As winter settles in and the holiday season approaches, craft breweries across BC are unwrapping their most creative and festive beer offerings yet. Winter beers have a special magic about them. Often darker and more robust, these carefully crafted ales and stouts are perfectly designed for the colder months. But it’s not just about the … Continued
It’s time to start planning your spring and early summer BC ale-ventures, and what better way to kick things off than with a beer festival? Make 2025 the year you turn a craft beer festival into a full-fledged getaway. Picture this: a weekend escape where dozens of craft breweries (and maybe even a cidery and … Continued
During the early days of craft beer in BC casks were all the rage. Weekly cask nights kept the thirsty beer nerds busy between the cask festivals that had developed a very keen following. Brewers would create 20-40 litres of a one-off beer and serve it directly from a steel cask. CAMRA, Central City, Tri-cities, … Continued
Rich in history, urban experiences and fresh craft beer. The Langley Ale Trail offers a mix of urban and rural charm with craft breweries, a cidery, and a distillery, featuring menus inspired by local ingredients and history. Just a short drive from Vancouver, it covers Langley City, Langley Township, and communities like Brookswood, Walnut Grove, … Continued
There must be something in the water in Port Alberni — Twin City Brewing just keeps on winning awards for its beer! After winning Beer of the Year at the 2018 BC Beer Awards shortly after it opened, Twin City Brewing won the BC Ale Trail’s Best Brewery Experience award in 2020 before winning Brewery … Continued
Patio season is here, and that means more opportunities to bring your canine companion along with you to dog-friendly breweries. There are a few things to know before you go to ensure the most enjoyable visit for yourself and your dog. What is it about craft beer and dog lovers? Maybe it’s just that good … Continued
Happy Spring! As flowers bloom and warmer weather arrives, let’s embark on a tasting tour of the many special beers BC’s breweries are releasing this spring. There is a wide assortment of styles to choose from, including sours, IPAs, saisons, and a variety of fruit-infused beers. Browse this list to find something from your local … Continued
It’s time to start planning your spring and early summer BC ale-ventures, and what better way to kick things off than with a beer festival? Dozens of craft breweries (and maybe even a cidery and distillery or two) all coming together at one venue, with good food, music, and your fellow craft beer lovers — … Continued
A toast to the women in the beer community! As the world gears up to commemorate International Women’s Day this Friday, it’s a fitting moment to raise our glasses to the women who have been making significant strides in our industry and the beer community at large. From ancient civilizations where women were the primary … Continued
As December arrives, many craft breweries in British Columbia are releasing special beers they have created to celebrate the holiday season. These seasonal beers are perfect for the wintertime. Many are a little darker and stronger — ideal for colder, darker days — and some of the recipes even include spices, cranberries, or other tasty … Continued
Langley has become something of a hotspot on the brewery scene in recent years. This fast-growing city on the edge of Metro Vancouver is home to 13 Ale Trail locations, including a number of award-winning breweries. Too often my husband, Tom, and I miss these delights as we travel through the Lower Mainland on our … Continued
Trans-Canada flights from Halifax to British Columbia will be carrying some extra weight early next week as representatives from BC breweries return home with their medals! The 2023 Canadian Brewing Awards were announced in Halifax on Saturday, June 3, and once again this year, craft breweries from British Columbia fared extremely well on the national … Continued
Winter in BC can be cold and dark, especially after the lights and magic of the Christmas season. If you’re looking to escape the winter doldrums, but the tropics aren’t your thing, then Vernon and the Winter Carnival are calling your name. Vernon is home to noteworthy outdoor adventure opportunities, and winter is no exception. … Continued
As December arrives, many craft breweries in British Columbia are releasing special beers they have created to celebrate the holiday season. These wintry beers are often a little darker and stronger, making them well-suited for colder, darker days, and some of the recipes even include spices, cranberries, or chocolate. Here are more than 100 suggestions … Continued
Gladstone Brewing Wins Brewery of the Year and Parallel 49 Brewing Earns Best in Show The 2022 BC Beer Awards were announced on November 5 at the Croatian Cultural Centre in Vancouver. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the last time this previously annual event took place was in October 2019. The first of two big … Continued
A BC musician is touring craft breweries across the province with a goal we can all get behind: Explore new parts of our beautiful backyard, make new friends, and try new craft beers along the way. Steven Marriott is a Vancouver-based singer-songwriter with a passion for bringing people together through music. He says he planned … Continued
March 8 is International Women’s Day and more than 35 BC breweries are brewing up a special beer to showcase women as well as inclusion and diversity in the craft beer industry in BC. Back in 2013, the thought of women gathering together all over British Columbia to brew a special batch of beer seemed … Continued
Stepping Out For a Walkable Weekend in the Fraser Valley’s Craft Beer Capital Here’s an observation. By offering British Columbians a nifty way to plan short or long ‘staycation’ getaways, therefore bypassing the hassle of expensive border tests, quarantining, and guilt, the BC Ale Trail represents a potentially vital service to a population that’s been … Continued
To help celebrate the holiday season, many craft breweries in British Columbia have been busy brewing up something special. Some of these holiday-themed beers are made with spices, cranberries, chocolate — or even candy canes! These wintry beers are often a little darker and stronger, making them well suited for colder, darker days. Here are … Continued
Whether you just want to have a beer and meet Santa, looking for that perfect gift for someone special (while having a beer), or even just wanting to find a way to help others, BC’s craft breweries around the province are here to help. Holiday Markets Holiday Markets are a great place to visit for … Continued
This holiday season, give the gift of craft beer and ale-ventures on the BC Ale Trail. Okay, folks, it’s that time of year, and I’m here to give some gifting inspiration. As always, the best way to shop for your nice list is local all the way — so here is this year’s updated craft … Continued
The 19th Annual Canadian Brewing Awards were given out on September 18th, 2021, at an event held at the Hilton Québec in Québec City, and brewers from British Columbia took home 40 trophies. The big wins came from the Prairies this year, with a repeat for Alberta with The Establishment Brewing Company taking home Brewery … Continued
There’s something about the combination of craft breweries and farmers’ markets that is beautifully wholesome. For some, it’s a combination that brings the community together for fun and connection. For others, it’s like a lifeline and a symbiotic relationship of sorts. Craft beer fans typically have a handful of cherished beer memories. You know the … Continued
Expats and future travellers: Find a piece of home at BC Ale Trail craft breweries serving British and European beer styles. If you’ve ever moved anywhere far, you’ll know the feeling of missing the little things that make a place feel like home. This can also be a common feeling when travelling — as adventurous … Continued
This weekend, dads everywhere will rejoice with a renewed sense of freedom, thanks to Phase 2 of BC’s Restart Plan. Not to mention Sunday is Father’s Day. Wondering what to get the old man this year to celebrate? The answer is clear: beer. Read on for Father’s Day gift ideas for the craft beer-loving dad. … Continued
With indoor dining closed until further notice, you’re going to want to scope out craft brewery patios on the BC Ale Trail (some of which are brand new) to quench your thirst. The weather’s warming up across the province and indoor tasting rooms are still closed for the time being. Luckily, many craft breweries have … Continued
Despite the recent “Circuit Breaker” Public Health Order that has forced breweries to close their tasting rooms, we can all still support our local craft breweries in a variety of ways. Seven Ways to Support Your Local Breweries 1. visit a brewery patio Good news! Breweries are allowed to continue serving beer on their outdoor … Continued
March 8 is International Women’s Day and many BC breweries are brewing up a special beer to showcase women in craft beer. The annual Pink Boots Collaboration Brew on March 8 started off in 2013 as a way to provide awareness of women in the brewing industry and to raise money for the Pink Boots … Continued
