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OUR CONTRIBUTORS
CASSANDRA ANDERTON
Cassandra is a freelance travel, food, drink and lifestyle writer, blogger and broadcaster, and is the publisher and editor of Goodlifevancouver.com, a website devoted to what’s good in and around Vancouver, and sometimes far beyond.
KRISTINA MAMELI
A former music journalist, radio host and news editor, Kristina brings her passion for craft beer, fair share of quips, and unique marketing perspective to the Growler’s social channels, sales inquiries, and the occasional article.
NO Ë LLE PHILLIPS
Noëlle has a PhD in medieval literature from UBC and published her first book, Craft Beer Culture and Modern Medievalism, in 2019. She is currently working on a book about the craft beer industry in Vancouver.
MATT POIRIER
Matt is a Certified Cicerone®, beer educator, consultant and columnist based in Victoria, BC. Find him at Matterofbeer.com
JORDAN ST. JOHN
Jordan St. John is the editor of The Growler Ontario, head of the Beer Certificate at Toronto's George Brown College, author of five books, podcaster, bon vivant, and man about town.
SANDRA THOMAS
Sandra is an award-winning journalist and freelance writer and editor based in Vancouver, who can now add “beer aficionado” to her resumé.
JOE WIEBE
Based in Victoria, B.C., Joe is the author of Craft Beer Revolution: The Insider's Guide to BC Breweries. He is a co-founder of Victoria Beer Week and the BC Ale Trail, for which he is the content manager.
ELYSSA PADILLO
Our 2024 cover artist, Elyssa is a Torontobased multidisciplinary designer with a love for cozy corners, fresh colours, snacks, and florals. Her goal is to put some magic into the mundane. Follow her work at elyssapadillo.com
MARY MUELLER
Vancouver's first female brewery owner led the business at Columbia Brewery with smarts and wit until 1911. by Noëlle Phillips
FROM SIDNEY TO SOOKE
Your guide to "beer-cycling" in Greater Victoria. by Joe Wiebe
24
08 11 16 18 21 22 24 26 28 71 08 16
CIDER SCENE
Vancouver Island cideries pour out a wealth of agritoursim attractions. by Cassandra Anderton
BREWER VS BREWER:
THE TENTH ANNIVERSARY EDITION
The Growler sits down with Ben Coli of Dageraad Brewing and Iain Hill of Strage Fellows Brewing to discuss highlights of the last ten years. by Sandra Thomas
STYLE SNAPSHOT
A guide to the punchy, aromatic hazy IPA. by Jordan St. John
EDUCATION IN BEER
The 12-pack for higher learning. by Matt Poirier
BARKS & BREWS
Finding puppies their fur-ever homes through craft beer. by Kristina Mameli
R ECIPE: CITRUS PRAWN CEVICHE
This bright and fresh recipe pairs great with Bridge Brewing's Tropical PrimeTime IPA. by Sandra Thomas
B.C. BREWERY AND CIDERY LISTINGS
A compreshensize listing of B.C. breweries and cideries to plan your next outing.
BEER TO THE GROUND
The craft beer revolution continues with these soon-to-open breweries. by Joe Wiebe
Photo courtesy of Sea Cider Farm and Ciderhouse
Photo courtesy of City of Vancouver Archives
BRITISH COLUMBIA
mary mueller Vancouver's rst female brewery owner
by Noëlle Phillips
The fact that men dominated the early years of brewing in Vancouver should probably come as a surprise to no one.
However, there is one woman who became a notable exception to this generality—Mary Mueller of Columbia Brewery, which set up on Powell Street in 1889—not far from where Parallel 49 is now.
As a lone woman in an industry controlled by men, Mary needed to be smart, unafraid, and fiery. She was all three.
Mary was only 20 years old when she immigrated from Germany to the United States, travelling in steerage—the class reserved for only the most impoverished passengers. As a young woman travelling solo, Mary showed courage and resilience in taking such a journey to America. After
arriving in the United States, she married Andrew Mueller in Illinois and the pair made their way to Vancouver, where they would end up as co-owners of Columbia Brewery.
Columbia opened in 1889, not far from the impoverished and disreputable area of Tar Flat, located at the eastern border of Vancouver. German immigrant Joseph Kappler was the brewmaster, known in the city both for his beer and his jolly manner.
However, Kappler didn’t run the brewery alone. Mary and Andrew bought the brewery property and building, and, as a single man, Kappler lived there with them. Together, the three of them ran the business — sleeping upstairs and brewing downstairs.
The Columbia Brewery at the corner of Powell Strert and Wall Street circa 1892. Photo courtesy of City of Vancouver Archives.
Mary and Andrew were a couple with true affection for one another, as far as we can tell from our research, and stories in local newspapers testify to their closeness. In one case, Andrew wielded a sickle to threaten a man insulting Mary in the brewery.
In another, Andrew ran into the burning brewery to save Mary’s beloved poodle from the flames (the dog was fine, but there was $10,000 damage to the brewery). The papers announced their 25th anniversary in 1905, an event they celebrated at home with their children and friends.
At one point, the brewery sent a bill for $2 to Vancouver City Hall for the cost of transporting “one load of drunks” home.
Just like her husband and business partner, Mary could take care of herself — and others. Just one example took place in July 1901, when Mary was driving the brewery wagon and witnessed a panicked runaway horse dragging a cart behind it with a young man caught in the harness. Mary was able to stop the runaway horse and rescue the boy.
However, Mary’s courage sometimes led her to make rash decisions. In 1891, a popular fishand-game dealer known as Dutch Bill, came into Columbia Brewery to collect some items he had left behind and an enraged Mary was waiting for him. She’s heard around town that he’d spread some gossip about her, so she was ready to take her revenge.
According to the papers, when he arrived, she “administered a horsewhipping which left an ugly scar across his face, blackened an eye, and left him
covered with bruises.” Another report says she “she gave him a severe licking with a whip. She smashed one end of the whip, then continued hitting him with the butt end.” According to Dutch Bill’s court testimony, Kappler held him down for the whipping and “applauded the deed.” Kappler later denied this.
Mary’s trouble in court didn’t end with her assault charges against Dutch Bill. She also became known for skirting the province’s liquor laws. Most breweries were prohibited from selling beer directly to customers on site. However, Columbia regularly broke this law, selling half-gallons of beer for 50 cents at the brewery.
It seems that Mary — who was the customer service side of the business — was often responsible, and her daughter Emma helped her. There are numerous reports of her being in court and appealing through various legal loopholes. These usually didn’t work, but the fines didn’t stop her.
Running the brewery meant Mary could handle a crisis or two. Intoxication was common at Columbia, and at one point, the brewery sent a bill for $2 to Vancouver City Hall for the cost of
Newspaper clippings from The Vancouver Daily World in 1896 (left) and 1899.
transporting “one load of drunks” home (context indicates these drunks may have been city hall councillors or employees). While I can’t confirm that Mary herself initiated this sassy bill to the mayor, it seems likely.
In another situation, a petty criminal called “Billy the Rat” broke into the brewery with a friend and drank enough of their XXX Porter to lower the 10,000-gallon vat’s level by several inches. He made off (very drunk) with a sack full of beer bottles, which he proceeded to hide in a neighbour’s guest bed before crawling into bed with the neighbour himself. The neighbour and Mary both gave testimony that convicted the unfortunate Billy.
In another case, the crisis was more personal. An employee who Mary had hired herself, fell back into alcoholism and during an evening spent with Mary and the brewmaster Joseph Kappler, gave clear signals he wanted to take his life. Court testimony reveals that Mary became increasingly concerned for Fritz Herzberg, while Kappler brushed off her worries.
Throughout the night she desperately tried to dissuade Herzberg from his intentions, but to no effect. It was she who found his body when he took his life later that night outside the brewery. Keeping warm with a cloak and pipe, she waited outside with him for the police to arrive.
Mary outlived both Kappler and her husband Andrew and, for the last five years of Columbia’s operation, she was in charge. Newspapers referred to her as running a staff of seven, with a “capable directing mind.” Unfortunately, poor infrastructure decisions by city council combined with terrible rainstorms resulted in the brewery being flooded multiple times. Mary sued the city for damages more than once, but the bureaucratic red tape was thick and prohibitive. She finally gave up and agreed to waive her damage claims so long as the city fixed the culvert near the brewery, which had caused all the problems.
We don’t really know what happened to Mary after the brewery finally shut its doors permanently after 1911. Census records from 1920, show a German woman of her age with possibly matching children living in New York, so it may be that Mary left Vancouver and returned to the port where she initially made landing as an immigrant.
What we do know is she certainly made her mark on the early Vancouver brewing scene and in the city’s early society. Both compassionate and fiery tempered, Mary Mueller was a memorable woman who has unfortunately been lost to history. It’s time we raise a glass to this pioneering woman of Vancouver beer! j
The Columbia Brewery circa 1909. The brewery closed permanently in 1911. Photo courtesy of City of Vancouver Archives.
From Sidney to Sooke
Beer-cycling in Greater Victoria
by Joe Wiebe
The Greater Victoria region has some of the best cycling infrastructure around—to go along with one of B.C.’s most dynamic craft beer communities. Whether you’re a seasoned cyclist who owns several pairs of padded Lycra shorts or if you just like to get out for some light exercise in the fresh air from time to time, there are many different routes to try out.
Two trail systems are at the heart of Victoria’s excellent cycling network, the Galloping Goose and Lochside regional trails. These well-maintained trails—part of the Trans-Canada Trail system— extend from Swartz Bay at the top of the Saanich Peninsula into downtown Victoria, and then west to Sooke, covering 88 kilometres and mostly running through beautiful West Coast scenery. Both trails were built along former railway lines, which means they are generally quite flat.
The Goose connects to Victoria’s urban cycling matrix at the Johnson Street Bridge downtown, a convenient starting or finishing point considering the plethora of nearby craft beer options (see Victoria map on pg. 49).
E&N CONNECTOR
The Kimta E&N Cycling Connector is a spur line that extends west from downtown, passing right by Spinnakers (Canada’s original brewpub dating back to 1984), before it crosses diagonally through the heart of Esquimalt, until it meets up with the Galloping Goose near the Trans-Canada Highway. Cycling the 19km loop around the E&N and the Goose is one of my favourite routes, both because of the wide range of urban artwork (graffiti, murals, and other random artistic pieces people have placed along the trail) and also because Driftwood Brewery, Lighthouse Brewing, and the Four Mile Brewpub are convenient stops along the way.
LOCHSIDE TRAIL
This trail, which runs up the Saanich Peninsula all the way to Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal, offers several great options. The easiest is the 50km round trip to Category 12 Brewing, located about halfway up the Saanich Peninsula. C12’s tasting room has an excellent kitchen, so plan to stay for lunch. You can double back the way you came or if you want some minor hill training and don’t mind sharing the road with cars, take Oldfield Road/ West Saanich Road back into the city for some variety. You can also stop at Twa Dogs Brewery just north of Victoria if you want a refreshment break on the way home.
Riding up to Sidney (60km round trip) is well worth the extra effort thanks to the recent arrival of two breweries, Beacon Brewing and Small Gods Brewing, which are located almost right next to each other. Both offer great beer and food. Small Gods has a very nice patio so it tends to win out with my cycling group—riding there for a slow pour Pilsner has become a bit of a tradition for us.
Victoria’s International Airport has a 10km trail around it called the Flight Path, which is also fun to ride and, up until recently, there was a beer stop at Howl Brewing right across from the path. At press time Howl was still in the process of moving to a new location in Esquimalt, so check before you head in that direction in search of beer.
Sturdier cyclists seeking more mileage can undertake a 100km “century ride” around the peninsula, building in stops at any of the breweries I’ve mentioned above. Road warriors should note the Lochside Trail network also connects with Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal if you want to ride all the way to Victoria from the Lower Mainland.
GALLOPING GOOSE
ABOVE: A Slow Pour Neverending Pilsner at Small Gods Brewing in Sidney. BELOW: Sampling the brews at Mile Zero Brewing in Metchosin. Joe Wiebe photos
This amazing trail system, which opened in 1987, is named after a motored railway car that once carried mail and up to 30 passengers between Sooke and Victoria twice daily during the 1920s. Cyclists can ride west out of Victoria through the municipalities of View Royal, Langford, Colwood, and Metchosin before arriving in picturesque Sooke.
The Goose offers options for riders of all abilities. I consider the Metchosin Loop a great 50-55km ride. Follow the Goose out to Rocky Point Road and stop at Mile Zero Brewing before returning to Victoria on Metchosin Road. The return trip will take you through the massive
ABOVE: A flight on the picnic patio at Bad Dog Brewing in Sooke. BELOW: Sooke Brewing is a great destination for avid cyclists. Joe Wiebe photos
Royal Bay waterfront development and then past Royal Roads University. A side trip down to the Esquimalt Lagoon (a screaming fast downhill) will provide a glimpse of Hatley Castle.
Easily the best bike ride for beer in Greater Victoria is the Sooke Run. While the busy single-lane highway to Sooke is about 40km by car, the Galloping Goose’s meandering, scenic bike route is closer to 50km. After Metchosin, the trail runs through quiet forests with stretches showcasing gorgeous views of Matheson Lake (great for swimming) and Roche Cove, a saltwater inlet, which connects to the Sooke Harbour.
Entering Sooke, the trail crosses the highway and eventually winds its way several kilometres north of the town, visiting Sooke Potholes Regional Park (more great swimming plus camping options) before ending near an abandoned mining town called Leechtown, which is located on re-
TOUR DE VICTORIA
Another good excuse to visit Victoria is Ryder Hesjedal’s Tour de Victoria, an annual event that takes place Aug. 17, 2024. There are eight different routes for riders of all abilities and it’s the one day each year when you can ride on certain streets without any vehicles.
gional water authority land with restricted access. The ride to the end of the trail is still worth it thanks to a beautifully restored trestle bridge and some trailside historic installations, including a restored train station.
I have enjoyed weekend getaways to Sooke several times with my cycling buddies and we’ve found lots of options for overnight accommodation, including hotels, Airbnb stays, and camping. Upon arrival, cyclists can replenish their electrolytes with some “Belgian Gatorade” at Sooke Oceanside Brewery, just off the main road as you ride into town, or at Sooke Brewing, located right in the heart of the village, with a food truck conveniently parked behind it. Sooke’s third brewery, Bad Dog Brewing, is tucked away in the woods above the town centre so I recommend saving it for the second day of your visit. Bad Dog is a rewarding destination after a bit of a hill climb from sea level with a comfortable picnic space and delicious food options, courtesy of its own Hot Diggity Dog food trailer. Combine Bad Dog with a visit to Tugwell Creek Meadery and Sheringham Distillery for a fun loop ride around Sooke that features a unique trio of alcoholic beverage stops.
I feel extremely lucky to have so many cycling options available to me in and around Victoria. When combined with Vancouver Island’s rather pleasant weather, I’m able to be an avid year-round cyclist. See you on the trails! j
penticton blooms in the spring
I’ve been visiting Penticton annually to judge beers at the Okanagan Fest of Ale for more than a decade, and this beautiful, small city tucked between Okanagan Lake and Skaha Lake seems to get even better year after year.
by Joe Wiebe
While summer is prime time for vacationing in the Okanagan, spring is also a wonderful time to visit Penticton, which might also be a little more affordable. Consider planning a trip around the Okanagan Fest of Ale (April 12-13 this year) for a great way to sample the region’s craft beer culture. The popular event, which has been running annually since 1996, offers two separate tasting sessions on Friday evening and Saturday afternoon. I’ll be busy tasting dozens of beers on Saturday morning as part of the judging panel. The winners will be announced that afternoon, so if you attend that day you’ll be able to taste the winning beers.
The Fest of Ale takes place at the Penticton Trade & Convention Centre, with more than 70 breweries stationed both indoors and outdoors, along with numerous food options and other fun activities like a free photo booth, live music and games. Why not stretch out your visit around the festival for an extra couple of days? There are eight local breweries to visit plus numerous activities to enjoy, including golf, shopping, touring the Penticton Farmers’
Market, and walking or bicycling along the Kettle Valley Rail (KVR) Trail. I am also hosting a prefest tasting event at Tin Whistle Brewing on April 11 (check festofale.ca for details).
Penticton was named “Canada’s Craft Beer Capital” by Lonely Planet in 2020. This well-deserved praise has a lot to do with the fact that this small city in the heart of wine country (close to 90 nearby wineries) has been a leader of the craft beer movement for more than 25 years. Today, it is home to eight uniquely memorable breweries, which are known collectively as the Penticton Beer Blocks.
The Downtown Block features Neighbourhood Brewing, Slackwater Brewing, and Yellow Dog Brewing’s new Penticton location, which is scheduled to open this spring. Each of these breweries has its own dynamic vibe and are just steps away from each other.
Slackwater Brewing features two floors of seating surrounding the central main room and bar, including rooftop and streetside patios. It offers 12 taps, featuring its own beer lineup along with some
BC Ale Trail photo
guest beers and cider, as well as an excellent kitchen serving up delicious and creative dishes — including brunch on the weekend.
Nearby, Neighbourhood Brewing features food inspired by Mexican cuisine to go along with an excellent assortment of beers. The two-level tasting room is family friendly with lots of options for spreading out and relaxing. There is also a spacious patio outside.
At Yellow Dog Brewing, you can expect the same high-quality range of beers that the original Port Moody brewery is famous for, with seating both indoors and outside in the “Dog Park” patio.
Just a seven-minute walk away is the Ellis Block, which includes Cannery Brewing and Highway 97 Brewing.
Named after its original location, an Aylmer fruit and vegetable cannery, Cannery Brewing moved into this custom-built facility in 2015. It features a family-friendly taproom where you can enjoy their broad range of delicious beers and dishes. They have a big patio and the Cannery Backyard, an outdoor oasis that is open during the spring and summer.
Right across the street is Highway 97 Brewing, which also moved here from its original location. Its tasting room includes 100 seats inside along with 45 more on the outdoor patio. With 22 taps and an expanded kitchen, you will definitely be able to find something interesting to try.
Penticton’s Midtown Block features the Barley Mill Brew Pub, based in an old English Tudorstyle building, which has been home to a neighbourhood pub since 1982, as well as Tin Whistle Brewing, an early craft beer pioneer that has been reimagined and reinvigorated under new ownership and became B.C.’s first carbon neutral brewery.
Finally, the Bench Block features Abandoned Rail Brewing, a farm-based brewery situated right on the KVR Trail in the heart of the Naramata Bench surrounded by wineries, cideries, and distilleries.
And throughout the city, local pubs and restaurants offer even more options for craft beer and culinary explorations following a day at the golf course, mountain biking the many trails, or rock climbing at Skaha Bluffs. j
Cider scene
Vancouver Island cideries pour out a wealth of agritourism attractions
by Cassandra Anderton
While some of British Columbia’s cideries have already been in business for a decade or more, the cider scene and industry across the province are just now really starting to take off.
And, while breweries and wineries have been growing in number—and acres—there is a whole world to discover around craft cider, besides those overly sweet beverages found in giant two-litre plastic bottles.
Those unfamiliar with cider might not know it’s naturally gluten-free or that it can be as dry as a French muscadet. Despite some past misconceptions, craft cider is slowly finding its rhythm and there’s been an expansion of cider tasting rooms with many also offering a wide variety of agritourism options.
A drive north on Vancouver Island with stops at several cideries will surely convert those who have yet to taste the full possibilities of this craft beverage, all while experiencing unique activities at each venue. Here are a few of these pioneers on
the island’s cider trail who have expanded their operations well beyond their tasting rooms.
Sea Cider Farm and Ciderhouse
2487 Mt St Michael Road, Saanichton SeaCider.ca
Not far from the Swartz Bay ferry terminal, you’ll find Sea Cider, a family owned and operated cidery celebrating its twentieth year. The orchards, forest area, cider house and gift shop have become a destination for those looking for lunch at the onsite restaurant, a picnic in the orchard, locally sourced gifts, or an impressive wedding venue.
Sea Cider now hosts holiday pop-up markets, wreath-making, yoga and painting classes, and recently celebrated Valentine’s Day with drag performers and pink cider-based cocktails. There are events for all ages and children and dogs are welcome at any time.
The idyllic property’s orchard spans 10 acres and is planted with 1,300 apple trees, comprised of
Merridale Cidery and Distillery in the Cowichan Valley has been producing cider since 1999 and added a distillery in 2006.
Merridale Cidery photo
more than 50 heritage varietals. Stroll through and enjoy stunning views of Haro Strait, surrounded by birds and bees buzzing and chirping, and work up a thirst for some serious cider tasting.
Choose from Sea Cider’s barrel-aged series—the Rumrunner is a favourite, with its apple butter and molasses flavours—or go for one of the more traditional styles, such as the Estate Wild English made with bittersweet cider apples, naturally fermented to be ultra-dry, robust and earthy, or try the Ruby Rose, an apple-based cider with an infusion of rhubarb and rosehips. There’s also a line of Temperance Ciders, all non-alcoholic, made from apples with additions of elderflower, cherry, blackberry or raspberry. Should you want something sweeter, try the dessert cider, which is sweet but has balanced acidity.
Merridale Cidery and Distillery
1230 Merridale Road, Cobble Hill Merridale.ca
Continuing north on the west side of Vancouver Island, brings you to Merridale in the Cowichan Valley. Here you’ll find both a cidery and a distillery with its fair share of daily activities and special events.
Merridale has been producing cider since 1999, adding a distillery in 2006. Lunch, brunch and dinner are served in their Farmhouse Eatery, billed as “farm-to-table meets orchard-to-glass.” The chef sources local ingredients to perfectly pair with Merridale’s craft ciders and cocktails. On Saturdays, there’s live music in the evening, guided tastings throughout the day, a private picnic area to enjoy, and even orchard fairy walks for the kids.
Stay the night at Merridale in one of its two yurts (wooden framed tents), which can be booked from
April through October, offering “orchard glamping at its finest.” From the yurts you can gaze out the windows over the orchards, and up at the stars through the skylights.
The farm hosts an annual Cider Harvest Festival in the fall with other cideries in attendance, and has created a wellness line of mists, soaps and creams made with shea butter you will have to try. Then, pick up some cans of cider to go. The Apple Pie is a medium sweet cider infused with cinnamon, while the Scrumpy is always a favourite dry sipper with noticeable tannins.
Coastal Black Estate Winery
2186 Endall Road, Black Creek CoastalBlack.ca
Continuing north to the Comox Valley, we find Coastal Black Estate Winery, which, along with wine, produces cider and mead. Coastal Black has four generations farming on the property with fields full of blueberries, squash and other vegetables, hives of bees and even custom milled lumber.
The big draw in the spring is the Tulip Festival showcasing fourteen varieties of tulips and daffodils spread across two acres. In the fall, the Pumpkin Festival brings families out in droves and throughout the year you’ll find a variety of workshops, such as fall floral arranging.
The tasting room is open by appointment only in the fall and winter, so call ahead to taste ciders such as the Hopped, Raspberry or Hibiscus and the newest, Honey Pear, made from the farm’s own honey. Speaking of honey, you’ll also want to grab a jar while there along with some of their frozen blueberries. j
Grab a long flight—six pre-selected cider samples—at Sea Cider Farm and Ciderhouse. Sea Cider photo
Coast Black's Honey Pear Cider is one of their newer offerings. Instagram.com/CoastalBlack photo
Brewerbrewer vs.
The 10th anniversary edition
by Sandra Thomas
Since launching Burnaby’s Dageraad Brewing in May of 2014, Ben Coli has seen a lot of changes to B.C.’s craft brewing scene. It’s the same for Iain Hill, whose Strange Fellows Brewing in East Vancouver turns 10 this December.
During that time, the craft-beer industry across the province also experienced exponential growth. By 2022, the number of craft breweries in B.C. had reached almost 250, but ever-increasing rents and property taxes, the rising costs of shipping, product and bottling expenses, as well as high rates of inflation and interest rates— which mean less disposable income for customers to spend on beer—is having a reverse effect.
Throw in the Covid loan repayment program and many brewers are feeling the pinch. Federal loans of up to $60,000 became available to businesses and non-profit organizations during Covid-19 to help them survive. Payment on those loans became due this past month, January, 2024.
The Growler sat down with Coli and Hill to discuss some of those highs and lows of the past decade.
The Growler: Before we get into the state of the industry today, can you offers some personal highs from the past decade?
Ben Coli: You know, drinking that that first beer we brewed professionally and having it
The first time out of the gates and it just being really good beer, being able to pour beer for the public the first-time. —Ben Coli, Dageraad Brewing
actually be good. The first time out of the gates and it just being really good beer, being able to pour beer for the public the first-time, seeing people drinking my beer and reacting to it. And then you know, the validation of winning awards was really important to me at first.
Iain Hill: I mean, you guys won best brewery in Canada.
Ben Coli: We won brewery of the year in 2018 [at the Canadian Brewing Awards]. Yeah, that was a pretty good high… We had won three gold medals and we were waiting for them to announce brewery of the year and, actually, I just had kids, twins, that are the seven now, but at the time, they were like 15 months old, and I was at home and they were crawling on me while I was watching the webcast of the awards and then it was announced. That was pretty cool.
ABOVE: Dageraad Brewing won Canadian Brewery of the Year in 2018. Dageraad Brewing photo
LEFT: Ben Coli of Dageraad Brewing (L) and Iain Hill (R) discuss changes to the B.C. brewery scene over the past decade. Sandra Thomas photo
My partner Mitch Warner was there to receive the award, but I was at home with the kids. And yeah, I just couldn't believe we won that. That's cool.
Iain Hill: Everything Ben mentioned is true, you know the first time when you put out your first beer. And those things are all obvious and true, I guess. It sounds kind of funny, but the thing I think about sometimes is after we opened, walking home, walking up the road at night and looking back and seeing our big sign— it's illuminated and it's a huge thing. Because, I always wanted to have my own brewery. So just going up the road and looking back at the illuminated sign. I still walk up the road and look over my shoulder and I’m like, ‘Oh, yeah, that’s cool,’ but you know it’s gotten harder.
Another highlight is when this tasting room was first open and when it’s really busy, really packed, and people are having a good time and just kind of understanding that, you know, I've kind of done that. That's a nice feeling too.
The Growler: There’s been a lot of news recently about breweries across B.C. closing because everything is becoming more expensive.
Iain Hill: Yeah, everything we do is becoming more expensive. So, top of the list would be rent, right? Rent is a monster—and property taxes. We don't own the building, we rent and so as a renter part of your triple net, as it's called, is the property tax you pay to the city. So, when we started,
Strange Fellows Brewing has created a dealcoholized IPA, which is gaining a lot of attention. Strange Fellows Brewing photo
it was not much more than $30,000 a year and now it's just a couple of hundred dollars away from $100,000. Every single thing has become really, really expensive, and then it’s also more competitive. You might think that's really significant, but it’s lower on the list. People are also becoming more health conscious and I can appreciate that, and then there’s the economy.
Ben Coli: Yeah, for sure. I mean, it’s a combination of a lot of different factors right now. First of all, inflation hit us in terms of input costs. Wages are going up, minimum wage has been increasing and everybody else's wages have to increase at the same time because our employees are facing inflation as well. And at the same time, it's been hard to increase our prices in the competitive environment. You know, interest rates going up has really affected a lot of breweries too, because, everybody's got debt and that’s really affecting people who have mortgages. It’s often said that beer is supposed to be recession proof. Well, cheap beer is recession proof and people can always buy cheaper beer than ours. And, when you can barely afford the necessities of life, I can't blame people for skimping on beer. So yeah, it's been a challenging year, I'd say maybe a little bit more than a year.
The Growler: Let’s talk about the future. Any optimism there?
Ben Coli: I'm more optimistic that things are gonna gradually improve this year. I think
Walking home, walking up the road at night and looking back and seeing our big sign—it's illuminated and it's a huge thing.
—Iain Hill, Strange Fellows Brewing
we've hit peak interest rates and the inflation rate is getting under control. And, if we're not in a recession right now, we might as well be. I think we're going to emerge from that and the economic climate is going to improve a little bit. So that's my forward-looking outlook.
Iain Hill: I also agree with Ben, it's bit of a short-term view, but I do think we're in a recession. And, maybe it's just wishful thinking, but I do feel like that in regard to our businesses we’re seeing the bottom… But my sense is also that there's a bunch of factors, like with COVID people drank a lot. And then coming out of COVID, they cut out a lot of drinking. But I think there's a sort of normalizing effect now. I think people are going to sort of come back to the middle somewhere again. And I think by the time we hit the end of 2024, we'll probably say, ‘Well, that wasn't as bad as it could have been.’ j
The Strange Fellows sign on Clark Drive has become an East Van landmark. Strange Fellows Brewing photo
Dageraad Brewing owner Ben Coli with some of his brewery’s award-winning beers. Dageraad Brewing photo
STYLE SNAPSHOT
A guide to the punchy, aromatic
HAZY IPA*
*Also known as NEIPA (New England IPA)
by Jordan St. John
WHAT IS IT?
An offshoot of top fermenting American IPA styles, typically using new world hops for big, vibrant aromas by focusing on cold side additions to create biotransformation and extract essential oils.
DANGER LEVEL
Hazy at night, hazy the next morning.
GLASS Tulip
STYLE STATS
ABV 6.0-9.0% IBU 25-60 (trending lower)
COLOUR Straw to light orange
BODY Medium full to full
BUBBLES A little calmer than regular draft
ORIGIN STORY
John Kimmich was working in his lab at Alchemist in Vermont late one night, and managed to create Heady Topper, the original example of the style. He aimed for massive dry hopping to impart aromas of citrus and tropical fruit, which are held aloft by minimally characterful base grains and supported by additionally fruity yeast esters from English derived strains. It’s so hazy, you’re meant to drink from the can.
HEY, IS THERE FRUIT IN THIS?
DRINK WITH
Hazy IPAs rely heavily on the essential oil Myrcene which is prevalent in high alpha acid new world hop varieties. Myrcene breaks down into the same chemicals that are in some of your favourite citrus, stone, and tropical fruits. It has become dogma amongst brewers not to filter their NEIPA. After all, the quality of Myrcene is not strained.
SIX MUST-TRY B.C. HAZIES
1 3 5 2 4 6
Colour & Shape, Superflux Beer Co.
Diversion, Category 12 Brewing Hazy, Field House Brewing
Best Friend Jer, Sidekick Brewing Widowmaker, Backcountry Brewing
Big Yikes, Twin City Brewing
—Beer picks by Joe Wiebe
Thai mango salad
Hawaiian pizza
Jerk chicken
The 12-pack for higher learning EDUCATION IN BEER
by Matt Poirier
Beer is good. Good craft beer tastes amazing. For a lot of people, it’s become more than a drink they enjoy, it has become a hobby and even further, a passion. Unfortunately, for the longest time, beer always seemed to get by. “Beer sells itself,” is something I’ve heard many times over the years working in beer, both directly and indirectly. So, in this time of leaner sales, brewery closures and shifts away from beer to seltzers and other items in the “refresher” category, can we still get away with that?
There probably won’t be too many who disagree with the statement that beer no longer sells itself, but what if there was also the added point that it hasn’t for some time? Back in 2017, working in retail establishments, beer was still selling quite well, but people were already either shifting away from it or sticking to their regular, go-to beer. Regular customers weren’t always interested in trying new beers and the ever-increasing wall of bottles and cans at their local liquor store or brew pub was almost overwhelming, so they stuck to something tried and true.
There was typically only one reason they ever ventured away from their favourites, and that had
to do with the person selling it to them. Having a knowledgeable salesperson made all the difference in the world. Asking questions, finding preferences and recommending something new almost always led to a larger sale and a customer who nearly always came back looking for more.
But not every salesperson has an actual interest in beer. Those who do can sell pretty much anything, from a simple lager to a sake yeast rice beer and everything in between. Those uninterested in beer can also do well, but there is one thing that’s key to their success—education.
So, what does that mean for you, as the average beer drinker, probably enjoying this fine publication with a pint in front of you?
The nuance of beer, like wine and spirits, is something to be learned and discussed, and can become a key component of the experience. People don’t walk into pubs and breweries knowing all there is to know about beer and, yet, staff and customers have been treated that way for the longest time because, “beer sells itself.” The wine and spirit
The nuance of beer, like wine and spirits, is something to be learned and discussed, and can become a key component of the experience.
worlds have done an excellent job teaching their staff and customers about their products, and it’s time for the beer world to do the same.
Case in point. Last year, acclaimed Canadian beer writer and judge Stephen Beaumont went to Facebook to say, “I’m not going to say where I am, but I just heard someone say that Gaffel Kölsch is ‘kind of like Stella Artois’ and compared Schneider Weisse Aventinus to Guinness. Said person is training a new staff member.”
If you’re unfamiliar with Gaffel Kölsch, it’s distinctly not like Stella Artois, and comparing a doppelbock to a stout is misleading the drinker into ordering something they aren’t looking for.
So, we have a situation where one or both of these things need to happen:
1. Staff need to learn about the beer they’re selling.
2. Customers should be encouraged to learn more about the beer they’re drinking.
If you’re reading this and are part of the industry, ask yourself, how well can you describe beer to others? Can you describe flavours, minerality, carbonation, the warmth of the alcohol, the body and the mouthfeel?
You don’t have to be a Cicerone or Prud’homme, but learning how to describe beer doesn't just help you, it also helps the industry sell the right beer to the right people. If you’re working in the industry, whether in a retail store, a pub, a brewery or a restaurant, and you talk to people about beer, you need to know what you’re talking about.
So, what does this mean? Train your staff and help your customers learn more. Host beer schools your staff can also attend. Plan training events at other venues and breweries so your staff knows
more than just your beer. Build a core group of customers you can trust when they say something is wrong and it will make you more successful.
I know what some of you are thinking, “But I don’t work in the industry. What can I do?”
Ask questions. Find and support breweries and pubs that want to teach you. Find ways to learn more about beer, read books and join online groups. Keep reading this magazine. Tell your friends what you learned. Make beer exciting again by going from, “This one’s good” to “I like this one because…”
Ultimately, beer is a social beverage and craft beer is an industry that could use a bit of a boost right now. Looking back to what helped grow the industry to what it is today, it was a lot of talking about beer. The time has come for that talk to be a little more convincing and the only way that happens, is by actually knowing what we’re talking about. j
Barks BrewsS
Finding puppies their fur-ever homes through craft beer
by Kristina “Can I
Pet Your Dog?” Mameli
WARNING: if you hate unabashed joy, puppy cuddles, beer, and undying loyalty and companionship, these events are not for you.
Unleashed in 2022 by Leah Bosello and Emily Boucher, Barks N’ Brews is a non-profit event series aimed at promoting dog adoption, connecting people with their local rescues, and creating community.
Inspired by, of all things, the model of cat cafés, the premise is simple. For a small donation benefitting a local rescue, you get five minutes of blissful puppy time in a pen full of cute! Then you grab a pint, supporting your local brewery, get back in line, and do it all over again—pure therapy—and arguably the best way to spend an afternoon.
Amongst the many obvious positives (serotonin highs, etc.), the best part is, with a pre-approved application or in-person review with the partner rescue, all the puppies are available for adoption!
Bosello and Boucher, who both have rescue dogs, found aspects of online adoption unnecessarily challenging, so wanted to find a way to help make the process easier for both rescues and potential fosters/adopters, as well as fill some critical gaps.
“We didn’t have the opportunity to meet our dog until she arrived,” offers Boucher as an example.
“So, one of the things we like about the events is that they [not only] bring awareness about rescuing, but also provide people with an opportunity to engage with the dog.”
Meanwhile, the application process is intentionally comprehensive and intricate, which can be an overwhelming amount of information to sift through for a small rescue organization that may only have one person at the helm.
“They want to make sure that they’re finding the right fit and that it will be a successful adoption,” says Boucher.
Enter Endless Pawsabilities, an ideal partner and integral part of all Barks N’ Brews events so far. At the events and online, the rescue provides QR codes linking to their applications. If you are pre-approved before the event, you can pick your puppy up that same day.
“Where we’re involved,” says Bosello, “is promoting the adoptions and having these events in the hopes that we can partner with different rescues and kind of let them focus on the adoption piece. We focus on the event promotion, planning, and getting the word out.”
Endless Pawsabilities also attends the events, providing an opportunity for in-person application reviews.
“They go through your application, they have conversations with you and then you can go home with a puppy,” says Bosello. “And that’s what makes it easier too—you’re there in-person with the person who runs the rescue, whereas if you’re doing it online, you are just waiting and hoping that your application goes through.”
Fosters attending the events provide critical insight into the personality and temperament of the dog they have been fostering, welcoming questions and helping to make the transition into your home easier. They also provide a chance for those not quite ready or able to commit to an adoption to learn more about what fostering is like firsthand.
With an extremely social environment, already tight-knit community, and general demographic of those with the mindset and means to adopt a dog, breweries provide the perfect backdrop for Barks N’ Brews’ events. Together, Barks N’ Brews and Endless Pawsabilities have now hosted events at several Metro Vancouver and Lower Mainland breweries, including Strange Fellows, Parkside, Wildeye, and Camp, occasionally hosting at cafés as well, resulting in many touching success stories.
Pup-arrazi alert! These adorable pups are ready for their closeups—and fur-ever homes. Barks N' Brews photo
“There was one couple who had adopted at our first Parkside event,” remembers Boucher. “It was quite an emotional process for them, as I believe they had just lost one of their dogs in the past year. They came to another event a year later at Parkside and adopted a second puppy.”
With no current plans to expand its reach, Boucher hints that perhaps one day the concept could be handed off as a package so other people can host similar events, much like a franchise. But for now, the focus is on Metro Vancouver and the Lower Mainland, and plans for a busy summer are already underway.
The biggest piece of advice Bosello has for prospective adopters is to ensure they thoroughly research all that comes with owning a puppy—and to be sure they’re ready to take that step.
“It’s a lifetime commitment and, even if they’re cute, it doesn’t mean they’re not a huge responsibility. And they deserve your commitment.” j
Thinking of welcoming a new canine pal into your home? Be sure to follow @barks.nbrews and @endless._.pawsabilities on Instagram to learn more about fostering and adoption opportunities and to stay in the loop about upcoming events. Support local rescues and please consider older dogs in your search.
CITRUS PRAWN CEVICHE
paired with Bridge Brewing's Tropical PrimeTime IPA
BY CHEF AMIR BAHMANI, BRIDGE BREWING CO.
When chef Amir Bahmani worked in fine dining establishments across Europe and Vancouver, the idea of pairing food with wine was a natural one, but finding just the right beer to go with a fancy seafood dish was not on his radar.
Fast forward seven years and Bahmani is not only comfortable talking about food and beer pairings, he’s downright enthusiastic.
“I was very familiar with wine pairings with foods and then some of the experiences I had later on,
like with a Michelin star restaurant in Europe, I saw those guys start changing the drinks and not always serving wine with a meal,” says Bahmani, chef at North Vancouver's Bridge Brewing Co.
“That was around 2017, and that was the first time I'm like, oh, yeah, why does it always have to be wine? It could be beer.”
When Bahmani first began working at Bridge Brewing, he decided to take things up a notch from simply pairing food and beer, to creating recipes using the seasonal craft beer available to
Photos courtesy of Spinnakers Gastro Brewpub
him at the brewery. He initially thought creating these recipes would be nothing more than a “side project,” but that initial idea sparked a passion he now embraces fully in the kitchen.
“Beer is way more, I would say, harder to incorporate just because of its hoppiness and bitterness, but that didn't stop me so I was throwing beer into every other recipe at the beginning to kind of get the sense of what works best and what is it less suitable for cooking,” says Bahmani. “So, it's been a fun journey.”
Bahmani notes Bridge Brewing takes sustainability very seriously, something he also considers when developing recipes. The brewery takes a zero-waste approach to both its beer and food, with a goal to have as little impact on the earth as possible.
The brewery purchases fresh, top-quality grains and hops in small quantities to ensure their products not only meet their high standards, but also as part of their efforts to be a zero-waste brewery. Bridge Brewing proudly claims to be 99 percent waste-free.
Bahami has also embraced the brewery’s efforts in sustainability and, to that end, the kitchen crew makes most of the sauces, dressings and dips in-house.
“And if we do get a lot of produce or a bigger cut of meat, it becomes a fun project for the crew to come up with recipes to use it all,” says Bahami.
He adds, an example of that was a time the crew was working with brisket, which always has a lot of fat. As each brisket was trimmed, that leftover fat was melted down and stored in the freezer. A few months later, when winter was in full swing, that melted fat was used in a crust for meat pies.
“So, that was an example of using the waste that we had from other dishes, like that fat, and incorporating it into a dish that became a Sunday special,” says Bahmani.
He adds, marinades made with the peel and zest of lemons, lime and grapefruit is another method he uses to ensure every part of those citrus fruits is used. Bahmani uses the juice and zest from all three to create his Citrus Prawn Ceviche recipe, which he suggests pairs nicely with the brewery’s Tropical PrimeTime beer.
“I incorporated the beer into the marinade itself, which is full of citrus, lemon, lime and grapefruit,
ABOVE: 1: Bridge Brewing is not only known for its beer, but also its sustainability efforts.
LEFT: Citrus Prawn Ceviche paired with a Tropical PrimeTime beer at Bridge Brewing. Bridge Brewing photos
so it kind of balances everything,” says Bahmani. “The dressing for this feature is usually very citrusy and harsh, but the beer brings it back to a more sweet side, so it works.” —Sandra Thomas
INGREDIENTS
• 450 g of raw prawns, peeled and deveined
• 2 lemons, including juice and zest
• 2 limes, including juice and zest
• 1 orange, including juice and zest
• 1 grapefruit, including juice only
• 200 ml olive oil
• 150 ml Tropical PrimeTime beer
• 100 sliced red onion
• 50 g of diced red peppers
• 1 teaspoon chili flakes
• Salt to taste
DIRECTIONS
1. Season the prawns with salt and chilli flakes. Pour the citrus juice over prawns and let sit for one minute. Add the oil, beer and rest of the vegetables and let marinate until ready.
2. Depending on the size of prawns and acidity of your fruits, that time can vary between two minutes up to seven or eight. Check for changes in color and texture in prawns.
3. Serve with black bean purée and corn tortilla chips. j
BOMBER BREWING CO.
1488 Adanac St. | BomberBrewing.com
Celebrating 10 years in business this year, Bomber makes a wide range of beer styles out of its location right on the Adanac bike route in East Van.
SKYLIGHT PREMIUM LIGHT LAGER
Availability: Seasonal
GRANVILLE ISLAND BREWING
1441 Cartwright St. | GranvilleIslandBrewing.ca
Vancouver’s original microbrewery is celebrating 40 years in 2024! Closed for renovations early this year, look for the Granville Island taproom to re-open by summer.
FALSE CREEK RASPBERRY
Availability: Seasonal
OFF THE RAIL BREWING
1351 Adanac St. | OffTheRailBrewing.com
STRATHCONA BEER CO.
895 E. Hastings St. | StrathconaBeer.com
This popular East Van brewery located on the Adanac bike route is proud to have eight Canadian Brewing Awards to its name.
Exciting news! This East Van operation will be opening a second brewery location in Lonsdale Quay in North Van later this spring/summer.
Availability: Year-round Availability: Year-round
Availability: Seasonal
33 ACRES BREWING CO.
15 W. 8th Ave., Vancouver 33AcresBrewing.com
33 BREWING EXPERIMENT
25 W. 8th Ave., Vancouver 33BrewingExp.com
BRASSNECK BREWERY
2148 Main St., Vancouver Brassneck.ca
BREWHALL BEER CO.
97 E. 2nd Ave., Vancouver Brewhall.com
BREWING AUGUST
1614 W. 3rd Ave. BrewingAugust.com
CONTAINER BREWING
1216 Franklin St., Vancouver CBrew.ca
COWDOG BREWING CO.
1338 Franklin St., Vancouver CowDogBrewCompany.ca
DOGWOOD BREWING
8284 Sherbrooke St., Vancouver DogwoodBrew.com
EAST VAN BREWING CO.
1675 Venables St., Vancouver EastVanBrewing.com
ELECTRIC BICYCLE BREWING CO.
20 E. 4th Ave., Vancouver ElectricBicycleBrewing.com
FACULTY BREWING CO.
1830 Ontario St., Vancouver FacultyBrewing.com
LUPPOLO BREWING CO.
1123 Venables St., Vancouver LuppoloBrewing.ca
MAIN STREET BREWING CO.
261 E. 7th Ave., Vancouver MainStreetBeer.ca
PARALLEL 49 BREWING CO.
1950 Triumph St., Vancouver Parallel49Brewing.com
POWELL BREWERY
1357 Powell St., Vancouver PowellBeer.com
R & B BREWING CO.
54 E. 4th Ave., Vancouver RAndBBrewing.com
RED TRUCK BEER CO.
295 E. 1st Ave., Vancouver RedTruckBeer.com
SLOW HAND BEER COMPANY
1830 Powell St., Vancouver SlowHandBeer.com
STANLEY PARK BREWING
RESTAURANT & BREWPUB
8901 Stanley Park Dr., StanleyParkBrewing.com
STEAMWORKS BREW PUB
375 Water St., Vancouver Steamworks.com/Brew-Pub
STORM BREWING
310 Commercial Dr., Vancouver StormBrewing.com
STRANGE FELLOWS BREWING
1345 Clark Dr., Vancouver StrangeFellowsBrewing.com
SUPERFLUX BEER CO.
505 Clark Dr., Vancouver SuperfluxBeer.com
YALETOWN BREWING CO.
1111 Mainland St., Vancouver MJG.ca/Yaletown
lower mainland
North Shore
KPU BREW LAB
20901 Langley Bypass | KPU.ca/Brew
FRI 1-6PM
EST. 2014
KPU offers B.C.’s only Brewing Diploma program which is designed to give students a comprehensive overview of the science, practical and management skills that are in demand by the industry. Students learn how to design, brew, analyze, package, market and sell their beer at KPU’s award-winning teaching brewery.
BIRRA ROSSA AMERICAN AMBER ALE
Seasonal
A multiple award winner, this malt-forward American amber ale is made with New World hops.
HAPPY HOPPY
Availability: Seasonal
A smooth, refreshing pilsner with tropical and citrus fruit aromas and flavours. Created by students Wilson Chu and Francisco Hwang.
SPRING FIZZ SAISON
Availability: Seasonal
Lemon, ginger and honey-malted oats add layered complexity to this sessionable Saison. Created by students Benee Stevens and Dawson Boyd.
Availability: Seasonal
Created as a Pink Boots (PB) collab, this bright and refreshing beer showcases fruity notes from the peach puree and PB hop blend added.
Brewing Inspiration
Pink Boots Collaboration Brew Day® (CBD) celebrates women and non-binary individuals in the alcoholic beverage community and their impact. KPU hosts this event annually with students, instructors and industry partners to encourage professional development, education and diversity in our industry. Check out 2024’s collab, “It’s a Peach!”, to be released on International Women’s Day.
Camp is Langley’s largest brewery with something for everyone. It has an awesome, all-season patio, great beer and delicious food. Drop by for live music on Thursdays and Sundays.
LAGERKOLLER
VIENNA LAGER
Availability: Seasonal
A 2023 Gold Medal Canadian Brewing Award winner, brewed with premium imported German malt and hops.
UPSTREAM
NORTHWEST PALE ALE PALE ALE
Availability: Year-round
A new school pale beer brewed with west coast hops, giving it citrus notes of tangerine, lemon and grapefruit.
WHERE YOUR NEXT ADVENTURE AWAITS
BUILT ON PASSION, EXPLORATION, AND COMMUNITY. COME EXPERIENCE ADVENTURE ON TAP. WHERE THE BEER IS AS FRESH AS THE GREAT OUTDOORS.
FOUR WINDS BREWING CO.
4-7355 72nd St., Delta | FourWindsBrewing.ca
Four Winds’ long-awaited location in Tsawwassen will open this summer. Plans are for a brewery and restaurant with a patio as part of the Southlands development.
Availability:
DAGERAAD BREWING
114-3191 Thunderbird Cres. | DageraadBrewing.com
Dageraad’s new, permanent patio with seating for 50 will open in April, well ahead of this multi-award-winning brewery’s 10th Anniversary Party on May 11.
STEAMWORKS BREWING
3845 William St. | Steamworks.com
The Steamworks line-up covers a wide range of beer styles, all overseen by Brewmaster Julia Hanlon and her team of top-notch brewers.
BURNABY BURNABY
DEAD FROG BREWERY
105-8860 201 St. | DeadFrog.ca
With more than 20 craft beers on tap, locally sourced eats, live music, hoppy hour and a dog-friendly, heated patio, Dead Frog is truly a destination brewery!
FARM COUNTRY BREWING
20555 56 Ave #5, Langley | FarmCountryBrewing.com
Not only does this country-themed brewery host regular events like trivia, karaoke, bingo and live music, but it is also available for your next private event.
AMARILLO BY MORNING WEST COAST PILSNER
SOUR Availability: One-off Availability: Seasonal
Seasonal
Seasonal
LOCALITY
BREWING
7111 252nd St. | LocalityBrewing.ca
Locality is the only certified craft malt brewery in B.C. That’s right, Locality not only grows its own barley, but it malts it too! It doesn’t get any more local than that!
POCO BROTHERS BREWING
1979 Brown St. | PoCoBrothersBrewing.com
This is the resident brewery at the Cat & Fiddle Pub, a popular restaurant that was founded in 1979 by two long-time Port Coquitlam residents.
LANGLEY
PORT COQUITLAM
3 DOGS BREWING
15181 Thrift Ave., White Rock 3DogsBrewing.com
ANOTHER BEER CO.
#11-30 Capilano Way, New Westminster AnotherBeerCo.com
BARNSIDE BREWING CO.
6655 60 Ave., Delta BarnsideBrewing.ca
BEERE BREWING COMPANY
312 E. Esplanade, North Vancouver BeereBrewing.com
BEVA BREWING AND BLENDING
1405 Pemberton Ave., North Vancouver BevaBrewing.ca
BLACK KETTLE BREWING
106-720 Copping St., North Vancouver BlackKettleBrewing.com
BOARDWALK BREWING
2155-575 Seaborne Ave., Port Coquitlam BoardwalkBrewery.com
BRAGGOT BREWING
102-370 E. Esplanade, North Vancouver Braggottery.com
BRAVE BREWING
2617 Murray St., Port Moody Brave.beer
BRIDGE BREWING CO.
1448 Charlotte Rd., North Vancouver BridgeBrewing.com
BRITANNIA BREWING CO.
110-12500 Horseshoe Way, Richmond BBCO.ca
BROOKSWOOD BREWING CO.
102-4061 200 St., Langley BrookswoodBrewing.com
FIVE ROADS BREWING
6263 202nd St., Langley FiveRoadsBrewing.com
FOAMERS’ FOLLY BREWING CO.
19221 122A Ave., Pitt Meadows FoamersFolly.ca
FUGGLES
103-11220 Horseshoe Way, Richmond FugglesBeer.com
GALAXIE CRAFT BREWHOUSE
1122 Vidal St., White Rock GalaxieCraftBeer.com
HOUSE OF FUNK BREWING CO.
350 E. Esplanade, North Vancouver HouseOfFunkBrewing.com
LA CERVECERIA ASTILLEROS
226 E. Esplanade, North Vancouver Cerveceria-Astilleros.com
MARINER BREWING
1100 Lansdowne Dr., Coquitlam MarinerBrewing.ca
MOODY ALES & CO.
2601 Murray St., Port Moody MoodyAles.com
NORTH POINT BREWING CO.
266 E. 1st St., North Vancouver NorthPointBrewing.com
NORTHPAW BREW CO.
2150-570 Sherling Pl., Port Coquitlam NorthpawBrewCo.com
PARKSIDE BREWERY
2731 Murray St., Port Moody TheParksideBrewery.com
PATINA BREWING CO.
2332 Marpole Ave., Port Coquitlam PatinaBrewing.com
3044 St Johns St., Port Moody Instagram.com/TrainWreckBrewingLtd
TWIN SAILS BREWING
2821 Murray St., Port Moody TwinSailsBrewing.com
WAYBACK BREW CO.
#116-15063 54a Ave., Surrey WayBackBrewCo.com
WHITE ROCK BEACH BEER CO.
15181 Russell Ave. WhiteRockBeachBeer.com
WILDEYE BREWING
1385 Main St., North Vancouver WildeyeBrewing.ca
YELLOW DOG BREWING CO.
1-2817 Murray St., Port Moody YellowDogBrew.com
BRICKLAYER BREWING
46128 Yale Rd. | BricklayerBrewing.com
Did you know that all of Bricklayer’s beers are named after songs? The brewery is also a busy live event space hosting shows of all different varieties.
POSITIVE CONTACT
KÖLSCH
FRASER VALLEY
CANUCK EMPIRE BREWING
Unit C-33797 King Rd., Abbotsford CanuckEmpireBrewing.com
FARMHOUSE BREWING CO.
6385 Lickman Rd., Chilliwack FarmhouseBrewing.co
FIELD HOUSE BREWING CO. –ABBOTSFORD
2281 West Railway St., Abbotsford FieldHouseBrewing.com
FIELD HOUSE BREWING CO. –CHILLIWACK
#102-9251 Woolly Dog Alley, Chilliwack FieldHouseBrewing.com
FLASHBACK BREWING CO.
1-9360 Mill St., Chilliwack FlashbackBrewing.ca
HUBCO BREWING CO.
33211 North Railway Ave., Mission HUBCoBrewing.com
Howe Sound now operates Taphouse & Kitchen locations in East Van and New Westminster, complementing the original Brewpub & Inn in Squamish.
PEMBERTON BREWING CO.
1936 Stonecutter Pl. | PembertonBrewing.ca
This spot in beautiful Pemberton Valley is expanding its patio this year, adding more seating and food options. Remember, you can’t spell Pemberton without beer!
As Canada’s original brewpub, Spinnakers has been a leader of the North American craft brewing renaissance ever since it opened in 1984 and remains fresh and relevant today. Check the website and socials for details on how Spins will celebrate its 40th anniversary this year.
MITCHELL’S ESB BRITISH
ESB
Availability: Year-round
Available in the taproom daily, this classic example of a London cask beer is named in honour of John Mitchell, Spinnakers’ original brewer.
NUT BROWN ALE
BRITISH BROWN ALE
Availability: Year-round
Brewed with locally grown Field 5 malts, classic noble hops and Spinnakers’ own mineral water for a refreshingly light body with hints of nutty avours.
A VERY WEST COAST IPA
NORTH AMERICAN IPA
Availability: Year-round
Juicy grapefruit citrus aromas fused with resinous pine avours wrapped in classic Paci c northwest hoppy bitterness.
SEAFARER’S SHARE
CLASSIC IPA
Availability: One-off
Aged in red wine and virgin oak barrels of various ages dating back to 2021, emulating historical IPAs as they might have been after long sea voyages.
The Cradle of the Craft Beer Revolution
Spinnakers is more than just a brewery and distillery. As a leader of the local food movement since its earliest days, it is a destination for food lovers, too. Plus, it operates several guesthouses making it an ideal place to stay while visiting Victoria.
Greater VICTORIA & Gulf Islands
DRIFTWOOD BREWERY
836 Viewfield Rd. | DriftwoodBeer.com
In addition to its awesome line-up of packaged beers, Driftwood’s Bar & Patio always has something special on tap along with delicious food from Dumpling Drop.
350B Bay St. | MoonUnderWater.ca
Field Five Farm in nearby Saanichton supplies virtually all of the malted grains that go into the Moon’s beers and distilled products.
VANCOUVER ISLAND BREWING
2330 Government St. | VIBrewing.com
Cheers to 40 years! Vancouver Island Brewing is proud to be driving innovation in the industry that they helped pioneer back in 1984.
4503 Margaret St., Port Alberni TwinCityBrewing.ca
UCLUELET BREWING COMPANY
1601 Peninsula Rd., Ucluelet UclueletBrewing.ca
WHITE SAILS BREWING
125 Comox Rd., Nanaimo WhiteSailsBrewing.com
WOLF BREWING COMPANY
940 Old Victoria Rd., Nanaimo WolfBrewingCompany.com
THOMPSON OKANAGAN
CANNERY BREWING
198 Ellis St. | CanneryBrewing.com
Look for Cannery’s new Okanagan Adventure Pack, which features four favourites: Lakeboat Lager, Muse, Trellis West Coast IPA and Naramata Nut Brown Ale.
In addition to all the delicious beers in its regular series, Fernie has also created its own non-alcoholic beer lineup called LOGO. Find out more at logobeer.com.
WEST COAST IPA
Year-round
50 6.5%
CREEK KÖLSCH
Seasonal
WHITETOOTH BREWING
623 8th Ave. N. | WhitetoothBrewing.com
Whitetooth’s location on the ski hill road is perfect. Its tasting room and patio are justifiably popular among locals and visitors alike.
ANGRY HEN BREWING
343 Front St. | AngryHenBrewing.com
Brewmaster Shirley Warne is one of B.C.’s craft beer living legends. This year, Shirley will focus on brewing low-alcohol beers with bigger taste.
45261 Ootsa Lake Rd. E., Burns Lake UrsaMinorBrewing.ca
WHEELHOUSE BREWING CO.
380 Bill Murray Dr., Prince Rupert WheelhouseBrewing.com
TAVES ESTATE CIDERY
333 Gladwin Rd. | TavesFamilyFarms.com/Hard-Cider
SAT-SUN 11AM-5PM (FROM APRIL 1)
EST. 2020
With a family and pet friendly patio, Taves offers orchard to bottle cider, inspired by the critters that inhabit the fourth generation family estate. Try the legendary apple cider slushies!
GENJI’S GOJI CIDER
GOJI BERRY CIDER
Availability: Seasonal
ABV 6.5%
Sweet and spicy, with a hint of ginger and raspberry, try pairing this gently effervescent number with salmon!
made pears, pumpkins
RAM’S BLACK CURRANT
BLACK CURRANT CIDER
Availability: Year-round
ABV 6.5%
This semi-sweet, semi crisp, jammy delight pairs well with BBQ and chocolate ice cream!
BANDITRY CIDER
538 Pratt Rd. | BanditryCider.com
Banditry serves up crisp, clean, old-school cider from its picturesque farm on the Sunshine Coast. Come for the cider and stay for the ducks!
CHEEKY PASH HOPPED PASSIONFRUIT APPLE CIDER
Dine and Sip at Banditry Cider’s Orchard Oasis
RHUBARB AND SPRUCE TIP TART APPLE CIDER WITH RHUBARB AND FRESH SPRUCE TIPS
6.0%
SUMMERLAND
HERITAGE CIDER CO.
3113 Johnson St. | SummerlandCider.com
Summerland’s farm-to-bottle all-juice cider uses European cider apples grown in its own orchards. Rich with tannins, these varietals create surprisingly complex flavours.
TUESDAY’S ORIGINAL TRADITIONAL APPLE CIDER
STRUBARB FRUITED CIDER
Availability: Year-round Availability: Year-round
6.5%
6.0%
Banditry Cider has quickly become one of the Coast’s favourite cider stops for locals and visitors alike since launching in 2021. Come enjoy our award-winning cider and one of Gibson’s most popular food vendors, TK’s Gourmet.
banditrycider.com
HOMESTEAD CIDER
6046 Kamp Rd. | HomesteadCider.ca
Celebrating its first anniversary this summer, Homestead Cidery in beautiful Agassiz was born of owner Brett Carlson’s fond childhood memories and passion for sharing his family’s legacy. RASPBERRY DRY Availability: Year-round
VALLEY CIDER COMPANY
7661 Mays Rd. | ValleyCider.com
#GrowlerFunFact: Did you know that Valley Cider also offers non-alcoholic versions of some of its most popular farm-to-bottle ciders?
LITTLE MISS MALBEC MALBEC COFERMENT WITH BLACKBERRY & ROSEMARY
RILEY’S CIDERY
620 Laura Rd. | RileysCider.com
Planted over a 30 year period, Riley’s orchard on Bowen Island boasts nearly 1,000 varieties of heirloom apples, making it one of Canada’s most diverse orchards.
SIP & TELL SINGLE VARIETAL MCINTOSH DRY Availability: Year-round
SUNDAY CIDER
1632 Sunshine Coast Hwy SundayCider.com
Enjoy live music in the picnic area every Friday and watch for the launch of Sunday Soda, a non-alcoholic cider made from 100% B.C. organic apples.
HOUSE PET NAT FARMHOUSE DRY BARREL FERMENTED W/APPLE POMMACE AND SYRAH LEES
Availability: Seasonal
6.9%
MILLIONAIRES’ ROW
CIDER CO.
14113 Dale Meadows Rd. | MillionairesRowCider.com
May marks the 5th anniversary of this family owned and operated cidery! Millionaires’ Row makes its cider with hand-picked apples from its 100+ year old orchard.
HIGH N’ DRY DRY
B.C. CIDERIES
AFFINITY CIDERHOUSE
5155 Samuel Rd., Duncan AffinityCider.com
BC TREE FRUITS CIDER CO.
880 Vaughan Ave., Kelowna BCTreeFruitsCider.com
BOWEN CIDER HOUSE
1125 Grafton Rd., Bowen Island BowenCiderHouse.ca
THE BRICKER CIDER COMPANY
6642 Norwest Bay Rd., Sechelt BrickersCider.com
BURTON CITY CIDER
5470 BC-6 , Burton BurtonCityCider.ca
CAMBIUM CIDER CO.
4667 E. Vernon Rd., Vernon CambiumCider.com
CEDAR CIDER
828 Kennedy Rd., Agassiz CedarCider.ca
CIDERWORKS
529 Fulford-Ganges Rd., Salt Spring Island SaltSpringAppleCompany.com/Ciderworks
CLIFFSIDE CIDER
103-37760 2 Ave., Squamish CliffsideCider.com
CREEK & GULLY CIDER
1053 Poplar Grove Rd., Penticton CreekAndGully.com
DEAD END CIDER
620 Sumac Rd., Cawston ForbiddenFruitWine.com
DOMINION CIDER CO.
10216 Gould Ave., Summerland DominionCider.com
FARMSTRONG CIDER CO.
4305 Maw Rd., Armstrong FarmstrongCider.com
FOSSIL BEACH FARM
750 Savoie Rd., Hornby Island FossilBeachFarm.com
FRASER VALLEY CIDER CO.
22128-16th Ave., Langley FraserValleyCider.ca
GABBIE’S PREMIUM CIDER
1120 Coats Dr., Gabriola Island GabbiesCider.com
GEO CIDER CO.
318-1201 Commercial Way, Squamish GeoCider.com
HOWLING MOON CRAFT CIDER
7952 BC-97, Oliver HowlingMoon.ca
JUNCTION ORCHARD & CIDERY
273 Prospect Lake Rd., Victoria JunctionVictoria.com
151 Sharp Rd., Salt Spring Island SaltSpringWildCider.com
SCENIC ROAD CIDER CO.
770 Packinghouse Rd., Kelowna ScenicRoadCider.com
SEA CIDER FARM & CIDERHOUSE
2487 Mt. St. Michael Rd., Saanichton SeaCider.ca
SHUSWAP CIDER CO.
#100-2090 10 Ave. SW, Salmon Arm | ShuswapCider.com
SOMA CRAFT CIDERY
4485 Sallows Rd., Kelowna SomaCidery.com
TONY’S CRAFT CIDERY
6167 Hwy. 6, Coldstream TonysCraftCidery.com
TRUCK 59 CIDER HOUSE
3887 Brown Rd., West Kelowna Truck59Cider.com
TWIN ISLAND CIDER
5601 Lupin Rd., Pender Island TwinIslandCider.com
TWISTED HILLS CRAFT CIDER
2080 Ritchie Dr., Cawston TwistedHills.ca
UNTANGLED CRAFT CIDER
725 Mackenzie Rd., Cawston UntangledCider.ca
UPSIDE CIDERY
2555 Gale Rd., Kelowna UpsideCider.com
VICTORIA CIDER CO.
9635 W. Saanich Rd., North Saanich VictoriaCiderCo.ca
WARDS CIDER
2287 Ward Rd., Kelowna WardsHardCider.com
WINDFALL CIDER
250 Esplanade E., North Vancouver WindfallCider.ca
WOODWARD CIDER CO.
5505 Westsyde Rd., Kamloops WoodwardCiderCo.ca
BEER GROUND
TO THE
Although the craft beer industry as a whole is facing some economic challenges in this post-pandemic world and consumers seem to be drinking less beer overall, we are still seeing some new breweries opening around British Columbia. Here are some more to look forward to.
BOLTAGE BREWING
Squamish (coming soon) Boltage's social media feeds and website have been saying “Coming Soon to Downtown Squamish” for a while now. BoltageBrewing.com
BRIDGE BREWING PEMBERTON
North Vancouver (fall 2024) Bridge is opening a second brewery location in the same area as Beva Brewing & Blending in the Norgate neighbourhood. BridgeBrewing.com
CONNECTOR BREWING
West Kelowna (spring/summer 2024) Look for this new spot to open in the fall or winter. What makes it unique is that its kitchen menu will be entirely vegan. ConnectorBrewing. com
HASTINGS MILL BREWING
Port Coquitlam (summer/fall 2024) is brewery based in Pat’s Pub in East Van was forced to close in 2021, but recently announced that it will be reopening in a new location in Port Coquitlam later this year. HastingsMillBrewing.com
HOUSE OF LAGER
Squamish (summer 2024) is o shoot of House of Funk Brewing is under construction as part of the Oceanfront Squamish development. Instagram.com/HouseOfLager
JORDAN RIVER BREWING
Jordan River (2024) Construction is underway on this gorgeous new facility that will de nitely become a destination brewery close to Juan de Fuca Provincial Park on the way to Port Renfrew. JordanRiverBrewery.com
