Brewery Creek
Vancouver Ale Trail
Brewery Creek is where Vancouver’s early brewing history began — and where it continues to flourish today.
Vancouver’s earliest breweries set up along a creek that paralleled present-day Main Street, and although the creek itself is long gone you can still find it echoed in a progressive and exciting brewing scene there today. As Scout Magazine puts it, “Known as much for its cool factor as for its diversity and down-to-earth accessibility, Main Street is as honest a cross-sectioned representation of Vancouver’s cultural promise as you’ll find.”
In addition, you can explore the always-bubbling brewpub culture in downtown Vancouver or travel along False Creek over to Kitsilano on the city’s west side. Most of these breweries serve delicious food along with their beer, too. The only question is: where to begin?
Day 1
Serving brunch starting at 11am on weekends, fuel up for your ale-venture at Steamworks. The first of its kind in Canada, the steam-powered Gastown Brew Pub continues to offer a classic brew pub experience since its beginnings in 1995. With 20 rotating taps featuring the year-round core lineup, seasonal favorites, and Brew Pub exclusives, plus modern pub food favourites, you just might find yourself visiting whenever you’re in town.
A walk around the Vancouver Convention Centre comes highly recommended. Along with lots of public art, the surrounding section of the seawall includes many interpretive plaques giving visitors a sense of the harbour’s history. Within the distinctive white sails of Canada Place, you can take a virtual flight over the country via the 4-D Fly Over Canada attraction. Make sure you visit Jack Poole Plaza, home of the Olympic flame from the 2010 Olympic & Paralympic Winter Games.
This location of Tap & Barrel offers 36 tap choices and an unobstructed view of Burrard Inlet and North Vancouver.
A great spot for lunch or afternoon appies, sample the beer at Vancouver’s original brewpub, just steps from the Yaletown Roundhouse Skytrain Station. Yaletown Brewing was built with the vision of being a true neighbourhood pub – a welcoming gathering place whether you arrive dressed in a suit or flip-flops.
Hop on the Aquabus or one of the False Creek Ferries which take you from Yaletown across False Creek to the Olympic Village and Granville Island areas, and beyond to Kitsilano.
Just steps away from the Public Market. Bridges has been a BC dining landmark since 1980 and was renovated under the Tap & Barrel brand.
The latest addition to the Kitsilano neighbourhood, just blocks away from the Granville Island market is Brewing August. Brewing beer with all the qualities of August: full sun, long days, and filled with possibility.
Faculty shares information about the brewing process and even publishes all its beer recipes. Like a university or college, the brewery is meant to be a place of idea-sharing and collaboration. Faculty’s beer names include a number system similar to how universities and colleges number courses by their level of complexity and expertise. Lower numbers indicate a more entry-level beer, while higher numbers are reserved for more experimental and boldly flavoured beers.
The Vancouver region has more than 25,000 guest rooms, with about 13,000 alone downtown, so from economical to boutique, Vancouver accommodations are sure to suit any traveller's budget and tastes.
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Be sure to stop in at the Vancouver Visitor Information Centre for a full list of activities and attractions to explore.
As you cross from Coal Harbour on the Aquabus, you’ll find Vancouver’s arts and culture hub Granville Island, home to the Granville Island Public Market. Or add a stop at Science World – this Vancouver landmark features exhibits for all ages to enjoy.
Vancouver has long enjoyed tremendous acclaim for its culinary scene and the MICHELIN Guide Vancouver further elevates the city’s reputation as a global dining destination. As of 2023, Vancouver is home to nine Michelin One Star restaurants, plus 17 ‘Bib Gourmand’ restaurants, and a further list of over Michelin Recommended eateries.
Day 2
Whether for a weekend brunch or a sunset dinner, this taphouse has one of the best waterfront patios in the city. Their menu is seasonally inspired and locally sourced whenever possible to showcase the best of the province. Their innovative on-tap beverage program exclusively serves BC craft beer.
Not wanting to brave the waters? Rent a bike and cycle the seawall pathways instead.
Bringing the community together with fresh beer, tasty bites, fun games, and great vibes. Reminiscent of a giant German beer hall, this facility located in Vancouver’s Olympic Village was renovated as part of the heritage “resurrection” of the Opsal Steel Building, built in 1918.
This brewery’s stylish cafe-like tasting room would not be out of place in Copenhagen, Berlin or Brooklyn. You can pop in for an espresso first thing, sit in for some lunch later on, then enjoy a post-shift pint and some snacks or pizza. The weekend brunch has become something of a minor sensation. The beer lineup follows and riffs on classic European and West Coast styles and is, without exception, excellent.
Right next door to 33 Acres Brewing is 33 Brewing Experiment. The same people, brewing exciting and experimental beers.
Mount Pleasant is the birthplace of the Vancouver Mural Festival and features over 100 murals throughout the neighbourhood. Discover the artwork using their free app.
The building’s exterior is covered in a giant, psychedelic mural that makes it hard to miss – but it’s the brewery’s fresh and creative beer lineup that keeps customers returning. To go along with the range of delicious beers you can enjoy a delicious smashburger from Kapow! Burger, which is open 7 days a week.
Clearly proud of its roots, R&B has been a self-described “East Van Original” since opening in 1997. The kitchen specializes in tasty personal pizzas and enticing bar snacks. The brewery, meanwhile, holds fast to its heritage with classic, multiple-award-winning brews, while also branching out into more daring styles.
The Magnet is the younger sibling of Brassneck Brewing. A friendly spot for food, beer and the occasional stiff drink. Their offerings include 30 draft lines pouring a carefully curated list of BC’s favourite craft beer and ciders, a barrel aged program, craft cocktails, and a healthy wine selection. The kitchen crew has created a real smorgasbord of comforting pub grub with their own twist to compliment your drink of choice whatever your preference.
The Vancouver region has more than 25,000 guest rooms, with about 13,000 alone downtown, so from economical to boutique, Vancouver accommodations are sure to suit any traveller's budget and tastes.
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It’s officially known as Guelph Park, but is more famously known as Dude Chilling Park. It’s worth a visit to not only see the recently recast bronze sculpture of a reclining figure, which inspired the name among locals, but the official-looking sign that was originally installed as a prank by artist Viktor Briestensky in 2014. The sign was removed, but following public outcry and a petition, it was returned to remain as public artwork. The whole story inspired R&B Brewing to create their delicious Dude Chilling Pale Ale. The park is a great spot to take a break, have a picnic or shop at the Mount Pleasant Farmers Market on Sundays, May to October.
Day 3
Located right in the heart of Mount Pleasant with 20 taps to choose from. Brunch is available on weekends and holidays, making it a great first stop on a final day of brewery explorations.
One of the most innovative and inventive breweries in BC, Brassneck is a must-visit for any beer aficionado. Expect pitch-perfect versions of classic beer styles alongside boundary-pushing experimental brews and re-imagined hybrids.
Based in a historic building that once was part of the Vancouver Brewery complex in the 1920s, Main St. Brewing showcases the neighbourhood’s history while brewing up cutting-edge contemporary craft beers. The food menu, which ranges from excellent tacos to a charcuterie board, is also well worth a try.
Not far to the south is Queen Elizabeth Park, where you can find the Bloedel Conservatory, a lush, domed tropical paradise that is the highest point in the city of Vancouver.
After focusing on a lager and an amber ale for most of its existence, Red Truck has steadily expanded its portfolio since moving to their current location in 2015. The brewery also features the Truck Stop Diner, which offers a large menu of homely comfort food, from stacked sandwiches and burgers to deluxe hot dogs and tacos. Keep an eye out for the Truck Stop Concert Series during summer months.
This modern take on the classic UK pub serves creative comfort food alongside their great craft beer selection. Open for Happy Hour at 4pm until late.
Brewery Creek is BC's premiere specialty liquor store, featuring the best craft beer selection in the Pacific Northwest with both local standouts and favourites from around the world.
The Vancouver region has more than 25,000 guest rooms, with about 13,000 alone downtown, so from economical to boutique, Vancouver accommodations are sure to suit any traveller's budget and tastes.
Explore More
If you are visiting during the summer season, check to see if the Vancouver Canadians are in town and take in a ballgame at nearby Nat Bailey Stadium, considered one of the best Minor League ballparks in North America.