A Long Weekend in the West Kootenays

  Get inspired for a spring road trip with this look back at Hanna Irvine’s visit to Rossland in the West Kootenays. The May long weekend is the undisputed unofficial start of the summer in BC. In the Okanagan, it’s the date when old-timers deem it safe to plant out tender seedlings, restaurants and breweries … Continued

A Long Weekend in the West Kootenays

Hannah Irvine visits Rossland and Salmo for a weekend of hikes, beers and relaxation. The May long weekend is the undisputed unofficial start of the summer in BC. In the Okanagan, it’s the date when old-timers deem it safe to plant out tender seedlings, restaurants and breweries start to set up their patio seating, and … Continued

Kootenay Road Trip Tasting Passport

Go on a Kootenay Road Trip throughout the month of February to collect stamps for a chance to win some great prizes. Throughout February, explore a diverse mix of breweries and taphouses on the Kootenay Rockies West Ale Trail.   Explore mountain activities, stunning views along rivers and lakes, boutique places to stay, curious attractions, dining, … Continued

The First Annual Kootenay Beer Week runs September 10 – 17

Breweries from across the Kootenays are coming together for the first annual Kootenay Beer Week: September 10 – 17, 2022. Various events will take place across the region over the week, offering plenty of opportunities for sampling craft beer and celebrating with great food and music. On September 17, the main event, Kootenay Beer Fest, … Continued

All I Want for Christmas is…Craft Beer!

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

Exploring the Kootenays’ Most Thought-Provoking Beer Names

You know what they say… behind every great beer name, there’s an even greater story. Once upon a pre-COVID time, I embarked on a road trip across the Kootenays. Dipping into breweries for crisp salvation, I came across a number of brow-furrowing, curiosity-sparking Kootenay beer names. Intrigued to discover the secrets and stories that lurk … Continued

Skiing and Craft Beer in Kootenay Rockies West

Combining a skiing adventure while exploring the Kootenay Rockies West Ale Trail from Penticton, we visited the Trail Beer Refinery along with a few other breweries nearby as we meandered to RED Mountain Resort. Trail Beer Refinery The 13 local business partners who opened Trail’s first craft brewery (March 2017) thought the name should embrace … Continued

More Than 20 New Breweries Expected to Open in 2020!

As the calendar turns to a new year and a new decade, here is a list of more than 20 new breweries that are expected to open in British Columbia in 2020.   View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Barnside Brewing Co. (@barnsidebrewing) on Dec 31, 2019 at 11:28pm PST Barnside … Continued

Breweries, Pubs and Tasting Rooms on the BC Ale Trail

The West Kootenays are a stunning region of eastern British Columbia, cloaked in dense forests, hemmed in by majestic peaks, and ribboned by the dazzling water of the Columbia and Kootenay Rivers. Travelers on the BC Ale Trail get to enjoy all of that …along with a few pints of tasty locally-brewed ales and lagers, too. Coming in from the … Continued

Pairing Powder and Pints in the Kootenay Rockies

With an increasing number of brewery visitors meandering their way throughout the Kootenay Rockies this past summer, a couple of things have become clear. First, there is an increasing number of stops to make, beers to drink and small-town charm to be found — so best secure a few more days off work for your trip. … Continued

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