Vancouver’s North Shore is the perfect place for outdoor adventures year-round, with easy access to backcountry and jaw-dropping views of the city, sea and mountains. For a tasting adventure, check out the North Shore’s diverse and dynamic community of craft breweries, each with its own distinct style.

Vancouver’s North Shore Craft Beer Festival runs November 7-20 with special events every day.

Fill Your Passport to Win!

How do you participate?

1. Visit any of the participating businesses listed below from November 1-30, 2025 and ask for a stamp with purchase or collect a digital stamp by scanning the location’s QR code using the BC Ale Trail mobile app.
2. After collecting six unique stamps, hand in the completed passport to receive a branded glass and to be entered in the draw for a chance to win the Grand Prize.
3. Do it all over again — multiple entries are encouraged!

GRAND PRIZE:

• 1-night stay incl. breakfast for 2 people at the Pinnacle Hotel at the Pier
• 2 admission tickets at Grouse Mountain
• 2 admission tickets to Capilano Suspension Bridge
• 2 x $25 GC at any North Shore craft breweries
• Swag from Vancouver’s North Shore Craft Beer Week
• Swag from the BC Ale Trail

Total prize valued at $1300! The random prize draw will take place following the contest period once all of the completed passports have been collected.

Plus, if you opt for the digital passpor,t you can collect points along the way to redeem for rewards and:

• 250 bonus points and the Bronze Badge for completed passport #1
• 250 bonus points, the Silver Badge and a BC Ale Trail t-shirt* for completed passport #2
• 500 bonus points and the Gold Badge for completed passport #3

*limit one T-shirt per person

Multiple entries encouraged!

Check out the Vancouver’s North Shore Ale Trail for inspiration for fun ways to explore the craft beer scene locally.

Where can you pick up a passport?

The Vancouver’s North Shore Ale Trail passports are available for free at any of the participating businesses. Prefer paperless? Download the free BC Ale Trail mobile app to collect stamps by scanning a QR code. PLUS earn reward points when you check-in.

Here is the full list of participating businesses:

Angry Otter Tap & Forno – 1015 Marine Dr.

Beere Brewing – 312 Esplanade E.

Beva Brewing & Blending – 1405 Pemberton Ave

Black Kettle Brewing – 720 Copping St. #106

Braggot Brewing – 370 Esplanade E. #102

Bridge Brewing – 1448 Charlotte Rd.

Bridge Brewing – Pemberton – 1123 W 15th St.

Copperpenny Distilling Co. – 288 Esplanada E. #103

La Cerveceria Astilleros – 226 Esplanade E.

Lonsdale BridgeDeck Kitchen & Taps – 1211 Lonsdale Ave.

North Point Brewing – 266 1st St E.

Shaketown Brewing – 288 Esplanade E. #105

Strathcona North – 123 Carrie Cates Ct

The Woods Spirit Co. – 1450 Rupert St.

Wildeye Brewing – 1385 Main St.

Windfall Cider – 250 Esplanade E. #101

The post Vancouver’s North Shore Ale Trail Tasting Passport appeared first on The BC Ale Trail.

Vancouver’s North Shore Craft Beer Festival kicks off on November 7th with the signature festival at the Pipe Shop. It’s the perfect way to set the tone for two weeks of fun events, activities, and new brew releases highlighting the incredible craft breweries, cideries and distilleries that call the North Shore home.

This is also the perfect time to fill your Vancouver’s North Shore Tasting Passport. The contest runs from November 1 – 30: visit any of the participating locations and collect a stamp with purchase (or, go digital with the BC Ale Trail mobile app!). Once you have 6 unique stamps, hand in your passport to be entered into the grand prize draw. The best part? All of the VNSCBW events take place at locations where you can collect stamps!

Individual Brewery Events

The two-week festival is full of events and breweries, cideries and distilleries across the North Shore.

• November 7 – Launch Party

Kick it off in style at the official Launch Party at the Pipe Shop in The Shipyards. Always the tastiest and most exciting event of the Fall season on the North Shore, this high-energy event features live music, food trucks, and a curated selection of beverages from North Shore craft producers. This party always sells out, so get your tickets early!

• November 8 – Strathcona North

Enjoy a full meal deal with the North Shore’s pre-eminent culinary-driven brewery at Strathcona’s Brew Masters Dinner, where delicious food is thoughtfully paired with equally delightful beer.

• November 9 – Braggot Brewing

Party like a Viking! At Braggot Brewing, the celebration includes keg lifting, keg carrying, axe throwing, and stein holding—and some viking-worthy snacks in-between.

• November 10 – Bridge Brewing Company.

Come celebrate the expansion of one of the North Shore’s OG breweries at Bridge’s Open House in their new location just off Pemberton.

• November 11 – Shaketown Brewing

Test your ability to change the game at Shakertown’s Inaugural Liar’s Dice Tournament. There’ll be great prizes, a local-favourite food truck, and a feature cask release!

• November 12 – Wildeye Brewing

Think you know your UB40 from your MC5? Test your knowledge of Music History at a very special Festival edition of Wildeye’s legendary Trivia Nights.

• November 13 – Black Kettle Brewing

Catch the Jets v. Patriots game—and more importantly, the party outside before it—at Black Kettle’s Gameday Tailgate, featuring a bona fide Rib cookout, exclusive pilsner Urquell steins, and discounted appies.

• November 14 – Windfall Cider Co

Change it up at the only cidery on this list. Get to know these unique, community-produced ciders at a very special evening of tastings.

• November 15 – La Cerveceria Astilleros

Get jiggy with it at a Mexican fiesta dance party, featuring a live DJ and some new beer releases.

• November 16 – The Woods Spirit Co.

Enjoy your beer a little differently at Woods’ “Beer’tails” Night, where the North Shore distillery collaborates with a local brewery to create something truly unique and definitely magical.

• November 17 – North Point Brewing

And the coveted Monday Night spot goes to North Point where you can catch the big game with an exclusive beer special at the Monday Night Football Party.

• November 18 – Copperpenny Distilling Co.

Close enough! Get into the holiday spirit (ready or not) at Copperpenny’s “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas” Party, featuring winter cocktails and curated holiday gift basket making.

• November 19 – Beva Brewing & Blending

Come thirsty—and hungry— to a very special Kitchen Pop-Up with a special guest that will complement Beva’s already delectable tasting room menu.

• November 10 – Beere Brewing

Close out the Festival with one more shot of energy at Beere’s very special Stout Release Party where $5 gets you a 16 oz pour of their new Espresso Stout called “Spressy Tini.”

For a full list of events and details, visit the VNSCBF page.

The Craft Beer Festival on Vancouver’s North Shore is all about kicking back, enjoying great locally-brewed beer, and making memories with friends old and new. See you there!

The post Experience Vancouver’s North Shore Craft Beer Festival 2025 appeared first on The BC Ale Trail.

Vancouver’s North Shore is the perfect place for outdoor adventures year-round, with easy access to backcountry and jaw-dropping views of the city, sea and mountains. For a tasting adventure, check out the North Shore’s diverse and dynamic community of craft breweries, each with its own distinct style.

Vancouver’s North Shore Craft Beer Week runs November 1-15 with special events every day.

Fill Your Passport to Win!

How do you participate?

1. Visit any of the participating businesses listed below from November 1-30, 2024 and ask for a stamp with purchase.
2. After collecting six unique stamps, hand in the completed passport to receive a branded glass and to be entered in the draw for a chance to win the Grand Prize.
3. Do it all over again — multiple entries are encouraged!

GRAND PRIZE:

• 2-night stay incl. breakfast for 2 people at the Pinnacle Hotel at the Pier
• 2 admission tickets at Grouse Mountain
• 2 admission tickets to Capilano Suspension Bridge
• 2 x $25 GC at any North Shore craft breweries
• swag from Vancouver’s North Shore Craft Beer Week

The random prize draw will take place following the contest period once all of the completed passports have been collected.

Multiple entries encouraged!

Sip & Stay on Vancouver’s North Shore

A Short Stay Here Stays With You Forever! 

Experience the best of Vancouver’s North Shore with an overnight stay that combines top attractions, natural adventures, and city visits, all within easy reach. With downtown Vancouver just a 12-minute Seabus ride away, your getaway promises the perfect blend of urban excitement and outdoor exploration.

Find out about lots of great accommodation packages here.

Check out the Vancouver’s North Shore Ale Trail for inspiration for fun ways to explore the craft beer scene locally.

Where can you pick up a passport?

The Vancouver’s North Shore Ale Trail passports are available for free at any of the participating businesses. Here is the full distribution list:

Angry Otter Tap & Forno – 1015 Marine Dr.

Beere Brewing – 312 Esplanade E.

Beva Brewing & Blending – 1405 Pemberton Ave

Black Kettle Brewing – 720 Copping St. #106

Braggot Brewing – 370 Esplanade E. #102

Bridge Brewing – 1448 Charlotte Rd.

La Cerveceria Astilleros – 226 Esplanade E.

Copperpenny Distilling – 288 Esplanada E. #103

House of Funk Brewing – 350 Esplanade E.

Lonsdale BridgeDeck Kitchen & Taps – 1211 Lonsdale Ave.

North Point Brewing – 266 1st St E.

Shaketown Brewing – 288 Esplanade E. #105

Strathcona Beer Co – 123 Carrie Cates Ct

Tap & Barrel Shipyards – 8 Lonsdale Ave.

Wildeye Brewing – 1385 Main St.

Windfall Cider – 250 Esplanade E. #101

The Woods Spirit Co. – 1450 Rupert St.

The post Vancouver’s North Shore Ale Trail Tasting Passport appeared first on The BC Ale Trail.

‘Ale Trails’ is a doc style mini-series looking at the intersection between mountain biking and local craft breweries, and how both work to support and enhance their community.

Vancouver’s North Shore has a taste for the avant-garde. As an early adopter of both craft beer and mountain biking, the North Shore has had a global influence in shaping these once-fringe pursuits.

In 1982, the North Shore was Ground Zero for the craft beer revolution when Canada’s first microbrewery opened in Horseshoe Bay. From there, a few brewpubs and small breweries slowly filed into the industrial spaces, but it wasn’t until the early 2010s that Vancouver’s North Shore really came into its own with multiple breweries opening over the span of a few years!

The city now boasts 11 active breweries (with more on the way) — most of which reside in the very walkable Shipyards Brewery District. From light lagers to Triple IPAs so hazy that you can almost stand a fork in them, each brewery has its own unique vibe and experimental offerings. With patio views up to the North Shore mountains, some patrons are oblivious that those mountains are where mountain bike trail riding was conceived.

Concealed beneath the dense temperate rainforest, the early 1990s ushered in a two-wheeled revolution. The perfect combination of steep mountainous geography, creative trail builders conjuring circus-like ladder bridges and “skinnies” for a few unhinged locals to test the strength of their bikes and bones catalyzed into what modern mountain biking is today. Oh, and the dirt.

“When you’ve been riding as long as I have, you become a sommelier of dirt,” says mountain bike Olympian and North Shore local Andreas Hestler. And the North Shore mountains have been concocting the perfect blend for millennia.

The Bike Mecca affectionately known as “The Shore” is in a constant state of reinvention. Beginning as a truly hard-core, locals-only network of secrets and rumours, The Shore has aged gracefully into a broad network of trails over three mountains: from accessible entry-level green flow trails to the original double-black technical gnar from which its legendary status was garnered, and everything in between. The rich history remains important to the identity of The Shore and while some older trails are being modernized to accommodate modern bike design and riding style, the character remains the same and there will always be elevated skinnies for those who want them.

As the revolution continues in both beer and bikes, nowhere else can boast more profoundly that there is truly something for everyone. Local photographer Dave Smith sums it up perfectly: “The more things change, the more they stay the same. The Shore is still The Shore, mountain biking is still mountain biking, and there are few things better than enjoying a beer after a ride.”

‘Ale Trails’ is a collaboration between Mountain Biking BC, Vancouver’s North Shore, and the BC Ale Trail, and produced by adventure filmmakers, Ben Haggar and Mike Gamble / Cold Salt Collective.

ALWAYS DRINK RESPONSIBLY

Members of the BC Ale Trail are committed to ensuring their beers are promoted and enjoyed responsibly, by those adults who choose to consume them. No one should drink alcohol, even in moderation, before operating a motor vehicle or engaging in other activities that involve attention and skill or physical risk.

The post Mountain Biking and Craft Beer: Vancouver’s North Shore appeared first on The BC Ale Trail.

The primary effort is led by Lyviv, Ukraine-based Pravda Beer Theatre. Pravda put a call out to breweries around the world asking them to raise money for humanitarian relief in Ukraine by brewing beer using one of Pravda’s recipes.  The response has been fantastic as many BC craft breweries were inspired to collaborate with one another and launch special fundraiser beers for Ukraine. There have also been a few BC craft breweries that launched Ukraine fundraiser beers with their own special recipe.

As you keep Ukraine in your thoughts, keep an eye out for these beers and raise a glass to the mighty people impacted by the war. 

Lower Mainland Collaboration: Ukranian Golden Ale

This beer was led by Rick Dellow of PoCo Brothers Brewing after he got his hands on Pravda’s award-winning recipe for a Ukrainian Golden Ale. 

To bring the beer to life, Dellow organized a collaboration with Main Street Brewing, Five Roads Brewing, Deep Cove Brewers and Distillers, Brassneck Brewery, R&B Brewing, Tinhouse Brewing, and Boardwalk Brewing.  This teamwork has resulted in 24 kegs of this beer being distributed to the breweries involved. Each brewery will be launching the beer in its own unique way, so make sure you follow them on social media for all the details. 

$2 from every pint sold plus all the money raised from the sale of the kegs will be donated to people in Ukraine through the charity World Central Kitchen.

Loveshack Libations and Hornby Island Brewing: Ukrainian Bottle-Conditioned Imperial Stout

Loveshack Libations and Hornby Island Brewing are working on a “San to Don,” a bottle-conditioned Ukrainian Imperial Stout from one of Pravda Beer’s award-winning recipes.

“Besides collapsing hop filters and running out of boil kettles, the brew went well,” says Loveshack owner and brewery Dave Paul. “It has been patiently bottle conditioning for a couple of weeks now. We’ve tried a bottle or two (not at once–9.3% ABV 60 IBU–good for sharing!) and it’s coming along nicely.”

They’re aiming to release it in a month or so–keep an eye out! Proceeds go to humanitarian relief in Ukraine.

Kootenays Collaboration: Ukranian Golden Ale, Putin is a D*ckhead

Torchlight Brewing, Angry Hen Brewing, Backroads Brewing, Tailout Brewing, and Nelson Brewing Company teamed up to brew Putin Huilo (which roughly translates to “Putin is a Dickhead”). This Ukranian golden ale is also a result of efforts by Pravda.

All proceeds go to humanitarian relief in Ukraine and there are two labels available:

• Putin is a Dick label, which is available at the breweries and in select stores. 
• Putin Huilo Label, which is only available through the brewery.

Jackknife Brewing and Unleashed Brewing: Ukraine-Inspired Lemon Honey Wheat Ale

Jackknife Brewing and Unleashed Brewing’s collab beer was launched before Pravda’s call-out. Jackknife brewer Mike wanted to celebrate his Ukrainian heritage with a beer that gives back. They created KUTYA, a lemon honey wheat ale inspired by a Christmas dish that Mike’s dad, Don, would make every year. 

It’s a sweet, zesty golden ale with loads of white wheat and oats, conditioned with smashed lemons and buckets of local honey.

All proceeds from this beer and their sticker sales will go to fund OutRight Action International, an organization that helps to support LGBTQ+ folks who are displaced by the war in Ukraine.

Camp Beer Co. and Mainland Whisky: Beer Whisky

Mainland Whisky is teaming up with Camp Beer Co. to help Ukraine. They are collaborating on a special beverage release: Beer Whisky (ВІСК ДЛЯ УКРАЇНИ). Partial proceeds raised from the 26ers of Beer Whisky will be given to the Canada-Ukraine Foundation. To reserve a bottle, visit mainlandwhisky.com.

Container Brewing’s Ukraine fundraiser beer (now passed)

Container Brewing created a special beer called Frau Ribbentrop, a Belgian-style wit brewed using the golden ale recipe shared by Pravda Beer. All proceeds from this beer will be donated to help support Ukrainians. They also collaborated with Russian Spoon for a “beer and pierogi” day. Russian Spoon donated 200 pierogies, along with volunteers to cook them at the brewery. 100% of the profits will go to the Maple Hope Foundation.

Natalie Gates is the Newsletter and Blog Editor for the BC Ale Trail. Based in Campbell River, BC, she’s also a freelance copywriter for small businesses. When she’s not writing up a storm, she’s probably plotting her next meal or enjoying a crisp craft lager at one of her favourite breweries. You can connect with her on Instagram, LinkedIn, or at her website nataliegates.ca.

The post BC Craft Breweries Launch Beers to Support Ukraine appeared first on The BC Ale Trail.

Day 1

What better way to start a trip to Vancouver’s North Shore than a stop at Capilano Suspension Bridge Park? While we are no strangers to this iconic attraction, it has also been a couple of years since we last visited its winter Canyon Lights. Crossing the 140m suspension bridge in broad daylight allows you to fully appreciate the surrounding forest, mountains, and the Capilano River far, far below. Adding to the thrill was the sway of the bridge and distant shrieks from other visitors.

Beyond the suspension bridge, there are a variety of other equally breathtaking parts to check out. Did you know there are no nails or bolts in the Douglas Firs that hold up the viewing platforms of the Treetops Adventure? Those platforms are adjustable and moveable to accommodate the growth of the trees. When you’re done with that, the Cliffwalk offers a U-shaped walkway suspended 300ft above the rushing river and two extended platforms with glass bottoms. There’s really endless beauty in the park, so make sure to spend some time lingering. Take a walk on the many boardwalks throughout and take in the depth of the forest that surrounds you.

While we were at the park, we dropped by one of its restaurants, Cliff House, for lunch. It might seem strange to see southern BBQ served up at a BC park, but give that 20-hour slow-cooked, house-smoked brisket a try, and all your doubts melt away. The fixin’s ain’t bad either and, of course, it helps that they serve up a selection of local craft beer. In our case, a refreshing can of Bourbon Blood Orange Wheat Ale from Bridge Brewing Company worked beautifully with the meal. As a cherry on top, grab a seat by the performance stage beside the restaurant and be serenaded by a young lady with an acoustic guitar.

On our way to our hotel in the Shipyards District, we made a stop at Black Kettle Brewing Company. The patio was buzzing with energy as if the last year and a half never happened. There was a birthday party at one end and the rest of the patio was filled with small groups of people and their furry friends.

Our flight included Blackberry Porter, Session Ale, Cherry Lemonade, and Nitro Oatmeal Stout. Since we’re in the middle of a gorgeous summer, you will notice a pattern of sours, lighter ales, and fruit-forward beers in our flights as we carried on with our trip.

This brewery also serves up handheld bites, such as burgers, tacos, and wings that would go well with their beer. Regrettably, we came to Black Kettle after lunch, so it will have to be next time.

Once we arrived in the Shipyards District, our eyes were drawn to a symbiotic blend of rugged industrial structures with modern-day buildings. New hotels, restaurants, and public spaces have populated the area in the last few years. Outside the beautiful, sparkly Polygon Gallery, children and kids-at-heart dipped their feet in the water feature. Small groups of people dotted the long, wave-like wooden benches. A quick stop at Nemesis Coffee transitioned us from one brew to another. With a Nitro Cold Brew and an Iced Latte in our hands, we set out for a stroll along the waterfront.

Following the signs, we discovered that we were walking along The Spirit Trail, which goes from Deep Cove all the way to Horseshoe Bay. It’s a pedestrian and bike-friendly trail with various access points across the North Shore. As we headed west from Lonsdale Quay Market and through the Waterfront Park, we were treated with a panoramic view of the Vancouver Harbour and Downtown Vancouver. We were then greeted by rows of cute and colourful houseboats docked at the Mosquito Creek Marina, all the while enjoying the cool sea breeze on a warm sunny day.

By this time, we were hungry for more.  So we trekked our way back to Lonsdale Quay Market for a snack. The market is home to more than a dozen food outlets so there were plenty to choose from. Craving something sweet, the display case of liege waffles at Craffles shined like a beacon. How does one ever choose just one flavour out of the possible 10? We settled with a trio of waffles and took our snack over to Green Leaf Brewing Co. The sign at their door that says they welcome food from other market vendors makes me really happy. It’s the right attitude in these difficult times!

Sustainability is at the heart of Green Leaf, so they strive to have a minimal environmental impact in the brewing of their beer, kombucha, and ginger ale. I really enjoyed the malty taste in their refreshing Amber Lager, but my favourite was definitely the Lolo Stout. Not only was it delicious on its own with its coffee and chocolate note, but it also paired well with the trio of Peanut Butter, Salted Caramel, and Matcha waffles from Craffles. Stouts tend to be a heavier beer, usually released in the winter, but this was light and airy. I can picture myself sipping it by a campfire on a summer evening.

We kept our car at the hotel parking lot and started venturing northbound on a hilly walk. We almost missed the entrance of Streetcar Brewing because it was tucked away next to the storefront for a kitchen and bath store. The narrow entryway that led us down to a dark basement transported us back to the Prohibition era, but it took us to a spacious tasting room and patio decorated with twinkling lights facing Lolo Lane.

Sipping beer on Streetcar’s patio felt a bit surreal. We knew we were surrounded by businesses and residential buildings in a busy area of town, yet the back alley was peaceful and quiet, almost secluded. We hung out on this patio for a while, fighting over the last sips of our favourites from our beer flight: the Tart Passion Fruit Ale and Guava Gose.

Out front, a group of men laughed and chatted with beer in hand, perhaps a bachelor party–something else made possible with the start of Phase 3!

We might’ve been a bit ambitious when we decided to walk 12 blocks uphill for dinner. Working up a “drinkatite” and appetite, we arrived at Lonsdale Bridgedeck, part of Bridge Brewing, and grabbed a seat on their outdoor patio.

I’m usually not a gin person, but the citrus and juniper berry note in the Lemon Gin Saison made it almost cocktail like, and we were definitely in a full-on summer vacation mood after sipping the PrimeTime Tropical.

Beer always goes well with handheld food. At Bridgedeck, their Crunch Wings were true to its name — crunchy, crispy, and coated with just the right amount of seasoning and sauce. They have very interesting flavours, too. We went with Korean Sweet & Spicy and Cumin & Szechuan Pepper. Both had a hint of spice and heat that went down easily with a gulp of beer. And I can’t believe I’m going to say this, but I absolutely loved the Veggie Taco in the Taco Trio. The roasted sweet potato and paneer made great taco toppings. Why I haven’t seen that before?!

Walking downhill to our hotel was an easier feat. We even stopped at the Fun Alley for a quick snap, walked right past a 20-people lineup at Earnest Ice Cream, and continued on until we reached the sliding doors of Pinnacle Hotel at the Pier.

Day 2

We woke up bright and early the next morning and drove to the easternmost part of North Vancouver: Deep Cove. A branch of the Burrard Inlet facing Indian Arm, it is the traditional territory of the Tsleil-Waututh and Squamish Nations. Deep Cove is well known and popular for outdoor activities such as hiking, mountain biking, and kayaking. Staring at the glistening water and rows and rows of kayaks, we joined six other participants on a three-hour Deep Cove Explorer Tour with Deep Cove Kayak.

The rocking motion of the kayak, the swooshing sound of the water, the warmth from the sun…there’s something cathartic and therapeutic about being in a kayak. Over the three hours, we spotted harbour seals, bald eagles, and sea stars. Our friendly guide, Lauren, also provided us with lots of tidbits about the area. It was satisfying to paddle across the inlet to reach as far north as Raccoon Island, then over to the Jug Island Beach (which is in Belcarra!). Did I mention we were rewarded with a fluffy doughnut each from Honey Doughnut during our break at Jug Island Beach? Totally worth the workout! As we returned, I was in awe of the sheer number of kayaks and paddleboards heading back to shore after a morning enjoying the water–like birds flocking back to the coop.

We needed to fuel up after the morning workout and our next destination was perfect for that. Nestled in a nearby business park, Deep Cove Brewers & Distillers has a charming patio space lined with trees, and a tasting room surrounded by wood barrels. The juxtaposition of the elegant entrance and rustic farmhouse furniture makes the space very unique. There was a group of office workers taking a lunch break, a few friends catching up over lunch and beer, and others simply having a relaxing Monday afternoon.

The Passionfruit Orange Guava (aka POG) Sour had the perfect balance of tartness and tropical fruit note. The Nitro Crawl Stout was also delicious. The Cucumber Pilsner was refreshing with a surprisingly prominent cucumber flavour. And let’s not forget their tasty Lobster Roll! The table next to us ordered one for each person. It’s that good!

Next, we went to the original location of Bridge Brewing. By now we have sampled a few of their beers, so we beat the norm and ordered a pint each of Side Cut IPA and Wunderbar Kolsch. Side Cut was the first BC rendition of the popular North East IPA style and it’s worthy of an encore. The hazy beer was creamy, with a strong aroma of grapefruit and tangerine, and the perfect amount of hop flavour.

The rush hour traffic zooming along Main Street combined with a hopping Happy Hour crowd on the patio made for sense of normalcy at Wildeye Brewing. Before this trip, I had saved an Instagram post about Wildeye’s “Rainbow Flight” so I made sure to order that. With the alluring hue of pink, orange, purple, and green, the Rainbow Flight was more than a feast for the eyes. The addition of blue curacao in the cocktail-inspired Blue Margarita from the local Sons of Vancouver not only made the beer green, but it also enhanced the citrus peel note in this kettled gose. I also became a fan of their Limoncello Sour.

Their food menu was also very appealing. Both items we ordered were spot on. The Gyoza were crispy on the outside with juicy fillings, and the ginger soy sauce was tasty and reminded me of teriyaki sauce with a hint of spice. The tacos were fully loaded, with lots of toppings. Once again, I was blown away by the vegan Fungi Taco that was packed with flavours and what seemed like buckets of mushrooms.

You wouldn’t know it’s a Monday evening if you were sitting next to us at Tap and Barrel Shipyards District. The patio was full and the hockey game was playing in the dining room; the cheers were deafening whenever the Canadiens scored or triumphantly blocked a shot. This familiar (yet strange) atmosphere was intoxicating.

Tap and Barrel has an extensive craft beer menu, divided into different styles so there’s something for everyone. With the direct sunset view of the Vancouver Harbour, Mr. and I sipped our 33 Acres Experiment Mezcal Gose and BREWHALL x Phillips Sunset Stranger Sour. We truly had the best seats on the patio!

The Crispy Humboldt Squid, along with fried banana peppers, made excellent beer food. The acidity in everything was appetite-inducing and addictive. We loved how balanced the Hot Honey Calabrese Pizza was (we learned to drizzle honey on our homemade pizza going forward) and the texture of the dough was perfect.

After dinner, we took a short stroll around Shipyards District and stopped at Welcome Parlour for some ice cream. They, too, have a flight option that allows you to sample multiple flavours. The vegan chocolate orange ice cream was surprisingly tasty.

Day 3

Tomahawk Restaurant has been an institution in the area since the 20s. I remember watching it featured on Triple-D on TV a number of years ago. Between the collection of Indigenous artifacts and the water feature with countless rubber rucks, the interior decor captured my attention.

Our jaws literally dropped when our order of Mixed Grill arrived at our table. We shouldn’t be surprised by the size of it when the menu description started with “nine generous slices of Yukon style bacon,” yet we couldn’t believe how much food there was on the plate. Tomahawk prides itself on its Yukon style bacon and they have every right to. It looks like ham (think Canadian bacon) but still has all the characteristics of sliced bacon. I went on to order myself an Eggs Benedict with Smoked Salmon with a side of Pancakes. Safe to say, we started our last day in North Vancouver with a bang.

We had three more breweries to visit on this day, and they all have great patios. We love the feel of AstroTurf on our feet at North Point Brewing. We hadn’t had a Hefe for a while so Banana Pancakes was a perfect addition to our flight. A children’s cooking class was being let out next door and, as we people watched, Mr. and I debated which sour was better. Mr. liked the funk in Beaches as Kiwi but I much preferred the combination of peach, pineapple, and mango in Tropic Like It’s Hot.

Over at Beere Brewing, their staff had fun naming their beers. You will find cheeky names like “Flamango” for their mango milkshake IPA, but you will also see random head-scratchers such as “Sitcom Reference.” Here, Mood Ring definitely won our hearts. The hazy double dry-hopped sour was very balanced with layers of flavours. I would’ve liked to try their rice lager, Rice is Nice, but it’s sold out on tap–which gives me one more reason to return to North Vancouver for another brewery hop.

At our final brewery stop, House of Funk Brewing brought me a brew vs. brew dilemma because they also serve up espresso from their own roasted coffee beans. I solved it with the classic Joyce solution of ordering both. Funk Juice is a series of smoothie sours that they produce. The pineapple coconut was absolutely delicious and rightfully named because it was really juicy. Also, kudos to them for collaborating with Pink Boots Society (PBS) to brew Wallonia as a salute to women in the beer industry. A portion of the proceeds from Wallonia goes directly to the PBS Scholarship Fund to support the professional development of women in brewing.

Final Thoughts

In addition to the 14 spots on the North Shore where we can experience local craft beer, North Vancouver has also designated 7 alcohol allowed zones so you can consume alcohol outdoors from 11 am to dusk. It includes Victoria Park West, Shipbuilders Square, and Cates Deck by Lonsdale Quay Market. Did Mr. and I have a favourite North Shore brewery in mind? Perhaps. Does it matter? Not really, because the best part of this trip is getting on Vancouver’s North Shore Ale Trail, and trying them all!

Joyce Lam has been a food blogger in Vancouver since 2009, writing at VanFoodies.com and sharing her food adventures on social media @vanfoodies. She sets out to discover delightful eats across Greater Vancouver, find joys in hearty home-cooking, and celebrate local food and beverage producers. A marketing consultant by day, and a food blogger by night, Joyce is a petite girl with a big appetite. Her foodie motto is “I’ll try anything once.”

The post Exploring Vancouver’s North Shore Ale Trail appeared first on The BC Ale Trail.

There is a spot in the Lower Mainland that has seen a major shift to an entertainment district in recent years, and that place is located in North Vancouver, located on the traditional unceded territories of the Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh.

House of Funk Brewing opened its doors a little over two years ago after seeing a gap in the British Columbia market. They have seen major growth and have even developed a sister brand, House of Lager.

Aaron sat down with owner Darren Hollett.

Things Aaron learned:

1. Darren saw that funky beers weren’t a main focus of a brewery in Vancouver.
2. They’ve started a sub-brand called “House of Lager.”
3. House of Funk also has a coffee program.

Listen to the podcast here:

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In this episode, Aaron finds himself in North Vancouver, located on the traditional unceded territories of the Tsleil-Waututh, Squamish and Musqueum.

This area has seen a major boom of breweries opening in recent years, but there is one brewery that is a bit of an outlier on the map compared to the cluster of others down on the waterfront. Wildeye Brewing is a quiet gem on the North Shore, with a large tasting room and patio in the shadow of the surrounding mountains and trails.

Conceived by a local North Vancouverite who loves living, working and playing on the North Shore, Wildeye is located near Lynn Creek. Its location just minutes from the Ironworkers Memorial Bridge, which carries traffic on the Trans-Canada Highway heading towards Whistler, makes it an ideal spot to plan your next adventure on Vancouver’s North Shore Ale Trail.

The brewery has a big, welcoming tasting room open seven days a week with lots of tables for socializing and catching up with friends. It’s a family friendly space with a bistro kitchen serving west coast inspired food. Look for live music on Thursday nights if you need yet another excuse to drop by.

Beer-wise, Wildeye offers a solid set of core beers augmented by rotating seasonal offerings — in other words: something for everyone from a novice beer discoverer to a road-weary beer geek looking for the newest and trendiest styles.

Aaron sat down with the founder, Samantha Lindeman. He learned that she first “discovered” craft beer while working in South Australia. She originally comes from the wine industry but returned to Canada with an idea to open a brewery.

Listen to the podcast here:

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North Vancouver has seen a lot of growth in terms of new breweries over the past few years. Part of that boom is the fresh new Shipyards Brewery District, which includes several exciting breweries: Beere Brewing, House of Funk Brewing, and most recently, North Point Brewing, all of which can be found on the Vancouver’s North Shore Ale Trail.

North Point Brewing is a cozy cabin-themed brewery on a quiet street in North Van.

Aaron sat down with co-owner Liam Jeffries and brewer Paul Kovamees. Some of the things he learned during the interview:
1) Paul Kovamees is originally from Estonia
2) The first beer North Point opened with was their Strawberry Blonde
3) Paul got his start brewing at Parallel 49 in Vancouver.

Listen to the podcast here:

The post Cascadian Beer Podcast: North Point Brewing appeared first on The BC Ale Trail.

In his first revisit episode, Aaron catches up with friends of the podcast, Bridge Brewing. I first spoke with them on episode 23 of the podcast, and a lot has changed since then. Case in point: Bridge opened a second location, the Lonsdale BridgeDeck Kitchen & Taps, earlier this year. That’s where Aaron sat down with co-owner and Director of Consumption, Leigh Stratton.

 

Bridge triggered the mini-boom in North Shore breweries when it opened as a nanobrewery near the Ironworkers Memorial Bridge in 2012. Soon outgrowing the space, which was essentially a large garage, the brewery moved into bigger digs in 2015. Incorporated into the new facility was a cute, compact, wood-panelled tasting room that has become a favourite of cyclists, running clubs and other fit specimens; the recent additions of a patio and drop-dead delicious tacos have created queues down the car park and onto Charlotte Street. Bridge’s kolsch is renowned, while its Side Cut IPA was the first BC rendition of the popular North East IPA style.

More recently, Bridge has launched a series of low-carb, low-calorie beers called Prime Time, which includes Prime Time Pale Ale and Prime Time IPA. This is now Bridge’s most produced beer — listen to the episode to find out just how much!

Bridge Brewing and the Lonsdale BridgeDeck can be found on the Vancouver’s North Shore Ale Trail.

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