’t have a location. At the same time, Steve Brooks and Karen Skadsheim were in Powell River and they were having discussions with Michelle Zutz about starting a brewery in the building where we are located. They had the location, but they didn’t know how to make the beer, so they posted a brewmaster job on Pro Brewer. Cédric applied for the job in January 2011. We ended up putting our two business plans together and we moved to Powell River in October, 2011. Ulrich Herl joined the team at that point and we opened up Townsite in April, 2012.

Cédric: The building was sitting empty before we moved here. I came on as head brewer and partner right from the start. There were some plans for the space, but we were able to change the plans and equipment, and I was able to set up the brewery as I wanted.

I like to have a simple brewery. I don’t like a lot of fancy equipment. I wanted nice flow-through in the brewery for efficiency.

Chloe: We were so pleased to be able to come on as partners. Today Steve is our landlord and main investor, but he is not involved in the day-to-day running of the brewery. Karen, Michelle and Uli have all moved on over the years to pursue other endeavours and start new chapters.

KL: How do you enjoy running a brewery as a couple?

Cédric: We are pretty good at doing it. We met and worked together in 2006 and so we already had five years working together as a couple before starting the brewery. Chloe is the general manager and I’m managing the brewhouse. There are days when we don’t even see each other at the brewery.

Chloe: Because we started our relationship as a working relationship, it allowed us to set the tone in our relationship. Besides, we are both beer geeks. We love beer culture and we have bonded over that together through the years.

There is nothing else that we would like to be doing other than running Townsite Brewing together.

KL: How do you balance your brewery lives and your personal lives?

Cédric: That was a big challenge for us, especially at the beginning. Our daughter Beatrix was 3-4 months old when we moved to Powell River. We were always running. One of us was being a parent and one of us was working at the brewery. It was the same when we had our second child, Hugo in 2013. We spent lots of time running around between taking care of our kids and the brewery.

Chloe: Having said all of that, we also have no commute. We don’t have the stress of living in a big city. We own a home with a yard. The balance for our family comes with being able to spend a lot of time outdoors. We do as much as we can outdoors. I think most small business owners would say the first five years are such a struggle.

Thankfully, we have the kids, or we would have become very one-dimensional people. We probably would have moved into the brewery and never left.

KL: What do you love most about the craft brewing industry?

Chloe: Everything. There is no one thing I can pinpoint. I love the community aspect. As brewers, we are all so tight-knit and close. We love that our brewery is a pillar of the community in Powell River. The beer is good and fun to make. The marketing is fun. I like that it’s based in science. It’s artisanal. I can’t pinpoint any one aspect more than any other.

Cédric: Coming from Belgium, there was a big difference when I moved here. When you work at a brewery in Belgium, one brewery will focus on one or two or three brands that they do over and over. They keep trying to improve those, but other than that, they don’t do anything new. There wasn’t a lot of R&D in the job. Here you can do whatever you want. We started by doing all Belgian beers. Last year, we made a lager for the first time. I never thought I would be able to make a lager because all good lagers come from Germany.

But I find it fun to be in this environment where I can do something new. I appreciate this because these opportunities don’t happen in every job.

KL: How has your brewery been impacted by COVID-19?

Chloe: It’s been tough. We are lucky that we opened before the lounge endorsement license came into effect, so from the beginning we had a strong presence of packaged product. Since 2015, we shifted our focus and tried to be 50% onsite sales in the taproom and 50% packaged product. So COVID impacted our onsite sales quite negatively. For us, it felt more like a return to day one. We were homeschooling our kids, running our business, and working in the tasting room. It’s been a real slog and a challenge managing through COVID.

Cédric: In March and April, it felt like we were doing twice the work for half the return. The tasting room is very important for the sense of community. When you take it out of the business, there is a void. There is an empty feeling of not having the tasting room. We are really missing that part of the brewery. One of the good things for our brewery is that packaging was always a part of our plan, so during COVID, we moved from being a keg-heavy brewery to a bottle-heavy brewery. We had a lot of draught beer prior to COVID that we don’t have anymore. We had planned to move to cans in 2020 and we had already booked Mile 37 for our mobile canning. In the end, we decided to buy our own canning line, as we were worried about the impact of COVID on the mobile canning company being able to travel on the ferries to get to our brewery.

Chloe: I am going to cry my eyes out the day the tasting room is full again. I want to sit at the bar and hear the sounds of a full taproom again.

KL: What do you think COVID-19 means for the future of BC’s craft brewing industry?

Chloe: I am hoping that BC residents will continue to explore BC and get out and visit the breweries around the province. Packaged beer is going to remain the main form of beer sales for a while. I think the hospitality industry is going to have a hard time coming back from this. But then again…. if you look at the 1920s, people were ready to party, so it might bounce back quickly if people want to return to restaurants once we are able.

KL: What are you most proud of at Townsite?

Cédric: Our team. The people that we work with. It was so hard to lay off 11 staff in March. That was super hard to do. But after the shutdown, everyone came back. It showed us that our team members believe this is more than a job for them. This is where they belong.

Chloe: One of our company values is community. Both our team inside the brewery, and our community here in Powell River. This is such a huge priority for us, and it brings us a lot of joy. We are so proud of the place we have created here in Powell River. We know that Townsite is an important part of the community. A local City Councillor tells the story of attending conferences prior to Townsite being open and hearing others comment “Powell River, what’s there? A stinky paper mill?”

A couple of years ago, the comments became “Powell River? Don’t you have that great little brewery, Townsite, there?” That was such a huge compliment to us.

KL: What do you have planned this spring for Townsite?

Chloe: We have a number of new and exciting beer projects we are working on.

Cédric: We are currently working on a recipe for a new pastry/dessert beer. It will be a Black Forest Stout made with boysenberries and cocoa nibs. It will be in 473ml cans out mid-March. We are also working on a recipe for a Pink IPA with hibiscus. This will be launching in late February in 473ml cans. Also, we are working on having our Lager in a semi-permanent rotation. Plus, moving our popular Passionfruit Gose into more of a permanent rotation.

Chloe: Some good things have come out of COVID. Some things have gotten easier, such as getting a patio license. Our landlord and investor Steve has purchased the back lot behind the brewery. We were planning a beer garden for this space, and we are now quite hopeful that we’ll have a beer garden open for this summer. We are now just waiting on licensing and some quotes from landscapers. The beer garden will be a picnic location. People will be able to purchase packaged product in the brewery and bring it out to the beer garden. We’ll be collaborating on some food options. We’re planning on picnic pods with a kid’s play area. And dogs will be allowed. Essentially it will be a licensed park area for the community where families can come and hang out.

KL: What is it like living in Powell River?

Chloe: It’s the best. We are just so happy to be here. Powell River is sandwiched between the mountains and the oceans. We have lakes and rivers here. Whatever your outdoor preference is, you can do it here. It’s just incredible.

Growing up in the prairies, I’m so happy that my children get to grow up here.

Plus, it’s a great community. Partially because we’re more isolated, people really support local. It’s my opinion that if you do what you do well, people will support you here.

KL: Tell me about some hidden gems in Powell River?

Cédric: The bike trails of Powell River. There are lots of great trails for mountain biking. Especially since COVID, there has been a lot more trail discovery on our end. Biking here is very different from biking in Whistler or Squamish. When you bike here, you’re in the forest. You have to ride both up and down. I like to take the kids and go into the forest for bike rides. Plus, we enjoy going back and forth between swimming in the lakes and ocean, going to the beach, and going to the waterfalls.

Chloe: The restaurants in Powell River are very good. I wasn’t expecting them to be as good as they are. Also, the mushroom hunting has been incredible this year.

KL: For those that have Powell River on their bucket list for when we can travel again, what do you recommend?

Chloe: Scroll through our Instagram account and then come in and ask us how to get to the favourite things that you see.

Cédric: We are like a visitor info centre here at the brewery. We have a large, detailed map on the wall and can give people information on whatever they are looking for. We can provide info on the seven lakes portage route that the Tourism Board has well marked and is becoming very popular. There are beautiful camping spots in the area. We also recommend the Sunshine Coast hiking trail. It’s a free hut-to-hut 180km hiking trail.

KL: Do you have any final words?

Chloe: Life is really good right now. Our kids are killing it. They are in Grades 4 and 2. We are settled into a good routine and we have a good work-life balance. We live in an incredible place that lets us play in the outdoors a lot. We own a business that lets us experiment. Life is really good right now.

Oh, and it’s our birthday coming up! Townsite is turning nine on March 22nd. That means our 10th anniversary is not far off, so start planning your trip to Powell River now for March 2022 for the Townsite 10th anniversary party.

KL: Who else in the craft beer industry do you find interesting and why?

Chloe: I’d like you to interview Roxanne from The Bakery Brewing in Port Moody. She was literally putting out a fire the last time I saw her, and I want to hear how that story ended.

With that cliffhanger in mind, stay tuned for the next instalment of the Hops Among Friends blog series, where I speak with Roxanne from The Bakery Brewing. Until then, cheers!

The post Hops Among Friends: Cédric Dauchot and Chloe Smith of Townsite Brewing appeared first on The BC Ale Trail.

Travelling to visit breweries is always fun, whether it’s by car (with a designated driver of course), by bicycle, or even just walking between tasting rooms in the same neighbourhood. But what about flying in a helicopter or floatplane?! That definitely takes brewery touring to another level.

Two small British Columbia-based airlines offer unique craft beer experience packages that take their passengers on a custom tour by air combined with craft beer tastings and/or brewery visits at the destination.

If you’re looking for something different to try this fall or winter, you might want to add this to your list. These tours also make excellent gifts for beer lovers, so keep that in mind as you start thinking about the upcoming holiday season.

Elevate your BC Beer Experience with SKY Helicopters’ West Coast Craft Beer Flight

SKY Helicopters offers a 20-minute helicopter flight from the Pitt Meadows Airport through the pristine Coast Mountains before landing in the backcountry where guests get to sample a flight of BC craft beers. The package tour is called the West Coast Craft Beer Flight.

On the way, passengers are treated to panoramic views of old-growth forests, Coast Mountain vistas, and alpine lakes. 

These one-of-a-kind tours are available daily from the Pitt Meadows Airport and are also available from the Vancouver Harbour Heliport. 

Take to the Air with Sunshine Coast Air’s Brewery Tour Packages

Sunshine Coast Air offers two separate beer-themed packages: Flights to Flights Ale & Air Tours on the Sunshine Coast; and Craft Brews & Views on Vancouver Island.

Flights to Flights Ale & Air Tours

From Sunshine Coast Air in partnership with Sunshine Coast Art Tours

This exclusive five-hour beverage tour includes visits to three tasting rooms, a 25-minute flight over Sechelt Inlet, historical commentary, a delicious one-hour lunch, and snacks throughout. Let Sunshine Coast Art Tours show you and your crew all the stops while enjoying the incredible beauty of the Sunshine Coast.

Passengers are picked up in a deluxe 12-seater van at your designated location or at the Langdale Ferry Terminal if they have walked on from Horseshoe Bay. They are taken on a scenic drive to Sunshine Coast Air for a 25-minute seaplane tour of Sechelt Inlet. Then, they visit three breweries with stops for lunch and snacks before being delivered back to their original pick-up locations.

Flights are also available from Vancouver to the Sunshine Coast and Powell River.

Craft Brews & Views

From Sunshine Coast Air in partnership with Explore Vancouver Island

Two newly offered tours based out of Nanaimo take passengers on a guided tour through three breweries and a distillery, indulging in some of the island’s ever-growing craft beer and spirits scene. Between stops, experience some of the unique characteristics of the area while taking in the breathtaking views of the Salish Sea and surrounding beauty.

The Craft Brews & Views tours are available for the Cowichan Valley and mid-Island regions. They include a scenic tour by air with Sunshine Coast Air followed by a shuttle bus tour to three breweries and a distillery for some good drinks and conversation with friends.

Know before you go

Practice safe and respectful travelling as you explore the communities in our wild backyard that are open to visitors and make sure to be a considerate craft beer consumer while you’re out and about.

The post Take to the Air For Your Next Beer Tour appeared first on The BC Ale Trail.

Between two waters

If you look for it on a map, downtown Sechelt almost isn’t there. Perched on a kilometre-wide neck of land between stretches of salt water, the village just barely ties the hilly Sechelt Peninsula to the mainland Sunshine Coast and prevents Sechelt Inlet from reaching the Strait of Georgia. This unlikely location lies only half an hour’s drive from the Langdale ferry terminal, where you can get on a ferry back to Horseshoe Bay. But standing in Sechelt, with ocean on both sides of you and mountains stretching into the distance in all directions, you feel like you’ve come a lot farther.

And, as it happens, I really didn’t go very far to get there. I live in Gibsons, and, in the spirit of Phase 2 in BC’s Restart Plan, my family and I took a hyper-local day trip to Sechelt to check out some of its up-and-coming businesses — including the one that recently put it on the Sunshine Coast Ale Trail, Batch 44 Brewery & Kitchen, which opened early in 2020 and has recently reopened for in-house service. With summer approaching rapidly, it was time for us to give “staycationing” a try.

We left Gibsons late in the morning under uncertain-looking skies. We’d planned to kick our day off with a patio lunch, but the morning had been showery and we were nervous. Nevertheless, we aimed for The Wobbly Canoe, a popular spot for relaxed meals and drinks in Davis Bay, an oceanfront community just east of Sechelt proper. Amazingly enough, as we pulled in, blue patches were just beginning to appear between the clouds and the air felt warm, if a little windy. This made the view from the Wobbly Canoe’s spectacular patio all the better — we watched a tugboat push through the whitecaps while dazzling cloud formations raced overhead.

Fed and ready for the afternoon, we continued down Highway 101 into Sechelt itself. Here we parted ways briefly — I was due to have a quick visit with the head brewer at Batch 44, while my family went for a stroll. Being a brewer myself, my “quick visits” with other brewers have earned a reputation with my wife and son for descending rapidly into shop talk, which, it seems, has limited appeal to non-brewers.

Head brewer David Macanulty is one of the few brewers in the young BC craft beer scene that you can fairly call “a veteran of the industry.” He got his first brewery job at East Vancouver’s Storm Brewing in 1995 to supplement his income as a professional musician, and later spent more than a decade working in Montreal breweries before returning to Vancouver in 2013 to take the helm at Yaletown Brewing. David welcomed me warmly, showed me around, and poured me a pint of his delicate, lightly dry-hopped Ambrosia Cream Ale, a perfect early afternoon beer at 4% ABV. And, since my family was elsewhere, we discussed malt suppliers and the challenges of working on a new brewhouse.

As Sechelt’s first craft brewery (not counting the short-lived Peninsula Spring brewery that arrived and vanished in the early 1990s), Batch 44 has been greeted enthusiastically by a local population that previously had to drive to Gibsons to visit a brewery. Opened by brothers Emmanuel and George Kobas, the “44” in the name is a homage to their father (born in 1944), who opened a popular Greek restaurant in the same building in 1986. Batch 44’s lineup of solidly crafted, sessionable beers reflects Macanulty’s decades-long experience in the beer industry, and the comfort-food-driven menu features Greek restaurant classics such as gyros and calamari, alongside burgers and other pub staples.

There were eight other beers on the menu, but with several more stops to make in the afternoon, I bought some cans to go, said goodbye to David, and wandered over to Lone Wolf Provisions to rendezvous with my family. While my much-needed americano was being brewed, I admired the display of dark-crusted hearth loaves and watched as owner and founder Jenna Nestman expertly rolled layered pastry into cylindrical “cruffins.”

With a kayak rental reserved in just a few minutes, time was starting to get short, but we didn’t want to leave without a look at the Trail Bay waterfront. The breeze had picked up since lunchtime, and maybe it didn’t feel exactly summery out, but the air was just warm enough for us to justify following the signs to E.B.’s Ice Cream at the Trail Bay pier. Ice cream is appropriate in any kind of weather, I reflected, as the drips from my Hokey Pokey waffle cone flew away from me downwind.

Back in the car and slightly sticky now, we left downtown Sechelt and headed up the west side of Sechelt Inlet to Pedals and Paddles, where a pair of kayaks awaited us. In contrast to the turbulent water where we’d eaten our ice cream, the Inlet was almost glassy as we we stepped into our boats. Dipping our paddles lazily, we glided toward the nearby Lamb Islets, where Pedals and Paddles staffer Kyle Reid advised us we had a solid chance of encountering sea life.

He wasn’t wrong — as we rounded the northernmost islet we looked under our boats and were astounded to see countless sea cucumbers and sea urchins carpeting the rocks under the shallow water. We watched the moon jellyfish drifting past at their leisurely pace. A pair of harbour seals surfaced a few metres away and regarded us silently.

We could have spent hours more on the water, but we needed to return our boats and make our way to the Bricker Cider Company in West Sechelt for a picnic dinner. A kitchen is scheduled to open at Bricker in July, but for now, we were more than happy to pick up a trio of mouthwatering gyros at Batch 44 to enjoy in Bricker’s idyllic picnic area.

General manager and cider maker Nick Farrer chatted with us while we enjoyed our tart, complex Suncoaster Cider, made with apples picked down the road. Bricker’s spacious picnic area, which looks out at the cidery’s young orchard, lends itself perfectly to physically-distanced socializing.

On the ride home to Gibsons, we talked about the fact that the Sunshine Coast really isn’t a bad place to be stuck during a pandemic. With Phase 3 on the horizon, visitors from off-Coast will be welcome again, and likely to be coming in droves. They’ll find a warm welcome in Sechelt.

Know Before You Go

For more information about travelling within British Columbia, please check out this page. For more information about COVID-19, please consult government resources.

The post Batch 44 Brewery & Kitchen Puts Sechelt on the Sunshine Coast Ale Trail appeared first on The BC Ale Trail.

The BC Ale Trail is made up of 15 individual regions. Each one has its own flavor and lets you explore a different part of British Columbia. The best part is that no matter where you are in BC, you’ll have easy access to its beautiful scenery. Today, we’re sharing more about the Sunshine Coast region of the BC Ale Trail.

THE SUNSHINE COAST BREWERIES

GIBSONS TAPWORKS

Besides brewing delicious beers, Gibsons Tapworks aims to be a community hub for locals and visitors. Their tasting room features local artists’ on the walls, and they also host live music.

Our Favorite Beers: Lower G Brown Ale & Stormrider IPA

On Site: Beer on Tap, Growler Fills, 4OZ Samples
Beer Types: Brown Ale, IPA, Stout, Blonde Ale
Other: Tours are Offered (call to check times), Kids area Allowed, Light Snacks Available

(778) 462-2337
info@gibsonstapworks.com
537 Cruice Lane, Gibsons, BC V0N 1V9
gibsonstapworks.com

PERSEPHONE BREWING CO.

Persephone is a unique brewery because it runs a farm, where they grow some of their very own hops. Besides sourcing ingredients locally, they also partner with a local Community Living organization to employ disabled adults. Be sure to try the food they make on-site in their outdoor wood-fired oven.

Our Favorite Beers: Black Lager & IPA

On Site: Beer on Tap, Growler Fills, Cans, Bottles, 4OZ Samples
Beer Types: Saison, Pilsner, Lager, Cider, IPA, Stout, Golden Ale
Tours are Offered (call to check times), Kids area Allowed, Food Truck Nearby, Light Snacks Available

(778) 462-3007
tastingroom@thebeerfarm.ca
1053 Stewart Rd, Gibsons, BC V0N 1V7
persephonebrewing.com

TOWNSITE BREWING

Located in the old Federal Building, Townsite is a popular spot amongst locals and the only brewery on the north side of the Sunshine Coast. We loved that everyone that walked in knew each other. On top of that, they have the only Belgian-born brewmaster west of Montreal. They name their beers after local sites, so see if you learn a thing or two as you enjoy their beers.

ESSENTIAL TIPS FOR FIRST TIMERS

• When to Go: The coast is mostly mild, although it can reach 32F (OC) in the winter and 90F (30C) in the summer. Summers are the busiest but that also means everything is open, whereas Spring and Fall may have limited hours.
• Be flexible: the Sunshine Coast has an island vibe, that includes how they run their businesses. Sometimes businesses will be closed or have limited hours. Be prepared with back ups.
• Pack Layers. No matter what time of year you go, pack layers so that you can stay warm in the morning and evenings but shed your layers when it gets hotter in the day.

This post is sponsored by BC Ale Trail and Sunshine Coast BC. All opinions are Local Adventurer‘s.

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ABOUT BC’S SUNSHINE COAST

British Columbia is full of jaw-dropping scenery. It’s a large playground for any outdoor enthusiast, but also home to amazing food and beer. We spent a few days exploring the BC Ale Trail along the Sunshine Coast taking full advantage of the scenery.

THE BC BREWERY SCENE

The BC Ale Trail comprises of 15 individual regions that you can explore one at a time (or multiple in one trip of course). There are over 100 breweries spread out through this beautiful region with more being added each year.

But as any beer lover knows, it’s not just about quantity, but very much about the quality. Breweries from the BC win a third of annual Canadian Brewing Awards even though the province has less than 20% of the country’s breweries. That means the British Columbia brews some mean beer!

THE SUNSHINE COAST ALE TRAIL

BC’s southwest coast is less than 18 miles (30 km) from downtown Vancouver but feels worlds apart. It is only accessible by BC Ferries or air, and the 110 miles (118 km) stretch is characterized by deep sea inlets and spectacular coastal bays. You can spend your time hiking, canoeing, scuba diving and mountain biking, or enjoy the beaches, riversides, and swimming holes. Then after you work up a thirst, you can head to one of the local breweries for a glass of award-winning beer.

THE ULTIMATE SUNSHINE COAST BC ROAD TRIP

GIBSONS LANDING

• Gibsons Public Market – Enjoy local food, art, and entertainment at this community hub located in the heart of Gibsons Landing. It overlooks the harbor and marina and is open year round.
• Sunshine Kayaking – One of the best ways to see and experience the area is from the water. You can kayak, take a sailing tour, or charter a fishing trip to see these pristine waters.
• Gibsons Tapworks – This microbrewery has a focus on high-quality, easy to drink craft beer and a place for the community to gather. They have a killer trivia night!
• Persephone Brewing Company – This is a microbrewery and 11-acre farm. They have an onsite hops farm and also grow other crops for their onsite restaurant, Farm to Feast.

Where to Stay: Arcturus Retreat Bed and Breakfast – Just 5km from Gibsons, enjoy a retreat to this great B&B with amazing views. It’s also walking distance from the Langdale Ferry Terminal and Sunshine Coast Transit Route.

ROBERTS CREEK

• Gumboot Cafe – This establishment has been a local favorite for over 20 years. They focus on plain and simple, yet delicious food. They also host community events like art exhibits, improv nights, and live music.
• Community Mandala – Created in 1997, this mandala started as a way to paint over negative graffiti in the parking zone of the beach. Since then, it has turned into an evolving art piece that changes annually where the public can come contribute to the piece.

SECHELT

• Hangar Climbing Lounge – This indoor bouldering gym is unique in that they give their members 24/7 access. You can pick your own music and there is an honor system snack and beverage bar. Although it’s a small gym, it had a lot of fun, creative routes.
• The Lighthouse Pub – If you’re looking for the local spot, then this is the place to be. It has amazing views of the marina and surrounding areas, and you can watch float planes land and take off.
• Basted Baker – For anyone who gets bored ordering the same thing over and over again, this is your spot. The menu is always changing, but no matter what they are serving, they still focus on high-quality food.
• Sechelt Visitor Centre – Stop by to get the most up-to-date information in the area.

HALFMOON BAY

• Smuggler Cove Provincial Park – Used by rumrunners in the 1800’s, this is now a popular spot to hike and see the Sechelt Peninsula.

MADEIRA PARK

• Oak Tree Market – Madeira Park is the main shopping center for the Pender Harbour region. Stop in to pick up any supplies you might need especially if you’re camping.

EGMONT

• Skookumchuck Narrows Provincial Park – This is a beautiful park to explore, and if you visit at the right time, you can experience an amazing natural phenomenon. During extra large high tides, the flow of salt water switches, reversing the direction and power of the rapids. As a result, standing waves and powerful whirlpools are created, bringing in extreme kayakers and surfers from all over the world. We got to witness it at an XL high tide, and it was incredible!
• West Coast Wilderness Lodge: Inlets Restaurant – Fresh seasonal cuisine paired with an overlook down a craggy bluff.

Where to Stay: Backeddy Resort & Marina – 600 feet of remote shoreline make this waterfront area a perfect place to play and stay. They even have amazing Geodesic Tents for a great glamping experience.

GARDEN BAY

• Mount Daniel – Facebook fans voted Mount Daniel “Most Romantic” trail on the lower Sunshine Coast. This short but steep hike takes you to amazing views of the surrounding area.

POWELL RIVER

• Base Camp – This cafe and eatery focuses on local cuisine and art. Try their pulled pork egg sandwich, which is off menu.
• Townsite Brewing – This brewery is where BC’s only Belgian Brewmaster works and it’s the only brewery on the Northern Sunshine Coast. They name everything after local sites and languages.
• Costa Del Sol – Get a mix of Mexican and Latin flavors using local ingredients. We loved their ahi tuna tacos so much that we had to get another order.

Where to Stay: The Old Courthouse Inn – Once home to the “courts,” jail, police station, and other Provincial Government Services, it is now a hotel located in the National Historic District and conveniently a block away from Townsite Brewing. We stayed int he Police Station room.

LUND

• Nancy’s Bakery – Known for their cinnamon buns. Nuff said.
• Terracentric Coastal Adventures – Hop onto a 21-foot rigid hull inflatable Zodiac Hurricane and sit back while they take you on a tour of the beautiful Desolation Sound.

WHERE TO STAY

• Gibsons Landing: Arcturus Retreat Bed and Breakfast
• Egmont: Backeddy Resort & Marina
• Power River: The Old Courthouse Inn

DIRECTIONS: GETTING THERE VIA FERRY

The best way to see the Sunshine Coast is via car, and if you’re bringing a car, the British Columbia Ferry Services helps you get there. You also need to hop on a ferry to get from the Lower End to the North End of the coast. It’s the primary provider of ferry service in the province and one you’ll want to familiarize yourself with to get around. The two that you will take along the sunshine coast are:

• Horseshoe Bay to Langdale (40 minutes)
• Earl’s Cove to Saltery Bay (50 minutes)

A few tips when planning a ferry ride:

• Check times online and be sure you have the correct date. The schedule changes based on the season.
• Arrive at least 30 minutes prior to sailing. Reservations will be canceled if you don’t.
• A reservation is recommended during busy season (summer).
• You only pay for one direction of the ferry: Horseshoe Bay to Langdale, and Saltery Bay to Earl’s Cove. When you are traveling the opposite directions, there is no fee.
• On directions that don’t require reservations, get there early. During the summer, ferries will fill up. We arrived 1 hour to 1.5 hours ahead of schedule.
• The ferries take all vehicles, including bikes. Pets are also welcome.
• If you’re on foot or bike, you can hop onto the Sunshine Coast Connector, a bus that takes you from downtown Vancouver and the Sunshine Coast through to Powell River via select BC Ferry sailings.

ESSENTIAL TIPS FOR FIRST TIMERS

• When to Go: The coast is mostly mild, although it can reach 32F (OC) in the winter and 90F (30C) in the summer. Summers are the busiest, which means everything is open, whereas Spring and Fall may have limited hours.
• How long you need: We did the trip in 4 days and 3 nights, but it can be done in a weekend.
• Be flexible: the Sunshine Coast has an island vibe, that includes how they run their businesses. Sometimes businesses will be closed or have limited hours. If you’re a planner, be prepared with a plan B or C.
• Pack Layers. No matter what time of year you go, pack layers so that you can stay warm in the morning and evenings but shed your layers when it gets hotter in the day.
• Visitor Centres. There are multiple visitor centres along the coast where you can get more information and up-to-date conditions of the area.
  • Gibsons Visitor Centre
  • Sechelt Visitor Centre
  • Pender Harbour Visitor Information Centre
  • Powell River Visitor Centre

This post is sponsored by BC Ale Trail and Sunshine Coast BC. All opinions are Local Adventurer‘s.

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