The Kelowna craft brewery scene blew my mind while on a family vacation.
Every year my husband’s family plans a big family trip. This year, we settled on Kelowna, which honestly is a treat for me since I didn’t grow up visiting the interior. As a result, what to do and where to go are a bit of a mystery to me.
One thing I’ve noticed travelling with my extended family after all these years is we have different travelling styles. While they like to “fly and flop”, my husband and I are a little more adventurous and like to find new places and experiences. Now that we have a toddler in tow, finding new experiences that work for the whole family has become part of the adventure.
So, when Kelowna was decided upon this Summer, we got to work researching what we could do while we were in town. Visiting at least one Kelowna craft brewery was at the top of our list, but we were pleased to discover most of the Kelowna breweries are near each other, making an afternoon crawl very easy and time-efficient. Because, as anyone with a toddler can tell you, efficiency is the name of the game.
What we didn’t expect was just how different each Kelowna craft brewery would feel. Beyond the excellent craft beer, every stop had its own personality, atmosphere and reason to linger a little longer. We squeezed three breweries into one afternoon, and each one left a different impression. Here’s where we went.
The Office Brewery: Creative Food and More Than Beer
Being fans of the show, when we saw there was a Kelowna craft brewery called “The Office”, we were hooked! I’m a sucker for branding and design, so if that wasn’t enough, the clever beer names and stationery motifs were enough to convince us to make this our first stop on our Kelowna craft beer afternoon crawl. Besides, who doesn’t want to know what “The Receptionist” tastes like?
It was around lunchtime, so we came hungry (and thirsty). Having eaten a lot of group meals with the extended family over the past few days, we were a little tired of pizza and burgers. We were craving something green, and luckily The Office Brewery delivered. To pair with our Peer Reviewed Peach Sour and The Receptionist Blonde Ale, we ordered Spicy Halloumi Tacos and the Hummus Plate. My husband and I love Halloumi, but the unique combination of flavours and textures made for a fun fusion twist. My daughter particularly enjoyed the hummus which was super fresh and well seasoned for her young palate.
I’m a sour lover, so the Peer Reviewed Peach Sour was an easy favourite. It was sweet, fruity and just a little candy-like, making it the perfect beer to sip on a summer afternoon. My husband, meanwhile, thoroughly enjoyed The Receptionist (the only time I’ll ever say those words), commenting on how refreshing the citrus and papaya flavours were.
One thing I would have loved to try was the Cocktail Flight. I have never seen a craft brewery (or restaurant) try something like this, and apparently the idea came to the owner after travelling to Eastern Canada and experiencing something similar. From all accounts, it’s been a hit and something I will definitely come back for next time we’re in town.
Kelowna Beer Institute: Waterfront Patios and Living Room Vibes
Our next stop was Kelowna Beer Institute, where we made a beeline for the patio. At 33°C, there was no better place to be than sitting outside with a cold beer, looking out toward the waterfront and watching the steady stream of people wandering along Kelowna’s boardwalk.
To cool off, we shared a tasting flight featuring Cloud Cover, Hibiscus Lemonale, Darth Vader Lager and Tropical Crush Sour. Cloud Cover was exactly the kind of beer I’d happily order again on a hot summer day: smooth, crisp and easy drinking without being overly hoppy or bitter. The Hibiscus Lemonale was equally refreshing, with the floral hibiscus coming through more than I expected and balancing nicely with the citrus. As someone who almost always gravitates toward sours, Tropical Crush Sour ended up being my favourite of the flight. It was bright, fruity and pleasantly tart without crossing into puckering territory. The wildcard was Darth Vader Lager. Despite its dark appearance and notes of roasted malt and chocolate, it drank much lighter than I expected.
After we finished our flight, I wandered inside while my husband stayed on the patio with our daughter. What struck me most was how intentionally the space has been designed as a community gathering place. There are plenty of comfortable seating areas, a closet packed with board games, and even a chalkboard where people can “Beer It Forward” by pre-paying a drink for a friend or even a stranger. It feels less like somewhere you simply stop for a pint and more like a neighbourhood living room where people settle in for the afternoon.
Red Bird Brewing: Sunshine, Outdoor Games and Events Galore
If Kelowna Beer Institute felt like a community living room, Red Bird Brewing felt like the city’s backyard.
The first thing that caught my attention was the outdoor space. It’s enormous, with a grassy area set up with lawn games like cornhole, and plenty of covered seating to enjoy a sunny afternoon comfortably. During our visit, local vendors were setting up a vintage clothing pop-up, complete with racks of cowboy boots and western-inspired apparel, adding even more energy to an already fun and lively atmosphere.
Dog owners will appreciate how welcoming Red Bird is for four-legged visitors, too. Between the dog treat vending machine and the option to order a “dog beer” from the menu, it’s clear they’re just as happy to host your pup as they are you.
Inside, the craft brewery was equally impressive. The ordering area was sleek and well thought out, with illuminated taps showing which beers were currently available and dimmed lights for those that had sold out. There was also a large events board showcasing everything happening at the craft brewery. While we were there, I spotted Nest Fest, their two-day music festival featuring The Bros. Landreth and Rêve. If I lived in Kelowna, I probably would have bought tickets on the spot.
We finished our afternoon with another tasting flight featuring Lady of the Lake Lager, Salted Lime Lager, Sawmill Saison and Jam Session Sour. The Lady of the Lake Lager was crisp, while the Salted Lime Lager instantly transported me to a beach in Mexico with its subtle citrus notes and clean finish. The Sawmill Saison brought a little more bitterness to the lineup, but the standout for me was the Jam Session Sour. It was juicy, lightly sweet and incredibly easy to drink. Unsurprisingly, it was the first glass I finished.
The Perfect Way to Spend an Afternoon
By the end of the afternoon, we managed to fit three completely different craft brewery experiences into just a few hours, which is what makes Kelowna’s craft beer scene so much fun. Whether you’re looking for creative food and inventive drinks, a relaxing waterfront patio or a lively brewery that’s as much about the vibe as the beer, there’s a stop to match your mood. Better yet, many of Kelowna’s breweries are close enough that you can easily plan a crawl on foot, or by using rideshare or transit, so everyone can enjoy the experience responsibly.
As someone who didn’t grow up visiting the Okanagan, I came away with a whole new appreciation for Kelowna. Beyond the beaches and wineries, there’s a vibrant craft beer community that’s well worth making time for. We only scratched the surface on this trip, and I already have a list of breweries I’d love to visit the next time we’re back.
Experience more on the Kelowna and West Kelowna Ale Trail.
Every Pint Tells a Story
