Today, July 6th 2022, marks 40 years to the day since John Mitchell’s first craft beer inspiration was launched. Mitchell’s trailblazing quest for good ale continues to educate and inspire BC’s brewers. On July 6th 1982, in an unassuming enclave just north of metropolitan Vancouver BC known as Horseshoe Bay, the first pints were pulled … 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
March 8 is International Women’s Day and more than 35 BC breweries are brewing up a special beer to showcase women as well as inclusion and diversity in the craft beer industry in BC. Back in 2013, the thought of women gathering together all over British Columbia to brew a special batch of beer seemed … Continued
This is the latest installment 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. Kim Lawton interviews Ashley Brooks, Quality Control Manager at Four Winds Brewing. Most recently I interviewed Marinna Perry, one of the Lounge Managers at Strathcona … Continued
Stepping Out For a Walkable Weekend in the Fraser Valley’s Craft Beer Capital Here’s an observation. By offering British Columbians a nifty way to plan short or long ‘staycation’ getaways, therefore bypassing the hassle of expensive border tests, quarantining, and guilt, the BC Ale Trail represents a potentially vital service to a population that’s been … 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
Scroll to the bottom for locations to purchase 442 Squadron on tap or packaged product. This beer was brewed in collaboration with Monkey 9 Brewing Co, Richmond, BC and the #BCAleTrail as part of the recent ‘Learn to Brew’ contest. (Anastasia Lavrik was the lucky winner!) The beer is named in honour of the 1951 Royal … Continued
It’s a tale of triumph when an old dog learns new tricks and is recognized as a leader of the pack. R&B Brewing — a Vancouver craft beer pioneer — was nearly left behind by the craft beer evolution and explosion in the 2010s, but investment from a fellow brewery opened the doors to one … Continued
Despite ongoing COVID restrictions and vaccination passports, BC Craft Beer Month enters its eleventh year with a variety of events, beer launches, and special fundraising releases. While our days are getting shorter and patio season is over, October is a great month to celebrate all that is BC craft beer. It’s the month of fresh … Continued
Earlier this summer, just after regional travel restrictions were lifted, I ticked off a cycling trip I’d been dreaming about ever since the pandemic started. It involved visiting breweries in Delta — Four Winds Brewing and a newer farm-based brewery that had opened nearby early in 2020 called Barnside Brewing. Back in November 2019, I … Continued