As winter settles in and the holiday season approaches, craft breweries across BC are unwrapping their most creative and festive beer offerings yet. Winter beers have a special magic about them. Often darker and more robust, these carefully crafted ales and stouts are perfectly designed for the colder months. But it’s not just about the … Continued
Skip to: December 2025 • November 2025 • October 2025 • September 2025 • August 2025 • July 2025 • June 2025 • May 2025 • April 2025 • March 2025 • February 2025 • January 2025 December 2024 • November 2024 • October 2024 • September 2024 • August 2024 • July 2024 • June … Continued
There must be something in the water in Port Alberni — Twin City Brewing just keeps on winning awards for its beer! After winning Beer of the Year at the 2018 BC Beer Awards shortly after it opened, Twin City Brewing won the BC Ale Trail’s Best Brewery Experience award in 2020 before winning Brewery … Continued
Patio season is here, and that means more opportunities to bring your canine companion along with you to dog-friendly breweries. There are a few things to know before you go to ensure the most enjoyable visit for yourself and your dog. What is it about craft beer and dog lovers? Maybe it’s just that good … Continued
As December arrives, many craft breweries in British Columbia are releasing special beers they have created to celebrate the holiday season. These seasonal beers are perfect for the wintertime. Many are a little darker and stronger — ideal for colder, darker days — and some of the recipes even include spices, cranberries, or other tasty … Continued
Jump to: March 2026 • February 2026 • January 2026 View older stories in the Brew News Archive Feature Stories Barnside Brewing Co. Harvest Festival announces lineup: What you need to know about the concerts Vancouver Sun • April 14 “The 2026 lineup has just been announced for this year’s festival and it’s loaded … Continued
The Canada Beer Cup will stay in British Columbia for a second straight year following Callister Brewing’s win in the inaugural national competition last year. Prince George brewery Deadfall Brewing only just opened in 2022 but it has already made a name for itself by winning the second annual Canada Beer Cup for its Basal … Continued
Port Alberni brewery Twin City Brewing returns to the podium after winning Beer of the Year at the 2018 BC Beer Awards and numerous individual awards since then. Overall, Twin City Brewing won three awards: gold medals for Tickity Boo (Hoppy UK Pale Ale category) and Nocturne (Belgian Ale) and a silver medal for Out … Continued
With the arrival of autumn, BC breweries are releasing a variety of fall-themed beers. Here is a sampling of some autumnal beer styles to look for from your local brewery or to seek out on a fall getaway. How Fresh Can You Get? Each autumn, beer lovers await the arrival of a very special style … Continued
A big part of what makes BC its super, natural self is the stunning scenery, wild backcountry, and unspoiled vistas that you can find in every corner of the province. Devastatingly, those same iconic forests that make our province beautiful are on fire. At the time of writing, there are 405 active wildfires in BC, … Continued
Trans-Canada flights from Halifax to British Columbia will be carrying some extra weight early next week as representatives from BC breweries return home with their medals! The 2023 Canadian Brewing Awards were announced in Halifax on Saturday, June 3, and once again this year, craft breweries from British Columbia fared extremely well on the national … Continued
Explore the Yeast Vancouver Ale Trail throughout the month of February to collect stamps on your tasting passport. The Yeast Vancouver Ale Trail Tasting Passport is one of five special passport promotions we are running in Metro Vancouver throughout February in collaboration with the Yeast Van Brewery District, West Coast Food and TransLink. It’s a … Continued
The season for giving and receiving is here and, as always, shopping and supporting your local BC craft breweries and taphouses are the best way to go. And this year like no other, the breweries around the province are coming out with some mighty creative gift sets and opportunities to help you out. It will … Continued
Gladstone Brewing Wins Brewery of the Year and Parallel 49 Brewing Earns Best in Show The 2022 BC Beer Awards were announced on November 5 at the Croatian Cultural Centre in Vancouver. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the last time this previously annual event took place was in October 2019. The first of two big … Continued
BC Breweries Win 64 awards and Howe Sound Brewing Named Canadian Brewery of the Year! Wow, what a haul! British Columbia’s craft breweries continued a long-running tradition of winning more than their fair share of medals at the annual Canadian Brewing Awards, which were announced in Calgary last weekend. All in all, 39 different breweries … Continued
Ahhh, spring is here! Flowers are bursting out of the ground, fruit trees are showing off their colourful blooms, and breweries are launching some delicious seasonal beers. Warmer days and longer evenings are ideal for enjoying beer outdoors — on a porch, patio or at a picnic. With so many great breweries throughout British Columbia, … Continued
Beer. Chocolate. Mmmm. Two of life’s finer pleasures — indulgences many of us choose to enjoy on a regular basis… in moderation, of course. But what about together? That’s right, I’m talking about chocolate beers — special beers brewed with chocolate as an ingredient in some form, whether it is milk chocolate, dark chocolate, cacao … Continued
One of the most important aspects of the holiday season is showing gratitude to family, friends and neighbours. Many of BC’s craft breweries are showing appreciation to their customers for all the support they have received this year by giving back to the community in a variety of ways, including: fundraising for flood victims, supporting … Continued
To help celebrate the holiday season, many craft breweries in British Columbia have been busy brewing up something special. Some of these holiday-themed beers are made with spices, cranberries, chocolate — or even candy canes! These wintry beers are often a little darker and stronger, making them well suited for colder, darker days. Here are … Continued
Beer has long been declared the “every man’s drink” — without pretension, suitable for all, and easy-going. But what happens when someone other than a straight-presenting, cisgender man walks into the beer world? What does the industry look like to someone from a marginalized community? What are their experiences? And is the industry discrimination-free? This … Continued
“You agreed to what?” I’ve made the mistake in the past of saying that there isn’t enough money in the world to get me to drink pumpkin beers, and I’ve managed to stick to that statement pretty well. Until now, when, in true daytime talk show style, the results are in, and this article proves … Continued
The 19th Annual Canadian Brewing Awards were given out on September 18th, 2021, at an event held at the Hilton Québec in Québec City, and brewers from British Columbia took home 40 trophies. The big wins came from the Prairies this year, with a repeat for Alberta with The Establishment Brewing Company taking home Brewery … Continued
BC celebrities are just like us… They love BC craft beer. Unfortunately, Seth Rogan and Ryan Reynolds have not yet responded to our Twitter enquiries, but we still got the details from some other BC celebs! We caught up with a few media personalities and musicians from around the province to see what their favourite … Continued
In this latest edition of “North Island Neighbours”, Adam Chatburn chats with Tak Guenette, Head Brewer at Gladstone Brewing Co. So far in this series, I’ve chatted with new friends; Patti From New Tradition and Dave from Loveshack Libations. This time I get to reconnect with an old friend, Takeshi Guenette, aka Tak, from Gladstone … Continued
Christine Moulson is the creative mastermind behind Strange Fellows Brewing’s celebrated block-print labels and she hopes they’ll help you see the world a bit differently, one beer at a time. I sat down (virtually, of course) with Christine Moulson, Brand Storyteller at Strange Fellows Brewing in Yeast Vancouver, to chat about beer, art, and SF’s … Continued
In this episode, Aaron visits North Point Brewing in North Vancouver, BC. North Vancouver has seen a lot of growth in terms of new breweries over the past few years. Part of that boom is the fresh new Shipyards Brewery District, which includes several exciting breweries: Beere Brewing, House of Funk Brewing, and most recently, … Continued
Stay local. Support local. Give local. This holiday season, give the gift of craft beer and local experiences on the BC Ale Trail. How is it already time to think about holiday season gifts?!?? I don’t know about you, but 2020 has been the longest, yet quickest year. But since it is that time of … Continued
While we’re all staying close to home, a great movie or TV show about travel can really scratch an itch. It’s not quite the same as the real deal, but watching characters embark on intense adventures or explore faraway lands helps us appreciate both past trips and ones to come. Travel makes us laugh, cry, … Continued
Biking around Richmond, writer Lucas Aykroyd spots eagles and hawks, tours the historic fishing village of Steveston, and enjoys great beer on the BC Ale Trail. I skid to a halt on my bike when I hit Richmond’s West Dyke Trail at noon. I’ve just spotted a northern harrier hovering over Sturgeon Banks, a long … Continued
As summer comes to an end, BC’s craft breweries are serving up a variety of harvest-themed beers and other styles perfect for fall. Look for these BC fall beers at your favourite local liquor store or directly at the brewery. How Fresh Can You Get? Every BC fall beer lover awaits the arrival of a … Continued
Winning three golds, one silver and one bronze medal, Whitetooth Brewing from Golden, BC, was the big winner at the 2020 Canadian Brewing Awards, which were announced in an online ceremony on Saturday, September 12. Originally planned to be held in Victoria, BC, in May, the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic forced the postponement of … Continued
With the Stanley Cup playoffs in full swing, writer Lucas Aykroyd catches up with former NHLers Matt Walker and Dave Babych and highlights links between hockey and craft beer in BC. Hockey and beer. For many British Columbians, those two topics are as inseparable as the Sedin twins. When the Vancouver Canucks get on a … Continued
New Experiences are Brewing Nearby… As Phase 3 of BC’s Restart Plan begins, more of the parks and places we know and love are continuing to reopen. There are a handful of changes coming into effect in cities around the province including expanding patio licensing, allowing public consumption of alcohol in some designated areas, and … Continued
With the arrival of summer, here are 60+ ideal summer beers from British Columbia’s craft breweries. Enjoy from the comfort of your own back yard or visit your local brewery’s tasting room, which may have a new patio! BC’s brewery tasting rooms are cautiously reopening with the guidance of the bc craft brewers guild once … Continued
The Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival has gone digital for 2020. Here are three ways you can enjoy one of Vancouver’s most beloved events from home. Like many Vancouverites, I look forward to April because it means it’s time for the Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival. (Yes, cherry blossoms are so beloved in Vancouver that we have … Continued
From 2010 to 2019 the craft beer revolution expanded in British Columbia like never before! Back on December 31, 2009, no one in British Columbia — not even the most optimistic beer lover, myself included — could have predicted what the next decade would bring. There were about 40 craft breweries in BC at the … Continued
All over British Columbia, craft breweries are starting to celebrate the holiday season with special beer releases. Many Christmas-themed beers are a little darker and stronger, making them well suited for the colder, darker days of winter. Some include spices and sugars or tasty additions like cranberries, chocolate or orange peels to celebrate the season. … Continued
The time for holiday cheer is near and what better way to get in the spirit than with craft beer?! It’s nearly December and your local craft brewery is likely hosting a festive event or pouring a winter-inspired beer near you. Get in the spirit with a great brew and check out what’s happening this … Continued
What beer brought you into the craft beer fold? West Coast City Girl, Yasmine Hardcastle, shares her path to dark beers, why it’s important to try new things, and the gateway beers of others in the BC craft beer community.
Halloween has been celebrated in one form or another since the time of the ancient Celts, around 2,000 years ago. Observing their new year on November 1st with a festival called Samhain, a Gaelic word that’s pronounced sow-win, Celts celebrated the harvest and welcomed in the “darker half” of the year. On October 31st, it … Continued
This is the latest instalment in the Hops Among Friends series, which is designed to showcase the people that make up the craft beer scene on the BC Ale Trail. My most recent Hops Among Friends interview was with Aaron MacInnis from Iron Road Brewing in Kamloops and when asked, he recommended I interview Chris … Continued
Continuing our ongoing admiration of women paving the way in the BC craft beer industry, we are proud to share Part 2 of our series on Opportunities for Women in Beer. Not everyone is made to be a brewer like these amazing women, but that leaves a wide variety of roles that support breweries, and … Continued
As the holiday season approaches, several craft breweries in British Columbia have brewed up something special. Some create holiday-themed beers that are often a little darker and stronger, making them well suited for the colder, darker days of winter. Another popular option is a gift pack combining special beers with other items that will please … Continued
This is the fifth feature in the Hops Among Friends series. This series is designed to introduce you to the people that make up the craft beer scene on the BC Ale Trail. My last Hops Among Friends interview was with David Varga from 33 Acres Brewing and he recommended I speak with Iain Hill from Strange … Continued
Expedia, the global travel website based in Bellevue, WA, just a little south of the Canadian border, recently named Vancouver, BC, as the Best Beer Town in Canada in a post on its Expedia.ca blog written by Carolyn Albee. Three other BC communities also made the list: Penticton (which placed 2nd), Abbotsford (which placed 6th), and … Continued
This is the fourth feature in the Hops Among Friends series. This series is designed to introduce you to the people that make up the craft beer scene on the BC Ale Trail. My last Hops Among Friends interview was with Gary Lohin from Central City Brewers + Distillers. Gary recommended I speak with David Varga … Continued
Vancouver welcomes Western Canada’s biggest celebration of craft beer culture. The ninth annual Vancouver Craft Beer Week, running from May 25 to June 3 is back, better than ever and kicking off with a new event format. VCBW’s signature opening night party and outdoor craft beer festival return along with the addition of citywide events. A … Continued
Earlier this month we shared Sonia Motisca’s blog post on Celebrating International Women’s Day with Women Who Brew. Many women work in other roles in the BC craft beer industry, too: Marketing Managers, Festival Directors, Territory Sales Managers, Brewery Office Managers, GMs and owners, each contributing to building a vibrant industry where women can feel welcome and … Continued
This is the third feature in the Hops Among Friends series. This series is designed to introduce you to the people that make up the craft beer scene on the BC Ale Trail. My last Hops Among Friends interview was with Paul Hadfield from Spinnakers, one of the first wave of BC craft brewers. Paul … Continued
In this second feature in the Hops Among Friends series, we talk to a leader and early builder of BC’s dynamic craft beer industry. Paul Hadfield is the owner/publican of Spinnakers Gastro Brewpub & Guesthouses in Victoria, Canada’s oldest existing microbrewery and brewpub, which opened in 1984. Spinnakers now also has an artisan vinegar brewery, … Continued
From advent calendar-style beer boxes to special seasonal creations, BC’s craft breweries celebrate winter with a variety of interesting seasonal mixed packs. Advent calendars are a popular and fun holiday gift that many of us enjoyed as children. Do you remember the excitement of opening the little paper windows each day in December leading up … Continued
Vancouver, the newest member of the BC Ale Trail, is about to host the 21st annual Eastside Culture Crawl. This four-day visual-arts festival, running Nov. 16-19 and featuring more than 500 artists across 80 buildings in Vancouver’s Eastside, is not to be missed if you’re in town and a fan of both the arts and craft … Continued
The newly expanded BC Beer Awards and Festival took place in Vancouver on Saturday, with six-month-old Mount Arrowsmith Brewing Company of Parksville taking the inaugural Brewery of the Year prize. The other big winner in the eighth annual BC Beer Awards ceremony — a highlight of the province’s annual beer calendar and the showpiece event of BC Craft … Continued
There’s the beer. Great craft beer. And the breweries. Amazing breweries all around this province working together to grow the craft beer scene. Plus there are fantastic craft beer and cask events where we go and try an incredible selection of these beers. But behind all of these breweries and events are the inspiring, passionate … Continued
Surrey’s Central City Brewing + Distilling is kicking off Canada’s 150th birthday celebrations early with the mother of all collaboration projects. Collaboration has become a watchword in the craft beer industry, with breweries regularly joining forces to brew interesting one-off batches, teaming up with local businesses or helping out charities. Central City has tended to … Continued
Vancouver Craft Beer Week is fast approaching — and that means it’s time to brew up the annual VCBW Collaboration Beer. The eighth annual VCBW Collaboration Brew took place April 20 at Yellow Dog Brewing in Port Moody. This year’s beer, a hazy pale ale, was designed by the Brewers Row breweries — Moody Ales, Twin Sails, … Continued
Gibsons is just a short ferry ride away from the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island, making the Sunshine Coast Craft Beer Festival the perfect way to spend a cool and wet February weekend. This year’s event was a great example of the way the beer community comes together not only to celebrate great beer, but also … Continued
Homebrewing in BC is catching on like wildfire! Recently, the Tri-Cities Cask Festival group held its Winter Pro-Am, which was a competition between amateur and pro brewers. The sold-out event hosted 570 guests at the Coquitlam Executive Plaza and craft beer fans came from all over to sample casks on offer from 35 breweries and 11 … Continued
When the weather is wet and windy it’s the perfect time to go inside and drink delicious craft beer. Craft beer enthusiasts on the Sunshine Coast did just that on Saturday, November 12, when a crowd of local residents, as well as visitors from Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland, gathered for the 2016 Powell River … Continued
