The Growler B.C. • Volume 5 Issue 3 • Fall 2019

VOLUME

05 03 ISSUE

$3 B . C .

C R A F T

B E E R

g u i d e

Lake Lager

Hopbine Forest

Display until DEC. 15, 2019

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BRITISH COLUMBIA NORTHERN B.C.

SEA TO SKY / SUNSHINE COAST VANCOUVER ISLAND

LOWER MAINLAND / NORTH SHORE VANCOUVER VICTORIA / GULF ISLANDS

EDITOR Rob Mangelsdorf editor@thegrowler.ca 778-840-5005

PRODUCTION & DESIGN MANAGER Tara Rafiq tara@thegrowler.ca PHOTOGRAPHY Rob Mangelsdorf Dan Toulgoet Lara Zuckowsky COVER ILLUSTRATION Marcus Hynes SOCIAL MEDIA Danielle Boileau DISTRIBUTION Craig Sweetman (Newsstand) Rob Mangelsdorf (Direct) ordersbc@thegrowler.ca SUBSCRIPTIONS bc.thegrowler.ca/subscribe Copyright © The Growler 2019

No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without the written permission of the publisher. Every effort is made to avoid errors and omissions. If you notice an error, please accept our apologies and notify us.

PUBLISHED BY Glacier Media Group thegrowler.ca | @thegrowlerbc

KOOTENAYS

FRASER VALLEY

PUBLISHER Gail Nugent gnugent@thegrowler.ca

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Ted Child Ben Johnson Kristina Mameli Rob Mangelsdorf Brittany Tiplady Rebecca Whyman Joe Wiebe

THOMPSON OKANAGAN

Contents 04 08 10 13 16 18 20 22 24 26 30 32 34 112

B.C.'S BUCKET LIST PUBS REMEMBERING JOHN MITCHELL TRAVEL: HAMILTON UNDER THE INFLUENCE GROW YOUR OWN WAY PRAISE BE THE TASTING ROOM CIDER TAKES A WALK ON THE WILD SIDE THE TRUTH WILL SET US FREE THE WIDE WORLD OF WHEAT BEER AWARDS ARE BULLSHIT. SORT OF. CRAFT BEER EVENTS CALENDAR RECIPE: LAGER-ROASTED HERB CHICKEN SALAD B.C. BREWERY LISTINGS BEER TO THE GROUND

Breweries by Region

34 52 69 72 76 87 93 104 108

VANCOUVER LOWER MAINLAND / NORTH SHORE

GROWLER-APPROVED BADGE Keep an eye out for our 10 favourite beers this fall!

Brewery Details

FRASER VALLEY

GROWLER FILLS

SEA TO SKY / SUNSHINE COAST

BOTTLES / CANS

VICTORIA / GULF ISLANDS

KEGS

VANCOUVER ISLAND

TASTING ROOM

THOMPSON OKANAGAN / KELOWNA

ON-SITE KITCHEN OR FOOD TRUCK

KOOTENAYS

TOURS

NORTHERN B.C.

KID FRIENDLY

Editor’s Note The craft beer world lost one of its founding fathers in June with the passing of John Mitchell. Sadly, I never had the opportunity to meet John, but as someone who’s deeply passionate about craft beer, I was well aware of his impact. John fought for years to legalize the production and sale of craft beer, laying the foundation for its very existence. He helped found the first two craft breweries in this province, and influenced countless others. Without him, the craft beer industry in B.C. and Canada as we know it today would not exist—and likely neither would The Growler. We all owe John a great debt for fighting the good fight, breaking the corporate monopoly and bringing beer back to the people. This issue we’ve taken a look at John’s life and his lasting legacy in the words of those who knew him best (pg. 8). Perhaps the biggest testament to John’s legacy can be found in our listings, with close to 190 craft breweries now operating in B.C. (pg. 34) and many more on the way (pg. 112). And I think John would be happy to see the many events that have popped up across the province to celebrate craft beer (pg. 30). So to the Grandfather of Canadian Craft Beer, I raise a glass, and I encourage you to do the same. Cheers, John!

LEGEND

—Rob Mangelsdorf, editor

GLUTEN-FREE BOOZE OPTIONS

Suggested Glassware STANGE

Kolsch Marzen Gose

PILSNER Lager Pilsner Witbier

NONIC PINT

Stout Pale ale Most ales, actually

WEIZEN

Hefeweizen Wheat ales Fruit beer

TULIP

IPA Saison Strong ales

GOBLET Dubbel Tripel Quad

SNIFTER

Barleywine Sours Anything funky

B.C.'S

bucket list by Rob Mangelsdorf & Joe Wiebe

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PUBS

he pub is a special place, a sacred place. It serves as the living room for its community, where young and old can come together and bond over a pint, a plate of greasy food, some keno and probably a game of darts.

Before our phones and the Internet connected us, our forefathers (and foremothers) had to swing by the pub to find out all the latest juicy gossip in town. Thankfully, some traditions never die, and if you want to put your finger on the pulse of a place, often the pub is where to do it. Here’s our list of unique and charming pubs around the province that we think you should venture off the beaten track to visit if you haven’t already done so. And if you have, then visit them again! Maybe you’ll even win the meat draw!

THE CROW AND GATE PUB

2313 Yellow Point Rd., Yellow Point CrowAndGate.ca

country pub, that’s because it is. The original owner, Jack Nash, was a native of Sussex and imported much of the materials that went into building his painstakingly-designed pub—including the exposed timbers, furnishings, even the windows—all the way from England. Fun Fact: The Crow and Gate was the very first neighbourhood pub in B.C., opening in 1972 before the ink was even dry on new provincial liquor regulations allowing pubs for the first time.

THE HUMMINGBIRD INN

47 Sturdies Bay Rd., Galiano Island HummingbirdPub.com This pub could not be more in the middle of nowhere. A sign marks the turnoff from Hwy 1, and after a 15-minute jaunt past farms, trees, more farms and some more trees, you end up in a little slice of rural England, transplanted halfway between Nanaimo and Ladysmith. This Tudor-style bucolic country pub features low ceilings, dark wood, a massive fireplace and bar service only. If it feels like an authentic English

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The main watering hole on the hippie haven of Galiano Island is kid-friendly, pet-friendly and replete with small town charm. The bar is festooned with aging photographs of the pub’s regulars, and the creaking wooden floorboards of this cedar cabin in the woods only add to its rustic appeal. The best part of any visit to the Hummingbird, however, might be ride there. From May to September, the infamous Tommy Transit runs a shuttle bus between the pub, the

Montague Harbour Marina and the provincial campsite. Once on board the bright yellow school bus, it’s not uncommon for Tommy to get the passengers going in a sing-a-long or pick up one of the many musical instruments lying about and play along. By the time everyone gets to the pub, you’re all best friends.

THE DINGHY DOCK PUB

8 Pirate Lane, Protection Island, Nanaimo DinghyDockPub.com

all dark wood and dim lights and it’s just dripping with character from the leaded glass to the handcarved banisters. The crowd is an eclectic mix of Nelson locals, with some ski bums and tourists thrown in for good measure. Thankfully, the beer list is thick with craft options, including beers from local heroes Nelson Brewing, Torchlight and Backroads. With the Spirit Bar live music venue downstairs, the Library Lounge cocktail bar nextdoor and the hotel above the pub, there’s really no reason to leave the building.

GASTHAUS ON THE LAKE

5790 Beach Ave., Peachland • Gasthaus.ca

Located in Nanaimo Harbour, just off Protection Island, the Dinghy Dock Pub is Canada’s only floating, boat-access only pub. That’s right, if you want to drink at the Dinghy Dock, you’re going to have to take a boat—or swim. Thankfully, the pub operates a ferry into town for those of us who are boatless. This kitschy pub is appropriately nautical themed; the walls are festooned with Jolly Rogers, fishing floats, life preservers and antique diving equipment. Grab a seat on the patio and watch the otters and seals playing in the harbour as kayakers and boaters pull up to the pub’s private dock for a pint. Or stay inside and check out the eclectic live music lineup. After having undergone renovations this past winter, the Dinghy Dock has never been in better shape, and boasts a new and improved food and drink menu, as well.

MIKE’S PLACE PUB

422 Vernon St, Nelson • HumeHotel.com

While many of the establishments on this list take their inspiration from the whimsical country pubs of the U.K. and Ireland, not so the Gasthaus. As you could probably tell by the name, the Gasthaus is very much German. Founded by Werner Fischer and Joerg Hoerath, the hand-carved log cabin pub is straight out of Bavaria, complete with an extensive German beer list and German pub favourites like bratwust and schnitzel. In the summer, the Gasthaus’s expansive patio offers waterfront views of Lake Okanagan. In the winter, cosy up next to the raging fire in a stone hearth so massive that you could park a Volkswagen Rabbit in it. The highlight of any visit is the medieval feast, where groups of eight or more dress up in ridiculous costumes and are served a veritable mountain of meat from a 150-pound cast iron pan the size of a patio table.

Nelson’s favourite pub since forever, Mike’s Place Pub in the historic Hume Hotel is

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GUNBARREL SALOON

1000 Stray Horse Rd., Hedley • ApexResort.com

location in front of a large granite rock face. It has two sunny patios, while the interior features huge saw-blade chandeliers, wood floors, and a hand-built fossil rock bar. In addition to craft beer and cider, the Lion’s Head has an excellent kitchen, featuring a variety of meats that are smoked right on-site.

17 MILE HOUSE PUB

5126 Sooke Rd., Sooke • 17MileHouse.com

Located at the base of Apex Mountain Resort, the legendary Gunbarrel Saloon has consistently been voted the best après ski bar in Canada, and deservedly so. The raucous log cabin pub is open from November to April when there's snow on the slopes and attracts throngs of happy holidayers fresh off the hills with cold beer, hot food and good times. If you’ve had a long day on the mountain and need to warm up, try the Gunbarrel Coffee, which involves flaming liqueur being poured down a double-barreled shotgun into your glass. When in Rome!

LION’S HEAD SMOKE AND BREW PUB

2629 Broadwater Rd., Robson • LionsHeadPub.ca Just across the Columbia River from Castlegar, about 45 minutes west of Nelson, the Lion’s Head Smoke and Brew Pub is an oasis of craft beer in Bud country. Troy Pyett and Carly Hadfield (daughter of Spinnakers founder Paul Hadfield) bought the pub in 2009 and changed its focus to craft beer immediately, facing a customer backlash when their small stock of Budweiser bottles ran out in the first hour before they sold any of the craft beer they had on tap. But they stuck to their cheeky motto: “Converting Bud drinkers and vegetarians since 2009,” and it paid off. The Lion’s Head is in a large Tudor-style building set in a picturesque

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Built in 1894 as roadhouse on the way to the once bustling (and unfortunately-named) gold mining boomtown of Leechtown, the 17 Mile House Pub is steeped in history. Located exactly 17 miles from Victoria City Hall, the former hotel was once home to Sooke’s only telephone. Today the Tudor revival building is a charming little pub right on the edge of Highway 14 that’s impossible to miss. Inside, it’s warm and inviting, with lots of wood, brick, random antiques and pub staples like foosball, pool tables and darts. Outside, there’s a massive patio with a full-size volleyball court, a horseshoe pit, bocce ball and even an outdoor stage for live music in the summer. Fun Fact: the pub is haunted by a menagerie of spirits, including that of former owner Ma Wilson, who died in the pub in 1970, and the boyfriend of previous owner Mary Jackson, who hung himself either in the hotel or from a tree close by. Spooky! j

Remembering

JOHN MITCHELL A look at the legacy of the Grandfather of Canadian Craft Beer by Rob Mangelsdorf

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t might seem hard to believe in today’s craft beer landscape, with close to 190 breweries dotting every corner of this province, but there was a time not so long ago when craft beer simply did not exist. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, the North American landscape of beer was barren. Tasteless, homogenous lagers, each indistinguishable from each other dominated the market. Enter John Mitchell, the Grandfather of Canadian Craft Beer. Inspired by his love for the rich, flavourful ales of the U.K.—and their complete absence in Canada—Mitchell lobbied all levels of government to allow craft breweries the right to legally exist, thus setting the stage for the coming craft beer revolution. He pioneered the country’s first craft brewery in 1982, co-founded Spinnakers Brewpub—the oldest continuously operating craft brewery in Canada—and mentored countless young brewers at a time when professional brewmaster training programs didn’t exist here. Mitchell passed away June 16 at the age of 89. Mitchell was born in Singapore in 1929 and raised in England, before immigrating to Canada in 1953. Trained as a fine dining chef, he worked at the Banff Springs Hotel before coming west to Vancouver, where he tended bar at the Vancouver Club and the Sylvia Hotel. By the early 1980s, he had bought into the Troller Pub in Horseshoe Bay, and after a trip back to England with his wife Jenny, Mitchell became convinced he needed to turn it into a brewpub.

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Howe Sound Brewing in Squamish still brews many of Mitchell's original recipes he developed for the brewery close to 25 years ago. Contributed photo

The only problem? Brewpubs and craft breweries didn’t exist in Canada and were, in fact, illegal. Not only that, but Mitchell wasn’t a brewer brewing equipment small enough for such an operation was a rarity in North America. After reading an article in Harrowsmith magazine by brewer Frank Appleton titled “The Underground Brewmaster,” Mitchell tracked him down to his home in the remote West Kootenay town of Edgewood and recruited him to his cause. “I read your article and was wondering if you could help me,” Mitchell said in their first phone

conversation, described in Appleton’s book, Brewing Revolution. “I want to make a beautiful beer, a beer with character, like some you can still find in England.” But first there was still that pesky problem of licensing.

“He opened the door, with his drive and determination,” says Hadfield. “And 35 years later that door keeps getting wider and wider.” After leaving Spinnakers in 1986, Mitchell worked as a consultant, travelling around North America to teach countless others about craft brewing.

Mitchell took his proposal to the B.C. government One such brewery was Howe Sound Brewing and Liquor Control and Licensing Branch and in Squamish, where Mitchell designed its first fought to change Probrewhouse and its hibition-era laws. He original recipes, some claimed the rules that of which are still in prevented him from opproduction today, largely erating were unfair, arunchanged. chaic and amounted to “We’re still receiving a monopoly for the Big awards for the beers Three—Molson, Labatt he designed,” says and Carling O’Keefe— owner Leslie Fenn. She that controlled 90 per —Leslie Fenn, Howe Sound Brewing remembers Mitchell cent of the Canadian for his quick wit and beer market. The warm demeanour—a provincial government, Dickensian character with his trademark cap and looking to use deregulation as leverage against the thermometer in left breast pocket, ever ready to test big beer monopoly after an ill-timed beer strike the temperature of his beer. Mitchell was a regular at and a price fixing scandal, was somewhat willing Howe Sound’s tasting room right up until his death, to listen. It took 18 months, but Mitchell got his and would visit every Friday for a pint of bitter and approval, and the laws were changed. a margarita pizza. There was a catch, though—Horseshoe Bay Brewing would have to be a separate entity, and be “He helped many people, trained many young located offsite of the pub. brewers and helped many breweries get started,” says Fenn. “He brought that [U.K. beer] tradition And so on June 17, 1982, the first pint of Horseto Canada… and helped create an entire industry shoe Bay Brewing’s Bay Ale was served at the where small businesses can thrive.” Troller Pub, marking the beginning of the craft

He brought that tradition to Canada and helped create an entire industry where small businesses can thrive.

beer revolution in Canada.

While Horseshoe Bay Brewing was short-lived, its impact was not. The changes Mitchell fought for created an entirely new industry. In 1984, Mitchell and partner Paul Hadfield co-founded Spinnakers Brewpub in Victoria, with Mitchell serving as the first brewer. Today, you can still find hand-pulled pints of Mitchell’s ESB on the beer list. “We looked at replicating what Horseshoe Bay Brewing wanted to be,” says Hadfield. “So we decided, let’s start over from the ground up.” “It was John’s dream and he absolutely revelled in the excitement of it all.” Again, Mitchell had to fight to change the laws: this time overturning regulations forbidding a brewery to serve its own beer on premises.

The entire craft beer industry in Canada owes him a debt, she says. “We wouldn’t be here without him.”

As a craft beer pioneer, Mitchell “started an economic and cultural revolution that went on to challenge the dominance of the major beer brands and changed the way people think about and consume beer,” according to the John Mitchell Foundation, a non-profit charity named in honour of Mitchell that provides endowments and scholarships for students at Kwantlen Polytechnic University’s brewing diploma program in Langley. “My loud mouth got me some attention and it worked,” Mitchell told writer Joe Wiebe in his book, Craft Beer Revolution. “I’m very proud of what has happened. I couldn’t be more pleased.” j

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Hammer Time

CRAFT BEER ADVENTURES IN CANADA’S “STEELTOWN”

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Words and photos by Rob Mangelsdorf

erhaps understandably, Hamilton isn’t on most people’s lists of Canadian tourist destinations. Plagued by outdated images of its former industrial self, who could blame someone for not being interested in a city who’s name tends to conjure images of steel plants belching black smoke, boarded up houses and crippling unemployment? But that was the Hamilton of the past. The smog is gone (down 90 per cent since the 1970s), the economy is booming and the population has climbed by close to 200,000 people in the past 15 years, many of them fleeing unaffordable Toronto and bringing their big city tastes with them. Most importantly, between Collective Arts’ attempts at global craft beer domination and Clifford Brewing being named Canada’s Brewery of the Year for 2019, some of the best beer in Canada is coming out of Hamilton right now. Craft beer needs it needs two things to thrive: cheap Hamilton's Collective Arts Brewing combines stunning artwork and killer craft beer to create one of Canada's most exiting beer brands.

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industrial land on which to put breweries; and a population sophisticated enough to appreciate the beer. Hamilton scores on both counts. So during a recent trip to Toronto, I decided to spend a day in Steeltown to see what’s brewing. As it turns out, it might be the best-kept secret in craft beer.

CLOSER THAN YOU THINK

I enlisted the help of my trusty beer-loving buddy Nelson for this adventure, and the two of us, sunburnt and soggy in the sweltering humid heat, made our way down the Lake Ontario shoreline on one of Toronto’s incredibly comfortable and blessedly air-conditioned GoTrains. Within an hour and 15 minutes of leaving Toronto’s Union Station we were on the campus of McMaster University in Hamilton.

LEFT: Lagers aplenty at Shawn & Ed Brewing Co. in Dundas. RIGHT: Fairweather Brewing in Hamilton's West End is a must-visit for craft beer fans.

Despite a metro population of more than 750,000, Hamilton is home to only six craft breweries and they are spread all over the city. Since drinking and driving is for assholes, and Uber—while convenient—tends to get expensive, we decided to get around using the city’s bike share program, SoBi. We set out from McMaster on our bikes, past the hilariously named Cootes Paradise nature refuge and into the bedroom community of Dundas for our first stop—Shawn & Ed Brewing Co. The brewery is housed in a historic former curling and skating rink, dating back to the 1860s. The vast brick and timber frame building is spacious and provides a rustic beer hall atmosphere, with its many communal picnic tables. The beer is definitely aimed at converting the Molson Canadian crowd, with close to two thirds of the beer list on our visit being devoted to North American-style lagers. But it was a hot day to be riding bikes, so we weren’t complaining. That being said, Barrelshed (6.5% ABV, 37 IBU) was an absolute standout. This complex barrel-aged amber ale offers notes caramel, dark fruit, biscuit, fig, clove, oak and citrus with a dry, slightly tannic finish. Unsurprisingly, it won a national gold at the 2017 World Beer Awards. A short but calorie-shredding ride up the Niagara Escarpment brought us to two of Hamilton’s newest and most exciting breweries, Fairweather Brewing Co. and Grain & Grit Beer Co., located just a block apart in an industrial park in the West End. Fairweather opened in 2017 and has quickly developed a loyal following among locals and beer nerds alike. The tasting room has a familiar minimalist vibe with the requisite whitewashed walls,

wood accents and leafy green houseplants one expects in 2019. But it’s the exceptionally creative and well-executed beer that sets Fairweather apart. In particular, the Nothing More (7.0% ABV) American-style stout wowed us with rich organic cacao, fresh raspberries and notes of roast barley, coffee and dark fruit. Think Black Forest chocolate cake in beer form. Down the road at Grain and Grit the vibe was a bit more casual. The brewery is housed in a former muffler shop and the garage doors were wide open and the patio packed on this sunny day—largely with the friendly staff of Toronto’s Left Field Brewing, who, much like us, came down for the day to check out what the Hamilton beer hype is all about. The beers were going down fast now, and the In The Palms (6.0% ABV, 90 IBU) lactose IPA went down so quickly we needed to go back for seconds. The luscious tropical fruit flavours of mango, passion fruit, pineapple and guava seemed

Tropical flavours abound at Grain & Grit Beer Co.

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appropriate, given the weather, while the assertive hop bitterness, balanced by the addition of lactose, ensured it finished clean. If a beer could taste how a Hawaiian shirt looks, this would be it.

WORKING CLASS HERO

We cruised downhill into Hamilton proper, and through the up-and-coming neighbourhood of Kirkendall. Here, the working class charm that permeates the city was on full display as we rode past newly renovated historic brick homes while mile-long freight trains trundled noisily nearby. Given Hamilton’s blue-collar roots, it’s only natural that craft beer should flourish here. We made a well-advised stop for food (and more beer) at Brux House, a craft beer-focused restaurant on Locke Street in a whimsical two-storey Edwardian heritage house. The oysters with mignonette and octopus salad were both fresh and invigorating, but it was the eponymous Brux Burger that stole the show, cooked medium rare to order with bacon jam and crispy onions on a brioche bun. With 16 rotating craft taps and extensive list of cellared Belgian beers, we were spoiled for choice with beer pairings. Heading north, we made our way to easily the most well known brewery in Hamilton. By combining killer craft beer with eye-popping labels by some of Canada’s most exciting visual artists, Collective Arts Brewing is quickly becoming a global brand. Having already conquered Canada with beers like Ransack the Universe IPA and Stranger Than Fiction Porter, it has its eyes set on the U.S. market with a second brewery and tasting room set to open in Brooklyn. While the production facility in Hamilton’s North End is absolutely massive, the tasting room is surprisingly modest, with seating for 30 people, tops. That said, the beer list was extensive, with 15 beers pouring the day we visited. We settled in the tasting room’s “gallery,” a small semi-private room displaying Collective Arts’ hundreds upon hundreds of different bottle and can labels on each wall, from floor to ceiling. The Guava Gose (4.9% ABV) was refreshing and light bodied, with tart tropical citrus notes and balanced acidity. Located on the far east side of town, Clifford Brewing Co. is well outside the SoBi’s operational area—but being the civilized city that it is, an Uber is only a minute away in Hamilton. The brewery, which won Brewery of the Year honours

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Collective Arts' can and bottle label gallery showcases the brewery's creative side.

at the 2019 Canadian Brewing Awards, began life as a contract brewery before laying down permanent roots in a massive 10,000 sq. ft. warehouse in the city’s heavy industrial district. The cavernous tasting room sports foosball tables, air hockey and tabletop arcade games, in addition to hosting live music weekly. Clifford’s somewhat traditional beer lineup is all brewed very much according to style, but it is nailing those styles, so it’s little wonder it wins as many awards as it does. The Bourbon Barrel-Aged Porter (8.5% ABV) was an absolute home run of a beer with velvety richness and notes of chococlate, vanilla, coffee, oak and whisky. Back downtown, we finished up the night at Merit Brewing, a sleek and modern beer hall popular with Hamilton’s recently arrived Toronto expats. About as different an experience as you could imagine from Clifford Brewing, everything at Merit was immaculately put together, with long communal tables and a menu focusing heavily on the delicious housemade sausage. Waves & Waves & Waves (4.5% ABV), a collab with Swedish brewery Dugges Bryggeri, was a titillating raspberry, blackberry vanilla sour with notes of Swedish fish candies, outdoor pools and youthful indiscretion. And so as the clock approached midnight—with our heads swimming from the 50-plus different beers we sampled and our legs aching from cycling close to 20 km—we hurried to the Hamilton GO Centre six blocks away to catch the last train of the day back to Toronto. A mere 12 hours after we had arrived, we were gone, having been thoroughly charmed by this city of steel. j

Social media platforms—and their proverbial influencers—are changing how we find out about new craft beers - and probably not for the better.

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by Ben Johnson

here was a point in time, the early aughts perhaps, when it seemed like the prevalence of social media was something that was changing the world for the better. Like no other time in history, we had access to virtually all the world’s information, Twitter seemed to be helping spread democracy across the globe, Facebook was simultaneously letting us connect with one another 24/7 and giving a voice to the marginalized. The possibilities for achievement seemed limitless. But then we over did it. We’ve since learned that disinformation can be spread just as fast as actual information, our newfound digital democracy cleared the way for demented despots to dominate our collective conscious, and there is now virtually

no limit to the amount of fucking invites to improv shows and amateur concerts I receive. The movement to give everyone a voice and share virtually all information all the time has of course had many casualties (see: America, United States of ), and so it’s not all that surprising that the beer world has not been spared. Yes, on the one hand, the prevalence of social media has allowed small, independent companies to affordably share their stories and their brands and, as a result, craft beer has chipped away at a landscape formerly dominated entirely by behemoth industrial breweries.. But on the other hand, the newly-amplified conversation about beer has… kind of ruined everything.

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Because social media has created an atmosphere where virtually all content exists as a sort of attention-deficit version of what it once was, we don’t have any time for anything—and that includes good criticism. In the digital age, no one seems to have the patience or inclination to digest considered commentary on any topic, and so when it comes to thoughtful discussion on beer, the chatter has become even more scarce. An example: I have occasional tendencies toward masochism and, when they surface, I find myself looking at beer-related Reddit subs. On one such perusal, I read a post where a redditor called writers who were considering larger issues related to the beer industry “insufferable.” All PeterHoppingtail86 (or something like that) really wanted was to know was “what new beer is out there?” Someone had actually taken the time to write about larger themes shaping the craft beer industry, but people, like this guy, are either too busy or too inundated with content to engage actual criticism and literally just want pictures of new beer. The result of this need for lowest-common-denominator “news” has, of course, led to a predictable end result: Suddenly, everyone thinks their opinion matters. When no one really gives a shit who has the best information or who wrote the best article about a certain topic, all that really stands out is who was first, who has a bigger audience, or who presented their point of view in the flashiest way possible. Suddenly, the voices leading the conversation have shifted.

It’s not just the quality of beer criticism that’s deteriorated, it might just be the beer, too. Enter, the Beer Influencer. As soon as people figured out that you don’t actually need to put thought into a considered review, you don’t need to engage the owners of breweries, take time to interview the people who actually make beer, or taste and sample beer (let alone visit a brewery) with a critical eye, there came a shit storm of people to fill the void. Every alcoholic with an Instagram account, boozer with a decent Twitter following, or craft beer fan with 30 minutes to set up a YouTube channel now fancies him or herself a tastemaker and, as a result, the critical landscape is basically a wasteland. Newspapers laid off critics—do you even know a mainstream media outlet with a dedicated drinks person or restaurant critic anymore?—and beer magazines closed up shop. Do you have any idea what a rare and beautiful thing it is that you’re holding a print publication that pays for beer writing (subscribe today, please)? The concept of “beer criticism” in 2019 has largely been replaced with Instagram posts, vaguely-toxic Reddit threads, rarely updated websites, and unedited Youtube videos of people drinking beer they got for free and calling it a review. And I know, coming from someone who has been writing about beer for almost a decade, this might all seem a little Old Man Yells at Cloud, but I’d argue it’s not just the quality of beer criticism that’s deteriorated, it might just be the beer, too. Just as influencers have realized how easy it is to get free shit in pursuit of followers and likes, brewers have realized it is a cheap and easy marketing ploy to simply send beer to people who are already happily over-sharing online. And I can’t say I blame them. The cost of sending a beer to @MaltyMary420 is minimal and the potential that she will take a picture with your beer in it and share it with a couple thousand followers is high, so why not? Whereas, even five

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years ago, sending a beer to say, author Jordan St. John might have earned you a public tongue lashing if you sent him a sub-par lager on an evening he found himself with some time to write in his blog. Today, brewers can ship a dozen cans of their new release to Twitterati bros or scantily-clad Instarones and there is virtually zero chance of anyone taking a critical stance of the product. And if someone like St. John does opt to wax poetic on the shortcomings of the beer? Not to worry, few people will take the time to even read anything over 500 words and, instead, your beer will be readily hashtagged with the #excitement at having received free product and you’ll get FOMO-inducing images of your product shared across the Internet for the cost of half a case of beer. But this has of course created a sort of negative feedback loop. Brewers send a sub-par beer to “influencers” and it gets the same dutiful “Look what I’m drinking!” treatment that every other beer gets, so the brewer can infer that the beer is objectively good, and they keep making it. The alternative is that someone with an actual opinion about a beer dares to voice such an opinion and jeopardizes their access to free shit, so they don’t. Because influencers trade on the currency of being likable (they literally gauge performance based on “likes”), being negative puts that currency in jeopardy: If they don’t get free shit, they don’t get likes, and if they don’t get likes, they stop getting free shit, so it is of paramount importance to remain likable. The result is that no one is offering up real criticism anymore. Brewers reward mediocre social media efforts, mediocre social media efforts are rewarded with the desired traffic, and the cycle repeats itself, pushing the industry toward mediocrity. Of course, there is a cure and it’s called disclosure.

There are still some voices on social media who are engaging both their audience and the industry they cover with fairness and transparency. Increasingly, they are the only people I bother to talk to. So, if you actively follow “beer people” on social media, seek out those who disclose. If you want to read the work of critics who conduct themselves with integrity look to those who let you know when they are being plied with freebies. If someone is at a dinner hosted by a brewery and the brewery paid for the ticket or meal or drinks, it should be acknowledged so that followers can take the praise for the spinach dip and dutiful hashtagging with a grain of salt. "PS—I got this shit for free" goes a long way to building trust. Beware those who seem to gleefully post the free shit they got without much commentary. It is definitely fun, in the beginning at least, to have a brewery send you free beer in the mail (it’s free beer, what could be more fun?), but that really shouldn’t be what motivates any one to take to their digital soapbox. If you’re avoiding writing negative stuff that beer drinkers would want to hear because you’re worried it will jeopardize your next “beer mail” delivery, just throw your laptop in a lake and never write anything again because you don’t deserve a public forum any way. And, breweries, you’ll be better off in the long term if you kick the nasty habit of rotating your freebies through the latest glommers-on. Work with reviewers with integrity and experience and you’ll get more than cheap likes and momentary screen time. Part of the craft beer anthem is that we’re choosing something more substantial than fizzy corn water marketed with bikinis and patriotic platitudes about beavers. Let’s put the same consideration into how we talk about craft beer. j

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Grow way Barnside Brewing in Delta is growing 700 acres of organic malting barley for use in its locally-focused beers. Contributed photo

B.C. breweries are taking terroir to the next level by growing their own ingredients

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by Rob Mangelsdorf hat does B.C. taste like?

Craft brewers are taking to the fields to explore that very question, growing their own hops and malting barley—even harvesting their own wild yeast. The result is beer with a sense of place and a flavour that’s exclusive to their own corner of the world. Field House Brewing in Abbotsford is one of a growing number of breweries in B.C. now growing its own ingredients—in this case, malting barley and fruit, as well as vegetables and herbs for the brewery’s kitchen. Field House has even developed its own strain of brewing yeast, harvested and propagated from its farm. For founder Josh Vanderheide, the goal is to brew beer with terroir—a flavour that’s unique to where it’s made. “Growing our own ingredients gives us this flavour profile that’s unique to us as a brewery, and that’s really neat to us,” he says. “It tastes like

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the Fraser Valley, and you won’t be able to find beer that tastes like that anywhere but the Fraser Valley.” Just as important, in Vanderheide’s mind, is that it allows consumers to understand the provenance of what they’re drinking and hopefully raise questions about the food they eat, as well. “As a culture, I think we’ve lost a lot of our connection with our food and our ingredients,” he explains. “I think [our beers] are a great way to have a conversation about local food and reconnecting agriculture with food culture.”

We’re not buying flavours, we’re growing them. —Ken Malenstyn, Barnside Brewing

Six months ago, Vanderheide sold his house and moved onto a five-acre farm to grow barley and orchard fruits for his beer. Soon, he will be adding a brewery to the property—complete with a tasting room and picnic area—where he’ll base Field House’s barrel-aging program. Field House worked with Washington State University’s Skagit Valley Bread Lab to identify barley varieties that would thrive in the Fraser Valley and be suitable for brewing. “Grain is the heart and soul of beer, so we thought, let’s take on growing our own grain for our beers,” says Vanderheide. “We really learned a lot about the idea of terroir and grain: just like wines taste like a certain region, the same goes for grain. So we like this idea that the beers would taste like the Fraser Valley, because they’re grown here.” Field House’s recent Farmland Series features a grain bill that includes 35 per cent unmalted barley grown on its farm, hops that were grown just down the road, and was fermented with wild local yeast. The plan is to eventually grow 100 per cent of the barley used in Field House’s barrel-aged beers. Vanderheide says spending the time and effort to grow the ingredients he uses in his beer has changed the way he thinks about them. “When you just order hops or malt, you tend to treat it like a commodity,” he says. “You have so much more respect for the ingredients when you grow them yourself.” Whereas Field House is a brewery that decided to start farming, Barnside Brewing in Delta is a farm that has decided to brew beer. Ultimately, the goal is the same, however: to create beer with a distinctive flavour defined by where it is made. Barnside is a joint venture between four farming families, who between them have more than 700 acres of organic malting barley, a five-acre hop yard producing six different varieties of hops, organic potatoes, cranberries and honey. Plans are in the works to add another 10 acres of hops, as well as a malting facility. “We’re not buying flavours, we’re growing them,” says co-founder Ken Malenstyn. “Delta has the best soil in B.C.—it’s so rich in nutrients—and that imparts great flavour characteristics to what we grow. We were already growing the ingredients, so it made sense to make beer out of it.”

Abbotsford's Field House Brewing features local ingredients in its Farmland series of beers, including unmalted barley grown on the brewery's own farm.

The vision for Barnside—which is scheduled to open later this year—is to make as much of the beer with ingredients grown on the farm, and to provide an experience where beer lovers can see exactly where the beer comes from. However, that will likely place limits on what Barnside is able to brew. “We’ve chosen parameters where we’re not going to be chasing the constantly moving IPA target, for example,” Malenstyn says. “But we will make the best IPA we can grow, and it’s going to be unique because of that. And some people might say that’s restrictive, and it is, but it’s also a good challenge… because it forces you to get creative.” Malenstyn, who’s also a member of the B.C. Hop Growers Association, hopes farm-based breweries like Barnside will inspire other breweries to use more local B.C. grain and hops in their beers. “Terroir makes an incredible difference in the value of what you’re producing.” j

Try these B.C. farm-based breweries Crannóg Ales // Sorrento Persephone Brewing // Gibsons The Beer Farmers // Pemberton Barnside Brewing // Delta Field House Brewing // Abbotsford Howl Brewing // North Saanich

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How craft beer and the brewery tasting room has revolutionized drinking culture

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by Rob Mangelsdorf

omething truly remarkable has happened in the past 10 years in British Columbia. Maybe you’ve noticed it. Next time you’re at your local liquor-serving establishment, have a look around and you’ll notice that not everyone is completely wasted. It didn’t used to be this way. For a long time in this province, a bar or a pub served one purpose: to get you drunk. You didn’t go there because you enjoyed the taste of beer and wanted to appreciate it in a social setting. You went there to get fucked up. And maybe eat some chicken wings. But that’s not the case anymore The way people drink has changed, dramatically. People are drinking more, but they appear to be drinking more responsibly, as well. And there’s data that may back that up. In 2012, the province passed legislation to make craft brewery tasting rooms legal (and profitable). According to Statistics Canada data, total liquor sales have increased province-wide by 21 per cent during that span, from $2.9 billion in the 2011/12 fiscal year to $3.5 billion by 2017/18. And yet the total number of alcohol-related driving prohibi-

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tions issued in B.C. fell 21 per cent over the same span. Meanwhile, alcohol-related hospitalizations have fallen from 400 per 100,000 in 2013 to 361 per 100,000 in 2018. Our entire province’s attitude towards alcohol and how it’s consumed has shifted, and I believe craft beer and the brewery tasting room are a big part of the reason why. I’m not the only one, either. “It’s driving a responsible drinking culture,” Attorney General David Eby told me in 2017.

Better by design The tasting room is a unique environment, at least here in B.C. Unlike most pubs and restaurants, tasting rooms tend to offer only bar service, which is significant. Bar service creates a more social atmosphere by forcing you to move about the room and interact with your fellow human beings. If you see someone you know, it’s easy to change seats, because you don’t have a tab going with the server. You wait in line for a beer, and you strike up a conversation with the person behind you. The simple act of going to the bar to grab another drink helps create a friendlier atmosphere.

Phillips Brewing opened Victoria's first modern craft brewery tasting room in 2018, and it has quickly become a favourite with locals and tourists alike. File photo

By contrast, traditional table service forces you stay put in your seat. There’s no reason to get up because everything is being brought to you—but that also means you tend to become stranded at your table. Other elements of the modern tasting room also add to the congenial vibe. The prevalence of long communal tables and the lack of televisions both encourage conversation with your neighbour. B.C.’s pubs have long been maligned by those from out-of-province and out-of-country as being unfriendly. And arguably they are, because Prohibition-era regulations, like forbidding patrons to move around the room with a drink in their hand, forced pubs to be antisocial. But that’s changing. Bars like Magnet in Vancouver and The Drake Eatery in Victoria have adopted elements of the craft brewery tasting room to create spaces that are friendly, unintimidating and—most of all—fun!

The kids are alright The fact that tasting rooms allow children has also had massive impact on drinking culture. Children have a remarkably pacifying effect on a crowd. People become more respectful when there are kids around, they’re less prone to violence and antisocial behaviour. Also, kids are hilarious, especially when they aren’t yours. Tasting rooms were the first liquor primary establishments in B.C. to allow children and it worked

so well that in 2014 the province decided to allow kids into pubs, too. By modeling responsible, moderate drinking, tasting room culture will have a positive impact on the next generation and how their attitudes towards alcohol. I hope.

Can’t forget about the beer… The quality of craft beer, of course, is also a significant factor in how we now drink differently. Beer is no longer a means to an end (that end being complete annihilation). Beer has flavour now! And people drink it not to get drunk, but to enjoy it, to savour it, to experience it. The smaller serving sizes offered in tasting rooms encourage moderation (you definitely can’t buy a pitcher at a brewery). It’s about quality, not quantity. That’s why it’s a tasting room and not a drinking room, after all. More than any other factor, the craft brewery tasting room has helped create a culture of responsible drinking. For many people, drinking beer is now a mindful act, instead of a mindless one. j

It’s driving a responsible drinking —David Eby, culture. B.C. Attorney General 19

CIDER TAKES A WALK ON THE Summerland's Dominion Cider Co. uses handpicked, naturally fermented fruit in its Foundation Series of wild ciders. Contributed photo

Craft cider is taking a walk on the wild side these days, delighting our palates with the complexities of natural fermentation

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by Brittany Tiplady

iven that B.C. is the apple basket of Canada, it makes perfect sense that local bars, restaurants and liquor stores are becoming increasingly rich with natural and wild cider options. Especially as folks exposed to craft beer are willing to explore anything bottle conditioned and filled with funk. Wild cider is by no means a recent trend, however. Northern Spain is one of the oldest cider regions in the world and there are over 80 varietals of cider apples in the Basque region. “One of the cideries that we work with has written records of their family making cider on the same location dating back 450 years, and oral history puts them back even further,” explains Shawn Pisio, co-founder of Vancouver-based

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Txotx Imports. “Basque cider is naturally fermented and has a very high volatile acidity compared to North American cider, meaning it's tart, sour, briny, and funky.” To the untrained eye, beer, wine and cider are completely separate—albeit delicious—beasts. But on the contrary—brewers, winemakers and cidermakers have been working in a symbiotic relationship for years; poaching techniques from each other to conceive boundary-pushing, wild and wonderful products. The collective secret is a hands-off approach, letting the powers that be—in this case the yeasts, bacteria and terroir of the environment—do their thing. B.C. cider houses like Twin Island Cider, Salt Spring Island Wild Cider, Sunday Cider, Dominion Cider Co. and Creek & Gully, to name

a few, are embracing this approach—and the results are delicious. So, what separates a wild cider from the other stuff ? “Essentially what we're doing is sort of mixed-culture fermentation,” says Dominion Cider Co. owner Robin Cairns. That means instead of using a commercial yeast that’s purchased and added to the juice that you've pressed, the juice is allowed to naturally ferment itself with the wild yeasts that are available in the environment “Those yeast strains will be available on the skins of the apples and the pomace that we create when the apples go through the grinder,” she says. “When we press the juice from that pomace, it will then start to ferment naturally.” Dominion Cider Co. is an estate branch-tobottle cidery based in Summerland, helmed by a small team of three. The majority of its ciders are wild fermented and naturally made. “Our Foundation Series are the blends of cider that we've made since we started, but there's always some natural variation and evolution of those products because they are made in a small scale and by hand,” says Cairns. “In fact, all of the Foundation ciders incorporate wild fermentation.” While some wild ciders boast flavour profiles that ring true to a more traditional cider, others blur the lines and bend the rules. Creek & Gully is an intimate ciderhouse in Naramata that has been producing handmade, unfiltered, bottle-conditioned ciders with little intervention during the fermentation process for the past year. “We are definitely cribbing from the wine world and making cider in more of a wine style,” says Kaleigh Jorgensen, co-owner and cidermaker at Creek & Gully. “Our first release was a Pétillant Naturel, or ‘naturally sparkling’ in French. For that one, we barrel-fermented our juice, until there was a little bit of residual sugar, you pop it in a bottle… [and] it finishes its ferment in the bottle and it carbonates in there.” Jorgensen’s philosophy is to create cider that’s defined by its terroir. “I wanted to highlight where we come from,” she says. “We let [the cider] be what it’s going

Wild fermentation adds complexity, texture and aroma, according to Sunday Cider co-owner Clinton McDougall. Contributed photo

to be instead of looking through a catalogue that [would] in turn give a more predictable product.” In addition to using wine yeast, champagne yeast and beer yeast in some of their ciders, Sunshine Coast’s Sunday Cider has a wild program focusing on spontaneous fermentation. “The reason why we are doing those wild ferments is because we really like the complexity that the wild yeast and the ‘apiculate’ yeast, the starter yeast that’s found on the skin of the apples, add to the cider,” says co-owner Clinton McDougall. “Those yeasts will typically get the ferment started, but they die off at anywhere between two to four per cent alcohol. But they add something really quite interesting to the cider. They have their own profile, there is a complexity to it, there’s a depth to it. And not only does that add to the aroma, it adds to the texture in so many different ways.” While natural products of every variety are a budding and lucrative trend, Pisio believes that craft beer has truly paved the way for the rediscovery of craft cider. “People are looking for more complex and interesting tastes.” he says. “Naturally fermented cider made from traditional cider apples, aged in Merlot barrels is a far cry from the days of drinking cider from a two litre plastic bottle.” j

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The

truth will set us

FRee Beer labels tell us little about what we’re drinking, and that needs to change

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by Rebecca Whyman he information contained on beer labels is a-changing. And is that Big Beer I see leading the charge?!

In February, Bud Light began labelling its beer boxes with nutrition charts and ingredient lists. They’re not the first to list nutritional information, some of the other big guys were already doing that. But Bud Light went a step further and began listing ingredients as well.

There are no rules compelling beer makers to list ingredients and nutritional information in the U.S. or Canada. So why would Big Beer go for it? It’s not like they’re known for altruism! Ah, it’s because they think millennials want transparency around what’s in their beer, and Big Beer needs to woo drinkers lost to craft beer and spirits. Are ingredient lists and nutrition information enough? I doubt it. But I sure would like to see more of this delightful concept of transparency in beer labelling. What do we want? Transparency! When do we want it? Dec. 14, 2022! Wait! What? Canada introduced some new beer regulations in April, but they won’t be enforced until Dec. 14, 2022. While beer will continue to be exempt from the requirement to show a list of ingredients, the new beer standard requires beer to be labelled with a warning if it contains food allergens, sulphites and/or gluten. Huzzah! The new rules also specify Bud Light now lists the nutritional value of its beer on its packaging, which turns out to be very little.

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that beers need to state if flavouring is used. Using a “flavouring preparation” will trigger an additional requirement for a mandatory declaration as part of the common name on the label (e.g. “beer with blueberry flavour”).

I salute this effort to improve transparency. If they could get the final piece of the who-brewed-this puzzle included as well, by indicating that Labatts is owned by AB-InBev, I could die happy. Many, many years (and beers) from now.

I’m all for the new standard. It codifies what craft brewers are already doing—innovating with herbs, spices and fruit juices, and using bacteria as a fermenter—and gives consumers more information about what’s in their beer. Much as I like it, though, I want more!

The newly formed Canadian Craft Beer Association is stepping into the fray; aiming to roll out a voluntary national seal later this year. In order to use the seal, a brewery must be locally owned and operated. CCBA’s website proudly proclaims that “The Independent Craft Seal is a seal of authenticity that indicates the beer you’re drinking has been developed and produced by a small, independent Canadian craft brewer.” If it bears the seal, you’ll know it is craft, not crafty.

I’m not talking about those official black and white charts—Bud Light’s shows how little useful information those would contain. I would prefer a beer label tell me which hops and malts were used, the International Bittering Units (IBUs), whether it’s a kettle sour or barrel aged, and (sigh) how many calories it contains. I won’t die without any of this information, but it does help inform my decision of which beer to choose from the myriad of options. To the breweries including this information already—I say a heartfelt thank you! I would appreciate a best before date, too. Big Beer is on-side for this one—they’ve pledged freshness dates on labels by 2020. Now, don’t go getting all worried—this isn’t going to be a pro-Big Beer column! Craft beer leaves Big Beer in the dust when we get to my final, and biggest wish list item—a mandatory declaration of where and by whom the beer is brewed. Currently, a Canadian beer label need only include: alcohol content by volume, the name of the product, company name and address, country of origin and its life span if it is less than 90 days. And all that must be in French and English, in a font no less than 1.6mm tall.

I had great hopes that our naming rules would also help to distinguish independently brewed beer from shadow brands. If a manufacturing licence is required to use the word “brewery” in a business name, and only brick-and-mortar businesses (i.e. actual breweries) can get a manufacturing license—imposters would be outed by their name alone. Alas, subsidiary beer companies are permitted to use the word “brewery” on beers brewed by their parent company. And most breweries in B.C. prefer using the word “brewing” anyway—in a recent blog post Hired Guns Creative showed that only 10 per cent of breweries use “brewery” as their descriptive element, while a whopping 72 per cent went with “brewing.” Valiant steps are being taken by craft beer organizations toward transparency. In the meantime, please send your thoughts and prayers for that glorious day, when who brewed a beer will be stated clearly and proudly, right there on the beer itself—in a font large enough to read, of course. j

Yes, there is a name and address requirement. But that’s for the manufacturer’s name and address, not for who actually brewed the beer, and where. The B.C. Craft Brewers Guild has been working with government to review the Canada Food Inspection Agency Regulations, with an eye to moving the requirement away from the manufacturer’s address to stating where it was brewed. They want to see, for example: Goose Island Beer Company, brewed at Labatt Brewing Company Limited, 2505 Rue Senkus, Montreal QC H8N 2X8. The Canadian Craft Beer Association's new Independent Craft Seal indicates if a brewery is locally owned and operated.

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The wide world of wheat B

iStock photo

by Joe Wiebe

eer, at its most basic level, is a waste product produced by uncountable millions of yeast cells as they chew their way through a sugary slurry (called “wort”) that brewers prepare for their feasting. Those fermentable sugars can be derived from a wide variety of starches and grains, but malted barley has long been used as the primary brewing grain.

witbiers. And this is why today’s craft brewers seem to be using wheat more and more often in a variety of beer styles, especially hazy IPAs and pale ales.

But why barley and not wheat? The earliest brewers in Babylonia and Egypt used wheat to make beer. However, the beer that our ancient ancestors drank was more of a boozy porridge, not really the same beverage we appreciate today. That’s because most of the proteins in wheat are glutens, and while those gummy, gluey, elastic proteins are ideal for making bread dough, they are not as well suited for making beer. Wheat also lacks certain enzymes that help convert unfermentable starches into fermentable sugars. And finally, it doesn’t have a husk, which can make brewing with wheat a challenging process.

This quintessential German wheat beer is a classic Bavarian style that is brewed by most if not all breweries in Germany. The name “hefeweizen” literally translates as “yeast-wheat,” and that speaks to what defines this beer. In Germany, it must be brewed with at least 50 per cent malted wheat, but that ratio is often closer to 60-70 per cent, resulting in its pillowy soft texture and thick, creamy head of foam. The beer’s definitive banana/clove/bubblegum flavour profile comes from the characteristic yeast, a warm-fermenting ale variant that has been used in Germany for centuries. Today, if you travel in Germany you will generally find three core beer styles everywhere you go: helles (light lager), dunkel (dark lager) and weissbier, which translates as “white beer,” but is used interchangeably with hefeweizen. You might also encounter dunkelweizen (dark wheat beer) or kristalweizen, which is filtered for clarity.

There is a positive side to wheat’s protein composition: it enhances foam stability, which results in a bigger, longer-lasting head on the beer. That’s one of the reasons why German and Belgian brewers have long used it as a complementary ingredient in several iconic styles, such as hefeweizens and

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Here is a look at some beer styles that use wheat in a variety of ways.

Hefeweizen

Berliner WeissE Once the most popular beer style in Berlin, this light and tart wheat beer nearly disappeared in the 20th century before being revitalized as part of the craft beer movement. Typically very low in alcohol content (~3% ABV), the original brewing method did not involve boiling the mash, which must have led to some natural sourness. Contemporary brewers use Lactobacillus bacteria to sour the beer. The grain bill usually includes up to 30 per cent malted wheat, mainly for the creamy mouth feel and fluffy head.

Gose Another German style that has become popular in recent years, gose’s defining character isn’t so much the fact that is brewed with wheat, but rather that it is slightly sour and salty. Typically, it is brewed with at least 50 per cent malted wheat, just like hefeweizen, but the type of yeast used does not impart the same sort of distinctive character. Souring comes from inoculation with Lactobacillus bacteria, and salt and coriander are also added.

Belgian witbier Although similar to hefeweizen, this Belgian cousin is typically brewed with unmalted wheat, and sometimes other grains such as oats or spelt, as well as spices like coriander and orange peel. The use of unmalted wheat results in a stronger grain flavour, as well as cloudiness and, once again, a fluffy, foamy head. Much of the flavour comes from the specific Belgian strain of yeast, and a slight acidic tang might also be present; traditional Belgian brewers encourage a small amount of lactic acid production by letting the mash rest at a tepid temperature for an extended period of time.

Belgian lambic

Wheat beers, like the traditional German hefeweizen, are characterized by their creamy mouthfeel and pillowy head. iStock photo

and later, when one of them became a professional brewer, he recreated the recipe at the brewery and it became a hit. Today, it is still quite obscure, but a few B.C. breweries produce one from time to time. Basically, it is a strong ale (8-14% ABV) that is brewed with 40-60 per cent wheat to give it a softer texture and lighter flavour.

Hazy IPAs Wheat is often employed in hazy IPAs to encourage the hazy character as well as to punch up the head retention. Brewers use wheat, along with oats and various types of barley, to give hazy beers a complex mouthfeel. Some brewers even use wheat flour to enhance the haziness. j

Traditional sour beers in the Brussels area known as lambic beers are brewed with at least 30 per cent unmalted wheat. Apparently, one of the reasons this is done is to provide extra proteins and other nutrients to help ensure the vitality of the various microorganisms (yeast and bacteria) over months or even years of slow fermentation.

This is Hefeweizen // Moon Under Water

Wheatwine

Guardian IPA // Strange Fellows Brewing

This American take on the traditional British barleywine style was apparently first brewed accidentally in the mid-1980s by a couple of California home brewers who put too much wheat in a batch of barleywine. The result tasted great,

Required drinking Would Crush // Twin Sails Brewing Roselle // Steel & Oak Brewing Steam Punk // Longwood Brewing De Witte // Dageraad Brewing Take a Walk Witbier // Yellow Dog Brewing Sunrise Sour Gose // Coal Harbour Brewing Co.

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Beer awards are bullshit. (Sort of.) T

by Ben Coli

he B.C. Beer Awards are coming up again—as well as the 2019 Growler Craft Beer Awards in December—and with them another annual beer nerd tradition: the debate over whether beer awards are total bullshit or not. As a brewer who has won maybe the biggest award in Canada (Dageraad was the Canadian Brewing Awards 2018 Brewery of the Year—buy our beer!) I am in a position to say this: beer awards are bullshit. Sort of. To a certain extent. But I like them anyway and there are good reasons we should keep doing them. Let me explain. The most common complaint from beer nerds is when a beer they know isn’t very good beats a

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beer they know is a very good beer. Well, there are several reasons why that happens.

1. The actual liquid Unfortunately, judges can’t judge the platonic ideal of a beer, they’re stuck judging the actual liquid they have in the glass in front of them. A beer might be totally amazing served fresh on draught at the brewery, but who knows what condition it was in when it was judged?

Samples for local beer awards are generally submitted just a few weeks before judging begins, but beers heading to national and international awards are entered months in advance and the beer has to travel, sometimes across continents, in which case a brewery’s skill at packaging comes into play in a big way.

Some totally delicious beers never win awards just because there isn’t a good category for them to fit in. Maybe the beer tasted great going into the can, but the judges might have tasted a very different beer after three months in transit and storage. Also, every brewery has a certain amount of batch-to-batch variation in their beer. You might remember an amazing batch of a beer and the judges might be given one that’s just okay.

2. Style categories This is a big one. I’ve heard beer nerds say that the existence of styles totally invalidates beer awards. Who cares whether a beer matches its style category? All I care about is whether it tastes good, so why not just pick the most delicious beer? Well, awards need categories. You can’t just have a free-for-all where pilsners compete against fruited sours and barrel-aged stouts and expect to have intelligible results. Beers have to be categorized to compete against like beers, and they have to at least vaguely resemble the style category they’re submitted to, so you don’t end up with a hazy IPA being named best kolsch of the year. A good beer judge will give a decent amount of latitude to professionally brewed beers when it

Port Moody's Twin Sails Brewing swept the Hazy IPA category at the 2018 B.C. Beer Awards. Rob Mangelsdorf photo

comes to adherence to style. As long as the beer is in the ballpark of the style, the most delicious beer in that style should win, even if it’s not a perfect example of the style. That said, the existence of style categories really does screw over certain beers. Some totally delicious beers never win awards just because there isn’t a good category for them to fit in. Brewers often have to choose between entering their oddball beer in a category it doesn’t fit, or in one of those catch-all categories for experimental styles, where it’ll end up getting drowned in the flood of imperial pumpkin stout and pickle brine gose.

3. Judges are human Alas, yes, beer awards are judged by human beings. An award is only as good as its judges and some awards have better talent pools of judges to draw from than others. Not every judge is a certified or experienced judge. Many years ago, I volunteered to help pour samples at the B.C. Beer Awards and I ended up getting promoted to judge for a day because not enough qualified judges had shown up. At the time I was an enthusiastic beer nerd, but I had no off-flavour training and zero judging experience, and there I was, judging the work of experienced professionals. Even experienced judges are flawed pieces of sensory apparatus. Every human has blind spots in their palate, and we’re notoriously difficult to keep accurately calibrated. A strong-tasting beer can linger on the

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After a day of sniffing and slurping tiny cups of beer, mistakes can creep in. Palates get fatigued and weary judges will sometimes rush the job.

palate and affect how we taste the next beer, and an oncoming cold or flu can make things taste funny for days before we start feeling sick. And after a day of sniffing and slurping tiny cups of beer, mistakes can creep in. Palates get fatigued and weary judges will sometimes rush the job. The result is that very good beers, (or at least beers that are usually very good) often lose. Judging is done in rounds, and if one judge in one of the rounds doesn’t totally love a beer, it’s knocked out of contention. At the same time, rounds of judging mean that it’s quite rare for a bad beer to win an award. It’s easy for one judge to make a mistake and disqualify a good beer, but it’s exceptionally rare that multiple groups of judges will make a mistake and declare a bad beer to be a winner.

Now you’re thinking about that one time a beer you know is bad won an award. Well, I’d say that you should probably give that beer another taste, because in order for a beer to win, a whole bunch of judges have to agree that it’s good.

If awards are flawed, what’s the point? If you’re looking for someone to tell you what beer you’re going to enjoy the most, beer awards aren’t super useful. Nobody else’s palate is quite like yours and you can’t expect judges to exactly match your tastes. But beer awards are great for pointing out beers and breweries that are worth checking out. Beer is judged blind, so the judges aren’t influenced by breweries' reputations or by cool labels and branding. Some of the best beer is brewed by breweries that aren’t exactly fashionable, and beer awards can help to cut through the hype and identify some of the diamonds in the rough. So this year, don’t succumb to the temptation to argue with the results of the B.C. Beer Awards. You probably won’t agree with the exact ranking the beers are given, and that’s okay. It’s best to take the results as a suggested drinking list, rather than a definitive ranking of B.C.’s beer. There are going to be many, many excellent B.C. beers that don’t make the list, but there are also going to be a lot of very good beers on that list that you’ve never tried, as well as a few beers that are better than you remember them being, and maybe worth a second try. If your favourite beer didn’t win an award, that doesn’t mean it isn’t an excellent beer. Any beer or brewery’s absence from the list doesn’t really say anything, either—some breweries don't even bother to enter. There are a lot of reasons beers don’t win awards, some of which have nothing to do with the beer. j

28

• Ben Coli is the owner and founder of Dageraad Brewing in Burnaby.

Your guide to get you going to where the beers are flowing! SEPT. 6 & 7

SEPT. 21

Great Canadian Beer Festival (Victoria) Canada’s longest-running craft beer festival returns to Victoria’s Royal Athletic Park for 2019 under new management, courtesy of the Victoria Beer Society. With a record number of breweries and cideries participating, this year’s festival features an expanded roster of out-of-province breweries, some of which have never before poured their beer in B.C. VictoriaBeerSociety.com

White Rock Craft Beer Festival (White Rock) This first-time festival at Memorial Park next White Rock’s famous pier features locals 3 Dogs Brewing and White Rock Beach Beer joined by a host of breweries from across the province.

SEPT. 14 & 15 Whistler Village Beer Festival (Whistler) Whistler knows how to have a good time, and the Whistler Village Beer Festival is no exception. The festival runs all week long, Sept. 9-15, with the main event at Whistler Olympic Plaza featuring 70-plus breweries and cideries pouring more than 140 beers and ciders. Costumes highly encouraged! GibbonsWhistler.com

SEPT. 20 & 21 Longwoodstock Beer & Music Festival (Nanaimo) This Nanaimo tradition returns for its fifth year, as Longwood Brewery plays host to more than 10 Vancouver Island breweries and cideries. Live music from Current Swell, Carmanah, Dope Soda and many more. Longwoodstock.com

SEPT. 21 Fraser Valley Culture and Craft Beer Festival (Chilliwack) Support the arts by sampling delicious creations by some of the best breweries and cideries in the province at the sixth annual fundraiser for the Chilliwack Arts & Cultural Centre Society. ChilliwackCulturalCentre.ca

30

SEPT. 27 & 28 Brewloops (Kamloops) This beer festival has it all: more than 30 B.C. breweries and cideries, a dozen live music acts, a Ferris wheel, bumper cars and a family-friendly event on the afternoon of the 28th. BrewloopsFest.ca

SEPT. 27 & 28 Hopscotch (Kelowna) More than 2,500 people are expected to attend this celebration of barley-based beverages, with dozens of breweries and whisky distilleries sharing their wares at the Kelowna Curling Club. HopscotchFestival.com

SEPT. 28 Coquitlam Craft Beer Festival (Coquitlam) Previously hosted at the Westwood Golf and Country Club, this biannual beer fest is moving to the Hard Rock Casino Vancouver in Coquitlam for its September event. More than 50 breweries, cideries and distilleries will be on hand serving up samples, with beer-related snacks included in the ticket price. CoquitlamBeerFestival.com

OCT. 4-11 North Shore Craft Beer Week (North Vancouver) Returning for its third year, North Shore Craft Beer Week kicks off with a Oct. 4 launch party at the Shipyards featuring live music, food trucks

and, of course, all 10 North Shore breweries pouring. For full event listings and updates, visit the website. VancouversNorthShore.com

OCT. 4-19 Vancouver Alpen Club’s Oktoberfest 2019 (Vancouver) Bust out the lederhosen and dust off your drindl, because Vancouver’s original Oktoberfest celebration is bringing the magic of Munich to you for three weekends in October. Authentic German food and beer, with live music from the Alpen Platters and the Continentals. VACBC.ca

OCT. 5 Oliver Cask and Keg Festival (Oliver) This outdoor event celebrates the many craft breweries, cideries and distilleries of the South Okanagan, with plenty of food trucks, an artisan market and live music from Knackers’ Yard. OliverCaskAndKeg.ca

OCT. 10-19 Harvest Haus (Vancouver) After a one-year hiatus, B.C.’s biggest Oktoberfest celebration is back with a new venue at the PNE Forum, doubling its size. The Burgermeister will be there, as will breweries from all over Germany and closer to home. Don’t forget to check out the family-friendly Harvestland, complete with a Bavarian Village, Woodland Labyrinth and Kinder Farm. Harvest.land

OCT. 17 & 18

event features 600-plus attendees from all aspects of the Pacific Northwest craft brewing industry. The conference includes peer-led educational sessions, a supplier trade show and plenty of beer. BCCraftBeer.com

OCT. 19 B.C. Beer Awards (Vancouver) The BCBAs are celebrating 10 years of recognizing the very best beer this province has to offer with another night to remember at the Croatian Cultural Centre. Close to 50 B.C. breweries will be on hand, and with barrel-aged beers being featured as this year’s Brewers’ Challenge style, expect some amazing and unique beers. BCBeerAwards.com

OCT. 25 & 26 Harrison Beer Fest (Harrison Hot Springs) This weekend of deliciousness features a cask night on the 25th and the main event on the 26th, with 20 craft breweries from the Fraser Valley and across the province pouring beers at the picturesque resort’s St. Alice Hall. HarrisonBeerFest.com

NOV. 22 & 23 Hopscotch (Vancouver) Vancouver's original festival of beer and whisky returns to the PNE Forum with close to 150 brands of beer, whisky, cider and spirits available to sample. Thankfully there are plenty of food options available, because you’re going to need them. HopscotchFestival.com j

B.C. Craft Brewers Conference (Vancouver) Hosted by the B.C. Craft Brewers Guild, this two-day networking and educational

31

RECIPE

Lager-roasted herb chicken salad with Green Goddess dressing with Powell Brewery's Hoi Polloi Lager

Dan Toulgoet photos

I

f you don’t know who chef Robert Belcham is, then you haven’t been paying attention to Vancouver’s world-class food scene. The 2009 Vancouver Magazine Chef of the Year has been responsible for some the city’s most iconic restaurants, including Fuel, Refuel, Campagnolo, Campagnolo Roma, Campagnolo Upstairs and Monarch Burger. For his latest venture, Popina Canteen at Granville Island, Belcham partnered with an absolute dream team of culinary rock stars, featuring Angus An, Hamid Salimian and Jöel Watanabe. The concept is to bring elevated “fast food” to Vancouver in a remarkable setting—Popina Canteen might be the fanciest concession stand in B.C. with one of the best patios in the Lower Mainland. Case in point, Belcham’s lager roasted herb

32

BY CHEF ROBERT BELCHAM, POPINA CANTEEN chicken salad with green goddess dressing. This isn’t your auntie’s chicken salad (although we’re sure hers is very nice, too). —Rob Mangelsdorf

WHY DO YOU LOVE THIS RECIPE? Beer can chicken is something people usually do on the barbecue and only in the summer. It is delicious and this can be done all year. Also, beer is good for you. In moderation.

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THIS PARTICULAR BEER. WHAT SORT OF FOODS DOES IT PAIR WELL WITH? Powell Brewery brews the Hoi Polloi Lager for us and it’s absolutely delicious and works very well in this application. It’s a clean, crisp, classic

representation of a lager. I like the combinations of lighter fare with a lager—easy on the palate and the digestion. Other lagers will work as well.

WHAT ARE SOME GENERAL TIPS YOU HAVE FOR PAIRING BEER WITH FOOD? The number one thing to consider when trying to pair food with beer—or wine, or cider—is to drink things you like. A good rule of thumb is lighter or spicier foods match better with lighter, crisper drinks. With heavier foods a darker and robust drink tends to work better.

I N g r ed i ents For the green goddess dressing • 1 clove of garlic • Juice and zest of 2 lemons • 2 ice cubes • 1 avocado, ripe, seeded, and skinned • 3 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped fine • 1 tbsp fresh basil, sliced fine (do not bruise) • 1 tsp fresh scallion, chopped • 1 tsp fresh tarragon, leaves only, chopped • 2 tbsp virgin olive oil • Salt and pepper to taste For the lager-roasted herb chicken salad • 1 2-pound chicken, rinsed and patted dry • 1 can of Popina Canteen’s Hoi Polloi Lager by Powell Brewery or your favourite lager (if it has a label, remove it before cooking) • 5 sprigs thyme • 5 sprigs parsley • 5 sprigs sage • 2 cloves garlic, crushed • 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil • 3 radishes, sliced thin • 1 scallion, sliced thin • 1 head of romaine lettuce, washed and torn into small bite-sized pieces • 1 medium carrot, peeled and sliced thin • 1 small fennel, sliced very thin • 1 small daikon, peeled and sliced thin • 1 small red endive, sliced thin

d i r ecti o ns Prepare the dressing 1. In a high-speed blender, combine garlic, lemon juice and zest. Blend until very smooth. 2. Add ice, avocado and fresh herbs, blend on high and drizzle in olive oil until fully combined.

Popina Canteen chef Robert Belcham's lager-roasted herb chicken is perfect on its own or on top of this delicious salad with green goddess dressing.

3. Season with salt and pepper. Set aside and refrigerate until using. Make the salad 1. Preheat oven to 400 F. 2. Rinse chicken with cold water and pat dry. Season with salt and fresh black pepper inside and out. Place sprigs of fresh herbs and 2 crushed garlic cloves into the chicken. 3. Open can of beer and take a sip (this is important). 4. Place can upright in the centre of an ovenproof baking pan. Open the chicken cavity and place it upright over the beer can, maneuvering the can as far into the chicken as possible. 5. Keeping the chicken sitting upright on the baking pan, drizzle with olive oil and roast in the oven until an instant-read thermometer reads 160 F. 6. Take the bird out of the oven and let rest until warm enough to handle. Discard the skin and bones, shred the chicken meat by hand and mix with any accumulated juices from the pan. This can be done up to one day ahead and stored in the refrigerator. 7. In a large bowl, add romaine, carrot, scallion, radish, daikon, and endive. Add in about half of the dressing. Toss well but gently, adjust seasoning with salt and fresh lemon juice. 8. Add shredded chicken and toss through as well. Divide salad among 6 plates and serve for a light lunch. j

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BrewerieS

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Brew PuBS 44 45 47 36 51

Red Truck 40 Slow Hand 50 Storm 51 Strange Fellows 38 Strathcona 41

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41 Craft Beer Market 42 Darby’s Gastown 43 The Devil’s Elbow 44 The Lamplighter 45 Portland Craft 46 The Railway 47 Rogue Broadway 48 Rogue Conv. Ctr. 49 Rogue Gastown 50 Six Acres 51 St. Augustine’s

VENABLE S ST

19

08

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12 Kings Pub Alibi Room Bells & Whistles BierCraft Bistro BierCraft Tap & Tapas 39 The Blackbird 40 Central City

34 35 36 37 38

26

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33 Yaletown

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VANCOUVER

STANLEY PARK BREWING RESTAURANT & BREWPUB

8901 Stanley Park Dr. | StanleyParkBrewing.com DAILY 11AM-11PM EST. 2009

After three long years, Vancouver’s newest brewpub is finally open. Housed in a newly-renovated 1930s heritage building in its namesake park, Stanley Park’s brewpub offers West Coast food and a mix of staple beers with one-off batches brewed on-site.

PARKHOUSE BLONDE ALE

EVERGREEN HAZY PALE ALE

BLONDE ALE Availability: Year-round

H A Z Y PA L E A L E Availability: Year-round

ABV

5.0%

IBU

35

ABV

This Canadian take on a classic American blonde ale showcases a local homegrown hero—the Sasquatch hop.

IBU

I N D I A PA L E A L E Availability: Year-round

10

ABV

Brewed with barley, oats and sea salt to produce a light-to-medium bodied beer at only 120 calories per sleeve.

IBU

65

DA R K W H E AT A L E Availability: Seasonal

20

ABV

German pilsner malt and classic lager yeast provide a solid foundation for fruity, aromatic South African hops. 36

IBU

LAYER UP

HELLES LAGER Availability: Year-round 5.0%

6.8%

Full bodied, aromatic and juicy, this IPA gets its bold flavour from generous additions of Citra and Simcoe hops.

HOLLOW TREE LAGER

ABV

30

TRAILHOPPER IPA

LIGHT LAGER Availability: Year-round 4.0%

IBU

The malt bill remains consistent in this hazy pale ale, while the hops will be ever-changing.

ELECTRO LIGHT LAGER

ABV

5.2%

5.2%

IBU

18

Lush layers of berry and citrus flavours in this auburn-coloured wheat ale invite you to Layer Up this fall.

Sponsored content

VANCOUVER

STRANGE FELLOWS BREWING

1345 Clark Dr. | StrangeFellowsBrewing.com DAILY 12-11PM EST. 2014 Founders Iain Hill and Aaron Jonkheere agreed they wanted to open a brewery, but couldn’t agree on a name for it. After many failed brainstorming sessions, Hill’s wife called them a couple of “strange dudes” and the rest is history.

TALISMAN

POPINJAY

W E S T C OA S T PA L E A L E

D RY- H O P P E D S O U R A L E Availability: Year-round

Availability: Year-round ABV

4.0%

IBU

29

ABV

Don’t let the low ABV fool you: this dry-hopped pale ale is big on flavour.

4.5%

IBU

A juicy kettle sour brewed with wheat and barley and dry-hopped with Citra and Vic Secret.

REYNARD

BLACKMAIL

OUD BRUIN

M I L K S TO U T

Availability: Year-round ABV

6.5%

IBU

8

Availability: Year-round

N/A

ABV

This fabulous Belgian-style sour brown ale smells and tastes like cherries but no fruit was involved.

4.5%

IBU

28

Rich, round and slightly sweet, this thick, black stout is always deeply satisfying.

Friday night fortunes Iain Hill started off doing quality control 10 hours/ week at Shaftebury Brewing. He offered to work Friday nights if they trained him to brew. “It was an easy way in and everybody liked me for that,” he says. A couple of years later, he landed the head brewer job at Yaletown Brewing, and the rest is history. 38

Sponsored content

VANCOUVER

RED TRUCK BEER CO.

295 E. 1st Ave. | RedTruckBeer.com

SUN-WED 11AM-10PM ^ THURS 11AM-11PM ^ FRI-SAT 11AM-12AM EST. 2015 It’s hard to believe Red Truck’s massive Brewery Creek craft beer playground has been open for five years, but what a five years it’s been. So many parties, so many concerts and so many beers!

HAULIN’ SOME MASS N E W E N G L A N D I N D I A PA L E A L E

HARD DAY NORTHWEST IPA

Availability: Seasonal

I N D I A PA L E A L E Availability: Year-round

ABV

6.5%

IBU

45

ABV

This medium-bodied hazy IPA is packed with intense tropical fruit aromas and pure juicy bliss.

6.3%

IBU

69

Replete with floral pine and citrus, this easy drinking IPA is loaded with five kinds of PNW hops.

Voted Canada’s #1 Premium Lager 40

Sponsored content

VANCOUVER

STRATHCONA BEER CO.

895 E. Hastings St. | StrathconaBeer.com

MON-THU 12-11PM ^ FRI-SAT 11AM-12AM ^ SUN 11AM-11PM EST. 2016 If you can’t make it down to Vancouver’s Strathcona neighbourhood, this brewery also likes to make appearances at almost every major beer fest in the province.

BEACH

BIG SEXY FUNK

L E M O N M A N DA R I N R A D L E R

I N D I A PA L E A L E

Availability: Year-round

Availability: Year-round

ABV

4.0%

IBU

15

ABV

A light, effervescent beer that’s thirst quenching and easy to drink with a tart, clean finish.

5.5%

IBU

55

This dry, hazy IPA is audaciously aromatic with big citrus accents and fresh tropical fruit notes.

Triple India Pale Ale @strathconabeer 895 e. Hastings St. Vancouver B.C 778.379.9050 #strathconabeer Sponsored content

41

VANCOUVER

VANCOUVER

33 ACRES EXPERIMENT

33 ACRES BREWING CO.

15 W. 8th Ave. | 33AcresBrewing.com

25 W. 8th Ave. | 33BrewingExp.com

Big changes at 2018’s BCBA Brewery of the Year, where new brewmaster Trever Bass, formerly of Hopworks Urban Brewery in Portland, has taken the reins.

Start your weekend brewery pilgrimage with 33 Acres’ sister location. Here you’ll find the latest experiment in fermentation science to pair with wood-fired pizza.

33 ACRES OF OCEAN

33 ACRES OF NIRVANA

33B-EXP.001. MKI

33B-EXP.006. MKI

W E S T C OA S T PA L E A L E

W E S T C OA S T I N D I A PA L E A L E Availability: Year-round

KELLERBIER

O R A N G E OAT PA L E A L E WITH ORANGE PEEL Availability: Year-round

Availability: Year-round ABV IBU

5.6% 60

ABV IBU

Availability: Year-round

7.0% 70

VANCOUVER

ABV IBU

4.6% 15

ABV IBU

5.6% 60

VANCOUVER

BIG ROCK BREWERY VANCOUVER

ANDINA BREWING CO.

1507 Powell St. | AndinaBrewing.ca

310 W. 4th Ave. | BigRockBeer.com

Andina celebrates its South American roots with a ceviche selection that will convert even the most picky of eaters, lively decor and exclusive Canadian use of Chilean malt.

An off-shoot of Alberta’s original microbrewery founded in 1985, the Vancouver location has a full kitchen and serves wine and cocktails alongside its beers.

CERVEZA PILSNER

MONITA

CRAFT LAGER

HONEY BROWN

W E S T C OA S T I N D I A PA L E A L E

LAGER

AMBER LAGER

LAGER Availability: Year-round ABV IBU

42

5.0% 18

Availability: Year-round ABV IBU

6.5% 60

Availability: Year-round ABV IBU

4.8% 16

Availability: Year-round ABV IBU

5.0% 15

VANCOUVER

VANCOUVER

BOMBER BREWING CO.

BRASSNECK BREWERY

1488 Adanac St. | BomberBrewing.com

2148 Main St. | Brassneck.ca

Now freshly rebranded, Bomber was the first brewery to open along the infamous Yeast Van bike route on Adanac and remains an essential stop.

Apparently, owner Nigel Springthorpe wasn’t satisfied with the Alibi Room and Brassneck so he opened The Magnet on West Pender, which offers food, beer and the occasional stiff drink.

SKYLINE LAGER

DOVETAIL ALE

HELLES LAGER

A M E R I C A N PA L E W H E AT

BRASSNECK ALE

PASSIVE AGGRESSIVE

PA L E A L E

PA L E A L E

Availability: Year-round ABV IBU

5.0% 15

Availability: Year-round ABV IBU

4.5% N/A

Availability: Year-round ABV IBU

5.0% N/A

Availability: Year-round ABV IBU

7.0% 70

Proud to be your choice for the BEST CRAFT BEER SELECTION in BC. Craft Beer is our passion and our specialty. When an Advanced Cicerone® chooses your selection, you know you’re getting the best! 14th & Main • Free parking around back! • 604-872-3373 www.brewcreek.ca • @BreweryCreek • Open 11-11 daily

LIQUOR LICENSING, CANNABIS LICENSING & DISPUTES

43

VANCOUVER

VANCOUVER

BREWHALL BEER CO.

CALLISTER BREWING CO.

97 E. 2nd Ave. | Brewhall.com

1338 Franklin St. | CallisterBrewing.com

It’s pretty hard not to have a great time a Brewhall, what with retro arcade games, live DJs, delicious food and brewer Kerry Dyson’s award-winning beers, of course.

Vancouver’s smallest brewery is also Canada’s only co-working beer co-op, helping brewers get their businesses off the ground. Stop by for a taste of the future.

MORE FUN

POP TOP GRAPEFRUIT IPA (CALLISTER)

BREW HEFENER

BLONDE ALE

HEFEWEIZEN

Availability: Seasonal ABV IBU

Availability: One-off

4.5% 18

ABV IBU

I N D I A PA L E A L E Availability: Small batch

5.4% 12

VANCOUVER

ABV IBU

NO PRESSURE (ALTITUDE) RY E B R OW N A L E Availability: Small batch

6.8% 40

ABV IBU

4.0% 40

VANCOUVER

COAL HARBOUR BREWING CO.

CONTAINER BREWING

1967 Triumph St. | CoalHarbourBrewing.com

1216 Franklin St. | CBrew.ca

Having racked up the awards since its inception in 2011, this little Yeast Van brewery knows what it’s doing. Watch social media for pop-up tasting room dates!

This new addition to the Yeast Van scene has a split-level tasting room with lots of natural light, and plenty of interesting beers to sample there.

MARKET SATURATION

CHARCOAL PORTER

ORIGIN

COLD BOX

H A Z Y I N D I A PA L E A L E

P O RT E R

NEW ENGLAND INDIA PA L E A L E

LAGER

Availability: Year-round ABV IBU

44

7.2% 55

Availability: Seasonal ABV IBU

5.8% 30

Availability: Year-round ABV IBU

6.4% 30

Availability: Year-round ABV IBU

5.2% 10

VANCOUVER

VANCOUVER

CRAFT COLLECTIVE BEERWORKS

DOCKSIDE BREWING CO.

1575 Vernon Dr. | CraftCollective.beer

1253 Johnston St. | DocksideVancouver.com

This brewing collective is home to an increasing number of brands and is helping make brewing dreams come true. Perfected those home brew recipes? Call Craft.

This brewpub located in the Granville Island Hotel might have the best patio in town, where you can sample its craft beer staples with views of False Creek and Downtown Vancouver.

HAUS LAGER

RAILSPUR IPA

LAGER

PHANTOM ALTER EGO I N D I A PA L E A L E

Availability: Year-round ABV IBU

Availability: Limited

5.0% 18

ABV IBU

6.8% 20

I N D I A PA L E A L E

PA L E A L E

Availability: Year-round ABV IBU

CARTWRIGHT PALE ALE

5.7% 55

Availability: Year-round ABV IBU

4.7% 22

SUMMER IS NEVER OVER Nothing goes better with a tasty beer than our delicious ethically sourced meats.

ay holid turkey s since & h a m s 6 4 19 Call to ur yo book

Stop by and choose something from our selection of organic, free range and hormone free meats. In a hurry? We also have a selection of pre-made in-house items that you can just pop on the barbecue, saving you time. Feeding a crowd or want to stock up? Ask about our freezer packs! We invite you to visit the shop to try our great selection of hard to find cuts and in-house sausages.

4110 Main St., Vancouver • 604-872-5635 • windsorqualitymeats.com 45

VANCOUVER

VANCOUVER

DOGWOOD BREWING

EAST VAN BREWING CO.

8284 Sherbrooke St. | DogwoodBrew.com

1675 Venables St. | EastVanBrewing.com

Dogwood is pesticide, preservative and GMO free, as well as being organic, vegan and using locally-sourced ingredients. Check out the new four-pack to taste the difference.

Named for the eclectic community from which it draws inspiration, come by on Tuesdays for $5 beers, vinyl on Wednesdays and live music on Thursdays.

FRENCH GINGER

WHEN IT RAINS IT PORTERS

IPA I N D I A PA L E A L E

GINGER SAISON Availability: Year-round ABV IBU

Availability: Year-round

4.0% 15

ABV IBU

5.9% 50

VANCOUVER

P O RT E R

HUMBLE HIVE E N G L I S H B R OW N A L E

Availability: Seasonal ABV IBU

5.0% 35

Availability: Year-round ABV IBU

5.0% 25

VANCOUVER

ELECTRIC BICYCLE BREWING CO.

FACULTY BREWING CO.

20 E. 4th Ave. | ElectricBicycleBrewing.com

1830 Ontario St. | FacultyBrewing.com

Good beer, gourmet grilled cheese and a funky atmosphere. Electric Bicycle Brewing in Mount Pleasant is all about lowering inhibitions and not taking yourself too seriously.

Class is in session at Faculty Brewing, where anyone looking to learn more about beer or prepare for their Cicerone exam can take part in one of the brewery’s “Study Groups.”

CASCADE PALE ALE

YOGA PANTS

402 RYE S.A.

C U C U M B E R BA S I L S O U R

INDIA SESSION ALE W I T H RY E

PA L E A L E Availability: Year-round ABV IBU

46

5.0% 32

Availability: Seasonal ABV IBU

5.0% 8

Availability: Seasonal ABV IBU

4.2% 41

516 CENTENNIAL ESB EXTRA SPECIAL BITTER Availability: Year-round ABV IBU

4.8% 30

VANCOUVER

VANCOUVER

HASTINGS MILL BREWING COMPANY

GRANVILLE ISLAND BREWING

1441 Cartwright St. | GIB.ca

403 East Hastings St. | PatsPub.ca

Enjoyed by locals and tourists alike, Granville Island Brewing is a bustling spot for a pint, some grub and a host of live events.

Did you know that downtown Vancouver’s Pat’s Pub has its own on-site brewery? Hastings Mill Brewing is named after a historic sawmill that used to be located nearby.

FALSE CREEK RASPBERRY ALE

WATERMELON LAGER

PAT’S CLASSIC LAGER

BRICKTOP PALE ALE

LIGHT AMERICAN LAGER Availability: Seasonal

LAGER

PA L E A L E

R A S P B E R RY A L E Availability: Seasonal ABV IBU

4.5% 11

ABV IBU

4.5% 18

Availability: Year-round ABV IBU

5.5% 16

Availability: Year-round ABV IBU

6.0% 33

is a B.C. craft beer and cider-focused pub showing sports on multiple TVs with pinball, foosball and pool. Trivia on Thursdays, Karaoke on Saturdays & Live Comedy on Sunday nights. 395 Kingsway | 604-558-1208 12kingspub.com | @12KingsPub

ASK FOR NEW BLACKBERRY SOUR FRUIT BOMB AT YOUR FAVOURITE LIQUOR STORE

mainstreetbeer.ca

47

VANCOUVER

VANCOUVER

LUPPOLO BREWING CO.

1123 Venables St. | LuppoloBrewing.ca

MAIN STREET BREWING CO.

261 E. 7th Ave. | MainStreetBeer.ca

Luppolo (which is pronounced loop-o-lo) means hops is Italian. Don’t fret if your Italian is a bit rusty because this brewery speaks the universal language of delicious beer.

Five years old and still going strong, Main Street remains one of Vancouver’s friendliest tasting rooms, and easily the best place in town—if not B.C.—for real cask ales.

ROBUST PORTER

NEW WORLD SOUR

A LITTLE HAZY

P O RT E R

SOUR ALE Availability: Year-round ABV IBU

Availability: Small batch

6.7% N/A

ABV IBU

4.5% 20

VANCOUVER

SESSION INDIA PA L E A L E Availability: One-off ABV IBU

4.5% 55

BERRY DELICIOUS FALL SOUR KETTLE SOUR ALE Availability: Small batch ABV IBU

4.0% 5

VANCOUVER

OFF THE RAIL BREWING

PARALLEL 49 BREWING CO.

1351 Adanac St. | OffTheRailBrewing.com

1950 Triumph St. | Parallel49Brewing.com

A Yeast Van favourite, OTR is as passionate about making beer as it is about drinking it. Keep your ears peeled for Off The Rail Jingles!

Between the 40 taps of beer at the tasting room and the ever-growing list of barrel-aged sours in its Cork & Cage series, there’s always something interesting coming out of P49.

EAST BOUND & BROWN

GALAXIOR

N U T B R OW N A L E Availability: Seasonal ABV IBU

48

5.0% 32

INTO THE BLACK OAT STOUT S TO U T

Availability: Seasonal ABV IBU

4.8% 36

SCHADENFREUDE

DOUBLE INDIA PA L E A L E Availability: Seasonal ABV IBU

8.0% 72

PUMPKIN O K TO B E R F E S T B I E R Availability: Seasonal ABV IBU

5.0% 27

The

Growlies Are coming! nd

2

an

nual * 2 0

19

OUR READERS' CHOICE CRAFT BEER AWARDS ARE BACK! Our panel of craft beer experts is busy compiling the shortlist for each category. Vote for your favourite beers and then pick up our Winter 2019/2020 issue for the full results. Vote in 15 or more categories to be eligible for our grand prize draw—a craft beer helicopter tour with Sky Helicopters!

VOTING TAKES PLACE SEPTEMBER 30 TO OCTOBER 25

RESULTS ANNOUNCED IN OUR WINTER 2019/2020 ISSUE

VISIT THEGROWLER.CA FOR MORE DETAILS!

WIN!

SKY Helicopters is taking BC brewing to new heights with the West Coast Craft Beer Flight. Featuring an exciting helicopter flight to the base of the pristine Coast Mountains before landing in the backcountry to sample a complimentary selection of West Coast craft beers. Exceptional taste with incredible views!

WIN! Plus more great prizes from:

VANCOUVER

VANCOUVER

POSTMARK BREWING

POWELL BREWERY

55 Dunlevy Ave. | PostmarkBrewing.com

1357 Powell St. | PowellBeer.com

Postmark’s “Innovation Brewery” in Railtown pours a constantly revolving lineup of small batch, limited brews on tap at its tasting room, The Belgard Kitchen.

Powell is celebrating five years at its current location this September, and the awardwinning beers are just as innovative and delicious as ever.

PRESERVED LIME LAGER

DRY-HOPPED KVEIK IPA

DIVE BOMB

OLD JALOPY

MEXICAN LAGER

H A Z Y I N D I A PA L E A L E

DA R K A L E

PA L E A L E

Availability: Year-round ABV IBU

Availability: Small batch

4.8% 18

ABV IBU

6.6% 37

VANCOUVER

Availability: Year-round ABV IBU

Availability: Year-round

5.0% 33

ABV IBU

5.5% 40

VANCOUVER

SLOW HAND BEER COMPANY

R & B BREWING CO.

54 E. 4th Ave. | RAndBBrewing.com

1830 Powell St. | SlowHandBeer.com

While indulging in a Mount Pleasant brewery crawl, hit up R&B for the ultimate combo: great beer and delicious pizza.

Founders Kurtis Sheldan and Chris Charron started Slow Hand Brewing with a unique mission: to create a brewery devoted to making nothing but great lager beers.

GOLD CRUSH COLLAB ALE

STOLEN BIKE LAGER

CERVEZA MOTUEKA

NORWEGIAN TABLE BEER

S E S S I O N PA L E A L E

LAGER

D RY- H O P P E D MEXICAN LAGER Availability: Small batch

HOPPY KVIEK SAISON

Availability: Seasonal ABV IBU

50

4.0% 18

Availability: Year-round ABV IBU

5.0% 24

ABV IBU

4.5% 25

Availability: Small batch ABV IBU

3.5% 15

VANCOUVER

VANCOUVER

STEAMWORKS BREW PUB

STORM BREWING

375 Water St. | Steamworks.com/Brew-Pub

310 Commercial Dr. | StormBrewing.com

This iconic brewpub in Gastown is Canada’s first steam-powered brewery and a great place to sit back and enjoy an award-winning beer.

Storm is Vancouver’s longest running craft brewery. Fun fact: much of Storm’s brewing equipment was salvaged from a scrapyard in New West and was never meant to be used to brew beer.

HAZY PALE ALE

HEROICA RED ALE

VANILLA WHISKEY STOUT

HIGHLAND SCOTTISH ALE

RED ALE

I M P E R I A L OAT M E A L S TO U T Availability: Year-round

S C OT T I S H A L E

H A Z Y PA L E A L E Availability: Year-round ABV IBU

5.0% 40

Availability: Year-round ABV IBU

5.6% 40

VANCOUVER

YALETOWN BREWING CO.

1111 Mainland St. | MJG.ca/Yaletown

Founded in 1994, YBC is Vancouver’s original brewpub, built with the vision of being a true neighbourhood pub and a welcoming gathering place for all. GOODBYE EARL—GREY ALE PA L E A L E

Availability: Seasonal ABV IBU

5.2% 24

ABV IBU

8.0% 40

Availability: Year-round ABV IBU

5.0% 20

WE’VE GOT YOUR BREW. Come shop our large selection of local craft beer.

HOPS CONNECT SMASHQUATCH SMASH ALE Availability: Seasonal ABV IBU

5.2% 26

1218 w. pender st., vancouver • 604.685.1212 coalharbourliquorstore.com 51

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BREWERIES 01 Beere 02 Black Kettle 03 Bridge

52 52 53

04 Deep Cove 05 Green Leaf 06 Hearthstone

NORTH VAN

53 53 54

07 House of Funk 08 Streetcar 09 Wildeye

54 54 54

NORTH VAN

BEERE BREWING COMPANY

BLACK KETTLE BREWING

312 E. Esplanade | BeereBrewing.com

106 -720 Copping St. | BlackKettleBrewing.com

A cornerstone of the booming North Vancouver beer scene, family-run Beere Brewing (yes, we’re all extremely jealous of that surname) celebrates its second anniversary Oct. 5.

The brew kettle is still hot at this North Vancouver original where Bryan and Phil are making thirst quenching craft beer for locals and visitors alike.

OVER THEM MOUNTAINS

KENTUCKY UNCOMMON

W E S T C OA S T- I S H I N D I A PA L E A L E Availability: Seasonal ABV IBU

52

7.7% 55

GO EASY D RY H O P P E D PA L E A L E Availability: Year-round ABV IBU

5.5% 27

KENTUCKY COMMON Availability: Year-round ABV IBU

5.4% 25

SESSION ALE INDIA SESSION ALE Availability: Year-round ABV IBU

4.6% 30

NORTH VAN

NORTH VAN

BRIDGE BREWING CO.

DEEP COVE BREWERS AND DISTILLERS

1448 Charlotte Rd. | BridgeBrewing.com

170 - 2270 Dollarton Hwy. | DeepCoveCraft.com

Bridge Brewing was Norths Vancouver’s first nanobrewery and is deeply committed to its environmental impact, now operating 99 per cent waste-free.

An essential part of your North Shore brewery experience, Deep Cove offers an extensive lineup of craft cocktails, wine, cider and a robust menu in addition to its quaffable beer.

PRIMETIME

WATERSHED

JUG ISLAND

YUZU WITBIER

H A Z Y I N D I A PA L E A L E

STREETS AHEAD

PA L E A L E

I N D I A PA L E A L E Availability: Year-round ABV IBU

Availability: Year-round

5.0% 0

ABV IBU

6.3% 45

NORTH VAN

GREEN LEAF BREWING CO.

123 Carrie Cates Crt. | GreenLeafBrew.com

With the wave of new breweries opening in North Van, don’t forget about this cosy brewery located in Lonsdale Quay right next to the SeaBus terminal. HAZY SHORE IPA

PIE HOLE PALE ALE

NEW ENGLAND INDIA PA L E A L E Availability: Seasonal

PA L E A L E

ABV IBU

6.5% 65

Availability: Year-round ABV IBU

5.6% 35

Availability: Year-round ABV IBU

5.0% 10

Availability: Year-round ABV IBU

6.8% 55

These work.

Blundstone CSA work boots with rubber toe caps. Dry, lace-free, lightweight comfort and so safe they even protect themselves!

NEW #169 CSA Greenpatch Rubber Toe Cap Crazy Horse Brown $229.95

BLUNDSTONE.CA

Australian Boot Company 104 Water St., Gastown. 604.428.5066 1968 West 4th Ave., Kitsilano. 604.738.2668

53

NORTH VAN

NORTH VAN

HEARTHSTONE BREWERY

HOUSE OF FUNK BREWING CO.

1015 Marine Dr. | HearthstoneBrewery.ca

350 E. Esplanade | HouseOfFunkBrewing.com

There are few things in life better paired than pizza and beer, and Hearthstone—with its authentic il forno oven—has delicious examples of both.

House of Funk opened on the North Shore earlier this year and it’s already making waves. It also doubles as a café, with freshly roasted coffee beans available for purchase.

WIMMELBILDER

PILS

HEFEWEIZEN

BOHEMIAN PILSNER

FUNK JUICE V8: PINEAPPLE & COCONUT

Availability: Seasonal ABV IBU

6.0% 11

Availability: Year-round ABV IBU

4.5% 21

NORTH VAN

S M O OT H I E S O U R A L E Availability: Seasonal ABV IBU

FEURRE V1 R O S E M A RY, L E M O N P E E L & L AV E N D E R SPICED SAISON Availability: Seasonal

4.0% N/A

ABV IBU

5.5% N/A

NORTH VAN

STREETCAR BREWING

WILDEYE BREWING

123A East 1st St. | StreetcarBrewing.ca

1385 Main St. | WildeyeBrewing.ca

Lower Lonsdale’s newest brewery opened its doors in July and has quickly proven to be a welcome addition to the newly-designated Shipyards Brewery District.

Wildeye has become a local favourite since opening earlier this summer thanks to its 12 taps and delicious snacks from its kitchen. Its beers are available in tall cans and bombers, too.

SHIPYARDS STOUT

OVERCAST IPA

CZECH PILSNER

H A Z Y I N D I A PA L E A L E

CZECH PILSNER

S TO U T Availability: Year-round ABV IBU

54

6.4% 46

Availability: Year-round ABV IBU

6.0% 86

BELGIAN BLONDE ALE

Availability: Year-round ABV IBU

IMAGINARY GIRLFRIEND

5.5% 30

Availability: Seasonal ABV IBU

7.0% 22

BREW PUBS

30 Big Ridge 31 Monkey 9

67 67

BREWERIES 01  3 Dogs 68 02  Another Beer Co. 62 03  Britannia 66 04  Central City 68 05  Dageraad 56 06  Dead Frog 60 07  Five Roads 60 08  Foamers' Folly 63 09  Four Winds 58 10  Fraser Mills 64 11  Fuggles & Warlock 67 12  KPU 61 13  Maple Meadows 62 14  Mariner 60 15  Moody Ales 65 16  Northpaw 64 17  Parkside 65 18  Ridge 62 19  Russell 58 20  Silver Valley 62 21  Steamworks 60 22  Steel & Oak 63 23  Taylight 64 24  The Bakery 66 25  Tinhouse 64 26  Trading Post 61 27  Twin Sails 66 28  White Rock Beach 68 29  Yellow Dog 66

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RICHMOND

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DELTA

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04

WHITE ROCK 01

10

28

PORT MOODY

SURREY

17

05

NEW WEST 22

BURNABY

21

99

30

7

17

23 08

15

10

1

12

LANGLEY

07 26

06

7

MAPLE RIDGE

PITT MEADOWS

25

10 15 COQUITLAM 17 14 24 27 29 16 13 18 20

l ow e r m a inl a n d

BURNABY

DAGERAAD BREWING

114 - 3191 Thunderbird Cres. | DageraadBrewing.com SUN-THU 12-9PM ^ FRI 11AM-10PM ^ SAT 11AM-9PM EST. 2014 Ben Coli is five years into his mission to educate the masses on the joys of ester-forward, bottle conditioned ales and is still consistently committed to quality. For fans of Belgian-style beer—always a bit rarefied on the B.C. shelves—Dageraad is a godsend and its tasting room is a must-visit.

ROSETTA

ANTWERPEN

GOLDEN ALE

ABBEY TRIPEL

Availability: One-off ABV

6.5%

IBU

Availability: Limited

N/A

ABV

Brewed with pink peppercorns and rose petals for a light, fruity, peppery note.

8.5%

30

IBU

With an aroma of noble hops and floral alcohol, this tripel is a multiple award-winner.

6˚ TA RT D U B B E L

WET HOPPED BLONDE

Availability: Seasonal

BELGIAN-STYLE BLONDE ALE Availability: Limited

ABV

7.0%

IBU

20

ABV

A lacto-fermented rich, dark brew that is briefly kettle soured and spiked with 400 pounds of Montmorency cherries.

7.5%

IBU

N/A

Once a year, fresh Centennial hops are added to Dageraad’s Blonde Ale, which adds a fresh, juicy character.

Belgian Beer and Food No culture in the world has embraced the culinary aspects of beer as much as the Belgians and Belgian-style ales pair exceptionally well with food. For instance, Dageraad’s Blonde with its fruit and spicy notes compliment salads and desserts while its tartness and effervescence make it a good pairing with heavier dishes. 56

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DELTA

FOUR WINDS BREWING CO.

4 - 7355 72nd St. | FourWindsBrewing.ca SUN-WED 11AM-7PM ^ THURS-SAT 11AM-9PM EST. 2013 Sitting just off the banks of the mighty Fraser River, Delta’s heavilyawarded Four Winds is inspired by ingredients and flavours from around the globe. Serving a rotating array of tacos and tapas in its inviting tasting room, Four Winds is a fan favourite and always worth the trip.

LA MAISON

JUXTAPOSE

WILD SAISON

W I L D I N D I A PA L E A L E

Availability: Year-round ABV

4.5%

IBU

Availability: Year-round

30

ABV

Brewed with oats and rye and fermented with wild yeast, this light-bodied table saison has notes of pepper and tropical fruit.

6.5%

IBU

50

Celebrating the juxtaposition of ripe tropical fruit esters and wild yeast funk, this wild IPA is moderately bitter and gracefully balanced.

POMONA

MÉLANGE

BA R R E L - A G E D S O U R A L E

BA R R E L - A G E D FA R M H O U S E A L E

Availability: Seasonal

Availability: Seasonal

ABV

5.5%

IBU

8

ABV

This bold and bright sour wheat ale was aged on nectarines and apricots in French oak foeders.

5.8%

IBU

8

A tart table beer blended with select barrel stock and then conditioned on second-use cherries and red currants.

A welcome addition Four Winds’ plans to build a flagship brewery and restaurant in Tsawwassen might have been scuttled by Delta council, but it recently got the green light to expand its existing lounge from 30 to 50 people. That means more room for award-winning craft beer and tacos! 58

Sponsored content

BURNABY

COQUITLAM

STEAMWORKS BREWING CO.

MARINER BREWING

1100 Lansdowne Dr. | MarinerBrewing.ca

3845 William St. | Steamworks.com

Don’t feel like you have to head to Gastown for some Steamworks, because this production brewery’s taproom is open for beer, tours and growler fills.

Mariner looks to explore the boundaries of brewing through experimentation and collaboration. Hang out at Mariner’s tasting room for great food and a vibrant atmosphere.

PUMPKIN ALE

ORION PREMIUM LAGER

PUMPKIN ALE

PREMIUM CRAFT LAGER LAGER

Availability: Seasonal ABV IBU

Availability: Year-round

6.5% 25

ABV IBU

LAGER

B R OW N A L E

Availability: Year-round

4.6% 15

LANGLEY

AFTERGLOW CHESTNUT ALE

ABV IBU

5.0% 12

Availability: Seasonal ABV IBU

5.2% 20

LANGLEY

FIVE ROADS BREWING

DEAD FROG BREWERY

105 - 8860 201st St. | DeadFrog.ca

6263 202nd St. | FiveRoadsBrewing.com

Dead Frog has one of the longest tap lists of any craft brewery tasting room in B.C. and it now features a line of beers made with completely local ingredients.

One of the newest editions to the flourishing Langley beer scene, Five Roads was inspired by the historic Five Corners intersection and alludes to the importance of community.

PURPLE HAZE

LANGLEY GOLD

H A Z Y I N D I A PA L E A L E Availability: Year-round ABV IBU

60

6.5% N/A

DOUBLE CROSS XX PA L E A L E Availability: Year-round ABV IBU

5.0% 24

KO L S C H Availability: Year-round ABV IBU

5.4% N/A

HELLO DARKNESS (MY OLD FRIEND) OAT M E A L S TO U T Availability: Year-round ABV IBU

4.2% 19

LANGLEY

LANGLEY

TRADING POST BREWING

KPU BREWING LAB

20901 Langley Bypass | KPU.ca/Brew

107 - 20120 64th Ave. | TradingPostBrewing.com

KPU Brewing will be pouring at the Great Canadian Beer Fest in September, as well as at the B.C. Craft Brewers Conference and 2019 B.C. Beer Awards in October.

Both the brewery in Langley and the taphouses in Fort Langley and Abbotsford regularly host events, including a special Oktoberfest celebration. Check Facebook for all the details.

50/50 HEFE

NEW ZEALAND PILSNER

BREAKFAST STOUT

PILSNER

C O F F E E S TO U T

HEFEWEIZEN Availability: Seasonal ABV IBU

5.0% N/A

Availability: Seasonal ABV IBU

5.5% 40

Availability: Seasonal ABV IBU

6.7% 40

TART CRANBERRY ALE S O U R W H E AT A L E Availability: Seasonal ABV IBU

5.9% 7

61

MAPLE RIDGE

MAPLE RIDGE

MAPLE MEADOWS BREWING CO.

RIDGE BREWING CO.

22826 Dewdney Trunk Rd. | RidgeBrewing.com

22775 Dewdney Trunk Rd. | MapleMeadowsBrewing.com

With more taps than bar seats, Maple Meadows is an intimate, 10-seat nanobrewery full of creativity and craft beer.

Open seven days a week with a family-friendly tasting room, Ridge Brewing also hosts an open mic night on the first Tuesday of each month.

SPRUCE ALE

NEIGHBOURHOOD CRAFT LAGER

BLONDE ALE

WEST COAST ALE PA L E A L E

Availability: Seasonal ABV IBU

Availability: Year-round

5.0% 25

ABV IBU

5.5% 35

MAPLE RIDGE

DARK SCIENCE O R A N G E S TO U T

LIGHT LAGER Availability: Year-round ABV IBU

Availability: Seasonal

4.4% 10

ABV IBU

5.9% 50

NEW WEST

SILVER VALLEY BREWING CO.

ANOTHER BEER CO.

#101 - 11952 224 St. | SilverValleyBrewing.com

#11 - 30 Capilano Way | AnotherBeerCo.com

This family-owned nano in downtown Maple Ridge celebrates its second birthday on Sept. 21. Why not come by for a proper pint of its English-style ales?

New Westminsterites welcomed their second brewery earlier this summer. Located in the Sapperton area, rich with a long brewing history, this isn’t just another brewery.

THE PLEASURE AND GREED

YOUNG, WILD & HAZY

KEEP YOUR PANTS ON

H A Z Y I N D I A PA L E A L E

I N D I A PA L E KO L S C H

BA R L E Y W I N E Availability: Seasonal ABV 10.0% IBU 50

62

CRUSH H A Z Y PA L E A L E Availability: Year-round ABV IBU

7.0% 35

Availability: Year-round ABV IBU

6.5% N/A

Availability: Seasonal ABV IBU

6.0% N/A

NEW WEST

PITT MEADOWS

STEEL & OAK BREWING CO.

1319 3rd Ave. | SteelAndOak.ca

FOAMERS’ FOLLY BREWING CO.

19221 122A Ave. | FoamersFolly.ca

Now in its fifth year, an overwhelming sense of community, passion and award-winning German-inspired beer is at the heart of what makes S&O an integral part of the fabric of New West.

There are always plenty of great options to try in the tasting room here. Foamers’ fans should check out the brewery’s new online merchandise store.

DARK LAGER

RED PILSNER

YADA YADA IPA

DA R K L A G E R

RED PILSNER

D RY- H O P P E D I N D I A PA L E A L E

Availability: Year-round ABV IBU

5.0% 27

Availability: Year-round ABV IBU

5.0% 35

Availability: Year-round ABV IBU

UNICORN BLANKET W I L D FA R M H O U S E A L E Availability: One-off

7.0% 35

ABV IBU

9.5% 24

October 4-11, 2019 Join us on the North Shore for the third annual Vancouver’s North Shore Craft Beer Week! A week of local beer and special events with North Vancouver’s craft breweries!

vancouversnorthshore.com/craftbeerweek

63

PORT COQUITLAM

PORT COQUITLAM

TAYLIGHT BREWING

NORTHPAW BREW CO.

2150-570 Sherling Pl. | NorthpawBrewCo.com

402-1485 Coast Meridian Rd. | TaylightBrewing.com

Northpaw celebrated its first anniversary by doubling its capacity in the tasting room, so now there’s even more room to sample Dennis Smit’s tasty brews.

Serving the Tri-Cities and beyond, Taylight releases a fresh batch and cask every Friday, and offers brewery tours on Saturdays.

CHECK THE RHYND

BLUEBERRIES & C.R.E.A.M.

SLACK TIDE HAZY PALE ALE

CRAFTIES LAGER

H A Z Y PA L E A L E W I T H GRAPEFRUIT Availability: Seasonal

RADLER

H A Z Y PA L E A L E

LAGER

ABV IBU

5.2% 27

Availability: Seasonal ABV IBU

4.0% 14

PORT COQUITLAM

Availability: Year-round ABV IBU

Availability: Year-round

5.0% 30

ABV IBU

4.5% 19

PORT MOODY

FRASER MILLS FERMENTATION CO.

TINHOUSE BREWING CO.

550 Sherling Pl. | TinhouseBrewing.ca

3044 Saint Johns St. | FraserMillsFermentation.com

Watch for this PoCo brewery’s grand opening sometime in September but also check them out at various beer-friendly events around town this fall.

Fraser Mills is scheduled to open in September, and in addition to beer they’ll also be making their own cider, wine and mead, all of which will be on draft in their tasting room.

OXFORD IPA

RUN OF THE MILL

STURGEON SPIT

LUMBERJACK LAGER

PEPPERCORN SAISON

I N D I A PA L E A L E

LAGER

N O RT H W E S T I N D I A PA L E A L E Availability: Year-round ABV IBU

64

6.5% 65

Availability: Seasonal ABV IBU

7.0% 30

Availability: Year-round ABV IBU

6.5% 60

Availability: Year-round ABV IBU

5.2% 25

PORT MOODY

PORT MOODY

MOODY ALES

THE PARKSIDE BREWERY

2601 Murray St. | MoodyAles.com

2731 Murray St. | TheParksideBrewery.com

Moody will celebrate its fifth anniversary on Oct. 12 with some special, unique beers, live music, and good times all round.

Distinguishable by the astroturf that adorns its patio, this Brewer’s Row favourite won Best Beer Flight Design at the 2018 B.C. Beer Awards for their Park Bench Paddle.

HARDY BROWN ALE

SOCIABLE PALE ALE

DREAMBOAT

DUSK

A M E R I C A N B R OW N A L E

A M E R I C A N PA L E A L E

H A Z Y I N D I A PA L E A L E

N O RT H A M E R I C A N PA L E A L E

Availability: Year-round ABV IBU

5.5% 22

Availability: Year-round ABV IBU

4.8% 28

Availability: Year-round ABV IBU

6.3% 35

Availability: Year-round ABV IBU

5.3% 30

65

PORT MOODY

PORT MOODY

THE BAKERY BREWING

TWIN SAILS BREWING

2617 Murray St. | TheBakeryBrewing.com

2821 Murray St. | TwinSailsBrewing.com

Port Moody’s newest brewery (for now) is all about experimentation, with an ever-changing list of small batch beers that you may never see again.

Twin Sails’ barrel-aging program has hit a new high gear. Check out its online store—a B.C. first—for core brands, limited and experimental releases.

PINK SALTED PINK GUAVA SOUR

CON LECHE

DAT JUICE

M I L K S TO U T

C I T R A PA L E A L E

SOUR FRUIT ALE Availability: One-off ABV IBU

BRETT PALE ALE A M E R I C A N PA L E A L E Availability: One-off

5.1% N/A

ABV IBU

6.8% N/A

PORT MOODY

Availability: Seasonal ABV IBU

7.5% 18

Availability: Year-round ABV IBU

5.2% 25

RICHMOND

YELLOW DOG BREWING CO.

BRITANNIA BREWING CO.

1 - 2817 Murray St. | YellowDogBrew.com

110-12500 Horseshoe Way | BBCO.ca

The original Port Moody craft brewery recently celebrated its fifth anniversary with a big summer party. Meanwhile, its owners are busy opening Neighbourhood Brewing in Penticton.

Steeped in the nautical history of Steveston, Kyle, Trystam and Lloyd are bringing their beer brewing dreams to the South Richmond area and beyond.

SQUIRREL CHASER

RIPTIDE RYE IPA

PACK LEADER PILSNER

H A Z Y PA L E A L E Availability: Year-round ABV IBU

66

5.2% 40

RY E I N D I A PA L E A L E Availability: Seasonal ABV IBU

4.9% 30

Availability: Year-round ABV IBU

6.0% 58

SEA HOUND OATMEAL STOUT OAT M E A L S TO U T Availability: Seasonal ABV IBU

5.2% 24

RICHMOND

RICHMOND

FUGGLES & WARLOCK CRAFTWORKS

MONKEY 9 BREWING

103-11220 Horseshoe Way | FugglesWarlock.com

14200 Entertainment Blvd. | Monkey9.ca

Craft beer culture and nerd culture have many similarities and affinities and seem to be a match made in heaven at this Richmond brewery.

Canned beer is coming soon so you won’t have to go all the way to Richmond to try Monkey 9’s brews—but given it has a full kitchen and a bowling alley, you definitely should.

CHRONO

MOUNTAIN VIEW

STRAWBERRBREE SOUR

BLACK CURRANT SOUR

KETTLE SOUR ALE

WET HOP INDIA PA L E A L E Availability: Seasonal ABV IBU

Availability: Year-round

6.9% 66

ABV IBU

6.0% 7

POMEGRENADE P O M E G R A N AT E PA L E A L E

Availability: Seasonal ABV IBU

5.0% 10

Availability: Seasonal ABV IBU

4.8% 30

SURREY

BIG RIDGE BREWING CO.

5580 152 St. | MJG.ca/Big-Ridge

Big Ridge celebrates 20 years of craft beer this year with a strong commitment to fostering the “neighbourhood pub” service and atmosphere. PENALTY STROKE PILSNER PILSNER

DON’T WANNA HEAR IT BLACK PILSNER

Availability: Seasonal ABV IBU

4.8% 15

Availability: Seasonal ABV IBU

3.7% 22

Your brewery's branding on customer growlers. 100% removable Customers can easily remove labels.

MANE Br

ewery

Available in durable plastic or recyclable paper. 1-week turnaround.

www.BeerGrowlerLabels.com 67

SURREY

SURREY

CENTRAL CITY BREWERS + DISTILLERS

RUSSELL BREWING CO.

11411 Bridgeview Dr. | CentralCityBrewing.com

202 - 13018 80th Ave. | RussellBeer.com

Central City’s cathedral-like brewery in North Surrey recently got a new addition: the Red Racer Roadside Diner—a permanent food truck on-site at the brewery.

Russell Brewing recently collaborated with Mind the Bar Canada to create a low-alcohol Belgian table beer, with proceeds supporting hospitality workers suffering from mental illness.

RED RACER RED IPA

TIGERTAIL STOUT

I N D I A PA L E A L E Availability: Year-round ABV IBU

RED RACER AFTER HOURS PALE ALE F L AV O U R E D A L E Availability: Seasonal

5.6% 56

ABV IBU

P U M P K I N S P I C E L AT T E BLONDE ALE

S TO U T Availability: One-off

6.5% 40

WHITE ROCK

#BASIC

ABV IBU

Availability: One-off

6.0% 15

ABV IBU

4.6% 0

WHITE ROCK

3 DOGS BREWING

1515 Johnston Rd. | 3DogsBrewing.com

WHITE ROCK BEACH BEER CO.

15181 Russell Ave. | WhiteRockBeachBeer.com

If you love your bulldogs on the beach in Mexico, check out 3 Dogs’ Chihuahua-Rita beer/margarita cocktail. Perfect for on the patio!

WRBBC and 3 Dogs recently collaborated on a cream ale called the Pier-fect Summer, with all proceeds going towards the restoration of the iconic White Rock Pier.

BAYSIDE BLONDE ALE

BEACH IN HEAT

PIER

BORDER

RADLER

I N D I A PA L E A L E

BA LT I C P O RT E R

BLONDE ALE Availability: Year-round ABV IBU

68

5.2% 25

Availability: Seasonal ABV IBU

3.5% 12

Availability: Year-round ABV IBU

6.0% 48

Availability: Year-round ABV IBU

6.4% 29

Fr ase r Va l l e y 02

7

7

MISSION

CHILLIWACK

04 06 1 11

ABBOTSFORD 03 05

07

01

N W

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1 11

BREWERIES 01 02 03 04

Field House Flashback Loudmouth Mission Springs

70 71 70 71

05 Old Abbey 06 Old Yale 07 Ravens

70 71 70

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ABBOTSFORD

ABBOTSFORD

FIELD HOUSE BREWING CO.

2281 West Railway St. | FieldHouseBrewing.com

LOUDMOUTH BREWING

103 – 2582 Mt. Lehman Rd. | LoudmouthBrewingCompany.ca

Brewing Co.

The brewery’s ongoing Farmland beer series celebrates the Fraser Valley’s agricultural heritage by using all local ingredients, including from the brewery’s own farm.

Abbotsford’s Loudmouth is a lovingly run mom-and-pop microbrewery located in close proximity to YXX. A cosy spot with great beer, great people and incredible pizza.

RASPBERRY & RED CURRANT WHITE OAK SOUR

FRESH HOP SARTORI SOUR IPA

YXX

THE DOPE

VIENNA LAGER

WO O D - A G E D S O U R A L E Availability: One-off

S O U R I N D I A PA L E A L E Availability: Seasonal

BA R R E L - A G E D DA R K SOUR

ABV IBU

7.0% 5

ABV IBU

6.0% 30

ABBOTSFORD

Availability: Year-round ABV IBU

Availability: Small batch

5.9% 25

ABV IBU

6.8% 68

ABBOTSFORD

OLD ABBEY ALES

RAVENS BREWING CO.

30321 Fraser Hwy. | OldAbbeyAles.com

2485 Townline Rd. | Ravens.beer

Old Abbey Ales is committed to brewing beer with local ingredients, including Fraser Valley water and hops, B.C. malt, and when the recipe calls for it, berries from local farms.

Ravens brews a wide range of beers inspired by the agricultural traditions in the Abbotsford area. The brewery is also working on adding a kitchen.

PINEAPPLE EXPRESS

SIPPY CHAI AYE!

FLYING DUTCHMAN

W H E AT B E E R

LAGER

MOSAIC INDIA PA L E A L E Availability: Year-round

Availability: Seasonal ABV IBU

70

5.7% 14

Availability: Year-round ABV IBU

6.2% 18

ABV IBU

6.8% 40

CORVUS LINGONBERRY LIME GOSE GOSE

Availability: Year-round ABV IBU

5.0% 10

CHILLIWACK

CHILLIWACK

FLASHBACK BREWING CO.

OLD YALE BREWING CO.

1 - 9360 Mill St. | ChaosAndSolace.com

404 - 44550 South Sumas Rd. | OldYaleBrewing.com

Tucked away in historic downtown Chilliwack, Flashback Brewing serves craft beer that is lovingly made from ingredients sourced around the Fraser Valley.

Old Yale’s new Campfire Kitchen food truck is parked in the brewery’s parking lot year round serving tasty campfire-style cooking: smokies, s’mores, beans and more.

OLDE TOWNE KOLSCH

SASQUATCH STOUT

RIVER VALLEY AMBER

S TO U T

AMBER ALE

KO L S C H

MY RED MAC RED ALE

Availability: Seasonal ABV IBU

Availability: Seasonal

6.2% 22

ABV IBU

5.0% 3

Availability: Year-round ABV IBU

5.0% 15

Availability: Year-round ABV IBU

5.0% 18

MISSION

MISSION SPRINGS BREWING COMPANY

7160 Oliver St. | MissionSprings.ca

Antiques, collectables, memorabilia and frosty ales and lagers are just some of what you’ll find at Mission Springs. Large portions and great service abound at Mission’s favourite gathering spot. BLUE COLLAR PALE ALE

TRAILBLAZER PILSNER

PA L E A L E

PILSNER Availability: Year-round ABV IBU

5.3% N/A

Availability: Year-round ABV IBU

4.5% N/A 71

S ea to sk y 09

BREWERIES 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09

A-Frame Backcountry Coast Mountain Howe Sound Pemberton Persephone Tapworks The 101 The Beer Farmers 10 Townsite 11 Whistler

PEMBERTON 05 74 74 75 75 73 73 73 73

WHISTLER POWEL 10 POWELL

99

RIVER

74 74 75

01 02 04

101

SQUAMISH

BREW PUBS 12 Brewhouse High Mountain

101 75

19

N W

72

12

03 11

06 07 08

GIBSONS E

GIBSONS

GIBSONS

PERSEPHONE BREWING CO.

TAPWORKS BREWING CO.

1053 Stewart Rd. | PersephoneBrewing.com

537 Cruice Lane | GibsonsTapworks.com

The “Beer Farm” is committed to the inclusion of people with disabilities and regenerative agricultural practices that build community and healthy food systems, plus delicious beer!

B.C.’s only craft brewery with a rooftop patio is celebrating Car Free Day on Sept. 7 with an outdoor beer garden, food trucks, vendors and live music all day.

COAST LIFE LAGER

FEEL ALIVE

BACKWOODS

KETTLE SOUR ALE WITH CITRUS FRUIT

H A Z Y PA L E A L E

HELLES LAGER Availability: Year-round ABV IBU

POMEGRANATE BERLINER WEISSE SOUR ALE

5.0% 10

Availability: One-off ABV IBU

5.0% 10

GIBSONS

Availability: Seasonal ABV IBU

4.8% 8

Availability: Seasonal ABV IBU

5.0% 30

PEMBERTON

THE 101 BREWHOUSE + DISTILLERY

PEMBERTON BREWING CO.

1936 Stonecutter Pl. | PembertonBrewing.ca

1009 Gibsons Way | The101.ca

The 101 doesn’t just make delicious beer—you can also enjoy its outstanding gin and vodka produced on its German-made still.

Fun fact: co-founders Jeff and Geoff said they would never combine fruit and beer. Thankfully they came to their senses and Pemberton now has three fantastic fruit beers ready for sipping!

BOB’S AUTO LAGER

SWEATER WEATHER

CREAM PUFF

MUNICH HELLES

FESTBOCK

Availability: Year-round ABV IBU

5.2% 18

H A Z Y N O RT H E A S T I N D I A PA L E A L E

Availability: Seasonal ABV IBU

6.0% 20

Availability: Seasonal ABV IBU

4.3% 9

BLUE IN THE FACE B L U E B E R RY S O U R Availability: Seasonal ABV IBU

4.2% 8 73

PEMBERTON

POWELL RIVER

THE BEER FARMERS

TOWNSITE BREWING

8324 Pemberton Meadows Rd. | TheBeerFarmers.com

5824 Ash Ave. | TownsiteBrewing.com

PEMBERTON, BC

From grain to glass, this family-run farm brewery offers a series of 100 per cent locallygrown beers, with barley and hops all grown on site.

The good people of Powell River can ride their bikes to Townsite Brewing for Cédric Dauchot’s Belgian-style ales with a little more ease, thanks to its new bike parking kiosk.

LOCALLY GROWN SAISON

SAVARY BEACHES WITBIER

SAISON

RASPBERRY CREAM ALE FRUIT CREAM ALE

Availability: Small batch ABV IBU

5.0% 20

Availability: Seasonal ABV IBU

5.0% 20

SQUAMISH

WITBIER

UP THE LAKE ISA INDIA SESSION ALE

Availability: Seasonal ABV IBU

Availability: Seasonal

4.3% 18

ABV IBU

4.7% 45

SQUAMISH

BACKCOUNTRY BREWING

A-FRAME BREWING CO.

38927 Queens Way | AFrameBrewing.com

#405-1201 Commercial Way | BackcountryBrewing.com

All of A-Frame’s beers are named for B.C. lakes—ideally enjoy them in the cabin-like tasting room or on the patio at the brewery.

With creative small releases, killer food and enviable social media, Backcountry is a muststop along the Sea-to-Sky. You could share your artisanal pizza, but you won’t.

SETON LAKE KÖLSCH

TRAILBREAKER PALE ALE

KO L S C H Availability: Seasonal ABV IBU

74

4.7% 16

BIG BAR LAKE APRICOT WINE SOUR SOUR FRUIT BEER Availability: One-off ABV IBU

4.6% 10

A M E R I C A N PA L E A L E Availability: Year-round ABV IBU

5.0% 35

RIDGERUNNER PILSNER Availability: Year-round ABV IBU

5.0% 33

SQUAMISH

WHISTLER

HOWE SOUND BREWING CO.

37801 Cleveland Ave. | HoweSound.com

BREWHOUSE HIGH MOUNTAIN BREWING

4355 Blackcomb Way | MJG.ca/BrewHouse

With its own restaurant, brewpub and hotel, Squamish’s oldest operating brewery is an ideal destination for an overnight getaway from the Lower Mainland.

Right next to the Olympic Plaza, this classic family-friendly brewpub is a must-visit before, during and after experiencing all that Whistler has to offer.

POTHOLE FILLER

KING HEFFY

RASPBERRY WITBIER

CZECH PILSNER

I M P E R I A L S TO U T

IMPERIAL HEFEWEIZEN

R A S P B E R RY W I T B I E R

CZECH PILSNER

Availability: Year-round ABV IBU

Availability: Seasonal

9.0% 65

ABV IBU

7.7% 20

WHISTLER

Availability: Seasonal ABV IBU

5.0% 10

Availability: Seasonal ABV IBU

5.0% 30

WHISTLER

COAST MOUNTAIN BREWING CO.

WHISTLER BREWING CO.

2 - 1212 Alpha Lake Rd. | CoastMountainBeer.ca

1045 Millar Creek Rd. | WhistlerBeer.com

Coast Mountain focuses on complex, flavourful and sessionable beers, making it the perfect stop for all of your après needs.

Celebrating 30 years of craft beer this year, Whistler Brewing is still 100 per cent B.C. owned and brewed.

JUICE BOX

FRUIT SNACK

S O U R W H E AT A L E

BERLINER WEISSE

BLACK TUSK CHOCOLATE MILK ALE

Availability: Seasonal ABV IBU

4.5% 10

Availability: Seasonal ABV IBU

4.2% 0

DA R K M I L D Availability: Seasonal ABV IBU

5.0% 17

CHESTNUT ALE HERB AND SPICE BEER Availability: Seasonal ABV IBU

5.0% 25 75

Gr eat e r V IC T O RIA & G u lf I s lan d s 06

MAYNE ISLAND

N W

E 07

SALT SPRING ISLAND 1

04

03

SAANICHTON 17

17a

10 1

SAANICH

01

11 1A

02

14

08

BREW PUBS

BREWERIES 01 02 03 04 05 06

Axe & Barrel Bad Dog Category 12 Howl Lighthouse Mayne Island

76

12

VICTORIA

09

SOOKE

05

84 86 84 85 84 84

07 08 09 10

Salt Spring Island Sooke Brewing Sooke Oceanside Twa Dogs

85 86 86 80

11 4 Mile 12 Spinnakers

86 82

V I C T O RI a

1A

01 02

QUE ENS AVE

UR RD

IM

07

TA

PA ND OR

R

D

A AV E

14 13

JO H N

SON

YATE S

LA S ST

10

17

DOUG

W HA RF ST

lEGENd

11

BAY HW Y

O

12

PATR IC IA

RB

HERALD ST

09

17

TRANS-CA NADA HWY

STORE ST

HA

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Bard & Banker The Churchill The Drake Eatery Garrick’s Head Irish Times Refuge Smiths Yates Street

08

K

10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17

E

VICTORIA

05 EE

TaP ROOmS

W 1

06

ST

TY

81 83

N

ST

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82 82 78 83

BREW PUBS 08 Canoe 09 Swans

GE

81 81 82

Water 05 Phillips 06 Vancouver Island 07 Whistle Buoy ST WILSON

RD

B R ID

01 Driftwood 02 Hoyne SKINNE 03 ÎleR Sauvage ST 04 Moon Under

ST

QU AD RA

BREWERIES

ID D AV

GOVERNME NT ST

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Water Taxis COUR

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VICTORIA

VANCOUVER ISLAND BREWING

2330 Government St. | VIBrewing.com SUN-THU 12-6PM ^ FRI-SAT 12-9PM EST. 1984

A mere 35 years in, Vancouver Island Brewing (one of B.C.’s original microbreweries), has stood the test of time, continuing to innovate, rack up awards, and never compromise on passion and quality. Now offering fully vegan-friendly, certified kosher beer through its Gruber growler filler named Hans!

FALLER

NANAIMO BAR

N O RT H W E S T PA L E A L E

P O RT E R

Availability: Year-round ABV

5.4%

IBU

Availability: Seasonal

35

ABV

This classic NWPA has pine and grapefruit on the nose and palate with a hearty malty finish.

6.2%

IBU

22

Inspired by the layers of a classic Canadian treat, the decadent brew is dessert in a can.

MISTHORN A U R O R A I N D I A PA L E A L E

TIDAL SERIES: CASSIS & ELDERFLOWER

Availability: Seasonal

BELGIAN TRIPEL Availability: One-off

ABV

6.9%

IBU

70

ABV

A winter IPA with an orange and pine focused hop blend, rye malt, star anise and cinnamon.

7.9%

IBU

35

Rich blackcurrant, hints of elderflower and citrus, with a Champagne-like effervescence.

VIb Lifers Over its lengthy history, VIB has only ever had two brewmasters: Hermann Hoerterer, whose recipe for the Hermannator Ice Bock is still used (and awarded) today and Ralf Pittroff (pictured), who took the helm in 2001. Ralf continues the tradition of making inspired and quality beer with a local focus. Talk about lifers! 78

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SAANICH

TWA DOGS BREWERY AT VICTORIA CALEDONIAN

761 Enterprise Cres. | VCaledonian.com

SUN-THU 12:30-6:30PM ^ FRI 11AM-10PM ^ SAT 11AM-9PM EST. 2016 This Scottish-themed brewery makes whisky alongside craft beer. Stop by the welcoming tasting room just off the highway north of downtown Victoria for a taste and a tour of the facility.

MELODIE

SINK OR SWIM

R A S P B E R RY KO L S C H

BELGIAN WITBIER

Availability: Seasonal

Availability: Seasonal

ABV

5.0%

IBU

18

ABV

Bright, bold B.C. raspberries enhance the light body of this easy-drinking summertime beer.

GUIDED TOURS | TASTING | TAPROOM

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761 ENTERPRISE CR. | VICTORIA BC

80

5.0%

IBU

12

Unmalted wheat, apricots and orange/lemon peel give this a light body and citrusy finish.

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VICTORIA

VICTORIA

CANOE BREWPUB

DRIFTWOOD BREWERY

450 Swift St. | CanoeBrewpub.com

450 Hillside Ave. | DriftwoodBeer.com

This beautiful harbourside brewpub welcomed a new brewmaster earlier this summer: KPU Brewing alumnus Kyle York, who previously worked at Twa Dogs.

Driftwood has been responsible for some of the most iconic B.C. craft beers and now you can take a virtual 3D tour of the brewery on its website.

BOYSENBERRY SOUR

NAUGHTY HILDEGARD ESB

KETTLE SOUR Availability: Seasonal ABV IBU

HELLES LAGER Availability: Year-round

5.0% 8

ABV IBU

4.5% 6

VICTORIA

EXTRA SPECIAL BITTER Availability: Year-round ABV IBU

6.0% 70

ARCUS PILSNER PILSNER Availability: Year-round ABV IBU

5.0% 30

LOVE CRAFT?

HOYNE BREWING CO.

101-2740 Bridge St. | HoyneBrewing.ca

Keep up on your local beer news & seasonal listings.

Sean Hoyne knows a thing or two about lagers, and his creations are some of the most uncompromising examples found in B.C. HELIOS

VIENNA

D O RT M U N D E R G O L D E N LAGER

VIENNA LAGER

Availability: Year-round ABV IBU

6.0% N/A

Availability: Year-round ABV IBU

5.3% N/A

SUBSCRIBE NOW at BC.thegrowler.ca/subscribe

81

VICTORIA

VICTORIA

MOON UNDER WATER BREWERY

ÎLE SAUVAGE BREWING CO.

2960 Bridge St. | IleSauvage.com

350B Bay St. | MoonUnderWater.ca

Île Sauvage, French for “Wild Island,” makes delicious and visually stunning Belgian-style wild ales and sour beers. Follow along on Instagram if beer porn is your thing.

Moon has had a barrel-aging program since 2012 which won it a gold last year at the Canadian Brewing Awards for best barrelaged sour. Never pass one up.

PAPILLON SAISON

VERDOYANT GOLDEN SOUR

YEAR 7

SAISON

SOUR ALE Availability: Year-round ABV IBU

Availability: Year-round

6.0% N/A

ABV IBU

5.0% N/A

VICTORIA

BA R R E L - A G E D W H E AT WINE Availability: Small batch ABV IBU

9.0% 30

OLD MAN CAYOTE 2019 BA R R E L - A G E D SOUR ALE Availability: One-off ABV IBU

9.4% N/A

VICTORIA

PHILLIPS BREWING & MALTING CO.

SPINNAKERS BREWPUB

2010 Government St. | PhillipsBeer.com

308 Catharine St. | Spinnakers.com

If the crowd in the tasting room and the everchanging lineup of beers is any indication, this highly-regarded brewery shows you can teach an old dog new tricks, and those tricks are delicious.

Spinnakers has it all: a brewpub, restaurant, accommodations on-site, baked goods, chocolate, malt vinegar—and now it’s even distilling its own spirits!

FIRST BJORN

GLITTERBOMB

N O R W E G I A N TA B L E BEER

H A Z Y PA L E A L E

CHAI NUT BROWN

MITCHELL’S ESB

SPICED ALE

EXTRA SPECIAL BITTER

Availability: Seasonal ABV IBU

82

3.5% 20

Availability: Seasonal ABV IBU

5.0% 15

Availability: Seasonal ABV IBU

5.2% 15

Availability: Year-round ABV IBU

5.2% 40

VICTORIA

VICTORIA

WHISTLE BUOY BREWING CO.

SWANS BREWPUB

506 Pandora Ave. | SwansHotel.com

560 Johnson St. | WhistleBuoyBrewing.com

Swans celebrates 30 years of pouring great beer in Victoria’s historic Chinatown across from the harbour with a party and heritage beer releases starting in September!

Victoria’s newest brewery is now freshly open in historic Market Square. The patio will be just as inviting this fall as it was in the summer.

30TH ANNIVERSARY SCOTTISH HEAVY

WHITE IPA

GULAGUBBEN

COASTALITY

W H I T E I N D I A PA L E A L E

KVEIK GOLDEN ALE

PA L E A L E

S C OT T I S H H E AV Y Availability: One-off ABV IBU

3.2% 13

Availability: One-off ABV IBU

5.5% 43

Availability: Seasonal ABV IBU

4.2% 25

Availability: Year-round ABV IBU

5.0% 33

Get dressed! Look as good as the beer you drink. shop growler merch at

thegrowler.ca subscriptions • t-shirts • hats • and more

83

CENTRAL SAANICH

ESQUIMALT

CATEGORY 12 BREWING

LIGHTHOUSE BREWING CO.

C - 2200 Keating Cross Rd. | Category12Beer.com

2 - 836 Devonshire Rd. | LighthouseBrewing.com

With the kitchen complete and the chef busy at work, Category 12 is bringing the same delicious care to food and food pairings as it does to its beer.

When the weather’s nice, Lighthouse’s picnic area right next to the E&N Rail Trail is the place to be. Check it out anytime, but remember, every Wednesday features new beer releases.

SKEWED DATA

SEAPORT VANILLA STOUT

SOUR HAZY INDIA PA L E A L E Availability: One-off ABV IBU

5.4% 16

PEACH GUAVA SOUR FRUIT SOUR ALE Availability: One-off ABV IBU

5.3% N/A

LANGFORD

RACE ROCKS AMBER ALE

VA N I L L A S TO U T Availability: Seasonal ABV IBU

Availability: Year-round

5.5% 7

ABV IBU

5.3% 21

MAYNE ISLAND

MAYNE ISLAND BREWING CO.

AXE & BARREL BREWING CO.

2323 Millstream Ave. | AxeAndBarrel.com

490 Fernhill Rd. | MayneIslandBrewingCo.com

Stop in at this Langford craft brewery for some of brewer Andrew Tessier’s award-winning beers and spent grain dog treats for your fourlegged friends.

This tiny yet hard-working brewery can barely keep up with demand. Help them celebrate their 300th batch with a pint—the perfect excuse for a weekend Gulf Island road trip.

KING KOLSCH

DUTCH GIRL BLONDE ALE

MAYNE ISLAND FORAGER

BELGIAN/DUTCH BLONDE ALE Availability: Year-round

SAISON

KO L S C H Availability: Seasonal ABV IBU

84

5.0% 15

FRUITY MOTHER PUCKER FRUIT SOUR ALE Availability: Year-round ABV IBU

4.0% 5

ABV IBU

6.0% N/A

Availability: Year-round ABV IBU

5.7% N/A

NORTH SAANICH

SALT SPRING ISL.

HOWL BREWING

SALT SPRING ISLAND ALES

1780 Mills Rd.

270 Furness Rd. | SaltSpringIslandAles.com

Cousins Dan and Ben Van Netten are doing some of the deepest historical beer style recreations anywhere. Plus, the beer drinking public needs more mushroom beers.

This idyllic brewery is based in a converted barn, using spring water tapped on the mountainside above, along with locally-grown hops and organic barley.

REISHI HIBISCUS LAGER

WHALE TALE

APPLE BELGIAN

E S TAT E - H O P P E D AMBER ALE

FRUIT BEER

LAGER Availability: Small batch ABV IBU

MERRY WINDSOR PURL ALE PURL ALE

5.0% 18

Availability: Small batch ABV IBU

6.0% 48

Availability: Seasonal ABV IBU

5.0% 35

Availability: Year-round ABV IBU

6.0% 13

L o c a l . B e e r. H e r e .

Follow us! @THEGROWLERBC 777 Courtney St Victoria BC smithspub.com

85

SOOKE

SOOKE

BAD DOG BREWING COMPANY

SOOKE BREWING CO.

7861 Tugwell Rd. | BadDogBrewing.ca

2057 Otter Point Rd. | SookeBrewing.com

There’s something special about sampling beers in the picnic area at this small brewery up in the hills above Sooke. Expanded tasting room coming soon!

Winner of Best Tasting Room at the 2018 B.C. Beer Awards, Sooke Brewing is getting a new permanent food truck any day now.

OCTODOG APOCALYPSE

GERMAN PILSNER

S Q U I D I N K S TO U T

DIZZY DOGS DOUBLE INDIA PA L E A L E

Availability: Seasonal ABV IBU

ABV IBU

SAISON

PILSNER

Availability: Year-round

4.8% 22

SAISON

Availability: Year-round

8.3% 85

SOOKE

ABV IBU

Availability: Seasonal

5.0% 40

ABV IBU

6.0% 30

VIEW ROYAL

SOOKE OCEANSIDE BREWERY

4 MILE BREWING CO.

1-5529 Sooke Rd. | SookeOceansideBrewing.com

199 Island Hwy. | 4MileBrewingCo.com

SOB is celebrating its third anniversary with a brand new full-scale 20 hL brewhouse and production facility. That means more beer for the thirsty people of Sooke and beyond!

There’s at least one or two new beers released every week at this popular brewpub that’s housed in a historic manor that was—amongst other things—once a brothel.

BONFIRE BLONDE

STUCK IN THE MUD

LEVEL GROUND COFFEE LAGER

MOCHA PORTER

BLONDE ALE

C O F F E E P O RT E R

LAGER

P O RT E R

Availability: Year-round ABV IBU

86

5.0% 18

Availability: Seasonal ABV IBU

6.0% 17

Availability: Seasonal ABV IBU

4.8% 11

Availability: Seasonal ABV IBU

6.0% 30

Va n c o u v e r Is l a n d

CAMPBELL RIVER

BREWERIES 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18

Ace Beach Fire Cumberland Forbidden Gladstone Land & Sea Longwood LoveShack Mount Arrowsmith New Tradition Red Arrow Riot Small Block Tofino Twin City Ucluelet White Sails Wolf

19

89 88 89 89 89 88 90 92 91 88 90 88 90 92 92 92 91 91

N

02

W

COURTENAY CUMBERLAND 03 19

QUALICUM 08

09 PARKSVILLE

15 14

TOFINO 16

PORT ALBERNI

20

07 17 18

NANAIMO 19

UCLUELET

CHEMAINUS

12 19

BREW PUBS 19 Craig Street 20 Longwood

E

01 04 05 06 10

DUNCAN 11 90 91

13

14

17

Give your customers a reason to

drop in

AND

hang out

Carry us in your brewery, tap room or store and your customers will keep coming back for more. Contact ordersbc@thegrowler.ca to order your copies.

B.C. craft beer guide

87

CAMPBELL RIVER

CHEMAINUS

BEACH FIRE BREWING

RIOT BREWING CO.

594-11th Ave. | BeachFireBrewing.ca

101A - 3055 Oak St. | RiotBrewing.com

Vancouver Island’s northernmost brewery is filling Campbell River’s need for craft beer. Expect cans to be available for off-sales in the lounge by fall.

Plan for a riot at this laid back brewery in scenic Chemainus, which has a full lounge license and an outdoor patio.

EMBER RED ALE

WHEELBENDER STOUT

S C OT T I S H A L E

D RY I R I S H S TO U T

BLACK CURRANT BLONDE ALE

Availability: Year-round ABV IBU

6.6% 28

Availability: Year-round ABV IBU

4.5% 35

COMOX

JUNK PUNK IPA I N D I A PA L E A L E

BLONDE ALE Availability: Seasonal ABV IBU

Availability: Year-round

4.5% 12

ABV IBU

6.0% 70

COMOX

LAND & SEA BREWING CO.

NEW TRADITION BREWING

2040 Guthrie Rd. | LandAndSeaBrewing.ca

215 Port Augusta St. | NewTraditionBrewing.com

Definitely plan a Comox Valley getaway to check out this brewery. Brewer Tessa Gabiniewicz has the beers dialled in, and the tasting room is comfortable and welcoming.

Comox’s newest brewery opened its doors in August. The unique and comfortable tasting room was constructed with recycled materials and ecologically-friendly techniques.

COMEXICO PALE ALE

GLACIER CREAM ALE

A M E R I C A N PA L E A L E

AMERICAN CREAM ALE

CURE FOR THE COMMON KÖLSCH

Availability: Year-round ABV IBU

88

5.0% 32

Availability: Year-round ABV IBU

5.0% 17

KO L S C H - S T Y L E A L E Availability: Year-round ABV IBU

4.8% 20

JUICE CABOOSE FRUITED KETTLE SOUR ALE Availability: Seasonal ABV IBU

5.0% 12

COURTENAY

COMOX

ACE BREWING CO.

FORBIDDEN BREWING CO.

150 Mansfield Dr. | Facebook.com/AceBrewingCompany

1590 Cliffe Ave. | ForbiddenBrewing.com

Set to open in Courtenay by the time you’re reading this, expect delicious beers with lots of Canadian Air Force history on display in Ace’s unique octagonal brewery and tasting room.

If it wasn’t clear that B.C. drinkers love their hops, this Mid Island brewery is currently producing four different types of IPA to meet the demand.

SPITFIRE

HONEY CREAM

HELLES LAGER

CREAM ALE

GRIZZLY BUSINESS

Availability: Year-round ABV IBU

5.0% 22

Availability: Year-round ABV IBU

5.0% 13

COURTENAY

DARK CLOUDS

N O RT H W E S T I N D I A PA L E A L E Availability: Seasonal ABV IBU

DA R K A L E Availability: Seasonal

6.5% 65

ABV IBU

6.5% 60

CUMBERLAND

GLADSTONE BREWING CO.

CUMBERLAND BREWING CO.

244 4th St. | GladstoneBrewing.ca

2732 Dunsmuir Ave. | CumberlandBrewing.com

The historic building that houses Gladstone was once a garage, inspiring the decor and vibe that includes flights made from vintage license plates. Vintage cars and craft beer? Yes, please!

Visit Cumberland’s iconic brewery for tasty beers and food on the back patio. Don’t forget to gorge on delicious pizza at Rider’s across the street.

FESTBIER

FOREST FOG

BELGIAN SINGLE

LAGER

A M E R I C A N W H E AT A L E

BELGIAN ALE Availability: Seasonal ABV IBU

6.0% 22

Availability: Year-round ABV IBU

4.5% 30

Availability: Year-round ABV IBU

4.3% N/A

JUST A LITTLE BITTER ENGLISH BITTER Availability: Year-round ABV IBU

4.2% N/A 89

DUNCAN

DUNCAN

CRAIG STREET BREW PUB

RED ARROW BREWING CO.

25 Craig St. | CraigStreet.ca

5255 Chaster Rd. | RedArrowBeer.ca

Located in the heart of historic downtown Duncan in a 1940s brick building with a century-old bar, Craig Street is a great place to cosy up with a pint— especially if you can get a seat next to the fireplace.

With partnerships with multiple sports teams, this converted motorcycle shop recently built an outdoor sports court on premise to host events.

COWICHAN BAY LAGER

SHAWNIGAN IRISH ALE

LAGER

IRISH RED ALE

INVASION OF THE BLACKBERRY

Availability: Year-round ABV IBU

Availability: Year-round

5.0% N/A

ABV IBU

5.0% N/A

DUNCAN

LAGER

MIDNIGHT UMBER AMBER ALE

Availability: Small batch ABV IBU

Availability: Year-round

5.0% 15

ABV IBU

5.1% 20

NANAIMO

SMALL BLOCK BREWING CO. LONGWOOD BREWERY

203-5301 Chaster Rd. | SmallBlockBrewery.com

101A-2046 Boxwood Rd. | LongwoodBeer.com

A hot rod-themed brewery with lots of automobile paraphernalia decorating its tasting room, Small Block often has music jam nights and food trucks parked outside.

Longwood is throwing its fifth annual Longwoodstock beer and music festival, Sept. 20 and 21, in the brewery’s backyard with a new “Brew & Chew” event on the Friday night.

MISS LEAD

DAGMAR

SUPER G

FULL PATCH

OAT M E A L S TO U T

INDIA SESSION ALE

GINGER GINSENG CREAM ALE

PUMPKIN SAISON

Availability: Year-round ABV IBU

90

5.8% 26

Availability: Year-round ABV IBU

4.5% N/A

Availability: Seasonal ABV IBU

6.0% 20

Availability: Seasonal ABV IBU

9.0% 30

NANAIMO

NANAIMO

LONGWOOD BREWPUB

WHITE SAILS BREWING

5775 Turner Rd. | LongwoodBrewpub.com

125 Comox Rd. | WhiteSailsBrewing.com

Longwood’s much beloved brewpub has a stunning view of Vancouver Island, making it one of Nanaimo’s most sought after craft beer destinations.

Locally sourced grub, award-winning beers, a taproom steps from the waterfront and cask nights every Friday—what more could you want in a local craft brewery?

STOUTNIK

CIRCLE ROUTE EAST COAST PALE

RUSSIAN IMPERIAL S TO U T

BERRIED ALIVE (FRAMBOISE) BLONDE ALE

Availability: Year-round ABV IBU

Availability: Seasonal

7.5% 40

ABV IBU

5.0% 15

NANAIMO

H A Z Y PA L E A L E Availability: Seasonal ABV IBU

FURNACE PORTAL ESB EXTRA SPECIAL BITTER Availability: Seasonal

6.1% 27

ABV IBU

6.3% 22

PARKSVILLE

MOUNT ARROWSMITH BREWING CO.

WOLF BREWING CO.

940 Old Victoria Rd. | WolfBrewingCompany.com

109-425 East Stanford Ave. | ArrowsmithBrewing.com

Committed to supporting local farms, many of the ingredients sourced by brewmaster Kevin Ward are locally sourced.

This popular Parksville brewery was named the best in B.C. at the 2017 B.C. Beer Awards. Stop in for a beer and stay for some delicious food from the kitchen’s newly updated menu.

TRIPEL BELGIAN

GERMAN PILSNER

HARVEST FRESH IPA

BELGIAN TRIPEL

PILSNER

FRESH HOP INDIA PA L E A L E Availability: Seasonal

Availability: Seasonal ABV IBU

7.1% 20

Availability: Year-round ABV IBU

5.4% 19

ABV IBU

LOW PRESSURE

6.5% 60

P O RT E R Availability: Year-round ABV IBU

6.0% 20 91

PORT ALBERNI

QUALICUM

LOVESHACK LIBATIONS

TWIN CITY BREWING

4503 Margaret St. | TwinCityBrewing.ca

1 - 4134 Island Hwy. West | LoveShackLibations.com

Launched with support from the local community through a crowd-funding campaign, Twin City has repaid that investment by brewing consistently delicious and creative craft beer.

This tiny brewery should be at the top of your must-visit bucket list, but it’s only open on Wednesdays and Saturdays, so plan ahead!

SPARKCHASER

DISSIMULATOR

MARVELOUS MARZEN

GERMAN DOPPELBOCK

MARZEN LAGER

SMOKED RED ALE Availability: Seasonal ABV IBU

6.3% 20

Availability: Seasonal ABV IBU

8.1% 24

TOFINO

ODIN’S EYE A N C I E N T- S T Y L E N O R S E GROG

Availability: Small batch ABV IBU

Availability: Small batch

7.0% 18

ABV IBU

7.2% 16

UCLUELET

TOFINO BREWING CO.

691 Industrial Way | TofinoBrewingCo.com

UCLUELET BREWING COMPANY

1601 Peninsula Rd. | UclueletBrewing.ca

Tofino Brewing is passionate about giving back to its community, working with groups like Surf Rider, Clayquot Cleanup and the Central West Coast Forest Society on environmental initiatives.

Located in a renovated former church in the middle of town, Ukee’s first craft brewery promises to be divine.

KELP STOUT

COSMIC WAVE DOUBLE IPA

RESURRECTION RED

TRAGICALLY WIT

DOUBLE INDIA PA L E A L E Availability: Seasonal

IRISH RED ALE

WITBIER

S TO U T Availability: Year-round ABV IBU

92

6.0% N/A

ABV IBU

9.0% N/A

Availability: Year-round ABV IBU

5.0% N/A

Availability: Year-round ABV IBU

5.0% N/A

THOM P SO N O K A N AGAN 07 5

SORRENTO 10 23 29

12 17

25

KAMLOOPS

TO W H I STL ER

1

97

SALMON ARM VERNON

5

97B

97A

97

5A

15

VERNON

6

09

MERRITT

05 22

27 28

TO VANCOUVER

WESTBANK 14

97C

02

03 13 16 20 21 26

KELOWNA 04 08

5A

SUMMERLAND

01 06 11 18 19

24

PENTICTON

33

N

3A

3

W

E

10

OLIVER

BREWERIES 01 02 03 04 05 06 07

Bad Tattoo Barn Owl BNA Breakaway Boundary Cannery Crannรณg

100 95 96 102 96 100 101

08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15

Detonate Empty Keg Firehall Highway 97 Iron Road Kettle River Kind Marten

102 98 98 100 94 97 102 102

16 17 18 19 20

Red Bird 97 Red Collar 94 Slackwater 101 Tin Whistle 101 Tree Brewing Beer Institute 97 21 Vice & Virtue 98 22 Wild Ambition 98

BREW PUBS 23 24 25 26 27 28 29

Alchemy Barley Mill Barley Station Elevation 57 Freddy's Kelowna The Noble Pig

94 100 101 94 96 96 95

93

BIG WHITE

KAMLOOPS

ELEVATION 57 BREWING COMPANY

ALCHEMY BREWING CO.

650 Victoria St. | Facebook.com/AlchemyBrewingCompany.ca

20 Kettleview Rd. | SessionsTapHouseAndGrill.com

Proudly calling itself “Canada’s highest brewery,” Elevation 57 is located at 5,757 feet above sea level at the Sessions Tap House and Grill at Big White Ski Resort.

Whether you fancy pizza, ribs, burgers or wings, this lively Kamloops brewpub has plenty of beers to pair with its extensive food menu.

VIENNA LAGER

MILK STOUT

FORGOTTEN 55

POSTAGE DUE

AMBER LAGER

S W E E T S TO U T

A M E R I C A N PA L E A L E

PILSNER

Availability: Seasonal ABV IBU

Availability: Seasonal

5.0% 25

ABV IBU

Availability: Small batch

4.8% 10

KAMLOOPS

ABV IBU

5.3% 38

Availability: Small batch ABV IBU

5.4% 33

KAMLOOPS

IRON ROAD BREWING

RED COLLAR BREWING CO.

980 Camosun Crs. | IronRoadBrewing.ca

355 Lansdowne St. | RedCollar.ca

Iron Road Brewing is one heck of a spot, just a few blocks from Thompson Rivers University. Stop by for frequent live jazz and vinyl nights!

Red Collar has an 80-seat tasting room in downtown Kamloops and expects to brew 25 different beers this year. But why the red collar? It all started with a black lab named Goosey.

BLUEBERRY JUICE TRAIN

LOCOMOTIVE LAGER

MILD

BLACK HEFE

SOUR SAISON

LAGER

ENGLISH MILD

BLACK HEFEWEIZEN

Availability: Seasonal ABV IBU

94

5.0% 5

Availability: Year-round ABV IBU

5.0% 30

Availability: Seasonal ABV IBU

3.8% 32

Availability: Seasonal ABV IBU

7.1% 18

KAMLOOPS

KELOWNA

THE NOBLE PIG BREWHOUSE

650 Victoria St. | TheNoblePig.ca

BARN OWL BREWING

4629 Lakeshore Rd. | BarnOwlBrewing.ca

Open since 2010, Kelowna’s first craft brewery is focused on making unique beer and inspired food. Keep an eye out for release parties and beer dinners.

Located in a converted 1920s heritage barn in the Mission district, this new brewery has a tasting room and loft inside with a patio outside.

THE BIG BAD WOLF

MOCHA PORTER

BOHEMIAN RED PILSNER

NIGHT OWL PORTER

I N D I A PA L E A L E

ENGLISH-STYLE P O RT E R Availability: Year-round

RED PILSNER

P O RT E R

Availability: Year-round ABV IBU

6.5% 60

ABV IBU

5.5% 22

Availability: Year-round ABV IBU

3.9% 35

Availability: Year-round ABV IBU

6.0% 34

Searching for more? Visit our website for breaking beer news, recommendations, event info and other exclusive content.

bc.thegrowler.ca 95

KELOWNA

KELOWNA

BOUNDARY BREWING CO.

BNA BREWING CO.

1250 Ellis St. | BNABrewing.com

2-455 Neave Crt. | BoundaryBrewing.beer

BNA might be the most fun brewery in B.C. with its bowling alley, retro arcade, indoor bocce court and nightclub. Look for a newly renovated tasting room in September with room for even more fun!

Despite being one of the smaller breweries in Kelowna, Boundary has among the most taps in the city. Now canning beers in limited runs!

THRILLER

PAMELA

SCHWARZBIER

H A Z Y I N D I A PA L E A L E

SAISON

BLACK LAGER

Availability: Seasonal ABV IBU

Availability: Seasonal

6.5% 50

ABV IBU

Availability: Year-round

5.0% 20

KELOWNA

ABV IBU

JEWEL CREEK FRESH HOPPED PILSNER BOHEMIAN PILSNER Availability: Seasonal

5.2% 20

5.0% 30

ABV IBU

KELOWNA

KELOWNA BREWING CO.

FREDDY’S BREWPUB

124 McCurdy Rd. | McCurdyBowl.com

975 Academy Way | KelownaBrewingCompany.com

Bowling is a blast, especially when tasty craft beer is made on site. Also look for packaged product in private liquor stores in Kelowna soon.

Open since June, Kelowna Brewing Co. is also known as the KBC Brewhouse. Check out Wing Wednesday which also happens to be karaoke night.

CHANNEL CAT

HARKRIDER

PALE ALE

NEIPA

I N D I A PA L E A L E

RED LAGER

PA L E A L E

NEW ENGLAND INDIA PA L E A L E

Availability: Year-round ABV IBU

96

5.0% 55

Availability: Year-round ABV IBU

5.0% 12

Availability: One-off ABV IBU

5.8% 54

Availability: One-off ABV IBU

6.3% 78

KELOWNA

KELOWNA

KETTLE RIVER BREWING CO. RED BIRD BREWING

731 Baillie Ave. | KettleRiverBrewing.ca

1086 Richter St. | RedBirdBrewing.com

Big changes are in store for Kettle River, including a new kitchen inside the tasting room and increased seating inside and on the patio.

Red Bird just turned two and is celebrating by breaking ground this winter on a new, larger brewery and tasting room nearby in Kelowna’s North End.

MOCHALOCHACHOCACHINO

NICE DRIVEWAY

ANTIPSIPATION

PARAMOUNT

C O F F E E P O RT E R

CZECH PILSNER

I N D I A PA L E A L E

P O RT E R

Availability: Small batch ABV IBU

Availability: Year-round

5.0% 15

ABV IBU

Availability: Year-round

5.0% 20

KELOWNA

ABV IBU

Availability: Year-round

6.0% 65

ABV IBU

5.5% 22

WE ARE PROUD TO SUPPORT LOCAL BEER, WINE & SPIRITS.

TREE BREWING BEER INSTITUTE

1346 Water St. | TreeBrewingBeerInstitute.com

Pick up a copy of The Growler’s sister publications at a distillery or winery near you. S P R I N G/ S U M M E R 2019

FREE SPRING/SUMMER 2019

SUMMER 2019

B . C .

W I N E

C U L T U R E

Beer doesn’t get much fresher than at Tree, where everything is poured directly from the tank to the tap. Even the food is made with beer!

12

Issue 03 S U M M E R I N W I N E C O U N T RY FIGHTING FIRE B AC KC O U N T RY B OT T L E S O R A N G E YO U G L A D? F R A S E R VA L L E Y F L AVO U R S A L S AT I A N F O O D & W I N E B C S U B- A P P E L L AT I O N S ARTISAN CHEESES

PA L E A L E

RASPBERRY PORTER P O RT E R

Availability: One-off ABV IBU

5.5% 41

VITIS

BROKEN TILE

GA R AG I S T E G R E AT N E S S B.C. W I N E RY L I S T I N G S

DIY G&T Enjoy summer your own way

THEME BARS Fun and games (and cocktails, too)

HAIL, CAESAR Canada’s cocktail turns 50 in style

ABSINTH E The green fairy flies back to B.C.

Availability: One-off ABV IBU

5.5% 21

thealchemistmagazine.ca @thealchemistmag

vitis.ca @vitismag

97

KELOWNA

KELOWNA

VICE & VIRTUE BREWING CO.

WILD AMBITION BREWING

1033 Richter St. | ViceAndVirtueBrewing.ca

1 - 3314 Appaloosa Rd. | WildAmbition.beer

Chef Nelson Daniels serves up casual yet delicious food at this popular North End haunt, pairing it expertly with James Windsor's beers.

True to its name, Wild Ambition is working on expanding its barrel collection and plans to install a coolship. Where will its ambition take it next?

HOMEWRECKER

SWEET ELENA

H A Z Y I N D I A PA L E A L E

MANGO MILKSHAKE I N D I A PA L E A L E

INTERIOR DESIGN

Availability: Year-round ABV IBU

Availability: Seasonal

7.2% 48

ABV IBU

9.0% 51

MERRITT

SAXON FIELDS B L U E B E R RY G O S E

TA B L E B E E R Availability: One-off ABV IBU

Availability: One-off

3.5% 25

ABV IBU

4.9% 5

OLIVER

EMPTY KEG BREW HOUSE

FIREHALL BREWERY

2190 Voght St. | EmptyKegBrewHouse.ca

6077 Main St. | FirehallBrewery.com

The Merritt locals have been doing their best to empty the kegs at their new local craft brewery. Don’t you think you should do your part?

The 2019 Back Alley Concert series, which included punk pioneers D.O.A., was a huge success. Watch for more live shows at this brewery that loves to rock.

FOG BREATHER MOCHA PORTER

VOGHT CANADIAN PALE ALE

STOKED EMBER ALE

FALSE ALARM BITTER

P O RT E R

PA L E A L E

AMBER ALE

BITTER

Availability: Year-round ABV IBU

98

6.1% 39

Availability: Year-round ABV IBU

4.9% 28

Availability: Year-round ABV IBU

5.0% 35

Availability: Year-round ABV IBU

4.8% 35

A Night o Celebrating Local Breweries, Distilleries a Cideries

Saturday, October 5th 6-10pm A relaxed, fun, adult-only evening event featuring the music of Knacker’s Yard & food trucks Advance tickets $20 until Oct. 3rd Tickets at the gate $25 COMBO Festival of the Grape and Cask & Keg tickets $40 Community Park | 6359 Park Drive | Oliver Presented by the Oliver Tourism Association

WWW.OLIV ER CAS K AN DKE G . C A Saturday, October 5th 12-5pm Wine tastings from over 50 BC wineries Grape Stomp | Food Trucks Kids’ Zone | Merchant Market Fall Art Show & Sale

Live Music By Jack & Jill Presented by

Advance tickets $25 until Oct. 3rd Tickets at the gate $30 COMBO Festival of the Grape and Cask & Keg tickets $40 VIP tickets for Festival of the Grape $65 Oliver Community Park 6359 Park Drive | Oliver

OLIVERFESTIVALOFTHEGRAPE.CA

PENTICTON

PENTICTON

BAD TATTOO BREWING CO.

BARLEY MILL BREW PUB

169 Estabrook Ave. | BadTattooBrewing.com

2460 Skaha Lake Rd. | BarleyMillPub.com

This brewery has crocodile pizza on the menu, which pairs well with the Tramp Stamp Pale Ale. Check out their other weird pizzas and find your own crazy pairings.

If you like craft beer, delicious pub grub (with health-conscious options) and karaoke, then Penticton’s original brewpub is where you need to be! But please, no “Free Bird.”

TRAMP STAMP PALE ALE

JUICE BOMB NEIPA

NITE MARE BROWN ALE

CABALLERO CERVEZA

A M E R I C A N PA L E A L E

N O RT H E A S T E R N I N D I A PA L E A L E Availability: Seasonal

E N G L I S H B R OW N A L E

MEXICAN LAGER

Availability: Year-round ABV IBU

5.3% 45

ABV IBU

6.0% 30

PENTICTON

Availability: Year-round ABV IBU

5.0% 35

Availability: Year-round ABV IBU

4.0% 10

PENTICTON

HIGHWAY 97 BREWERY

CANNERY BREWING

198 Ellis St. | CanneryBrewing.com

954 Eckhardt Ave. | Hwy97Brewery.com

Keep an eye out for some fresh new branding for Cannery's core beers, including Naramata Nut Brown Ale and Thornless Blackberry Porter.

Rumour has it that an expansion is in the works for Penticton’s Highway 97. And with two brand new fermenters on the way, that means more beer to enjoy!

NARAMATA NUT BROWN ALE

THORNLESS BLACKBERRY PORTER

ISLAY PEATED SCOTCH ALE

DIRT ROAD DOUBLE IPA

B R OW N A L E Availability: Year-round

P O RT E R

S C OT C H A L E

DOUBLE INDIA PA L E A L E Availability: Year-round

ABV IBU

100

5.5% 25

Availability: Year-round ABV IBU

6.0% 30

Availability: Seasonal ABV IBU

6.5% 44

ABV IBU

7.5% 75

PENTICTON

PENTICTON

SLACKWATER BREWING

THE TIN WHISTLE BREWING CO.

218 Martin St. | SlackwaterBrewing.com

112-1475 Fairview Rd. | TheTinWhistleBrewery.rocks

Slackwater brewing has been making waves since its recent opening, winning People’s Choice Best Beer at Fest of Ale and People’s Choice Best Brewery at the Great Okanagan Beer Festival.

Named after a locomotive that operated on the Kettle Valley Railway, this brewery also celebrates Okanagan agriculture by brewing several different local fruit-infused beers.

TIGHT LINES LAGER

WHAT THE FOG?!

PEACH CREAM ALE

HELLES LAGER

N O RT H E A S T E R N I N D I A PA L E A L E Availability: Seasonal

FRUIT BEER

Availability: Year-round ABV IBU

5.0% 18

ABV IBU

KILLER BEE H O N E Y P O RT E R

Availability: Seasonal

6.8% 45

ABV IBU

SALMON ARM

Availability: Year-round

5.0% 10

ABV IBU

6.0% 15

SORRENTO

BARLEY STATION BREW PUB

CRANNÓG ALES

20 Shuswap St. N. | BarleyStation.com

706 Elson Rd. | CrannogAles.com

Barley Station's beers are brewed in-house with a limited impact on the environment, so feel good about doing your part to save the world one beer at a time.

Sustainable, unfiltered and uncompromising, Crannóg is Canada’s first certified organic and zero-waste microbrewery. Don’t forget your growler—its ales are only available on draft!

65 ROSES HONEY RED ALE

SAM MCGUIRE’S PALE ALE

BACK HAND OF GOD

INSURRECTION IPA

PA L E A L E

S TO U T

I N D I A PA L E A L E

RED ALE

Availability: Seasonal ABV IBU

5.1% 26

Availability: Year-round ABV IBU

4.6% 45

Availability: Year-round ABV IBU

5.2% 16

Availability: Year-round ABV IBU

5.4% 54 101

SUMMERLAND

SUMMERLAND

BREAKAWAY BREWING CO.

DETONATE BREWING

#104-9503 Cedar Ave. | DetonateBrewing.com

13224 Victoria Road N. | Instagram.com/BreakawayBrewingCo

Summerland’s newest brewery is now open and serving beer. Owen and Jake are former hockey players and the brewery name references this shared past.

Detonate's tasting room may be small, but brewer Nathan Rosin still manages to produce an everrotating lineup of diverse beers on his brewhouse— which he converted from retired dairy equipment.

DRY HOP PILSNER

DON’T WANNA TACO BOUT IT

IPA I N D I A PA L E A L E

PILSNER Availability: Year-round ABV IBU

4.8% 20

S P I C E D PA L E A L E

Availability: Year-round ABV IBU

5.3% 55

VERNON

CALL THE HOPS I N D I A PA L E A L E

Availability: Seasonal ABV IBU

Availability: Seasonal

6.5% 0

ABV IBU

5.6% 74

WEST KELOWNA

MARTEN BREWING CO.

KIND BREWING

2933A 30th Ave. | MartenBrewpub.com

2405 Main St. | Facebook.com/KindBrewer

This brewpub, which is definitely one of the best tasting rooms in B.C., was painstakingly renovated by owners Pearl and Stefan Marten all by themselves.

Right off the highway, West Kelowna’s only craft brewery is now open seven days a week with daily happy hour specials, a full kitchen, and live music.

B.C. BUD

BELGIAN WIT

IPA

BELGIAN WIT

I N D I A PA L E A L E

W E S T C OA S T I N D I A PA L E A L E Availability: Year-round ABV IBU

102

6.0% 50

COOKIE MONSTER N I T R O S TO U T Availability: Seasonal ABV IBU

5.0% 40

Availability: Seasonal ABV IBU

4.7% 9

Availability: Year-round ABV IBU

6.2% N/A

KOOT E NAYS 93

N W

E

A L B E R T A 13

LAKE LOUISE

GOLDEN 23

1

1

05 09

REVELSTOKE

93

TO KA M LO O P S

95

B R I T I S H C O L U M B I A

40

02

INVERMERE

6

31A

95

01

KASLO

07

KIMBERLEY

6

95A

03 06 11

10 3

NELSON

FERNIE 93

CASTLEGAR 95 3B

6

3

ROSSLAND

UNITED STATES

BREWERIES

01  Angry Hen 106 02  Arrowhead 106 03  Backroads 106 04  Fernie 105 05  Mt. Begbie 107 06  Nelson 107 07  Over Time 106

04

14

CRANBROOK ROSSLAND

3A

12 08

BANFF

08  Rossland 108 09  Rumpus 107 10  Tailout 105 11  Torchlight 107 12  Trail Beer Refinery 108

13  Whitetooth 105

BREW PUBS

14 Fisher Peak 105

ALBERTA BRITISH COLUMBIA

CASTLEGAR

CRANBROOK

TAILOUT BREWING

FISHER PEAK BREWING CO.

1800 8th Ave. | TailoutBrewing.com

821 Baker St. | TheHeidOut.ca

Castlegar's only craft brewery plans to be all about the love of the great outdoors, and is a massive upgrade on Banjo's Pub, which it is replacing.

Located at the Heid Out Restaurant, Cranbrook’s only craft brewery is a local favourite—and you’ll likely have to travel there to try it.

SINGLE SPEY IPA

KOOTENAY COMMON

RADLER

I N D I A PA L E A L E

CALIFORNIA COMMON

Availability: Year-round ABV IBU

Availability: Year-round

6.0% 95

ABV IBU

5.0% 24

FERNIE

BELGIAN WITBIER WITH GRAPEFRUIT JUICE Availability: Seasonal ABV IBU

3.0% 6

WHITE WOLF HAZY IPA E A S T C OA S T I N D I A PA L E A L E Availability: Year-round ABV IBU

6.5% 60

GOLDEN

FERNIE BREWING CO.

WHITETOOTH BREWING

26 Manitou Rd. | FernieBrewing.com

623 8th Ave. N. | WhitetoothBrewing.com

Keep an eye out for Fernie Brewing’s new Winter Tackle Box eight-pack, including its new Nomad Wild IPA, and the return of the popular Java the Hut Coffee Milk Stout.

With a popular patio and a tasting room that is busy year round, Whitetooth is a great success story in Golden. Look for new can releases.

CAMPOUT WEST COAST PALE

JAVA THE HUT COFFEE MILK STOUT

W E S T C OA S T PA L E A L E Availability: Year-round

C O F F E E M I L K S TO U T Availability: Seasonal

ABV IBU

5.4% 39

ABV IBU

5.0% 40

LA TENACE BELGIAN SINGLE

BELGIAN TRIPEL

Availability: Seasonal ABV IBU

TREPANATION TRIPEL

4.7% 37

Availability: Seasonal ABV IBU

9.0% 40 105

INVERMERE

KASLO

ARROWHEAD BREWING CO.

ANGRY HEN BREWING

481 Arrow Rd. | ArrowheadBrewingCompany.ca

343 Front St. | AngryHenBrewing.com

The permit for the patio has gone through at Arrowhead, so check out its great outdoor space, perfect for tilting back a pint or sampling a flight.

Angry Hen is reducing its environmental footprint with the help of some neighbourhood chickens and cows. Pop by the 8 hL brewhouse for core and seasonal beers.

LOUD MOUTH SOUP

PUNKINFERNO

GAIA GOSE

ROOSTERTAIL

PUMPKIN ALE

S O U R W H E AT A L E

PA L E A L E

DOUBLE INDIA PA L E A L E Availability: Small batch ABV IBU

9.0% 95

Availability: One-off ABV IBU

Availability: One-off

4.9% N/A

ABV IBU

KIMBERLEY

5.0% 15

Availability: Year-round ABV IBU

5.0% 40

NELSON

OVER TIME BEER WORKS

BACKROADS BREWING CO.

136A Wallinger Ave. | OverTimeBeer.ca

460 Baker St. | BackroadsBrewing.com

This nanobrewery in B.C.’s highest city brews on a small pilot system, which means every pint is fresh. Judging by Over Time's busy tasting room, plenty of locals are "working late."

Hit up Backroads' Baker Street taproom for award-winning lagers and ales and a cosy cabin vibe equipped for 100 thirsty patrons.

PRESENT

NEBENSTRASSE

QUAFFTIDE

MARZEN

EXTRA SPECIAL BITTER

MOUNTAIN STANDARD

I N D I A PA L E A L E

GOLDEN ALE

Availability: Year-round ABV IBU

106

5.7% 80

Availability: Year-round ABV IBU

5.0% 25

Availability: Seasonal ABV IBU

5.7% 26

Availability: Seasonal ABV IBU

5.0% 30

NELSON

NELSON

TORCHLIGHT BREWING CO.

NELSON BREWING CO.

512 Latimer St. | NelsonBrewing.com

125 Hall St. | TorchlightBrewing.com

Check out Nelson Brewing's 100 per cent certified organic beers at its cosy tasting room, tucked into the side of a mountain in a building that's more than 125 years old.

Having just celebrated its fifth anniversary, Torchlight is committed to making craft beer and sodas using environmentally friendly practices.

VIRTUE EARL GREY

PUMPKIN SPICED LATTE

EXTRA SPECIAL BITTER

NIGHT LIGHTS TROPICAL INDIA PA L E A L E

Availability: Seasonal ABV IBU

AMBER ALE

Availability: Seasonal

5.0% N/A

ABV IBU

6.0% 30

REVELSTOKE

ON TOUR RED ALE

Availability: One-off ABV IBU

Availability: Seasonal

6.0% 20

ABV IBU

5.5% 20

REVELSTOKE

MT. BEGBIE BREWING CO

RUMPUS BEER COMPANY

2155 Oak Dr. | Mt-Begbie.com

208 1st Street E. | RumpusBeerCo.com

2017’s Canadian Brewery of the Year, this Revelstoke staple is steeped in as much history as the small mountain town in which it resides.

Revelstoke’s newest craft brewery, Rumpus specializes in crushable mid-strength beers that are perfect for extended aprés sessions in its bright and colourful tasting room.

DARKSIDE OF THE STOKE

BOB’S YOUR DUNKEL

CHROMOLY

PMA

S TO U T

D U N K E LW E I Z E N

ENGLISH-STYLE BITTER

H A Z Y I N D I A PA L E A L E

Availability: Year-round ABV IBU

4.8% 22

Availability: Seasonal ABV IBU

8.0% 22

Availability: Small batch ABV IBU

3.7% 27

Availability: Small batch ABV IBU

5.7% 35 107

ROSSLAND

TRAIL

ROSSLAND BEER CO.

TRAIL BEER REFINERY

1990 Columbia Ave. | RosslandBeer.com

1299 Bay Ave. | TrailBeerRefinery.ca

Historic Rossland is located more than a kilometre above sea level on an (hopefully) extinct volcano—proof that craft beer reaches all corners of this province.

Trail Beer Refinery is the best place in Trail to go for great times, food and beer. Speaking of great food, check out the weekly burger specials.

2 TURN LARRY

KOOTENAY TIME LAGER

THUNDER ROAD IPA

LAGER

I N D I A PA L E A L E

RED ZEPPELIN RASPBERRY WHEAT ALE

DOUBLE INDIA PA L E A L E Availability: Small batch ABV IBU

FRUIT BEER Availability: Seasonal

7.9% 79

ABV IBU

Availability: Year-round

5.0% 15

ABV IBU

Availability: Year-round

5.0% 15

6.0% 60

ABV IBU

T he N o rt h N

BREWERIES 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11

Barkerville Beard's Bulkley Valley CrossRoads Jackson's Mighty Peace Sherwood Mountain Smithers Three Ranges Trench Wheelhouse

110 109 111 110 109 109 111 111 111 110 110

W 37

E

97

02 06

FORT ST JOHN

2

SMITHERS

11

07

03 08

43

97

16

TERRACE PRINCE RUPERT

40

04 10

PRINCE GEORGE

16

QUESNEL

01

09

VALEMOUNT BRITISH COLUMBIA

100 MILE 05 HOUSE 97

108

5

100 MILE HOUSE

FORT ST JOHN

JACKSON’S SOCIAL CLUB & BREWHOUSE 175 Hwy. 97 | JacksonsSocialClub.com

BEARD’S BREWING CO.

10408 Alaska Rd. N. | BeardsBrewing.ca

Any trip up north should involve a stop at this locally focused brewery—after all, it’s the only place you can taste their beer.

B.C.’s first brewery east of the Rockies is a popular refueling stop on the Alaska Highway for locals and travellers alike.

ONE ANOTHER

LEMMA PEEL

BLACK BEARD

HIBISCUS ALE

LEMON & JUNIPER ALE

M I L K C H O C O L AT E S TO U T

Availability: One-off ABV IBU

5.0% 18

Availability: One-off ABV IBU

5.4% 18

ALASKA HIGHWAY IPA I N D I A PA L E A L E

Availability: Year-round ABV IBU

4.8% 22

Availability: Year-round ABV IBU

6.2% 64

FORT ST JOHN

MIGHTY PEACE BREWING CO.

10128 95th Ave. | MightyPeaceBrewing.ca

B.C.’s northernmost craft brewery keeps the focus on approachable session-strength beers. The tasting room is bumping with events like Black Metal Night and the Hip Hop Brunch. PATIO PILSNER

PEACE GOLD

PILSNER

GOLDEN ALE Availability: Seasonal ABV IBU

4.5% 22

Availability: Year-round ABV IBU

5.0% 18

YOUR AD Contact Kristina Mameli to discuss your advertising options in the Growler. kmameli@glaciermedia.ca 109

PRINCE GEORGE

PRINCE GEORGE

TRENCH BREWING & DISTILLING

CROSSROADS BREWING

508 George St. | CrossroadsCraft.com

399 2nd Ave. | TrenchBrew.ca

CrossRoads keeps busy between its live music nights, brewery tours and, of course, its annual outdoor street festival series.

Trench celebrates its second anniversary of brewing beers inspired by the great outdoors and the Rocky Mountain Trench this fall. Fourpacks now available all over Prince George!

IRON BRIDGE OATMEAL STOUT

CLEAR CUT LAGER

RAVEN SCHWARZBIER

VIKING AMBER ALE

LAGER

GERMAN BLACK LAGER

AMERICAN-STYLE AMBER ALE Availability: Year-round

OAT M E A L S TO U T Availability: Year-round ABV IBU

5.0% 19

Availability: Year-round ABV IBU

5.0% 22

PRINCE RUPERT

Availability: Seasonal ABV IBU

5.5% 30

ABV IBU

5.5% 35

QUESNEL

WHEELHOUSE BREWING CO.

217 1st Ave. E. | WheelhouseBrewing.com

BARKERVILLE BREWING CO.

185 Davie St. | BarkervilleBeer.com

Winner of two Chamber of Commerce awards, including Business of the Year, Wheelhouse clearly has a strong connection with its local community. The beer’s great, too!

Quesnel might be out of the way, but Barkerville's beer makes the trip worthwhile. The Gold Rush-themed brewery is celebrating its fifth birthday and has a new patio to show for it.

HOLD FAST ESB

HIGH STAKES

52 FOOT

IMPERIAL INDIA PA L E A L E

S TO U T

EXTRA SPECIAL BITTER Availability: Seasonal ABV IBU

110

5.0% 35

BLACKSMITH BROWN ALE A M E R I C A N B R OW N A L E Availability: Seasonal ABV IBU

6.3% 40

Availability: Year-round ABV IBU

8.0% 80

Availability: Seasonal ABV IBU

7.0% 52

SMITHERS

SMITHERS

BULKLEY VALLEY BREWERY

SMITHERS BREWING CO.

3860 1st Ave. | BulkleyValleyBrewery.ca

3832 3rd Ave. | SmithersBrewing.com

BVB is launching a collab series with the Skeena Watershed Conservation Coalition made with foraged ingredients to help raise awareness about the ecosystem and fund sustainability programs.

Partial proceeds of the Skeena Seasonal Series collaboration with First Nations artist Roy Henry Vickers will be donated to wildfire relief. What will Smithers Brewing be up to next?

HAZY DAYS IPA

SMOKE ON THE WATER

E A S T C OA S T I N D I A PA L E A L E Availability: Year-round ABV IBU

ULLRS OATMEAT STOUT OAT M E A L S TO U T Availability: Seasonal

4.6% 33

ABV IBU

6.0% 22

TERRACE

SMOKED HONEY AMBER ALE Availability: Seasonal ABV IBU

DARK & STORMY AMBER ALE AMBER ALE Availability: Small batch

5.5% N/A

ABV IBU

6.4% N/A

VALEMOUNT

SHERWOOD MOUNTAIN BREWHOUSE

THREE RANGES BREWING CO.

101 - 4816 Hwy. 16 West | SherwoodMountain.beer

1160 5th Ave. | ThreeRanges.com

What better reason to head north this fall than to get your hands on some of Sherwood Mountain's German-inspired beers?

Three Ranges is the oldest operating craft brewery in Northern B.C., where brewer/owner Michael Lewis keeps the sledheads and mountain bikers coming back with award-winning beer.

MUNICH LAGER

SEVEN SISTERS STOUT

SNOWDANCE PORTER

UP SWIFT CREEK PILSNER

S TO U T

BA LT I C P O RT E R

PILSNER

LAGER Availability: Year-round ABV IBU

5.1% 12

Availability: Small batch ABV IBU

5.7% 30

Availability: Seasonal ABV IBU

7.0% 35

Availability: Seasonal ABV IBU

4.7% 22 111

BEER GROUND To the

All over this fine province of ours there are craft breweries popping up left, right and centre. Here’s a little preview of what’s coming down the pike.

BARNSIDE BREWING Delta (spring 2020) Barnside plans to take the farm-based brewery model to the next level by growing its own malting barley and hops on its massive Ladner farm. BarnsideBrewing.ca

BRICKLAYER BREWING Chilliwack (spring 2020) This hip new brewery is coming to the heart of downtown Chilliwack, and will be featuring a sour ale program with kettle sours and barrel-aging, in addition to craft staples. BricklayerBrewing.com

BRIGHT EYE BREWING Kamloops (fall 2019) Kamloops’ soon-to-be newest brewery hopes to open by late September/early October. Expect a constantly rotating tap list with a focus on hop-forward beers and classic Belgian farmhouse ales. Facebook.com/BrightEyeBrewing

CAMP BEER CO. Langley (fall 2019) This 3,500-sq.-ft. brewery features a 20 hL brewhouse, seating for 55, a fireplace, roll-up doors and a massive patio with an outdoor fire pit, picnic tables, Adirondack chairs and a grassed area to spread out a blanket. CampBeer.ca

CLIFFSIDE BREWING Nanaimo (fall 2019) Located just a short block from White Sails Brewing in downtown Nanaimo, Cliffside suffered a setback a few months ago when thieves broke in and made off with some of the equipment, including the pilot brewhouse. Thankfully, things are back on track and the beer should be flowing any week now. CliffsideBrewCo.ca

COPPER BREWING Kelowna (fall 2019) A 110-seat lounge in a

modern industrial space on Kirschner Road is planned for this craft brewery, which will be focusing on approachable beer options. Facebook.com/CopperBrewing

DEVIL'S BATH BREWING Port McNeill (2020) Craft beer is coming to the North Island as three local homebrewing brothers plan to convert a former gas station into the region's first brewery.

DOG MOUNTAIN BREWING Port Alberni (winter 2019) This bright blue brewery in downtown Port Alberni is coming together nicely. The rooftop patio offers panoramic views of the Alberni Inlet, the perfect place to sample Dog Mountain’s wild and mixed-fermentation beers. DogMountainBrew.com

FARM COUNTRY BREWING Langley (fall 2019) Also plagued by recent break-ins, Farm Country has bounced back and is putting the finishing touches on its space. The brewhouse is now in place, so it won’t be long before the beer is ready, too. FarmCountryBrewing.com

FIELD HOUSE CHWK Chilliwack (spring 2020) Field House is expanding its empire of terroir driven beers into downtown Chilliwack with a second location that features a 125-seat tasting room, outdoor patio, full kitchen and its own dedicated brewhouse. FieldHouseBrewing.com

HERALD STREET BREW WORKS Victoria (spring 2020) A collaboration between the owners of The Drake Eatery and Steel & Oak Brewing, Herald Street might be the most anticipated new brewery on the Island. HeraldStreet.com

HORNBY ISLAND BREWING COMPANY Hornby Island (2020) This nanobrewery is planned for “Little Hawaii” and is currently contract brewing its beer at Small Block in Duncan. HornbyIslandBrewing.ca

HUDSON TAPHOUSE AND BREWPUB Victoria (spring 2020) The owners of the Yates Taphouse are behind this 300-seat neighbourhood brewpub in the new Hudson District development.

JACKKNIFE BREWING Kelowna (winter 2020) Kettle River Brewing’s former brewer Brad Tomlinson is opening his own heavy metal-themed brewery right next door and it’s gonna friggin’ rip.

MERRIDALE BREWERY AND DISTILLERY Victoria (2020) This massive 12,000-sq.-ft. facility planned for Vic West’s Dockside Green development will include a brewery, distillery, pizzeria, rooftop bistro and even an art gallery. The plan was for a spring opening, but ground has yet to be broken due to a delayed building permit. Merridale.ca

MOUNTAINVIEW BREWING Hope (winter 2020) The thirsty denizens of Hope are no doubt anxiously awaiting the arrival of the town’s first craft brewery, which will give travellers another reason to visit—other than filling up their gas tank. MountainviewBrewing.ca

NEIGHBOURHOOD BREWING Penticton (2020) The lot is still vacant but test batches are being brewed nearby at Bad Tattoo Brewing. Hopefully it won’t be long before this purpose-built brewery and tasting room becomes reality. NeighbourhoodBrewing.com

NORTH POINT BREWING CO. North Vancouver (fall 2019) The North Shore’s soon-to-be 10th craft brewery is set to open on First Street East in Lower Lonsdale any month now, but you can try a preview of their beers at

the North Shore Craft Beer Week launch party on Oct. 4. Facebook.com/NorthPointBrewing

PATINA BREWING Port Coquitlam (fall 2019) Former PoCo mayor Greg Moore is partnering with the owners of Orrange Kitchen + Bar to bring this brewery and barbecue joint to downtown Port Coquitlam. PatinaBrewing.ca

RED BIRD BREWING Kelowna (2020) A new, bigger brewery and tasting room with a 10 hL brewhouse is in the works for Red Bird, which doesn’t plan to fly far from its current location in the North End. RedBirdBrewing.com

RUSTIC REEL BREWING Kelowna (fall 2020) The tanks are in and the building is coming together nicely, so it shouldn’t be long before this huge craft brewery on Vaughn Avenue in the North End opens its massive garage doors to the public. RusticReel.com

SHORELINE BREWING Kelowna (2020) Located across from Gyro Beach, Shoreline Brewing will be on the groundfloor of a massive new development dubbed The Shore, with seating for close to 100 people in its tasting room, with another 100 on its expansive patio. j • Got a hot brewery tip? Let us know at editor@thegrowler.ca

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