From pumpkin carving and costume parties at breweries to special spooky beers, Halloween on the BC Ale Trail brings plenty of tricks and treats. Here’s what the witches are brewing this year!
Pumpkin carving events at breweries
Looking for places to release your creative skills? Many breweries this year are providing you with that opportunity. So shake out those cobwebs and get out those carving knives!
PUMPKIN CARVING AT RED ARROW: OCTOBER 28
For a $10 ticket available at the brewery, Red Arrow Brewing will provide you with a pumpkin AND a beer or non-alcoholic beverage. Bring your own tools, or they can supply them for an additional $5.
IT’s THE GREAT DAGERPAATCH: OCTOBER 30 and 31
At Dageraad Brewing, $10 gets you a pumpkin of your choosing and a 330 mL pour of Burnabarian. There will also be spiced apple ciders (with a non-alcoholic option) and H2 Eats Inc. will be serving up hot and fresh fusion cooking on Saturday, plus treats and other surprises. Carving tools are provided. The Dagerpaatch is also open on Sunday!
CARVING CONTEST AT NORTH BASIN: The contest ends October 31
Want to partake in carving but prefer to do it at home? North Basin Brewing has the perfect carving event for you! You just need to use their logo in the carving! Once you’re done, use the hashtag #carvethebasin in your Instagram post or, if you live in the South Okanagan area, bring it to the brewery to display it! Judging and drawing will happen on Monday, November 1st. Win beer and #northbasinbrewingco swag.
Costume parties, anyone?
Not into carving pumpkins, but love to dress up in costume? There are quite a few choices and breweries will to happy to see you show up in costume. There will even be prizes, music, and treats, oh my!
HALLOWEEN COSTUME NIGHT AT BLACK KETTLE BREWING: OCTOBER 30
Head on over to Vancouver’s North Shore. Black Kettle Brewing will be having prizes for best dressed and more! There will also be a special Halloween food menu available including Snackish Sausages poutine. The Halloween activities start at 5:00 PM.
KELOWNA’S FIRST CRAfT BREWERY TRICK-OR-TREAT: UNTIL OCTOBER 31
What a great way to have some Halloween fun and win some prizes in Kelowna! The first and last stop is at Rustic Reel where you pick up and return your card before 5:00 PM on the 31st. In between, visit the breweries and stop in for a drink,(check the Kelowna and West Kelowna Ale Trail for the full list), but remember to say “trick or treat” at each location. The grand prize has goodies from every brewery and will be drawn at 7:00 pm on Halloween!
BOOS, BREWS, AND BEATS AT SHORELINE BREWING: OCTOBER 30
Throughout the day, Shoreline Brewing will be providing great beers on tap, drink specials, treats, and prizes for best costumes. One of Kelowna’s own DJs, Aaron Desilva, starts his magic at 6:30 PM
THE HAIRFARMERS HAUNTED HOUSE AT HOWE SOUND BREWING: OCTOBER 30
HOPPY HALLOWEEN SPECIALS AT VI BREWING: OCT 29 – 31
SCAREOKE HALLOWEEN PARTY AT THE 101 BREWHOUSE & DISTILLERY: OCTOBER 30
HALLOWEEN HAPPENINGS AT FOX MOUNTAIN: OCTOBER 30 AND 31
Fox Mountain Brewing in Williams Lake is putting together two nights with Halloween Happy Hour appies, special beer prizes, and free face painting for the kids!
And then, there will be drag queen shows!
Not one, but two unique shows to entertain you.
THE OOKY SPOOKY HALLOWEEN DRAG SHOW AT FARM COUNTRY: OCTOBER 31
DEVILS & DRAG AT STRANGE FELLOWS BREWING: OCTOBER 31
A special Halloween drag show will be held this year at Strange Fellows Brewing, hosted by Shanda Lee and featuring Belladonna Von Shade, Delica Cee, and Awesome Bitch.
Tickets are $40 and include a beverage The show starts at 8:00 PM, but guests are asked to arrive by 7:30 PM so everyone can get to their seats. Tickets available HERE.
*** PLEASE NOTE: All Covid protocols will be in place for all the above events and all guests must be double vaccinated and show proof of vaccination along with a government-issued ID.***
Prefer to do take-out?
Whether you are deciding to stay home or have a get-together with friends, there are some special beer releases that will fit the Halloween theme. Perfect for Trick or Treating.
BEETLEJUICE SOUR ALE BY FOAMERS’S FOLLY BREWING (5.5%ABV / 18 IBU)
Trying to get into the Halloween mood? Stream your favourite Halloween Tim Burton movie (doesn’t this label just scream Beetlejuice?), and enjoy this puckering, vibrant red sour ale. It’s made with the additions of beetroot, blackberries, and blueberries.
Foamers’ Folly can be found on the Maple Ridge Ale Trail
SAISON OF THE WITCH BY RIOT BREWING ( 4/1%ABV / 15 IBU )
The perfect ale for the witch in you. This is a light farmhouse-style Saison that pours a rich burgundy colour and releases the aromas of elderberry and hints of spice.
Riot Brewing can be found on the Vancouver island Part 1 Ale Trail
BORIS IMPERIAL STOUT BY STRANGE FELLOWS BREWING (10.3% ABV / 80 IBU)
This year’s version of Boris has been barrel-aged for a year in Buffalo Trace bourbon barrels. It is rich, yet very smooth and as dark as the blackest of Halloween nights. If you have the chance to head to the taproom, you will be rewarded with a vertical of this luscious black imperial stout. And as an extra bonus, ask for their Boris cake recipe.
Strange Fellows Brewing can be found on the Yeast Vancouver Ale Trail
CONJUROR OF CHEAP TRICKS BY BACKCOUNTRY BREWING (10% ABV / 40 IBU)
A very small-batch imperial stout is available only through the taproom. This version has been aged in Heaven Hill Distillery bourbon barrels.
Backcountry Brewing can be found on the Squamish Ale Trail
And of course, there are many other fall-time and pumpkin beers to be had. Just visit your local brewery or taproom to see what their seasonal releases are. Happy Halloween! 👻🎃
