As the provincial government begins relaxing some of the restrictions around public interaction, some BC craft breweries are re-opening their facilities to allow customers in their tasting rooms once again. Here is a look at what the rules are and what the experience will be like.
Phase 2 of British Columbia’s Restart Plan began on May 19, which allows some retail businesses like restaurants, pubs and barbershops to re-open as long as they limit occupancy and follow certain rules around maintaining physical distancing among customers and staff. That means that craft breweries can re-open their tasting rooms once again, which many are starting to do this week.
Please note: BC residents are still asked to stay close to home and avoid any travel between communities that is not essential — so you shouldn’t be travelling to other cities or towns to visit craft breweries yet.
The main rules governing brewery tasting rooms during Phase 2 are similar to what is required of restaurants:
a. patrons must be able to maintain a distance of two metres from one another, unless they are in the same party, and from staff;
b. patrons must be seated in such a way that
i. there are two metres between the patrons seated at the same table, unless they are in the same party, and
ii. there are two metres between the patrons seated at one table and the patrons seated at another table, unless they are in the same party;
c. there must be no more than six patrons seated at a table;
d. patrons seated at a counter must be seated so that they can maintain a distance of two metres from other patrons, unless they are in the same party;
e. patrons standing at a counter or table must be able to maintain a distance of two metres from other patrons, unless they are in the same party;
f. there must be no more than 50% of the usual capacity of patrons present at one time;
g. there must be no events held at the establishment that include more than 50 people; and
h. if practicable, businesses must retain contact information for one member of every party of patrons for thirty days in the event that there is a need for contact tracing on the part of the medical health officer.
The distancing requirements mean that some breweries with smaller tasting room spaces may not be able to accommodate customers yet. And the rules stating maximum 50% capacity will mean some breweries won’t be able to serve many people at a time, but at least it’s a start.
As just announced by the LCRB, many breweries will also be allowed to temporarily expand their serving area footprint, including adding an outdoor space in a parking lot or another enclosed area. This will allow many breweries to accommodate customers if their tasting rooms are too confined.
What follows is a run-down of some of the breweries that are re-opening, including some examples of what they are doing to accommodate the required changes.
Remember: if you feel sick at all, you should stay home.
Abbotsford’s Field House Brewing has implemented booking ahead to avoid line ups, additional tables set up on their existing grassy patio area and table hosting instead of counter service.
Field House Brewing can be found on the Fraser Valley Ale Trail.
As shown in the Instagram post above, Wildeye Brewing has worked hard to adapt to the New Normal.
Wildeye Brewing can be found on the Vancouver’s North Shore Ale Trail.
For two breweries that opened during the lockdown, this will be the first time they can actually serve customers in their tasting rooms.
Salmo’s Erie Creek Brewing opened on April 4 for growler fills only.
Kelowna’s newest brewery, Jackknife Brewing, is looking forward to serving customers in its space.
Over in Gibsons, farm-based Persephone Brewing has re-opened its tasting room with limited capacity, but also has a massive picnic area so people can spread out comfortably and enjoy the pleasant spring weather.
Persephone Brewing can be found on the Sunshine Coast Ale Trail.
Not all the breweries in BC are able to re-open right away. Some are choosing not to, citing health or staffing concerns, while others — like New Westminster’s Steel & Oak Brewing shown above — have small tasting rooms spaces that wouldn’t be able to accommodate enough customers under the new rules to be viable. If your local brewery isn’t able to open quite yet, follow along on their social media as they announce their plans over the next few weeks.
Know Before You Go
Travel within British Columbia is still restricted. For more information, please refer to this page.
For more information about COVID-19, please consult government resources here.
