Whistler Village Beer Festival is in its 6th year and the full event lineup is as impressive as always
With the 2018 Whistler Village Beer Festival right around the corner, now seems like a good time to take a look at what makes this annual event so special while also highlighting the Whistler Ale Trail.
The Whistler Ale Trail features three breweries. Pop over to Function Junction, Whistler’s “industrial zone” 10 minutes south of the Village, which is home to two breweries—one old and one new. Whistler Brewing Company, founded in 1989 (though not in this location) has a strong, stable presence in the community and throughout BC. The brewery has a tasting room and offers tours. Nearby is Coast Mountain Brewing, a community-based brewery which features a friendly, welcoming tasting room where folks can sit and enjoy a beer and then fill a growler to take home afterwards.
Unlike most BC beer festivals WVBF is spread out over multiple days of fun and not just a single event straddling a weekend. While there is definitely a classic beer event complete with mini tasting cups, there are many other events that can help you wet your whistle leading up to that big show-stopper. Here are just a sampling of some of our favourites.
Axes and Ales – Tuesday, September 11th
What better way to kick off a great festival than by throwing axes? Get started at Coast Mountain Brewing with a beer and some axe throwing from Forged, then skip on over to Whistler Brewing for a BBQ. Kick off the 6th annual WVBF in style! Want more axe throwing? Forged will be at the main festival event as well but they’re a great place to visit for some extra unique fun while you’re in town for the festival.
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Craft Cultures – Wednesday, September 12th
Sample some of the brews from the WVBF main event alongside delicious bites and passed plates created by Red Seal Chef David Li at the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre. Live music and entertainment will pair exquisitely with your delectable morels and bodacious brews. As an added bonus, your ticket includes entry to the after party at Buffalo Bill’s.
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Master Crafters – Friday, September 14th
This year’s challenge is fruit! This Longhorn Saloon & Grill event has guests blind taste fruit-infused brews to determine which beer reigns supreme. Last year this event sold out very quickly so if you don’t have your tickets yet, get on it! It’s also a favourite of brewers and breweries as well so you may be able to rub shoulders with some local brewing royalty.
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Port Moody Tap Takeover at Handlebar’s – All Week Long
Throughout the week of WVBF be sure to stop into Handlebar’s for a Brewer’s Row tap takeover. Featuring beers from your favourite Port Moody breweries, there will always be something exciting and interesting on tap. No need for tickets to this one, just come as you are and enjoy some delicious food from the Handlebar’s kitchen while sipping some beers from one of the hottest spots in the lower mainland.
Whistler Village Beer Festival Main events – Saturday and Sunday, September 15th and 16th
The main event of WVBF is definitely the biggest, but as you can see there are plenty of fantastic events to whet your appetite in the lead-up. A ticket for one day gives you free entry to the second day of the festival so you can be sure to try the over 130 beers available from over 60 breweries! Live music, axe throwing from Forged, games, activities and more all right in Olympic Plaza in the heart of Whistler Village. This event is not to be missed!
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After a day out in the elements, nothing feels better than a hitting a cosy pub with great food and a pint. The BrewHouse at Whistler is located right next to the Olympic Plaza in the heart of Whistler Village. Brewer Derrick Smith has a great reputation for cask conditioning, but his entire beer lineup is solid and worth checking out. The brewpub has a good kitchen, with a sit-down restaurant on one side and a bar on the other.
With so many opportunities for fun at the 6th annual Whistler Village Beer Festival, you may wonder how you’ll fit it all in! Don’t worry, there’s definitely time to build up at your own pace. For more info on all the events at this year’s fest, check out the full festival schedule.
See you there!
