There’s something about the drive to Sooke that immediately shifts your nervous system.
The winding West Coast road. The ocean peeking through the trees. That feeling that you’re heading somewhere just a little bit magical.
We set out to experience the breweries of Sooke and Shirley along the BC Ale Trail, taking our time and soaking in every stop. To find them yourself, download the FREE BC Ale Trail app or pick up a Greater Victoria Ale Trail map at any participating location and let it guide your adventure.
Here’s how our day unfolded…
Sooke Oceanside Brewery
Our first stop was tucked behind a surf shop, overlooking the ocean, and it instantly felt like the kind of place you’d want to become a regular.
We were greeted by owner Ryan, who took the time to share the backstory of Sooke Oceanside. The idea for the brewery was born during his successful career as an executive chef. After long days in professional kitchens, his downtime and passion project lived in his garage: brewing beer. What started as a creative release slowly evolved into something much bigger and eventually became the coastal community hub it is today.
You can feel that the chef’s mindset in the beer program is thoughtful, balanced, and intentional.
We sipped our way through:
- Leechtown Lager – crisp and endlessly drinkable
- Renfrew Red – smooth malt character with coastal ease
- Stiff Jab – bold and punchy
- Stick in the Mud Coffee Porter – rich, roasty and beautifully layered
The taproom is small but mighty, filled with local artwork, warm wood, ocean views, and space for intimate live music nights. It feels personal. Community-forward. Authentic.
They’ve also built something really special for locals, a Mug Club that keeps regulars coming back. Plus, great merch (think cozy hoodies, hats, glassware) that you’ll actually want to wear. And from what Ryan shared? There are some very fun things coming down the pipeline, new beers, creative collabs, and fresh ideas in the works.
It’s a brewery that feels rooted in Sooke but still evolving, and we love that.
You can reach Sooke Oceanside via BC Transit, making it one of the more accessible stops on the route.
Bad Dog Brewing Company
Next up: Bad Dog Brewing, and this is exactly what you picture when you think of small craft beer made with love.
Tucked away on a rural property, the space includes the brewhouse and taproom, a picnic area, and the Hot Diggity Dog Food Trailer parked outside.
We actually caught them mid-brew (our favourite timing), which meant we got to peek into the brewhouse and chat with Rosie and John about the family history behind the brewery and their deep love of craft beer. You can tell this is more than a business; it’s a passion project built on years of appreciation for the craft.
Our flight included:
- Space Walk Passion Fruit Ale – bright and fruit-forward
- Kona’s Gone Coconuts – red ale with balanced malt and coconut
- Short ‘N Stout – a smooth milk stout
- Tire Biter – a deliciously hoppy West Coast IPA with citrus and grapefruit notes
- Liquid Hippy – a touch of haze with the zing of mango and hibiscus flower
Every beer felt intentional and handcrafted.
Hot Diggity Dog is not just an afterthought; it’s legit. Think:
- Crispy Chicken Burger
- Kimchi Wraps
- Pulled Pork Buns
- Pulled Pork Poutine
Comfort-forward, beer-friendly bites that absolutely hit.
Of course, we can’t talk about Bad Dog without mentioning the brew dogs. The resident pups are part of the charm, and they welcome visiting dogs too. Between the family story, the dogs, the merch for sale, and the laid-back rural setting, being there genuinely makes you feel like family.
The vibe is perfect. The people are even better.
BC Transit will get you close, but plan for about a 30-minute walk to reach the property.
Checkerhead Brewing (Shirley)
We then made our way to Shirley for Checkerhead, and honestly? This isn’t just a brewery stop. It’s an experience.
Checkerhead has it all: an apiary, disc golf, hiking trails, an Airbnb stay option, gardens growing ingredients for beer, mead and kombucha, interactive games like the Beer Puppeteer rig — and Dave.
Dave is the mastermind juggler behind Checkerhead and truly one of its greatest attractions. His background in busking and world travel shows up directly in the beers he creates; each one is dedicated to someone he’s met along his journey.
We sipped:
- Moroccofied Cerveza, inspired by a flamenco-shredding, joke-slinging, world-class juggling legend who tours with Olé!
- A Coconut Blonde Ale dedicated to a New Zealand hula hooper and street performer
- Wee Zebra ISA, honouring El Gleno Grande (aka Glenn Singer) — a theatrical street performer whose slow-motion miniature zebra-riding act became an international festival legend
- A beautifully tart Rhubarb Braggot
- A Wrye Wit Roggen, layered and spice-forward with rye character
- A Tayberry ale made from berries grown right in Dave’s garden
One of the most unique touches? When you order a beer, you can watch a video about the person it’s dedicated to. We got to “meet” our flight, seeing their talents, magic, and personalities come alive through the stories behind the beer.
Being at Checkerhead really pulls you out of whatever is happening in the wider craft beer world — the uncertainty of the industry, the hype cycles, the bureaucratic red tape that can make it feel heavy — and brings you back to the heart of it all.
It surrounds you with the love and joy of the craft beer that got most of us hooked in the first place. The creativity. The storytelling. The human connection. The pride in ingredients grown on-site. The willingness to experiment simply because it’s fun.
The love of the trade shines through here in a way that’s overwhelmingly contagious. You don’t just drink beer here, you feel it.
Checkerhead is not accessible via BC Transit, so plan for a designated driver or carpool.
Beyond the Breweries
You don’t just have to sip; you can explore.
• Sheringham Point Lighthouse
We wandered out to this stunning National Heritage Lighthouse and took in the sweeping ocean views. It’s peaceful, dramatic, and feels quintessentially West Coast.
• Shirley Delicious
A café tucked in the woods serving fresh-baked goodies, brunch, lunch and excellent coffee. It’s cozy, charming and absolutely worth lingering over.
• Sooke Potholes Provincial Park
Naturally carved rock pools along the Sooke River — we explored the trails, and (in warmer months) you can take a refreshing dip. A favourite day-use spot for locals for good reason.
Where to Stay
If you’re turning this into an overnight (highly recommend), here are a few places we love:
- The Bee View Suite (Airbnb) – cozy, private and peaceful. Perfect for a romantic or quiet getaway. (Located on the Chekerhead property)
- SookePoint Ocean Cottage Resort – cliffside oceanfront cottages with jaw-dropping views.
- Ocean Song Cottages – charming standalone cottages surrounded by nature.
- Prestige Oceanfront Resort – full-service comfort right on the water.
- Sooke Harbour Resort & Marina – townhouse-style suites overlooking the marina, ideal for groups.
Final Thoughts
Sooke and Shirley are not just “quick brewery stops.” They are coastal experiences filled with passionate owners, family stories, creative risks, rural charm, ocean views, and that feeling of connection that makes craft beer so special.
Whether you download the BC Ale Trail app or grab a map and wander, this stretch of Vancouver Island is absolutely worth the drive.
Trust us: go for the beer, stay for the people.
Every Pint Tells a Story
