Lillooet Brewing Company

New in September 2022, Lillooet Brewing wasn’t yet open during my trip. Co-owner Sam Quinlan invited me to stop by the brewery for a tour. I was greeted by the sweet smell of a stout brewing when I arrived, and brewer Sacha Bordas took some time away from the brewhouse to show me around. 

Housed in a former feed store, Lillooet Brewing offers a gorgeous interior space with mountain and river views. Potted plants and local wildlife photos decorate the walls. A mural behind the bar — created by artist Scott Partridge — also depicts local wildlife. There’s a clear theme throughout: Lillooet Brewing is all about wildlife conservation and stewardship and sees itself as a de-facto “National Park headquarters” for the area.

But first, beer. Sacha graduated from Kwantlen Polytechnic University’s brewing program in Langley. He’d worked with Sam — founder of HOOH Hops — to source hops, and the two eventually began planning a brewery together in Lillooet. Now open, the tap list includes Lillooet’s flagship Mule Deer Lager, Northern Pygmy Owl IPA, Mountain Bluebird Belgian Wit, and Western Screech Owl Pale Ale. All Lillooet Brewing beers use Canadian hops and barley.

I tasted Mule Deer Lager and Mountain Bluebird Belgian Wit. Both beers poured beautifully in Lillooet’s custom glassware and were great examples of their respective styles. I get the sense that these brews are best enjoyed right here in the taproom for the full experience. Or perhaps on a mountainside. To that end, Lillooet Brewing sells beer to-go in cans for your next outdoor adventure (always remember to pack it in, pack it out).

QR codes on the cans link to Lillooet Wild, a partnership project between Lillooet Brewing and Lillooet Naturalist Society. An educational resource, the site features information on local wildlife including habitat, conservation concerns, and what you can do to help. Artwork and branding are consistent across the taproom, cans, and website, with Scott Partridge’s distinctive art style displayed throughout. Even the (five!) bathrooms each have a unique animal theme.

It’s clear that Sam and Sacha care deeply about wildlife conservation. They are equally passionate about beer and building a destination brewery in their community. I can’t wait to return to try more of Lillooet Brewing’s beer on my next BC Ale Trail road trip.

Lillooet Brewing offers 12 taps, including their own beer and guest taps. The space is family and dog-friendly, and you can bring your own food. Eventually, food trucks will be available as well.

From Lillooet to Pemberton

From Lillooet, the next nearest brewery is 95km away in Pemberton. The mountainous stretch of Highway 99 between the two towns is simply stunning. I pulled off multiple times for photos — noting the grizzly bear warning signs. From Seton Lake to views of Mt. Brew, the scenic stretch south of Lillooet leads to lakeside provincial parks outside of Pemberton. I stopped by Joffre Lakes Provincial Park for a short jaunt to Lower Joffre Lake in the rain. Another adventure to add to my “next time” list: hiking to these glacier-fed lakes in better weather.

Pemberton Brewing Co.

Located just 30 minutes north of Whistler, Pemberton is considerably quieter than its neighbouring resort. My first stop in town was of course the brewery. Established in 2018, Pemberton Brewing is tucked into an industrial park with views of nearby Mt. Currie. I immediately appreciated the taproom’s chill vibe and relaxed, woodsy cabin feel. Tom Petty and classic rock tunes played as I sipped a dank and delicious Cream Puff NE Pale Ale. 

Pemberton Brewing’s tap list was mostly made up of IPAs and pale ales, along with a couple of sours. This didn’t surprise me at all given their demographic. Pemberton Brewing is especially popular with mountain bikers. Nearby trails (including one called “Cream Puff”) criss-cross hillsides above the brewery. And if there’s one thing bikers, hikers, and outdoor enthusiasts want after an outing — it’s a cold, hoppy brew. 

Pemberton Valley Lodge

As the late summer sunset, I was ready to settle in for the night. Pemberton Valley Lodge is just 6km from the brewery — conveniently located at the edge of town. Having never visited Pemberton before, I wasn’t sure what to expect. But all expectations were exceeded when I pulled up and checked into this modern, comfortable mountain lodge.

A pair of chilled Coast Mountain Crystal Chair Pilsners greeted me upon arrival. I cracked one open and ordered takeout from the nearby Fish and Rice Sushi Restaurant. After a long day on the road, relaxing in the room was a great way to wind down. 

My spacious suite had all the comforts of home — and then some. The kitchen, fireplace, and balcony were welcome perks. But my favourite personal touch was the French Press, complete with a bag of Hammer Roasting Coffee from Whistler. I brewed up a batch in the morning and enjoyed it on my balcony, overlooking the outdoor pool, hot tub, and surrounding mountains. 

Finally, one incredible amenity worth noting is Pemberton Valley Lodge’s guest bike program. Guests can borrow complimentary mountain bikes, while also enjoying access to secure bike storage, spare locks, a bike wash, and a tuning station. If you’re a cyclist, why stay anywhere else? I’m already planning my next trip to Pemberton and Lillooet with at least a couple of nights here!

Heading Home

Unfortunately, my time in Pemberton was short and I missed stopping at The Beer Farmers (shown above). Beer made on a farm is right up my alley, so I’ll be sure to visit on a return trip. Instead, I headed to Whistler to explore the Sea to Sky Ale Trail and experience the annual Whistler Village Beer Festival. Until next time, BC!

For more beer and hiking throughout the PNW, check out our book, Beer Hiking Pacific Northwest.

The post Beer Off the Beaten Path in Lillooet and Pemberton appeared first on The BC Ale Trail.

As co-author of the guidebook, Beer Hiking Pacific Northwest, pairing hikes with nearby breweries is my travel style. So I set out to find the finest beer hikes in the Okanagan Valley along the Kelowna and West Kelowna Ale Trail.

Beginning in Bellingham, I crossed the US-Canada border at Sumas and headed east through Hope. My first stop was Coquihalla Summit Recreation Area — a transition zone between coastal BC and the dry, southern interior. Impressive granite peaks rise above the highway here, tempting hikers with roadside views. I gave in to the call of the mountains, pulling off at Falls Lake trailhead. 

Falls Lake Trail — 2km round trip, 60m elevation gain

The short, sweet Falls Lake Trail offers a perfect spot to stretch your legs on the way to Kelowna from southwestern BC. I cruised along the 1km trail out to the lake, where I was surprised to find solitude and a couple of nice backpacking sites. Note to self: come back here in the summer for an overnight!

Mount Boucherie — 3km round trip, 200m elevation gain

Arriving in West Kelowna for the first time, I needed an introduction to the local topography. There’s no better place to survey the lay of the land than from Mount Boucherie. I began from the Eain Lamont Community Park trailhead for a steep and rocky climb. This is a choose-your-own-adventure hike. Multiple trails lead up the mountainside, with little in the way of signage to direct you. I picked my way up to the summit, where I was rewarded with sweeping views of Okanagan Lake and raptors soaring overhead.

The Boucherie Rush Trail can also be accessed at 2775 East Boundary Rd, West Kelowna.

Lakesider Brewing Co.

Just 2.5km away from the base of Mount Boucherie, Lakesider Brewing awaits. This brewery is all about community and embraces a carefree, lakeside lifestyle. I stopped by during happy hour (Monday thru Thursday, 2 pm – 6 pm) for a bite and to meet with co-owner Kieren Armour.

Kieren and his wife, Gale, opened Lakesider in April 2021. Their vision for an inclusive brewpub in Okanagan wine country comes in the form of great food, approachable beers, and a family-friendly space. Weekly live music and special events like Oktoberfest bring the community together at Lakesider. Kelowna is often thought of as a summer vacation destination, but Lakesider was full of locals on a weeknight. 

I ordered sweet corn and roasted poblano quesadillas, paired with a flight of beers. The food menu is diverse — ranging from street tacos and small plates to pizza — with gluten-free and vegetarian options. Kieren recommends the Brie & Apple Pizza. I’ll have to try it next time because the quesadillas were quite filling (and even came with a side salad). 

The beer lineup ranges from light to dark, with an emphasis on easy-drinking, sessionable styles. Most Lakesider brews come in under 5-6% ABV — an attractive range for warm weather sipping. I tried everything from a lager and saison to a hazy pale and pomegranate rose petal sour. All were great examples of their respective styles, and refreshingly low-alcohol. The sour was especially approachable for those who are sour curious.

Lakesider’s dog-friendly, heated patio makes it a year-round destination in West Kelowna.

After Lakesider, I crossed the floating bridge into Kelowna and crashed at the centrally-located Coast Capri Hotel. Close to downtown, the Coast Capri makes a convenient basecamp for exploring Kelowna’s trails and ales. 

The next morning I fueled up at Okanagan Street Food before another hike. Near the base of Knox Mountain, “Kelowna’s best little secret” is the perfect pre- or post-hike foodie stop. I ordered a massive breakfast burrito and chose from dozens of hot sauces to spice it up. 

Knox Mountain Park – Apex Trail — 4km round trip, 260m elevation gain

For an urban hiking experience, it doesn’t get much better than Knox Mountain. Rising from the edge of downtown Kelowna, this lakeside mountain park features a network of well-signed and maintained trails overlooking the city. 

I took the popular Apex Trail, which begins as a fence-lined path with a moderate grade. The trail rises through exposed, scruffy grasslands with occasional shade. You can hike as far as you like, turning around at one of the lookouts offering endless views over the city and lake. This trail surprised me with its ease of access and excellent effort-to-payoff ratio. Plus, it’s just minutes away from Kelowna’s North End breweries.

Jackknife Brewing

Everyone told me, “You have to go to Jackknife.” Locals described it as “punk rock” and “metal,” boasting some of the best beer and pizza in town. So naturally, I went and ordered the weirdest beer on the menu: a Nordic Gin Ale. When I asked my bartender about the name, he explained that most Jackknife beers are made with Kviek yeast strains — traditionally used by northern European farmhouse brewers. And while there’s no gin in this beer, it’s made with local juniper bows for a gin-like botanical experience.

Jackknife’s beers are soft on the palate, yet full-flavoured. The beer menu is indeed weird (in the best way) and ever-changing, so do yourself a favour and try something new. Most people were hanging out in the beer garden eating pizza. I joined by ordering my own thin-crust Margherita and was not disappointed. Check out Jackknife’s events schedule for a list of upcoming punk and metal shows at the brewery.

Kettle River Brewing

Next door to Jackknife is Kettle River Brewing, Kelowna’s “craft beer garage.” The brewery opened in 2016 as Kelowna’s first North End microbrewery. Brad Tomlinson was the head brewer here before leaving to start Jackknife. But he didn’t go far, and the two breweries operating side-by-side are a great example of Kelowna’s highly collaborative beer scene. When you’re in the North End, you’ve gotta visit both breweries.

Family-friendly and dog-friendly, Kettle River offers a cozy indoor space and an attractive beer garden. The tap list changes regularly here, with a lager, sour, saison, and IPAs available during my visit. A range of core beers are available in colourful cans, designed by co-owner Chris Dedinsky (you’ll notice Chris’ graphic design throughout the taproom). Food is available from the onsite Provisions Kitchen, serving seasonal, elevated pub grub. I enjoyed chatting with the friendly staff at Kettle River so much that I failed to take any tasting notes. Guess I’ll have to go back!

Wild Ambition Brewing

My final Kelowna beer stop also came highly recommended. Operating a new tasting room in industrial North Kelowna, Wild Ambition is known for its mixed fermentation ales. I didn’t have nearly enough time to taste all the offerings here, but what I did try was intriguing.

I started with an approachable table beer before sampling Kelowner Weisse, a low-alcohol Berlin-style sour. Wild Ambition produces complex barrel-aged sours for fans of the style using local fruit and ingredients. Don’t sleep on this creative brewery — it’s well worth the drive.

Kelowna Beer Week — October 1-8

The celebrations and festivities will focus on one particular brewery or neighbourhood each day:

• Oct. 1: Rustic Reel Brewing (North End)
• Oct. 2: Railside Brewing, The Office Brewing, Unleashed Brewing, Welton Arms (Clement)
• Oct. 2: Red Bird (North End)
• Oct. 3: Jackknife Brewing (North End) *closed to the public*
• Oct. 4: Freddy’s Brewpub, Kelowna Brewing Co., Wild Ambition Brewing (Uptown)
• Oct. 5: Barn Owl Brewing, Copper Brewing, Shore Line Brewing (South Kelowna)
• Oct. 6: The Hatching Post, Kind Brewing, Lakesider Brewing (West Kelowna)
• Oct. 7: BNA Brewing, Jackknife Brewing, Kettle River Brewing, Kelowna Beer Institute, Red Bird Brewing, Rustic Reel Brewing, Vice & Virtue Brewing (Downtown/North End)
• Oct. 8: BNA Brewing (Downtown) *Wrap up mini beer festival event*

For more information and details on each day, visit the Kelowna Beer Week website.

The post Beer Hiking the Kelowna & West Kelowna Ale Trail appeared first on The BC Ale Trail.

When traveling, we often pair two of our favorite things: beer and hiking. Since 2013, we’ve covered “trails and ales” across the Pacific Northwest on our blog, Beers at the Bottom. Our new guidebook, Beer Hiking Pacific Northwest highlights 10 BC trail and ale pairings — barely scratching the surface of possibilities — in Southwestern BC. Here are a few highlights from our BC Trails and Ales exploration so far!

Sunshine Coast Trail: Wildwood to Theyeth Lake – 12km roundtrip

Fancy some lake-bagging? Backcountry lakes abound along the rolling 180-kilometre Sunshine Coast Trail (SCT). While we backpacked for two nights on the trail, you can easily day hike out to several scenic lakes on the route. Begin at the Wildwood trailhead in Powell River, following the SCT north 2.4km to Little Sliammon Lake. Continue north, descending to the shoreline camping area of large Sliammon Lake — a good turnaround point at 5km. If you’re willing to put in the work for a third lake, climb 100 meters in 1 km to reach Theyeth Lake at 6km before returning to town.

The SCT is generally accessible year-round, though winter snow may limit access at higher elevations. For more info, visit the Sunshine Coast Trail website.  

Townsite Brewing

Back in Powell River, one of our favorite BC breweries beckons. Townsite Brewing is housed in an art deco brick building constructed in 1939. Inside, Belgian brewmaster Cédric Dauchot has been crafting saisons, sours, and big Belgian brews for the local Powell River community since 2012. Try the Sunshine Coast-inspired Suncoast Pale Ale or Tin Hat IPA — both sure to satisfy thirsty hikers after a day on the trail. We loved their beer so much that we packed a bomber of it up to Manzanita Hut for our first overnight stay on the SCT.

Hungry? The Sunshine Coast Ale Trail offers up some solid eatery options in Powell River. But our fave foodie experience is a bit further north. Continue up the coast to the charming town of Lund, located at kilometre zero of the Pacific Coast Highway. Here, you can pair some of the best fish and chips on the Sunshine Coast with harborside views and Townsite brews at The Boardwalk Restaurant.

Sea to Summit Trail – 7.5km one-way

To tell the truth, we’ve only hiked this trail once. Yet it made a lasting impression, for we’ve written about Squamish’s demanding Sea to Summit Trail several times since. Here’s an excerpt from p. 207 of our book, Beer Hiking Pacific Northwest:

“Sea to Summit Ascent. It’s a sexy trail name, no doubt — alliterative and alluring, the stuff of daydreams. But this trail is no fantasy. Perhaps somewhat underrated in terms of difficulty, Sea to Summit Trail gains 918 meters over terrain so steep that fixed ropes and chains are in place to assist you.

Yet the payoff is oh-so worth it. Trailside waterfalls gush with snowmelt, and views of Howe Sound improve with every kilometer. Gondolas pass quietly overhead — a reminder that your hike is only one-way. Fortunately most of the route is under tree cover, providing shelter from the elements. Summit Lodge awaits at the top, with plenty of attractions to keep you busy all day.”

Access Sea to Summit Trail via the Darrell Bay parking area, then cross the street into Shannon Falls Provincial Park. Take a gander at B.C.’s third tallest waterfall before following the Connector Trail towards Sea to Summit Trail. The route is well signed. Once you reach the top, purchase a download-only ticket ($15) to ride the Sea to Sky Gondola back down (this trail is not recommended for downhill travel). This trail is accessible spring-fall — the gondola closes during the month of November for seasonal maintenance. For more info, see the Sea to Sky Gondola website.

Howe Sound Brewing

With the high rate of recent brewery openings in BC, sometimes we’re so focused on “what’s new” that we forget those foundational breweries that paved the way. Howe Sound Brewing, however, is one brewpub that always springs to mind when a friend asks about breweries to check out in BC — because it’s a Beer Traveler’s dream. The combination of brewery, pub, and hotel is exactly where we want to head after a day of hiking. Howe Sound makes Squamish a destination for Beer Travelers; more than just a stop on the way along the Sea to Sky highway.

Howe Sound Brewing’s Legacy was well established by the time we first visited five years ago. Firmly rooted by the movers and shakers of the BC Craft Beer Renaissance, we remember tasting the years of experience in the clean and balanced brews we enjoyed on that first trip. Looking at the current tap list today, we appreciate Howe Sound as a brewery that continues to innovate and brew new styles. History and craft collide at Howe Sound — an excellent home base to spend the weekend sampling the Squamish Ale Trail.

Sendero Diez Vistas – 8km roundtrip

Translated from Spanish, the “Ten Views Trail” was one of the hiking trails we discovered while writing and researching our book. In this case, the beer actually came first — we’d heard some buzz about the up and coming Port Moody Brewers Row and knew we needed to explore it. Then it was just a matter of finding a nearby hiking trail. We landed on Sendero Diez Vistas, lured in by its promise of Burrard Inlet and Indian Arm views.

The trail can be hiked as a loop — a 13 km route for advanced hikers and trail runners. But if you’re like us, you’ll want to leave plenty of time for beer exploration back in Port Moody. In our book, we suggest an abbreviated hike out to one of the best viewpoints on the trail (many of the 10 views are now overgrown, or slightly obscured by trees).

The route begins on the south end of the Buntzen Lake Trail before taking off on a steep climb through forest to the ridge. Expect steep switchbacks and a few sections assisted by fixed ropes. The challenge is worth it once you reach what we call the “best vista” at 4 km. Here’s the description from our book:

“From this wide, unobscured vantage point you can look across the Indian Arm at Deep Cove. Vancouver and Burnaby’s high-rise buildings look like tiny toy towns in the distance.”

Sendero Diez Vistas is best hiked spring-fall. See Vancouver Trails for more info.

Yellow Dog Brewing

Come for the endless dog puns, stay for the excellent brews! We love Yellow Dog Brewing because it feels like a slice of home. Like many of our beloved neighborhood breweries back in the states, Yellow Dog is a “come as you are” community gathering space. Rotating food trucks, picnic tables, and communal tasting tables make this a place great for families.

During our visit, we grabbed a taster tray and worked our way through a solid line-up of both hoppy and dark beers. Perhaps we’ll plan our next visit in time to grab a pint of Little Dog Syndrome Fresh Hop or Chew Toy Coconut Porter. Either way, we can’t wait to explore more of the Port Moody Ale Trail.

Follow us on Instagram at @beersatb for more trails and ales inspiration in the Pacific Northwest. And be sure to check out our book, Beer Hiking Pacific Northwest!

The post Hiking the BC Ale Trail with Beers at the Bottom appeared first on The BC Ale Trail.