Until my round the world trip I was never much of a beer fan. Personally, I have always preferred liquor because I hated drinking flavourless watered down beers. It wasn’t until I drank some really interesting beers on my world travels that things changed for me. Belgium was my beer drinking turning point. The BC craft beer scene has been growing over the last few years and I wanted to share some of my favourite breweries.

 

Don’t get me wrong, I’ll still drink a Coors Light or Budweiser when I’m at events or a party. But when I have a choice, I order a craft beer. I’m also not a fan of every craft beer but I will try them. My preference is on the lighter side of the flavour spectrum like hefeweizens, wits, and fruity lambics. From trying all kinds of craft beers, I learned that I’m not a fan of stouts nor sour beers. And don’t think that I’m very knowledgeable about beer, I just know what I like.

In British Columbia, there’s been serious growth in the number of local craft breweries. Perhaps it’s a Pacific Northwest thing. No complaints here. There are more breweries popping up in the province and I cannot keep up. But I do enjoy visiting them while I’m at home in Canada. I have not been to every BC craft brewery but have sampled many at local bars and restaurants in Vancouver and Victoria.

Some of my favourites places to drink BC Craft Beer

Vancouver

Brassneck Brewery on Vancouver’s Main Street

A Brassneck Tasting Flight

33 Acres in Vancouver

33 Acres

Main Street Beer in Vancouver

A Main Street Beer tasting flight

Victoria

Driftwood in Victoria, BC

Pick up a growler at Driftwood

Driftwood Brewery

Phillips Brewing in Victoria, BC

Phillips Brewing

Vancouver Island Brewing in Victoria, BC

Inside Vancouver Island Brewing in Victoria

Vancouver Island Brewing in Victoria

Hoyne Brewing in Victoria, BC

Hoyne Brewing

I loved this hefeweizen by Hoyne. I bought some to take home!

The Pedaler Bicycle Tours in Victoria 

Trying out some flights on a Pedaler Bicycle Tour

Squamish

Howe Sound Brewing in Squamish. Stop in on your way to Whistler!

Festivals

Before attending Steveston Beer Fest which was organized by O’Hares Pub in Richmond, I had never attended a beer festival before. My sister-in-law and I went and we had such a blast. And for all you single ladies, it’s ALL GUYS. It was their inaugural year but look at their Facebook page for future events.

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I’ve tried a lot of local BC craft beer but have not gone to each and every brewery…YET. Here are links to the breweries seen above and a handful of other local favourites:

Click here a Google Map of my favourite BC breweries

Vancouver BC Craft Beer:

Brassneck Brewery – great tasting room. No food but there is a rotating food truck parked outside

33 Acres – just a couple of beers but cool space, also has food trucks parked outside

Main Street Beer – newer brewery in Mount Pleasant Main Street area. Serves food

Granville Island Brewery – old standby when you’re at Granville Island

Steamworks – old standby in Gastown

Parallel 49 – I have not been here but have had their beers at different restaurants in town

Postmark Brewing – inside the Settlement building along with Vancouver Urban Winery

Victoria BC Craft Beer:

Hoyne – small tasting room

Phillips – store and tasting room

Driftwood – just growler fills

Vancouver Island Brewing – store and tasting room

Squamish BC Craft Beer:

Howe Sound Brewing – pub and shop, free brewery tours at 1 pm daily

**I will be updating this list from time to time to include new favourites as I visit them.**

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**Disclaimer: Many thanks to The Pedaler for the complimentary experience. As always, opinions stated are my own.**