BC Brews in the News
A Spotlight on BC Craft Beer Media Coverage
Jump to: March 2026 • February 2026 • January 2026
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Feature Stories
The Best Beers In The World—Winners Of The 2026 World Beer Cup
Forbes • April 22
“As is tradition, the Brewers Association ended its annual Craft Brewers Conference by announcing the winners of the World Beer Cup. The Brewers Association is a trade association representing America’s small and independent breweries. While it is based in the United States, the Brewers Association opens entries to the World Beer Cup to breweries from around the world. This year, breweries from 50 countries entered.
…The 2026 World Beer Cup saw 8,166 beers from 1,644 breweries judged across 113 beer and five cider categories. Including subcategories, medals were awarded in 186 styles. The beers were judged by 255 judges from 37 countries.”
Winners from BC are:
Category: 9: Chocolate Beer – 40 Entries
Category: 30: Mixed-Culture Brett Beer – 47 Entries
Gold: Operis, Four Winds Brewing Co., Delta, Canada
Category: 32: Wood- and Barrel-Aged Strong Beer – 106 Entries
Silver: Whiskey Throttle, Jackknife Brewing, Kelowna, Canada
Category: 38: International Light Lager – 61 Entries
Bronze: Friendly Lager, Shaketown Brewing, North Vancouver, Canada
Island Rewind: First brewery opens on Vancouver Island in 1983
CHECK Media • April 14
“Nowadays there are over 40 breweries on Vancouver Island, but back in the early ’80s there were zero. For Island Rewind, we’re going back to 1983 when the Prairie Inn in Central Saanich did something about it.”
Penticton Minor Lacrosse Association partners with Cannery Brewing for fundraising beer
Castanet • April 11
“Grab a special edition Lakeboat Lager next month and help out the Penticton Minor Lacrosse Association (PMLA).
PMLA has partnered with Cannery Brewing to create the Penticton Heat Lakeboat Lager, which bears the Penticton Heat Lacrosse branding.
‘Every can sold will help to build the future of youth lacrosse in the South Okanagan,’ a press release reads.
‘The goal is to build momentum towards a permanent, dedicated box lacrosse facility for the community — a long-held vision that the PMLA is now actively working to make real.’
Pre-sale pricing incluides a 6-pack: $18 + tax/deposit or a flat of 24: $70 + tax/deposit
The Launch / Pickup Party will be held on Wednesday, May 13, from 4 to 8 p.m. in The Cannery Backyard.”
April 2026
Reopening of Chilliwack brewery pushed back just a bit
Fraser Valley Today • April 27
Featuring: Old Yale Brewing Chilliwack
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Beer column: The original is iconic, will the Dat Juice spinoffs be able to deliver?
NowMedia • April 25
Featuring: Twin Sails Brewing
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Kelowna brewery secures silver medal at 2026 World Beer Cup
NowMedia • April 24
Featuring: Jackknife Brewing, along with Four Winds Brewing Co., Shaketown Brewing, and Whistler Brewing Co.,
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New ownership takes over Beard’s Brewing Company
Energetic City • April 22
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Beer column: A full list of winners from the 39th annual Okanagan Fest of Ale
NowMedia • April 18
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Upcoming Poetry Gym at Gladstones will leave you well-versed
Comox Valley Record • April 17
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Barnside Brewing Co. Harvest Festival announces lineup: What you need to know about the concerts
Vancouver Sun • April 14
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Okanagan Fest of Ale a ‘hopping’ success in Penticton; West Kelowna brewery wins best in show
Castanet • April 12
Featuring: Lakesider Brewing Co
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Highway 97 wins People’s Choice at Fest-of-Ale
Penticton Herald • April 12
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Beer column: Cannery’s annual Babe Brew is as tasty as it is impactful
NowMedia • April 11
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BONUS: Read Hannah Irvine’s blog about brewing last year’s Babe Brew
25 top-notch patios in Vancouver you need to check out this season
Daily Hive Vancouver • April 11
Featuring: Parallel 49 Brewing
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Penticton bus routes offer free transit for Fest of Ale
Castanet • April 10
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Ace Brewing and BC Marine Trails teams up for another community clean-up
Comox Valley Record • April 9
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Wine Guy: Scoping out selections on the B.C. Ale Trail
The Province • April 9
Featuring: Brass Monkey Taproom, Hoyne Brewing, and Île Sauvage Brewing
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New brewpub opens on Hwy 97 in Lake Country
Castanet • April 8
Featuring: Cutwater Brewery (coming soon to the BC Ale Trail!)
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Beer column: This strawberry cheesecake delight will go perfectly with Easter dinner
Now Media • April 4
Featuring: Superflux Beer Co.
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From farms to film sets: Inside B.C.’s most resilient city, the Township of Langley
BC Business • April 2
Featuring: Locality Brewing, and The Barley Merchant
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North Island Craft Beer Fest brings fun to community fundraising
Campbell River Mirror • April 2
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March 2026
North Point Brewing seeks permanent curbside patio approval
North Shore Daily Post • March 30
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Penticton’s Cannery Brewing throwing a big party to celebrate 25 years in business
Castanet • March 28
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Beer column: Camping season is nearly upon us, but this Camp beer is now year-round
NowMedia • March 28
Featuring: Camp Beer Co.
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New Revelstoke brewery opens with aim of tapping into accessible beer
Revelstoke Review • March 27
Featuring: Revystoked Brewing Company
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Saanichton’s Category 12 brewing makes pivotal Shift to new menu and new malt
Vancouver Island Free Daily • March 27
Featuring: Category 12 Brewing
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BC brewery secures international headliners for annual summer music festival
NowMedia • March 24
Featuring: Phillips Brewing & Malting
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Fest-of-Ale right around the corner
Penticton Herald • March 22
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Beer column: Spring calls for sessionable beers and you’ll find that in this box
NowMedia • March 21
Featuring: Four Winds Brewing
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Vancouver Island Brewing Named Official Craft Beer Partner of the Victoria HarbourCats
The Dugout • March 18
Featuring: Vancouver Island Brewing
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Beer column: You might hear the ice cream truck jingle when you crack open this sour
NowMedia • March 14
Featuring: Phillip’s Brewing & Malting
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Beer column: Pick up this new Field House 6-pack and your sweet tooth will thank you
NowMedia • March 7
Featuring: Field House Brewing
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These Pink Boots are made for brewing: KPU Brewing celebrates International Women’s Day with collaboration beer
Education News Canada • March 6
Featuring: Farm Country Brewing
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Penticton’s Fest of Ale tickets now on sale, promising more fun and bigger options
Castanet • March 6
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Two Kelowna craft breweries taking part in Animals & Ales fundraiser
Castanet • March 1
Featuring: Railside Brewing and Three Lakes Brewing
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February 2026
Beer column: From the mountains to the forest, experience the best of BC with these tasty IPAs
NowMedia • February 28
Featuring: Fernie Brewing Co & Beere Brewing
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Music, memories, and malt: Victoria’s Brass Monkey on a new track
Oak Bay News • February 28
Featuring: Brass Monkey Taproom
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Phillips brews up new festival of fermentation for Victoria
Sooke News Mirror • February 27
Featuring: Phillips Brewing and Malting
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Beer column: Another BC brewery calling it quits after 12 years
NowMedia • February 21
Featuring: Torchlight Brewing
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Kelowna International Airport showcases local food, beer, wine at two new restaurants
Castanet • February 18
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“Never just about beer, it was about connection”. West Kelowna brewery set to close
Capital News • February 17
Featuring: Connector Brewing
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Beer column: A touch of Valentine’s Day red in these farm-to-table IPAs
NowMedia • February 14
Featuring: Abandoned Rail Brewing
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Beer prices could go up again this year
CTV News • February 13
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North Vancouver brewery closes after less than 4 years in business
The Growler • February 9
Featuring: Braggot Brewing
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Beer column: A farewell to Lighthouse with 4 tasty winter creations in one tidy little pack
NowMedia • February 7
Featuring: Lighthouse Brewing
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January 2026
Beer column: Let’s drink to Groundhog Day with a beer named after the classic film
NowMedia • January 31
Featuring: Backcountry Brewing
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Local brewers weathering a storm in the craft beer industry
Freshet News • January 26
Featuring: Dageraad Brewing, Side Quest Brewing, and Tinhouse Brewing
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Canadians reducing alcohol consumption, impacting beer industry
CTV News • January 24
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‘Death by 1000 cuts’: B.C. Brewery closes after 27 years in business
CTV News • January 20
Featuring: Light House Brewing
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Beer column: As one BC brewery closes, another one expands to take its spot
NowMedia • January 17
Featuring: North Point Brewing Co.
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Ellison Field Taphouse now open at Kelowna airport
NowMedia • January 10
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Beer column: You look like you need a winter ale to warm up this weekend
NowMedia • January 10
Featuring: Twin Sails Brewing
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Behind bars: Victoria’s Drake crafting a unique reputation for beer and food
Vancouver Island Free Daily • January 4
Featuring: Driftwood Brewery , Whistle Buoy, Herald St Brew Works, Four Winds Brewing, Brassneck Brewery, Camp Beer Co.
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Beer column: Hello darkness my old friend, we’ve come to drink you up again
Victoria Now • January 3
Featuring: Hoyne Brewing Co
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