Venture up the wild and scenic coastline of northern Vancouver Island, where small-town charm meets big flavour in a string of welcoming craft breweries.
Begin in the Comox Valley, home to Cumberland and Courtenay—an agricultural hub where farm-fresh ingredients and community spirit fuel the local beer scene.
Hop on a ferry to Hornby Island, where white sand beaches and a laid-back vibe set the stage for an unforgettable island escape—complete with craft beer.
Continue north to Campbell River, a coastal playground for anglers and adventurers alike.
Then follow the road even farther to Port McNeill and beyond, where you’ll discover the island’s most remote pub and the rugged beauty of Vancouver Island’s northern tip.
Be sure to check out the Central Vancouver Island Ale Trail and the Pacific Rim Ale Trail.
Hornby Island Brewing on Hornby Island
Comox, BC
Land & Sea Brewing in Comox, BC
Campbell River, BC
Beach Fire Brewing in Campbell River, BC
Ace Brewing in Courtenay, BC
RAD Brewing in Comox, BC
Cumberland Brewing Company in Cumberland, BC
Devil’s Bath Brewing in Port McNeill, BC (photo provided)
Gladstone Brewing in Courtenay, BC
Port Hardy, BC
From the mainland, travel to Vancouver Island on BC Ferries. From Vancouver, take the ferry from Horseshoe Bay to Nanaimo; or, from Tsawwassen to Duke Point.
From the Sunshine Coast, travel to Comox on BC Ferries from Powell River.
Alternatively, you can walk onto the new Hullo Ferries fast ferry from Downtown Vancouver to Nanaimo.
Drive from Nanaimo, approximately 1 hour 15 minutes.
Drive from Victoria, approximately 2 hours 45 minutes.
Consider taking the Old Island Highway for scenic ocean views.
Travel by air to the Comox Valley Airport with convenient year-round direct flight routes from Vancouver, Kelowna, Calgary or Edmonton.
Home of perfectly overstuffed breakfasts, bustling lunches and inspired dinners. It’s where friends and family share laughs, colleagues share ideas, and the entire community gathers to share our passion for great food.
Real Beer. Brewed Right here. Real Food. Made Right here.
Cumberland Brewing Company in Cumberland, BC
The rich historical legacy of the Royal Canadian Air Force, which has had a presence at CFB Comox since 1943, is behind Ace Brewing’s name and vintage aviation-themed branding. Its location in Courtenay is a unique octagonal building that was previously a car dealership. Inside, visitors will find the aviation…
Ace Brewing Company in Courtenay, BC
Based in a one-time car mechanic’s shop, Gladstone Brewing embraces that heritage with a tasting room that is decorated with old car parts and automobile memorabilia. At its opening in 2015, the brewery’s capacity was only enough to supply its own tasting room and a few local restaurants. Upon recent…
Be sure to stop in at the Comox Valley Visitor Information Centre for a full list of activities and attractions to explore.
This region is home to marine and outdoor adventures, the perfect accompaniment to your next brewery tour! Discover the Emerald Sea and what lies below with some of the world’s best cold water activities. Check out Pacific Pro Drive for snorkeling, marine tours, dive charters, rebreathers, & SCUBA training.
The Island’s only ski and snowboard resort destination, extensive mountain biking plus pristine beach and ocean adventures await.
Don’t miss out on festivals like the Filberg Festival or pick up fresh, local produce at the popular year-round Comox Valley Farmers’ Market.
Start your day with strong coffee and friendly service at this small but mighty breakfast spot.
This picturesque sand spit is fed by the Willemar Bluffs that, with Gartley Point, create the Comox Harbour. Take in the views from south, east and west—all year round.
With a name that celebrates the elements that define life on Vancouver Island — the land and the sea — this brewery has established itself as a community gathering place in the heart of Comox. Its bright and welcoming tasting room, with room for 70 guests, showcases the brewing equipment…
It seems as if the name of this brewery picked itself. After New Tradition Brewing unfortunately had to close, the co-owners of the Church St Taphouse decided to buy the brewery and restart it. As they were taking down the letter signs on the front facade one by one, RAD…
RAD Brewing Co in Comox, BC (provided)
Experience the culinary fusion at Dockside, where the team brings unique twists to West Coast flavours. Enjoy a menu of small and large plates perfect for sharing. Dockside is a family friendly establishment with views overlooking the ocean and Beaufort Mountains.
For another great dining experience, check out Church St. Taphouse – one of The Comox Valley’s best taphouses proudly serving craft beer and local food.
Drive approximately 30 minutes south to Buckley Bay, and take a short ferry from Buckley Bay to Denman Island, and then on to Hornby Island.
Forage Farm and Kitchen offers a unique, farm-to-table dining experience. With a local, family-run farm, Forage designs their menu around the ebb-and-flow of Hornby’s seasons, with a focus on organically grown fruit, veggies, berries, edible flowers and more. Located in the Ringside, Forage also offers vibrant cocktails and patio seating.
Explore the many trails that criss-cross the island on foot on mountain bike. The mountain bike trails on Hornby Island have history. Created over thirty years ago by a dedicated group of mountain bike enthusiasts, the trails are clearly marked, boast delightfully quirky names, and cater to cyclists and hikers…
A family tradition on Hornby Island since 1976 and voted 3rd Best Pizzeria in Canada 2023. The second generation is now carrying on the family tradition of making delicious Pizza, as well as Bread, Croissants, Bagels, Brownies, Butter Tarts, Cup Cakes, Cookies, Sweets, Treats, Savories, Granola, and more, including Gluten…
Hornby Island is home to 60 professional artists. Check out the Hornby Arts Map to plan your visit to a local gallery or studio, and get inspired by the creations of painters, musicians, photographers, potters, sculptors, and wood and metal workers. Learn about their artistic practice, schedule a studio visit,…
Founded, owned, and operated by Bree & Ashley Stotts.Bree and Ashley founded Hornby Island Brewing Company in 2018, a small-footprint, independently-owned nano-brewery focused on producing artisan beers. They opened the manufacturing facility on Hornby Island in late August 2022 and the tasting room doors at the beginning of September 2022.…
Hornby Island Brewing Co, Hornby island, BC (Jennifer Armstrong Photography)
Inspired by the bounty that surrounds us, the Breeze Restaurant and Lounge strives to produce locally sourced and seasonally curated comfort food and craft cocktails. Enjoy a taste of Hornby, taking in the spectacular views of the Salish Sea from the large wrap-around patio or cozying up to the beautiful…
Interested in camping, glamping, or renting a room or cabin? Begin your trip planning by browsing accommodation options.
Spring & Summer Visits
Seasonal highlights include incredible birdwatching and mountain biking in the spring, while Hornby’s sandy beaches, markets, and concerts draw visitors and residents in the summer. Did you know that one of Hornby’s beaches has earned the nickname “Little Hawaii”? Tribune Bay Provincial Park is considered one of the warmest saltwater swimming areas in the province, and the white sand beaches make it one of the most scenic as well.
Fall + Winter Visits
On Hornby, the fall and winter provide a quieter time for visitors and locals. Embrace the slower pace by hiking through lush green forests, observing wintering waterfowl and sea lions on the coast, and relaxing in a cozy cabin.
NOTE: many of Hornby Island’s restaurants and businesses close seasonally – be sure to check ahead to confirm winter hours and closures to avoid disappointment.
Take a return ferry to Buckley Bay, and drive to Campbell River, approximately 40 minutes.
Indulge in some authentic, European-style pastries right downtown on Shopper’s Row. These mouthwatering treats come in a wide variety to satisfy any taste. Paired with an artisanal coffee or locally blended tea, starting your day off at Freyja will set the stage for an awesome day of exploring in Campbell…
With the strong currents and narrow passages of the Discovery Islands, the waters surrounding Campbell River are nutrient rich and teeming with life. Orca, Humpback Whales, Bears, Eagles, Sea Lions, Pacific Dolphins, Salmon, Octopus and many other majestic creatures call this region home. There is a full roster of tour…
Want to learn more about how Campbell River came to be? The Museum at Campbell River or the Campbell River Maritime Heritage Centre both offer great views into the past; both from an Indigenous and Colonial perspective. More into art and literature? The Campbell River Art Gallery curates artwork from…
Since 2019, Session Taproom + Kitchen has provided a casual and beautifully designed space for guests to enjoy locally sourced food and beverage. With 12 rotating taps for craft beer and cider, a full cocktail and wine list, and a kitchen focused on keeping the menu fresh and exciting, there…
Session Taproom + Kitchen in Campbell River, BC
Located on the grounds of the Naturally Pacific Resort, Velocity Driving Range offers an immersive virtual golf experience for beginners to seasoned golfers. Whether you want to play games like Go Fish or tee off virtually at St. Andrew’s old course, with Toptracer technology you can do it all. When…
Beach Fire Brewing pushed the reach of the Vancouver Island Ale Trail farther north to Campbell River when it opened in November 2016. Its tasting room and lounge were designed around sharing communal harvest tables and a food menu that features small plates good for a light meal or as…
Beach Fire Brewing in Campbell River, BC
Family-run social house offering Vancouver Island craft beers, Greek cuisine, and stunning ocean views in Campbell River.
The central north island has a treasure trove of resorts, cottages, hotels, B&Bs and vacation rental homes that offer stunning views and easy access to the craggy shorelines and beaches that fill the landscape. From high-end luxury, to low-key and relaxing, there is something for every travel style.
Be sure to stop in at the Campbell River Visitor Information Centre for a full list of activities and attractions to explore.
Plan ahead: to see all that Campbell River has to offer, including things to see, places to stay, tours, restaurants, events and all else, please visit www.campbellriver.travel while planning your ale-venture.
Campbell River is located on the traditional and unceded territory of the Laich-Kwil-Tach people of the Wei Wai Kum and We Wai Kai First Nations. Nestled between the strong tidal forces of the Discovery Passage and 5 Provincial Parks, including BC’s oldest Provincial Park, Strathcona, Campbell River boasts rustic wilderness in all directions.
Spend the morning exploring Telegraph Cove. This iconic destination is famed for its eco-tourism and a postcard waterfront setting featuring multicoloured clusters of buildings and homes that cling to the rocky shoreline. Top activities include fishing, kayaking, diving, hiking, and of course wildlife viewing tours. NOTE: following the devastating fires…
A North Island favourite for great food and craft beer. From burgers to fish and chips, as well as a tasty menu of fish, pork or bean tacos and more, made with locally sourced ingredients, it’s the perfect stop for lunch on the way to Port McNeill.
The Port McNeill & District Museum was built with community support to display logging memorabilia from the North Island. Opened in 2000, we welcome all visitors as an essential part of your North Island experience.
Founded by a family who are long-time locals, Devils’ Bath is named after a famous local geographical site, which is Canada’s largest cenote. Based in an old mechanic shop that was remodelled with a warm wood interior, the brewery provides a social environment free of T.V. distractions and beautiful views…
This stylish cedar property boasts 11 Cabins and 40 tastefully decorated guest rooms each with stunning views of the protected harbour, Malcolm Island, and the coastal mountains of British Columbia’s mainland. The Black Bear Resort Hotel has been designed and built to provide maximum comfort for guests regardless of the…
Be sure to stop in at the Port McNeill Visitor Information Centre for a full list of activities and attractions to explore.
Offering freshly brewed beverages and homemade baked goods, served with love.
Travel to Port Hardy, approximately 30 minute drive
Coastal Rainforest Safaris delivers exciting wilderness experiences rooted in the culturally rich territories of the Kwakwaka’wakw people. Hop aboard our rigid hull inflatable (RHIB) wildlife viewing boats and explore the diverse wildlife of British Columbia’s Great Bear Rainforest.
Nax’id’ Pub is a wonderful place to relax and unwind while enjoying an amazing selection of drinks and our delicious freshly made dishes, inspired by local ingredients and First Nations’ flavours.
Immerse yourself in all the beauty Vancouver Island North has to offer while staying in North Island’s only premier First Nations 4-star Hotel.
Be sure to stop in at the Port Hardy Visitor Information Centre for a full list of activities and attractions to explore.
Come in for artisan coffee and baking for a light breakfast. Also offering lunch items and a selection of thoughtfully curated gifts, books and clothing items, all in one stop! Grab a picnic lunch to take with you to enjoy on the beach.
Drive past Holberg to the San Josef Bay Trailhead parking lot at Cape Scott Provincial Park (approximately 1.5 hours)
The drive from Port Hardy to Holberg, and ultimately the parking lot of Cape Scott Provincial Park, is well marked. Just follow the signs. You will be travelling on logging roads which can be a slow go. While driving on active logging roads, please remember that loaded logging trucks always get the right of way.
Enjoy an easy hike along the well-maintained gravel trail which ends at the sandy shore of San Josef Bay in the southeastern corner of the park. The average one-way hiking time is 45 minutes for the 2.5km walk. Get a taste of Cape Scott’s unique terrain and spectacular Pacific Ocean…
Stop in for a late lunch or dinner at Vancouver Island’s most remote pub. For close to 50 years the Scarlet Ibis has been an icon in the community of Holberg serving wholesome food and cold drinks to locals and tourists alike. Their unique craft beers are a result of…
