From August 1–31, 2026, the Greater Victoria Ale Trail is turning into one giant scavenger hunt!

Visit participating breweries across the Greater Victoria Ale Trail and put your detective skills to the test. Each brewery has hidden a unique item somewhere in its taproom, and your mission is to find it, snap a photo, and upload it through the BC Ale Trail app.

Along the way, you’ll discover incredible local breweries, enjoy great beer, meet the people behind the taps, and maybe even uncover a few hidden stories.

Whether you’re a seasoned craft beer fan or simply looking for a fun way to explore the region, this is the perfect excuse for a brewery adventure.

How to Participate

Getting started is easy!

1. Open the BC Ale Trail App

Navigate to the Greater Victoria Scavenger Hunt challenge.

2. Visit Participating Breweries

Head to each participating brewery throughout the month of August.

3. Read the Clue

Every brewery has its own clue to help guide you toward a hidden item somewhere inside the taproom.

4. Find the Hidden Item

Search the brewery and see if you can solve the clue.

5. Snap a Photo

Once you’ve found the mystery item, take a photo and upload it through the BC Ale Trail app.

6. Check In

Don’t forget to check in while you’re visiting to earn your regular BC Ale Trail reward points.

Complete the Hunt & Earn Rewards

Finish every scavenger hunt challenge before August 31 to receive:

500 BC Ale Trail bonus points

The exclusive Greater Victoria Scavenger Hunt Badge

One automatic entry into the Grand Prize Draw

Every completed hunt earns one entry into the draw.

Why Join the Hunt?

The scavenger hunt is about much more than finding hidden objects.

It’s an opportunity to:

• Discover breweries you’ve never visited before
• Explore different neighbourhoods across the Greater Victoria Ale Trail
• Meet local brewery staff and hear the stories behind each stop
• Support local craft breweries
• Earn BC Ale Trail points while enjoying great beer
• Spend a summer day exploring one of BC’s best craft beer destinations

Take your time, grab a flight, enjoy a meal, browse the merch, and make a day (or several!) of it.

Participating Breweries

4 Mile Brewing Co.
199 Island Hwy, View Royal, BC

Bad Dog Brewing
7861 Tugwell Rd, Sooke, BC

Beacon Brewing
9829 Third St, Sidney, BC

Category 12 Brewing
2200 Keating Cross Rd, Saanichton, BC

Checkerhead Brewing
10602 Sherburne Dr, Shirley, BC

Driftwood Brewery
836 Viewfield Rd, Victoria, BC

Herald Street Brew Works
506 Herald St, Victoria, BC

Hoyne Brewing Co.
101-2740 Bridge St, Victoria, BC

Île Sauvage Brewing Co.
2960 Bridge St, Victoria, BC

Mile Zero Brewing
4495 Happy Valley Rd, Metchosin, BC

Phillips Brewing & Malting Co.
2000 Government St, Victoria, BC

Small Gods Brewing Co.
9835 Third St, Sidney, BC

Sooke Oceanside Brewery
5871-A Sooke Rd, Sooke, BC

Spinnakers Gastro Brewpub
308 Catherine St, Victoria, BC

Whistle Buoy Brewing Co.
#63, 560 Johnson St, Victoria, BC (Market Square, Lower Courtyard)

Plan Your Hunt

The scavenger hunt runs August 1–31, 2026, giving you the entire month to complete every stop.

Whether you visit one brewery each weekend or tackle several in a day, there’s no wrong way to experience the hunt.

Download the free BC Ale Trail app, gather your friends, and start exploring!

Grand Prize

(Placeholder until prize package is finalized.)

Complete the Greater Victoria Ale Trail Scavenger Hunt and you’ll automatically receive one entry into our Grand Prize draw. Full prize details will be announced soon.

The post Greater Victoria Ale Trail Scavenger Hunt appeared first on The BC Ale Trail.

Beer cocktails combine the flavours of craft beer with fresh citrus, herbs, spirits and seasonal ingredients to create drinks that are bright, balanced and surprisingly easy to make at home. Whether you’re hosting friends on the patio, firing up the barbecue or simply enjoying a quiet afternoon in the sunshine, the recipes we’re featuring offer a fresh take on summer sipping.

To keep things local, we’ve paired each cocktail with craft beer from BC breweries and, wherever possible, ingredients from the province. From a spicy IPA Michelada to a creamy Porter Beer Float, there’s a recipe for every taste and every occasion.

Before you start mixing, here are a few tips to help you make the most of your beer cocktails.

Tips for Making Beer Cocktails

• Match the beer style to the flavours in your cocktail. Not every beer pairs well with every ingredient.
• IPAs work well with citrus-forward recipes thanks to their bright hop character.
• Crisp lagers, pilsners and lighter ales provide a clean, refreshing base.
• Stir rather than shake. Carbonated beer and cocktail shakers don’t make the best combination. Frozen cocktails are the exception since blenders can handle those.
• Don’t skip the garnish. Fresh herbs, citrus or seasonal fruit add aroma, colour and a finishing touch to make every drink feel a little more special.

1. IPA Michelada

The Michelada is a classic beer cocktail for a reason. Bright citrus, a touch of spice and a crisp, hop-forward IPA come together for a refreshing drink that’s made for warm afternoons. This version uses a BC craft IPA for a West Coast twist on the Mexican favourite, with optional Worcestershire and hot sauce adding an extra layer of savoury flavour.

Serves: 1 | Time: 15 mins

Ingredients:

• Juice of 1 lime
• Lime wedge
• 1 tbsp of sea salt (pour onto a plate)
• A handful of ice cubes
• 1 tbsp tequila
• Approx 3/4 of a 473ml can of IPA (such as Parkside Brewery’s Humans IPA)
• Worcestershire sauce (optional)
• Tobasco sauce (optional)

Method:

1. Squeeze lime juice into a small bowl or small measuring cup
2. Use a lime wedge around the rim of your serving glass
3. Carefully dip the rim of your glass in the salt (you want to have a thin rim of salt)
4. Add ice, lime juice and tequila to your glass
5. Stir gently and then slowly pour your beer into the glass
6. Garnish with a lime wedge
7. OPTIONAL – Add a dash of Worcestershire sauce and a couple drops of hot sauce for some kick

2. Raspberry Beergarita

If you’re dreaming of warm weather and beachside margaritas, this raspberry beergarita brings a little vacation energy to your own backyard. Fresh raspberries, lime and tequila pair deliciously with a raspberry-forward BC craft beer for a drink that’s fruity, refreshing and easy to share. Blend it up for your next backyard gathering or sunny afternoon on the patio.

Serves: 2 | Time: 10 mins

Ingredients:

• 1 cup fresh raspberries
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• 4-6 tbsp of tequila, or adjust to your taste
• 1 small lime, juiced
• 1 tall can of raspberry ale (such as Trading Post’s Raspberry Wheat Ale)
• 1 cup of ice
• Lime wedges
• OPTIONAL – Salt for the rim of your glassware (see cocktail #1)

Method:

1. In a blender, blend raspberries and water until smooth. Strain raspberries in a wire mesh colander over a bowl and pour juice back into the blender.
2. Add remaining ingredients and blend until smooth.
3. It will be very frothy, so let the liquid settle (just as you would a pint) before pouring.
4. While your liquid is settling, use a lime wedge to wet the rim of your glasses. Rim with salt.
5. Pour, add a lime wedge to each glass and enjoy!

Note: If you use frozen raspberries, increase your water amount to 3/4 cup.

Original cocktail recipe by sofabgood.com. 

3. Orange Elvis

Citrus and hops are a natural pairing, making this IPA cocktail bright, aromatic and surprisingly smooth. Gin, orange juice and a splash of elderflower liqueur complement the beer without overpowering it, while fresh herbs add an extra burst of summer flavour.

Serves: 1 | Time: 5 mins

Ingredients:

• 2 oz (4 tbsp) of dry gin (such as Spinnaker’s Botanical Beach London Dry Gin)
• 4 oz or a 1/4 tall can of IPA (such as Yellow Dog Play Dead IPA or Parkside’s Humans IPA)
• 1/2 oz (2 tbsp) St. Germain (semi-optional)
• Ice
• OPTIONAL – Fresh mint for garnish

Method:

1. Put some ice cubes in your glass.
2. Add gin, orange juice and St. Germain to a cocktail glass (or whatever you have available)
3. Use the stem of a spoon to stir and combine.
4. Slowly pour the beer.
5. Garnish with some fresh rosemary or mint.
6. Enjoy!

Note: If you have a cocktail shaker, add ice, gin, juice and St. Germain. Shake, shake, shake, and strain into a glass with ice cubes. Slowly pour IPA over ice. Add the beer after shaking to preserve the carbonation.

4. Raspberry Gin-ger Beer

Sweet raspberries, zesty lemon, homemade ginger syrup and gin come together in this vibrant cocktail, with a raspberry beer adding a refreshing finish. It takes a little extra preparation, but the homemade syrup is well worth the effort, and you’ll have enough left over for another round.

Serves: 2 | Time: 1 hour

Ginger Syrup

Ingredients:

• 1 1/4 cup (150 g) of fresh ginger root, chopped
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 1/2 cup water

Method:

1. Combine water, sugar and ginger in a small saucepan.
2. Heat to a gentle boil.
3. Reduce heat to a simmer and stir until sugar dissolves.
4. Remove from heat and let mixture steep for 30 mins.
5. Strain and chill in a covered container in the fridge.

Note: You’ll have enough left for at least four cocktails.

The Cocktail

Ingredients:

5. Black Velvet

Simple, elegant and ready in just a few minutes, the Black Velvet combines sparkling wine with a rich porter or stout for a cocktail that’s both refreshing and decadent. This version uses BC-made bubbly and craft beer for a local take on a timeless classic.

Serves: 1 | Time: 2-3 mins

Ingredients:

• 4 oz bubbly wine (such as Evolve Cellars Pink Effervescence)
• 4 oz porter or stout beer (such as Yellow Dog Smoked Porter)

Method:

1. Pour bubbly into glass (will hit about halfway in a traditional champagne glass)
2. Top it off by slowly pouring your beer.
3. Make another for your partner.
4. Enjoy!

Note: While not in season, a stout should give the cocktail an impressive layered look. Regardless, both versions are delicious.

6. Porter Beer Float

This grown-up take on the classic ice cream float pairs creamy vanilla ice cream with a rich porter or stout for a dessert that’s equal parts nostalgic and indulgent. It’s easy to make, fun to serve and guaranteed to be a conversation starter at your next summer gathering.

Serves: 2 | Time: 5 mins

Ingredients:

• Vanilla ice cream (such as Island Farms)
• 1 tall can of porter or stout (such as Yellow Dog Shake a Paw Smoked Porter)

Method:

1. Fill two small mason jars (or glassware of your choice) each with around two big scoops of ice cream
2. Slowly pour half a can of the beer over the ice cream in each glass.
3. Enjoy the creamy, fizzy finish!

Note: If you have kids or want a non-alcoholic version, Phillips Brewing & Malting offers a great root beer. It’s available in most grocery stores.

Share your beer cocktail creations with us by tagging @bcaletrail on social media. Happy mixing!

Originally written by Yasmine Hardcastle on July 22, 2020. Updated by the BC Ale Trail team in 2026.

The post Shake Up Summer with BC Craft Beer Cocktails appeared first on The BC Ale Trail.

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.

———

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.

———

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.

———

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.

———

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.

———

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.

———

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.

———

Port Coquitlam

Taylight Brewing

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

———

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.

———

Chilliwack

Sidekick Brewing

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

———

Pitt Meadows

Foamers’ Folly Brewing

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

———

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.

———

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.

———

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.

———

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.

———

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.

———

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.

———

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.

———

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.

Whether you’re a die-hard hop head or just love a good excuse to experience a new corner of the province, this year’s lineup has something for everyone. From intimate community celebrations to sprawling multi-brewery showcases, BC’s craft beer festivals bring together the best local breweries, cideries, and distilleries under one roof — paired with great food, inventive non-alc options, live music, and the kind of good vibes that only come from a crowd of fellow beer lovers.

Why not make a proper getaway out of it? BC’s festival circuit spans the entire province, giving you the perfect reason to explore a new town, support local businesses, and discover what makes each region’s beer scene one-of-a-kind.

Here are the spring and summer beer festivals worth marking on your calendar right now — because the best fests have a way of selling out fast.

Brewhalla Beer & Music Festival • Fort Langley

June 13

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Parksville Beer Festival • Parksville

July 4

Indulge in your love for craft beer, connect with like-minded individuals, and support local businesses, all within a festival atmosphere curated for enjoyment and discovery. At the Parksville Beer Festival, it’s not just about exceptional beers – it’s also a haven for foodies! Get ready to complement your craft beer experience with a fantastic selection from the specially curated food trucks.

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Phillips Backyard Music Festival • Victoria

July 10 – 12

Phillips’ multi-day music festival is back again, blending craft beer culture with live music in a fun, inclusive, community-centred atmosphere. This year’s lineup includes big names like Chance the Rapper and Father John Misty, among many others. Weekend passes are sold out, but single-day tickets are still available — get yours before they sell out!

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Battle of the Brews • Surrey

August 15

The Surrey Fire Fighters’ Charitable Society and 93.7 JR Country are hosting the 8th Annual Battle of the Brews.  This fun charity event will offer attendees a great afternoon of craft beer tasting and food trucks.  Attendees will get the chance to help choose their favourite beers, and all proceeds from the event will help fund Surrey Fire Fighters’ Charitable Society youth initiatives.

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Cowichan Craft Beer and Food Festival • Chemainus

August 15

The Cowichan Craft Beer & Food Festival is a community-rooted, non-profit event bringing together 30+ BC breweries pouring 100+ craft beverages alongside ciders, non-alcoholic options, and 15+ food trucks and local eats — all set to live music. With shuttle service available for a safe ride home, it’s a great reason to explore the Cowichan Valley and support local.

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Squamish Beer Festival • Squamish

August 29

Located at the Loggers Sports Ground, the Squamish festival brings together more than 55 breweries and cideries for craft beer lovers to celebrate great beer and mountain culture with food, games, axe throwing, DJs, an artisan marketplace, live music, and more.

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Barnside Harvest Festival • Ladner

September 11-13

More than just a beer festival, Barnside Harvest Festival is a celebration of local food, craft beverages, music, and community. Held at Paterson Park in Ladner, this three-day event features an impressive lineup of live music alongside a curated selection of BC craft breweries, cideries, wineries, and food vendors. It’s the perfect way to savour the final days of summer.

Shuswap Brewers Fest • Salmon Arm

September 13

Hosted at Northyards Cider Co., the Shuswap Brewers Fest brings together craft breweries, cideries, distilleries, food vendors, and live entertainment for a relaxed afternoon celebrating the region’s thriving beverage scene. As an added bonus, the event supports the Salmon Arm Rescue Society, making every sip a chance to give back to the local community.

Whistler Village Beer Festival • Whistler

September 16-20

Set against the stunning backdrop of Whistler’s mountains, the Whistler Village Beer Festival combines craft beer, cider, seltzers, live music, and mountain-town energy into one unforgettable weekend. The festival features a series of events throughout the village, culminating in the Main Event at Whistler Olympic Plaza, where dozens of beverage makers come together for an afternoon of sampling, food trucks, games, and good times.

The post Cheers! 2026 Summer Beer Festivals appeared first on The BC Ale Trail.

The event that kicked off Victoria Beer Week back on March 1, 2014, was a Cask Night featuring 30 cask-conditioned beers from a great mix of breweries located on both sides of the Salish Sea/Georgia Strait. About an hour into the sold-out event, after all the hectic setup and the flurry of opening the doors and letting in all the ticketholders, I found myself at the top of the stairs overlooking the main hall of the Victoria Public Market where I paused to take a breath. The venue looked amazing: the low lighting and decorative twinkly lights created a magical ambiance. 

I was filled with pleasure and pride as I looked at the sea of happy beer lovers filling the big room — throngs of people smiling and laughing, sipping and savouring a glass of something fresh and unique. The buzz of their conversations filled the spaces in the background music. It was an amazing moment after all the long weeks of planning and organizing with my colleagues on the VBW founding team. We had done it!

Since that first night a decade ago Victoria Beer Week has returned annually with a series of events — often featuring Cask Nights like that first one. Over the years we have produced more than 100 events, and there are some that stand out in my memory: 

• the Town Hall when I challenged Matt Phillips to open a tasting room, something that all the new Vancouver breweries had but no one was doing in Victoria—at least not yet! 
• the first Pucker Up sour beer night, which sold right out, teaching us that there was another type of beer drinker out there that we didn’t even know existed; 
• Thunderdome, which was held outside at Wheelie’s complete with barrel fires (!) and actors dressed up as Mad Max characters; 
• the first Lift Off! event held outside at Market Square with 550 folks in attendance, our biggest VBW crowd ever; 
• the excellent historic talks given by dearly departed beer historian Greg Evans (RIP);
• arguing with the liquor inspector who nearly shut us down (for no reason) at All About the Wood at the Roundhouse;
• and the 5th Birthday Bash when we all dressed up in fancy clothes and were serenaded by the very talented Susannah Adams and her band.

Not surprisingly, the hardest time was 2020. As March approached, so too did word of some sort of contagious virus spreading around the globe. We watched the news and wondered if it might disrupt our events. Ticket sales faltered as our customers wondered the same thing. The week began, but the news got worse and worse until, finally, with two nights left in our festival, the government cancelled all events. It would be two years before VBW returned.

Putting together Victoria Beer Week each year has always been a team effort. There were close to a dozen co-founders when we started meeting back in 2013. Over the years, those numbers slowly dwindled as some folks moved on to other challenges. Today, the Victoria Beer Society’s board includes four people who have all been involved from the start: Ryan Malcolm, Chris Nohr, Glen Stusek, and me. Of course, there are many others who have played a part in the success of the events over the past decade — too many to list here, but you all know who you are and how much we appreciate your involvement. I hope to see you all at our 10th Birthday Bash on March 9!

VBW10 Event Schedule

Tickets for all events are on sale now at victoriabeersociety.com.

Ten Ten Ten: VBW Collaboration Beer Launch

Friday, March 1, 5:30 pm – 10:00 pm at Île Sauvage Brewing

Celebrate the start of the 10th Victoria Beer Week. We’ve brewed a special Extra Pale Ale with our friends in the Victoria beer community.

World Class Lagers

Saturday, March 2, 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm at Hoyne Brewing

A showcase of the variety and depth of finely made lagers, poured and presented perfectly. Includes an educational tour of the facility and tastes of 5 Hoyne lagers.

Sidney Brewing Experience

Sunday, March 3, 3:30 pm – 7:30 pm at Beacon Brewing & Small Gods Brewing

A bus tour from Victoria to Sidney that begins with a guided tour of Field Five Farms in Central Saanich, where brewing grains are grown, harvested and malted. After exploring the farm, guests will visit both Beacon Brewing and Small Gods Brewing in Sidney.

Marchtoberfest

Monday, March 4, 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm at the Moon Under Water

A German Beer Dinner pairing 4 German-style beers with small plates, including the Island Rauchbier, a collaboration with Small Gods Brewing and Whistle Buoy Brewing.

Trivia Night

Tuesday, March 5, 6:30 pm – 9:00 pm at Phillips Brewing

Kick it old school and test your craft beer knowledge with trivia brewed responsibly by irresponsible quizmasters at Phillips Brewing. All proceeds to benefit the Pink Boots Society.

Haze Fest

Wednesday, March 6, 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm at Whistle Buoy Brewing (with Category 12 Brewing)

Celebrate the Hazy IPA: a style that has helped define the recent history of craft beer and has pushed innovation in the use of hops and yeast in beers. Watch Victoria’s first-ever, industry-wide corn hole tournament where staff from local breweries will compete to be crowned the best team in Victoria!

Throwback Thursday – 40 Years of Victoria Craft Beer

Thursday, March 7, 7:00 pm – 10:30 pm at Vancouver Island Brewing

To celebrate its 40th anniversary, Vancouver Island Brewing will serve a small list of heritage beers plus some throwback pilot batches using old recipes. More taps will feature heritage beers from other local breweries. Guests are encouraged to dress up in their retro/throwback beer merch.
Scorpion Chef will be on site with delicious empanadas.

Trove of Treasures

Friday, March 8, 4:00 pm – 9:00 pm at Lighthouse Brewing

A special event celebrating some classic Lighthouse recipes, voted in by the fans themselves! On deck is the Beacon ESB, Perla Negra Baltic Porter and Red Sky IPA.

VBW’s 10th Birthday Bash

Saturday, March 9, 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm

Join us as we raise our glasses to a decade of craft beer events, community, and camaraderie. Sip and savour delicious craft beers from your favourite BC breweries. Enjoy fun entertainment, play games, win prizes and cut the cake with us as we celebrate a brew-tiful decade together. Put on your party hat and ring in 10 Years of Cheers with us!

The post Victoria Beer Week Celebrates 10 Years! appeared first on The BC Ale Trail.

My most recent Hops Among Friends interview was with Tessa Gabiniewicz from Land & Sea Brewing. At the end of our discussion, Tessa recommended that I speak with Matt West-Patrick and Isaiah Archer from Whistle Buoy Brewing for my next Hops Among Friends interview. Matt is Co-owner and Head Brewer, Isaiah is Co-owner and Sales & Marketing Manager at Whistle Buoy Brewing, which was established in 2019 in Victoria on the Greater Victoria Ale Trail.

Matt and Isaiah are doing great things at Whistle Buoy Brewing and it was a really interesting discussion. I enjoyed hearing more about their commitment to featuring local ingredients in their beers.

This interview also reminded me that it’s been too long since I’ve been to Victoria. The last time I visited Victoria, I had the opportunity to peek inside the windows at Whistle Buoy Brewing before it opened in 2019.

I’m super honoured to share that this is my 20th interview in this series over the last 7 years. You can read through all of my previous Hops Among Friends articles here. It’s been an absolute privilege to interview so many amazing leaders in the craft beer industry.

Kim: What was your first experience with craft beer?

Matt: Growing up in Victoria, my first experience with craft beer was seeing Phillips Brewing boom as I came to be of legal drinking age. They were the big player in the craft beer market here and doing lots of great stuff. They were my inspiration to later on chase the craft beer dream.

Isaiah: I moved to Victoria when I was 19. I think my first real craft beer experience was going to Sombrio Beach to surf and driving home through Sooke. We would always stop at 17 Mile House Pub after surfing, and we’d eat chowder paired with Race Rocks. This nice, hearty beer from Lighthouse Brewing was part of the whole experience. It was so different than just drinking a cheaper, commercial beer. Then I got introduced to the different beers in the mixed pack from Phillips and the White Bark Witbier from Driftwood Brewery.

Kim: How did you get started in craft beer together?

Matt: There were three of us that started this project together. We founded the company, and then we brought in two more partners during the process. Isaiah, Iwan and I were the three original founders. We spent a lot of time together in 2016 and 2017. We all really enjoyed the coastal life – freediving, spearfishing and other outdoor activities. I was working at Spinnakers at the time. Isaiah had previously worked with Phillips, and we started talking about opening a brewery.

The three of us started to put together our business plan in 2017. We started going to banks in 2018 once we found the space that worked for us. I am the head brewer, Isaiah handles our sales and marketing, and Iwan looks after business development.

As we were dealing with the banks, we started talking about the need for extra investors, and so we brought on two more partners. Colin and Nina were in Windsor at the time and wanted to move back to Victoria. They came on board and Colin is our front-of-house manager, and Nina handles our financials and HR. In the beginning, though, it was all hands on deck, and everyone helped with everything.

Isaiah: Iwan, Matt and I got together based on our mutual interest in craft beer, playing on the same softball team, and our love of freediving and spearfishing. Freediving is a bit of an obscure sport that all three of us were interested in. That shared interest led the three of us to some fishing trips in Bamfield. We were diving near a spot marked by a nautical beacon, which is called a whistle buoy. That is what inspired our branding and logo.

Kim: Tell me more about the Whistle Buoy theme.

Isaiah: The theme really resonated for all of us because of our love of outdoor adventures and our natural and inspiring environment. Plus, we are located in downtown Victoria, which is also a coastal environment. We are young professionals working downtown in the city, but we also have a keen interest in the outdoor environment. So it’s a balance of opposites. We are all about embracing our vibrant, downtown community, full of culture and hospitality, while also making sure we get outside and explore everything that the outdoors has to offer.

A big part of what we try to get across is reflecting the quality of the place that we are in. We are on the southern part of the island, which is a very productive growing region. We want our beers to reflect the growing climate here, and the variety of things that grow around us. We are looking to connect our brewery and beers to our local community in this way. We look at our taproom as an “experience centre”. People can come and try a taste of Vancouver Island.

We have a clear vision to make sure we are buying ingredients that are grown here first, and we work with a lot of local producers before we go elsewhere. A lot of value that we offer comes from this philosophy. It differentiates and highlights the place we are in. We are a tourism destination and we like to reflect the good stuff that is coming from our community. Our beers are made for the people who live here and our visitors.

An example is using bull kelp in our Under Sea Gose. The kelp is from the ocean just up the road from us. The grain for most of our beers is grown near BC Ferries on the peninsula. For our sour beers and fruit beers, we look for local farmers for these ingredients too. It’s important to us to use quality ingredients that are grown as close to home as possible.

Matt: I was at Field 5 Farm today, which is about 20 minutes away from our brewery. They grow and malt their own grains there for us. About 95-98% of the grains that we use for our beer right now are coming from them.

I think it’s also worth noting that we won two silver medals back-to-back in the 2022 and 2023 Canadian Brewing Awards in the Historic/Regional Beers category for our Backyard IPA and our Garden City Fieldberry. Then we won a bronze at the 2023 Canada Beer Cup for our LoJo Lite in the Canadian Grain-Forward category. These awards reflect our commitment to working with local suppliers and featuring local ingredients, so it’s very cool when we win awards for this reason.

The seed to glass film above talks about Whistle Buoy’s commitment to working with local suppliers.

Kim: What makes Whistle Buoy unique?

Isaiah: Our commitment to local, sustainability and quality are front and centre. Another thing that makes us unique is our location. We are located on the courtyard level of the historic Market Square in downtown Victoria. We are able to have a light industrial business in an urban area, which is quite rare for a brewery. We have 170 seats in our taproom and year-round patio. Most of the beer we produce is consumed in our taproom space, and that is because we are in a high-traffic environment.

Kim: Tell me something you are really proud of at Whistle Buoy.

Isaiah: We are proud of creating an inclusive community space. We’ve had a lot of feedback over the last couple of years that groups of people from different backgrounds say they feel welcome in our space. We have worked towards this very intentionally. We have our values and our code of conduct really clear.

Intolerance and discrimination aren’t welcome here. We have fostered a nice community space where people feel welcome. – Isaiah

I’m also really proud of the progress we have made towards using local ingredients. This doesn’t just happen by chance. It was really intentional. It can be more costly to go with local producers, but we have made some very awesome beers because of that commitment.

Matt: It circles back to the awards that we’ve won for our beers. We set the intention to use as many local ingredients as possible, and we’ve done that. We’ve been lucky to have such great partners, like Field 5 Farm.

In addition to kelp, we also add blue spirulina to our Under Sea Gose. This was a bucket list beer for me to be able to make, and it won the silver award at the 2022 BC Beer Awards. To be able to produce this and have it be an award-winning beer is pretty cool.

Plus, we do all that we do in a very small space. Our production area is only 600 square feet. We really have to utilize our space to maximize output. People are always shocked when they see our small space. I’m pretty proud of how we are able to use our space and produce what we do.

We brew about 1,000 hectolitres a year. We are looking to increase that volume this year with our new single-head canning line. We’ve been running it now for about two months. It does about seven or eight cans a minute. It’s small and slow, but works for us. About 90% of our beer is sold through our taproom, and we intend to keep it that way, but our new canning line gives us more flexibility. Previously we were just doing 1-litre crowlers, so we couldn’t can in a way that allowed us to put cans into liquor stores. This new canning line now gives us the ability to package more of our beers in 473ml cans.

Kim: What do you have planned at Whistle Buoy for this winter? 

Matt: Because we just added our new canning line, we’ve been focusing on getting our core brands dialled in. We’ve had some core, flagship beers like our Coastality Pale Ale, however, most of our beers were previously experimental, taproom exclusives. But with the canning line and the ability to now roll out our beers to stores, we are looking to have more regular offerings of our core beers available to our stores.

We anticipate this continuing for the foreseeable future. With an 8-hectolitre system, our distribution is focused on the Greater Victoria area for now. Our focus is to be in all 50 local liquor stores in our community.

Isaiah: Having said that, we have shipped some beer to the Okanagan with some other small breweries. We will co-ship a pallet to interested stores. So this collective approach is the way that we’ll have beer available outside of the area.

In terms of other activities this winter, we do a lot of activations in our space such as comedy, quiz nights, film screenings and other weekly events. We are focused on staying busy and staying open for the people who are in town and want to come through. We are open every day from noon until late. We are staying open, staying consistent and staying inspired to continue offering people in our community things to do. We are planning for a good year ahead. We are anticipating a busy tourism year in 2024, so we are focused on being steady and being consistent as we plan for a great year ahead. Plus, we’ve got some cool collabs coming up.

Kim: What do you love most about the craft beer industry?

Matt: The community and the people that we get to work with. For me, from the outside looking in, you see the collabs and you see the camaraderie. You don’t see this in other industries. We are competitors that are working together.

Isaiah: For me, it’s the fact that we are able to really grow as people and entrepreneurs. There are so many different demands we face on a daily basis. We deal with logistics and shipping. We are leading hospitality teams and managing people. We are doing graphic design, working on packaging, manufacturing beer, and working with local producers. We are selling merchandise that we are designing. There are so many moving parts that make it challenging and yet also so fun. It’s so dynamic. We have a vision, then we execute it, and we make money doing something that makes people happy. It’s very special in that way.

Kim: What keeps you up at night?  

Isaiah: Lots. There is a lot of uncertainty right now. The industry is changing a lot and there are fewer people buying beer. People are making decisions for their health and drinking less alcohol, and that’s OK. The younger demographic is making different choices, and there is economic uncertainty. We are dealing with these changes and uncertainties while also trying to maintain a healthy business. We are working to keep demand for our products at a point where there will always be a market for what we are doing. I believe we are at a scale where this is sustainable.

I think it’s important to be really present to the changes that are happening, otherwise, the market conditions could change so drastically that if you aren’t paying attention you could really get into trouble. This is certainly an inspiration for us to stay on top of things and know why we exist. I think it’s important to know who your best customers are and what they are looking for. Some businesses let this slip, and they pay the price as they discover that their business models don’t work anymore.

Matt: Through this, we are now doing things like NA (non-alcoholic) beer. Five years ago that wasn’t on anyone’s radar. For me as a brewer, I resisted this.

Now I look at it like how do we make an NA beer the best it can be? It’s an interesting challenge, but I’m really proud of what we’ve been able to produce. – Matt

Isaiah: In our taproom space, we try to welcome all people from different demographics and different interests. So it’s always been a priority that we are a welcoming space with a diverse list of offerings. We have local wine, local cider, local kombuchas, craft sodas from Phillips, cocktails, mocktails and more. Whether you like drinking beer or not, we want everyone to feel comfortable. We want to offer something for everyone, and we want those who don’t drink beer or alcohol to be comfortable. We want to offer something for everyone who wants to be social. We are a hospitality company, so we think it’s important to be hospitable to all.

Kim: If you had one piece of advice for someone wanting to get into the craft beer industry, what would it be?  

Isaiah: Honestly, it would be don’t. If there is a town that doesn’t have a community gathering space, then maybe yes. But otherwise, the market is oversaturated and changing so rapidly right now, that my advice would be to wait until the dust settles on the cycle of what our businesses are in right now. I think it’s a huge risk to enter the craft beer market at this time.

Matt: I agree, especially if you don’t know beer. These days, you have to come with your A-game. The level of beer is so high right now and there is no room to make bad beer anymore. It used to be that you could be a home brewer and open a brewery and just figure it out. Now you need education or experience. You better be good because just making beer isn’t enough anymore.

This is maybe a bleak answer. But it is what we feel right now. Good breweries are closing that made good beer.

Kim: What is your favourite beer to enjoy in the winter?

Isaiah: It’s Stout season. I’ve been drinking our Stouty McStoutface, which is an American Stout, 5.8% ABV. It’s plain and simple, easy drinking. I also go to the Drake a lot, and I enjoy the Old Rasputin, a Russian Imperial Stout on nitro from North Coast Brewing Company.

I also like the 1019 Hazy Double IPA collab from Field House and Town Brewing. It’s really great. I like bigger beers at this time of year.

Matt: We just did a Dark Cold IPA as a collab with Another Beer Co. We used rice and tried to make it as light as possible, and hit it with some dark malts. It’s really interesting and one of my favourite beers of late. It was a challenge for us when we came up with the concept. You don’t see a lot of dark IPAs lately, but I was stoked about it. I like something to chew on in my beers at this time of year.

Kim: It’s dry February. What are you drinking when you aren’t drinking alcohol?

Isaiah: Water or SodaStream water with freshly squeezed citrus. I like lemons, limes and oranges with soda water. Having the carbonation is nice. And of course, there’s always going to be coffee involved too.

Matt: For me, it’s water first. We also have Culture Craft Kombucha on tap at the brewery, and it’s a nice alternative. It gets you and your guts feeling good.

Kim: Festival season is coming. What are your favourite craft beer festivals? 

Matt and Isaiah: Whistlemania. It’s our annual birthday party, which we hold on the last weekend in June. We’ve done two now. We host a small music festival with live, local wrestling. We take over the courtyard of Market Square and we have an all-day festival. We had about 650 people last year. We had food vendors and food trucks, drag shows, live wrestling, and other wacky stuff all day long.

Isaiah: Phillips Backyard weekend is great. It’s a good music event tied to craft beer. It’s a premier event in our city. Plus of course, GCBF is always fun, with breweries from all over BC and beyond. It’s a great way to celebrate the industry and try lots of different beers. It’s really an iconic beer festival.

Kim: If budget and space weren’t an issue, if you could have any musician or band perform at your brewery, who would it be? 

Isaiah: Taylor Swift.

Matt: Taylor Swift and Drake. Funny story. We were in Seattle for a Blue Jays game. Taylor Swift was playing next door that same weekend. The whole town was all about the Blue Jays and the Swifties. The Swifties caused an earthquake that night in Seattle from so many people dancing at her concert. It was registered as the equivalent of a 2.3 magnitude earthquake.

And funny enough, I was just talking about our new Dark Cold IPA collab with Another Beer Co. We actually called it Friendship Bracelet, and it was inspired by Taylor Swift.

Kim: Can you tell me about some hidden gems in your area? 

Isaiah: We’re on Lower Johnson (LoJo), which is a boutique retail shopping district in Victoria. There are tons of really high-end shops, clothing stores, coffee shops, amazing restaurants and more. Hey Happy is an amazing coffee shop in Market Square that we go to all the time. Some of my favourite restaurants are The Tapa Bar and Wind Cries Mary. Plus there’s Green Cuisine right next door to us. These are all great dining options in Victoria.

Matt: The Drake is a great place to start. You can see our patio from their patio. Eva Schnitzelhaus is 2 blocks away at the bottom of Chinatown, and it’s really great. Shuck Taylor’s oyster bar is really awesome. It’s a seafood restaurant with local oysters, West Coast seafood, lobster rolls, po boys, local beer, wines and spirits.

Isaiah: Beacon Hill Park has a great petting zoo. It’s like the Stanley Park of Victoria. It’s huge and right downtown by the water. I would recommend everyone walking around there and on the breakwater. It’s a protected area, so there are lots of cool fish species to look for.

I also recommend walking around the inner harbour area. Take the seawall walk from James Bay to downtown and you’ll go past the Empress Hotel and the Legislature Parliament Buildings. It’s also cool to check out the buskers and performers. Plus there are lots of great areas to explore by bike, downtown and beyond.

Matt: Oh and lots of breweries. There are 5 breweries within easy walking distance.

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

Matt and Isaiah: We want you to talk to Alex Jopson from Another Beer Co. in New Westminster next. We just did a collab beer with Another Beer Co. and Land & Sea Brewing. Another Beer Co. is a super tiny brewery. They are very experimental and they are producing very high-quality beers.

Stay tuned for the next instalment of the Hops Among Friends blog series, where I speak with Alex Jopson, the Co-Founder and Director of Another Beer Co. in New Westminster, on the North of the Fraser Ale Trail. Until then, cheers!

The post Hops Among Friends: Isaiah Archer and Matt West-Patrick of Whistle Buoy Brewing appeared first on The BC Ale Trail.

Our popular Tasting Passport promotion returns for the month of May.

Pick up a Tasting Passport at one the participating locations (see below) and each time you visit a new location to buy a pint, some food, non-alcoholic beverage, swag, and/or beer to-go, ask for a stamp. Collect six unique stamps and be entered to win our ultimate beer-themed Weekend Getaway to Kelowna.

What could be better than spring in Victoria? The warm weather and fragrant blossoms make it the perfect time to get out and explore the city’s amazing craft beer & cider community. Most of the local breweries and cideries have outdoor patios where you can soak up the sunshine, and many offer food alongside their delicious craft beer creations.

How do you participate?

• Visit any of the 23 participating businesses listed below and ask for a stamp.
• Once you have collected six unique stamps, hand in the completed passport at one of the participating businesses to be entered in a draw for a chance to win a brewery prize pack or the Grand Prize.
• Bonus: Visit at least one of the breweries in Sooke or the Southern Gulf Islands to get a bonus stamp for a chance to win a special prize.

Win the ultimate beer-themed Weekend Getaway to Kelowna!

The prize package includes:

• Accommodation: $500 gift card to The Prestige Beach House
• $100 gift card to Krafty Kitchen
• $100 gift card to Jacks Kelowna
• $25 gift card to Lakesider Brewing
• $25 gift card to The Hatching Post
• Guided Tasting at Wild Ambition Brewing for two people incl. two branded glasses and two bottles/cans of their choice to take home
  Note: travel to and from Kelowna not included

Multiple entries encouraged!

Note: If you aren’t able to fill your passport by the end of May, you can still enter it for a chance to win one of the secondary prizes.

Check out the Greater Victoria Ale Trail for inspiration for fun ways to explore the craft beer scene locally.

Our handy itinerary suggests a variety of ways to explore the Greater Victoria Ale Trail during the tasting passport promotion.

This is the cradle of the “craft beer revolution” — Victoria is home to Spinnakers, Canada’s first brewpub, and some of British Columbia’s most popular breweries. Visionary trailblazers nurtured craft beer here alongside the local food movement, and today BC’s capital city is home to some of the country’s best restaurants and breweries. Sip, savour, experience and explore everything the Greater Victoria Ale Trail has to offer.

Today, more than 20 breweries and cideries operate in the Greater Victoria area, each with its own unique style and approach, along with several excellent tap houses, quality liquor stores, and numerous restaurants that offer strong beer menus.

Stroll around “Brewery Bay,” a walkable ring of brewpubs and breweries that surrounds the Upper Harbour in downtown Victoria.

Take the Victoria Harbour Ferry’s Pickle Pub Crawl or join a bicycle tour with the Pedaler. The neighbouring district of Esquimalt is home to two more breweries: Driftwood Brewery and Lighthouse Brewing. Both have tasting rooms — in fact, Lighthouse’s tasting room was just renovated

Drive or cycle up the Saanich Peninsula to check out five dynamic and very different breweries, including two on the same street in Sidney: Beacon Brewing and Small Gods Brewing.

We recently expanded the Greater Victoria Ale Trail to include two breweries on the Southern Gulf Islands: Mayne Island Brewing and Salt Spring Brewing. Learn more about the Southern Gulf Islands here.

The seaside village of Sooke is home to three breweries of its own: Bad Dog Brewing, Sooke Brewing, and Sooke Oceanside Brewery.  Another relatively new brewery is Mile Zero Brewing, located in Metchosin, about halfway between Victoria and Sooke.

Where can you pick up a Passport?

The Greater Victoria Ale Trail Tasting Passport is available for free at any of the participating businesses:

Greater Victoria

4 Mile Brewpub
Beacon Brewing
Category 12 Brewing
CRAFT Victoria Harbour
Driftwood Brewery
Herald Street Brew Works
Howl Brewing
Hoyne Brewing
Île Sauvage Brewing
Junction Orchard & Cidery
Lighthouse Brewing
Mile Zero Brewing
Phillips Brewing
Small Gods Brewing
Spinnakers Gastro Brewpub
Twa Dogs Brewery
Vancouver Island Brewing
Whistle Buoy Brewing

Sooke & the Southern Gulf Islands

Bad Dog Brewing
Sooke Brewing
Sooke Oceanside Brewery

Mayne Island Brewing
Salt Spring Brewing

At the end of the promotion, hand in your passport at any of these locations.

The BC Ale Trail app is a useful map and informational tool for exploring local breweries. Collect points at each brewery you visit and redeem them for rewards.

The post Greater Victoria Ale Trail Tasting Passport appeared first on The BC Ale Trail.

We asked the folks at Whistle Buoy to tell us a bit about their brewery — and to also let us know how they like to eat a peach. Because, you know, the beer has peaches in it.

1. What’s the story behind the name of your brewery?

On a foggy west coast day, three friends were freediving and spearfishing near the remote community of Bamfield off the west coast of Vancouver Island. We could barely see anything around us, but could hear the whistle buoy that marked a reef we were fishing, and is slowly became visible as we moved towards the sound. What started as an ominous and hairy adventure turned to productive fishing, bluebird skies, and unforgettable memories with friends as the fog lifted and disappeared. We started our brewery one year later.

2. What sets your brewery apart from others in BC?

Our taproom location in the heart of downtown Victoria is really what makes our business unique. Producing an ever changing list of beers using local ingredients and serving it in a large beautiful setting of Market Square.

3. How do you interact with your local community?

We are very connected to our amazing community. We love this city and we are proud of it. We host events with local artists, collaborate with other small local businesses, and purchase the majority of ingredients from local farmers and producers.

4. Are there any unique challenges to brewing in your area/region?

We are brewing in a shoebox in the bottom of a 140-year-old building that is four stories high and made of brick. The building we are in was not intended for a production facility, so we have to get very creative with how we operate and grow our production.

5. What did you bring to this collaboration?

We were excited at the opportunity to work with other like-minded breweries across the province. In the recipe development process, we were really keen to push the idea of using local ingredients as much as possible. We ended up with some great BC barley and peaches. We also suggested the idea of using sea salt, since we love to use it in our sours as we find it balances the finished product. The ocean inspires us and provides amazing ingredients, so we used Vancouver Island Sea Salt in this beer.

6. What was your favourite part of the Brew Day?

Meeting a bunch of new friends and eating chicken sandwiches together. Chicken sandwiches are the best

7. Where can folks buy your beer? 

The best place to try our beer is in the taproom in Victoria. We also sell draught at a few bars in town here, and deliver to customers locally everyday at 5. We ship our beer in the mail anywhere in BC for those who don’t live in Victoria. Check out our website for full details.

8. What is your favourite way to eat a peach?

Soak peaches in an ice bath, cut off bite-sized chunks that are super juicy and refreshing.

Whistle Buoy Brewing can be found on the Victoria Ale Trail.

The EXPLORE BC Peach Farmhouse Ale is a collaboration between six breweries from across British Columbia. BC peaches present a beautiful golden-orange colour, while the Lærdal Kveik yeast and BC hops provide fruity, floral flavours above a clean rounded malt base that elevates the whole beer. Lastly, a pinch of BC sea salt makes this ale sparkle. This limited edition Peach Farmhouse Ale is a true representation of our province that pairs perfectly with BC’s natural beauty.

The EXPLORE BC Beer Series, brought to you by the BC Ale Trail in partnership with Destination B.C., celebrates the fall season with a new limited-edition craft beer, and new special offers to explore the province’s vast Ale Trail network. Created for BC Craft Beer Month, the EXPLORE BC Peach Farmhouse Ale, is a collaboration by six breweries representing all of the province’s major tourism regions, and produced by Ravens Brewing Company, will be available at select liquor stores, restaurants and craft breweries across the province. Where to find the beer HERE.

“EXPLORE BC is an Official Mark of Destination BC Corp., used with consent.”

The post EXPLORE BC Brewery Snapshot: Whistle Buoy Brewing appeared first on The BC Ale Trail.

With almost 4km of walkable waterfront, Sidney is beloved for its sea-glass studded beaches, a popular fishing pier, and nautical-themed storefronts. Not necessarily known as a party beach town, this quaint community boasts a population of over 12,000 residents, 40% of whom are over the age of 65. This used to be reflected in the shopping and dining choices — the main drag, Beacon Ave, was dominated by bookstores, antique shops, small cafes, and long lines at the bank tellers.

Oh, how the times have changed! Read on to discover the “new” Sidney by the Sea through a bakery and brewery tour of the town.

Small Gods Brewing

9835 Third Street

I got a sneak peek at this very new business on the day they got the call that the final paperwork had been approved and they were cleared to launch. Needless to say, the excitement in the air was palpable. With a storage room filled with four-packs ready to go out the door and fresh bread already in the oven, the team behind Small Gods was ready to hit the ground running. I sat down with Chris Bjerrisgaard, one of the owners, to chat more about the beer, food, and inspiration behind this stunning brewery.

“Anything but nautical,” was the reply from Bjerrisgaard when asked about the inspiration for the theme (a sentiment repeated by Alexa Fetherston from neighbouring Beacon Brewing).

Sidney is Canada’s only Book Town, a designation given to communities with a high concentration of bookstores. With that in mind, Small Gods was born as an homage to American poet and novelist Jim Harrison. His most famous poetry book In Search of Small Gods was published in 2009 and quietly sits inside the brewery among the bookshelves. The literary theme runs deep, including décor, beer names, and the intention of hosting literary trivia and writer readings. A true haven for bibliophiles and zythophiles alike. 

Jonny Kostiuk is the head brewer and co-owner. Previously with Deep Cove Brewers and Distillers, he is a passionate outdoorsman with family on the Island so it didn’t take much to convince him to move to Sidney to co-launch this new project. The beer style is small batch and ultra-premium, taking inspiration from mainland breweries like Brassneck and Field House, but keeping their community in mind.

I tried a few of their flagship beers including the Neverending, a true Northern German pilsner made with heritage Barke pilsner malt, German noble hops, and German lager yeast. I also really enjoyed the hazy pale ale (Promised Land), a passion fruit kiwi sour (Rouenna), and the California IPA (Run, River) — all the beers are named after books inspired by the origin region of the beer style. They are brewing what they like to drink and have 12 taps in the tasting room, including one nitro tap.

But what about that bread I mentioned earlier, you may be asking. The intention was to always have a food program to go along with the beer and Bjerrisgaard mulled over a few options before settling on deli sandwiches, a style of food that is not very prevalent on the South Island. Award-winning chef Brad Holmes of OLO restaurant fame is designing the menu. Essentially Bjerrisgaard reached out and asked Holmes “What would you do if you made Subway?” Expect decadent classic deli subs including an Italian, meatball, and what is sure to be my favourite, a cheesesteak using house-made beer cheese. To quote Jim Harrison, “The idea is to eat well and not die from it — for the simple reason that that would be the end of your eating.”

Small Gods’ beers are available in cans directly from the brewery. Distribution will begin soon so you can also look for them in local stores.

Beacon Brewing

9829 Third St

Alexa and Tristan Fetherston were on a road trip to Oregon in 2019 visiting multiple breweries when the idea to open a brewery came up in conversation. While in Astoria, another seaside community, they wondered why their hometown of Sidney did not have something similar. Tristan had been a homebrewer for years and once he had his wife Alexa on board, it was full steam ahead. Beacon Brewing opened its doors in October 2021 — just two doors down from Small Gods’ location.

There are quite a few similarities between Beacon Brewing and Small Gods Brewing. They are both located on Third Street as part of a newly built condo development, allowing them to open without having to renovate or change any old building codes. They both shunned the nautical theme that tends to dominate businesses in the area. Tristan worked for Telus for many years and the name Beacon is an electrical reference (a light beacon). Plus, there is the metaphorical meaning: a gathering place for locals. Both breweries mentioned wanting to cater to their community, acknowledging the unique makeup of Sidney, and to create a beer list that would please a wide range of tastes. Lastly, both businesses expressed excitement to be open on the same street, recognizing that having multiple breweries in a location will benefit them both in the long run. Look at what this has done for the town of Port Moody after all.

Rounding out the ownership team is Steven Hardy, Alexa’s brother. This is very much a family-owned business, and the space is very kid-friendly with an old-school arcade game and lots of board games to play with. Not to mention monthly comedy nights, music bingo Mondays, and live music on Friday nights. 

Frank Alton is the head brewer, having met Tristan while working at a homebrewing shop in town. They describe their beer as easy drinking and sessional and this is reflected in the great selection of lower-ABV options, something I very much appreciate. Their flagship line-up includes a very quaffable lager, a traditional pale ale, a west coast ISA, a nice hop-forward IPA, and a popular dark mild. They have a few rotating taps, including a sour and a very cool pilsner tap that features a new style of pilsner every month. 

Unlike Small Gods, Beacon Brewing does not distribute, but they do have a few screw-top cans available for off-sale purchase at the brewery. The small space does not have a kitchen, but they do offer a great variety of Central and North Saanich food businesses, including Bicycle Pizza, Jenny’s Smoke Shack salmon, Island Nut Roastery snack mix, Adriana’s tortilla chips, and Sidney Scones on the weekends.

Howl Brewing

1780 Mills Rd

This pico-brewery (even smaller than a nano-brewery) is attached to the Fickle Fig Farm Market. Despite its small size, it creates quite a large selection of beer, albeit in tiny batches. They focus on using seasonal and locally sourced ingredients and often use very old, sometimes medieval recipes. The first brewery to open in the Sidney area back in 2018, you can find their bombers in some select local beer stores and in some local Sidney restaurants.

And now the bakeries…

10 Acres Market Cafe

9805 Seaport Place

This popular Victoria farm-to-table restaurant opened a cafe and market in Sidney. It’s the perfect place to grab a coffee, some frozen meals to make at home, and most importantly, incredible bread. A favourite is the sourdough loaf and their traditional French baguette. They sell out fast so be sure to get there early.

Britannia’s Cafe

2310 Beacon Ave

Britannia Walsh started her baking career as a delivery driver before quickly working her way up the ranks of a large bakery to become an assistant baker, and then eventually the owner of Lone Tree Bakery, a beloved wholesale bakery. When the cafe side of the business had to close, Walsh took over the old Mother Nature’s Market space right on Beacon Ave, a former wholesale client. The new cafe opened in early June and is a great addition to this bustling street. They make incredible muffins that are absolutely massive, and the turnovers are a must try. They serve some great breakfast items including some cool savoury puff pastry items and their lunch menu includes a burger, salads, soups, and some sandwiches that are served on her unique bread that is marbled pink with the inclusion of beets into the dough. 

The Fickle Fig Farm Market

1780 Mills Rd & 2489 Beacon Ave

Although they have a second location in downtown Sidney, the main location off Mills Road just above the airport is worth the drive and visit. The converted old nursery is an idyllic setting for their bakery, restaurant, gelateria, and farm. There are so many delicious items here, including pillowy soft focaccia bread, a very good ham-and-cheese croissant, fresh pizza dough, and decadent chocolate brownies. Go for the baked goods but stay for the beer: Howl Brewing is right next door.

Quince Cafe

2527 Beacon Ave

This tiny cafe is a local favorite for both sweet and savoury lunch items including the blueberry coffee cake, decadent shortbread cookies, and a lovely quiche. They also make daily soups, salads, and a handful of sandwiches. The space is small with no indoor seating so it’s the perfect choice to grab a treat to take to the beach, only a few steps away.

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Sidney Bakery

2507 Beacon Ave

Okay so not everything in Sidney is new! In fact, this beloved bakery has been serving the community since 1944, one of the oldest continuously running bakeries on Vancouver Island. That is a lot of time to perfect your recipes and it shows. They are most famous for their doughnuts, cinnamon buns and croissants. If you’re feeling nostalgic, they make a killer pound cake, a classic apple pie, and a traditional Eccles cake, a British dessert similar to a turnover. 

Sidney Scones

2310 Beacon Ave

Chelsey Columbus makes incredible scones with super quirky flavours like Sour Patch Kids, Banana Split, and Dunkaroos. Columbus originally only sold them at farm markets, online, and at collaborating storefronts (like Beacon Brewing), but now you can get them daily at the new Britannia’s on Beacon bakery where she shares the space.

Tonolli’s Deli & Cafe

2400 Bevan Ave

Exciting news that this popular Central Saanich cafe has opened a second location! Now cyclists can visit without having to huff-it up the Island View hill. There are two things that are a must try when visiting this cafe: the German Apple Cake and the savoury cheese scone. They also make lovely soups, sandwiches, and a great breakfast sandwich. 

Bonnie Todd is the owner of Off the Eaten Track Food Tours in Victoria, BC. She is passionate about discovering and promoting the culinary culture on Vancouver Island and is a regular contributor to local publications including Edible Vancouver Island and MicCHEK podcast.

The post Sidney: Beaches, Bakeries & Breweries appeared first on The BC Ale Trail.

Based in San Diego, the I Like Beer the Podcast team visited 18 different breweries in Vancouver, Squamish, Whistler, and Victoria, and conducted interviews at six of them, which they released in three separate podcast episodes.

 

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Their second BC-based episode featured Strange Fellows Brewing in Vancouver, which can be found on the Vancouver – Yeast Vancouver Ale Trail, and Phillips Brewing, which is on the Victoria Ale Trail.

 

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Listen to the episode here:

The post Guest Podcast: I Like Beer the Podcast Visits Strange Fellows Brewing & Phillips Brewing appeared first on The BC Ale Trail.