B.C. breweries are already famous for making world-class beer, but alongside those award-winning ales and lagers, many breweries also offer exceptional food.
We asked our faithful followers on social media to tell us about the food they love at their favourite breweries. The results absolutely poured in. More than 90 breweries were mentioned, and the dishes they highlighted were definitely drool-worthy. Whether seafood or smoked meats, hand-made pizzas or pulled pork sandwiches, cheeseburgers or charcuterie trays, and plant-based or gluten-free, the food options at breweries on the BC Ale Trail are simply spectacular. Searching for good food and beer near you?
Down on the farm — Finding delicious food at a farm-based brewery on Vancouver Island
Rusted Rake Brewing was one of the breweries that received the most mentions for its kitchen. Located on Vancouver Island in beautiful Nanoose Bay between Nanaimo and Parksville Qualicum Beach, this is a family-owned-and-operated business where the team does everything from planting and harvesting barley to brewing and pouring the beer in the beautiful tasting room and outdoor patio setting.
The Rake also has a superb kitchen that serves a wide range of dishes using locally sourced ingredients first and foremost. The menu features fresh, unpretentious West Coast fare, lovingly prepared with the most delicious local ingredients available by head chef Nick and the rest of the team. Highlights include the very popular seafood chowder, a brisket dip sandwich, and the chicken truffle bacon burger. Veggie-forward options include beet sliders, mushroom calamari, and the falafel plate.
Rusted Rake Brewing is open 11:30 am to 9:00 pm seven days a week. Find them on the Vancouver Island Part II Ale Trail.
Team up for delectable dishes – This Kelowna brewery partners with an amazing local catering company
Tucked away in Kelowna’s North End, Kettle River Brewing is a small-batch neighbourhood brewery that prides itself on experimenting with new recipes and ingredients, making for an ever-evolving collection of beers on tap. Kettle River is also famous for its food, which is produced by an on-site partner called Provisions Kitchen & Catering.
The kitchen offers a menu that changes monthly, but always features wings along with staples like burgers, falafels, and daily specials. Weekend specialties include the Ribeye for Two, Sunday brunch, and a special Big Board for Two option that must be ordered in advance.
Kettle River Brewing is open Wednesday to Sunday. Find it on the Kelowna and West Kelowna Ale Trail.
Visit this hidden gem in Ladysmith for a smorgasbord of delicious dishes paired with a creative beer lineup
Bayview Brewing was founded by four friends including two local high school teachers. After winning some awards in a homebrewing competition they decided to use that success as a springboard for launching their own brewery. And since one of the teachers taught culinary arts, they decided to include a kitchen in their plans when they designed the brewery. Although they initially envisioned the place being beer-focused, it quickly became clear that their customers were just as excited about the food. Check out Bonnie Todd’s blog from shortly after the brewery opened in 2022.
Bayview’s Instagram is replete with photos of the bearded owners’ smiling faces as well as delectable-looking dishes. The menu changes often but often includes popular treats like tacos, subs, donairs and bao buns. There are always some gluten-free and vegetarian options, too.
Bayview Brewing is open 7 days a week. Find it on the Vancouver Island Part I Ale Trail.
“Finish up your work, throw your laptop out the window, and bring your friends to The Office Brewery.”
OK, maybe don’t throw your laptop out the window, but do head over to The Office Brewery in Kelowna’s North End Brewery District for delicious beer and an extensive food menu that will definitely get your stomach rumbling and mouth-watering.
Highlights picked by fans on social media include the bacon-wrapped jalapenos, spicy halloumi tacos, and dill pickle nachos. But those delicious treats barely scratch the surface of what The Office’s kitchen has to offer. How about donairs, sliders, chimichangas or a pulled brisket sandwich? Yes, please!
The Office Brewing is open 7 days a week with a Happy Hour daily Monday to Friday from noon to 5:00pm. Find it on the Kelowna and West Kelowna Ale Trail.
Taco-licious! These breweries draw crowds for their tacos.
Four Winds Brewing in Delta had already made a name for itself by making some of the best beer in BC … and then it opened its own kitchen.
Four Winds’ tacos quickly became just as popular as the beer. More recently, they expanded the menu to include burgers and bowls so there are even more great options to choose from.
Also watch for its new location, Four Winds Beach House & Brewery, to open this summer.
Four Winds Brewing Co. is open from 11:00 am to 8:00 pm daily, and can be found on the South of the Fraser Ale Trail.
Auténticos Tacos Mexicanos
Naturally, you’d expect authentic tacos at a Mexican-themed brewery, and that’s exactly what you’ll find at La Cerveceria Astilleros in North Vancouver. “The Shipyards Brewery” strives to bring the colourful, rich Mexican culture straight into the heart of Vancouver’s North Shore in the form of delicious craft beer and food.
The menu includes a wide variety of tacos, burrito bowls, and burritos (available Monday to Friday only).
La Cerveceria Astilleros is open seven days a week. You can find it on the Vancouver’s North Shore Ale Trail.
At Land & Sea Brewing, the amazing nachos are just the beginning.
This Comox brewery has a kitchen that draws folks from near and far.
Land & Sea Brewing is a fantastic brewery with a beautiful, open-concept tasting room located in Comox on Vancouver Island. Since it opened in 2018 it has become well known not only for its beer lineup but also for the whole Land & Sea experience. Indeed, the brewery won our annual Best Brewery Experience award in 2019.
Locals and visitors alike love the food options with the main highlight being a stellar range of nachos along with salt & pepper wings, salads and bowls.
Land & Sea Brewing is open daily. You can find it on the Vancouver Island Part II Ale Trail.
It’s worth the drive for the pizza!
Lots of breweries make great pizza. Some develop such a reputation for their pies that people plan road trips around them. For instance, when my son and I visit Cumberland to play the excellent disc golf course there a couple times a year, we also make sure we time it for a day when we can also visit Riders Pizza, the sister restaurant to Cumberland Brewing Co., which is right across the street. (FYI Cumberland Brewing also offers excellent food through its own kitchen.)
Back in 2022, Colby Mahood wrote about some of the other amazing pizza options to be found at breweries on Vancouver Island, including Devil’s Bath Brewing in Port McNeill, Twin City Brewing in Port Alberni, and Mount Arrowsmith Brewing in Parksville.
Over on the Mainland, check out the za at Rewind Beer Co in Port Moody, and the very authentic style pizze at Vancouver’s Luppolo Brewing in partnership with Local Pizzaiolo. Kelowna’s Jackknife Brewing is almost as famous for its amazing pizza as it is for its “weird beer.”
Looking for great food and craft beer near you? This is just a short list, but there are many more breweries in BC that offer delicious food to go with the fantastic beer they make.
