There are two sides to Vancouver Island, geographically speaking; two distinct coasts whose characters are defined by the seas that erode their shores. The tranquil east coast on the Strait of Georgia has the bulk of the Island’s industry, agriculture and population; the west coast is wild, battered by Pacific storms and relentless waves. Highway … Continued
Blending an agricultural past with a new reputation as a tech centre, Kelowna is rich in history, innovation and fermentation. The Okanagan Valley’s largest city is situated in the heart of wine country. It’s home to Calona Vineyards, the province’s longest running winery, which turns 85 this year. It’s also home to two craft beer … Continued
Squamish has come of age in the craft beer world and is now set to become a BC Ale Trail destination. For many people, Squamish has long been a refuelling stop on the spectacular Sea to Sky Highway from Vancouver to Whistler. But in recent years, this town of around 20,000 people has repositioned itself as an … Continued
Get ready to explore even more of BC’s beer, breweries and beautiful regions and cities: The BC Ale Trail is expanding. Eight new ale trails will launch this summer — bringing the total to 15 — in areas ranging from lakeside towns to the metropolitan big city. The new trails are: BC’s multicultural craft beer capital, Vancouver, where … Continued
Nimai Rigby spent 2016 touring BC on his own personal ale trail. Rigby, who lives in Coquitlam in BC’s Lower Mainland, set himself the goal of visiting 100 of the province’s breweries within the year, and completed his quest just 11 days before 2017 arrived. But why take the journey, and where did it lead? Just before the … Continued
Thirsty for craft beer, three friends hatched a plan to fill an untapped market and opened Campbell River’s first craft brewery. Walk through the doors of Beach Fire Brewing and Nosh House and it’s obvious that this establishment is more than a place where beer is made. Here, people gather to mix and mingle over great beer and … Continued
With an increasing number of brewery visitors meandering their way throughout the Kootenay Rockies this past summer, a couple of things have become clear. First, there is an increasing number of stops to make, beers to drink and small-town charm to be found — so best secure a few more days off work for your trip. … Continued
The story of Frank Appleton and Canada’s first craft brewery. When it comes to beer, we’ve never had it so good. It’s an oft-repeated phrase these days, but sometimes it’s worthwhile to take stock of how far beer in Canada has come. Fifty years ago, beer culture in Vancouver was a wasteland saturated with the … Continued
It’s evident when you visit Port Moody’s Brewers Row, especially on a weekend, just how popular it’s become. Some days getting a parking spot can be challenging with locals and folks from nearby towns flocking to the area. That problem will soon be alleviated somewhat with the Evergreen Skytrain Line slated to start running in December, … Continued
The newest brewery-distillery in Greater Victoria has set up shop in Saanich with a Scotsman and an Australian at the helm and copper pot stills in the back. Just off the Pat Bay Highway, which takes you to the BC Ferries terminal at Swartz Bay, step inside this new tasting lounge at Victoria Caledonian Brewery … Continued