A few weeks ago we listed all the new and upcoming craft beer breweries in Vancouver. However, Vancouver isn’t the only area that is seeing explosive growth in craft breweries. In fact, many of the breweries outside of Vancouver have led the charge in craft brewing in B.C. and have won prestigious international awards for their beer.
Like last time, we have created a list of all the craft breweries in B.C. and outside of the metro Vancouver area. For the purpose of these lists, we are not including breweries like Kokanee and Molson because they are much larger operations than craft breweries. Brewpubs have also been excluded, unless they bottle and distribute their products like Howe Sound Brewery.
Most of these beers can be found at local liquor stores or on tap at several establishments around town like St. Augustine’s, The Oakwood, The Alibi Room, Darby’s and more.
Arrowhead Brewing Company
Address: 481 Arrow Road, Invermere
Open: 2012
Current beer: Two Ales, one Blonde, one Dark; seasonals
Cannery Brewing
Address: 112- 1475 Fairview Road, Penticton
Open: 2001
Current beer: 11 beers including several Ales, a Porter, Stout, Lager and IPA
Crannog Ales
Address: 706 Elson Road, Sorrento
Open: 2000
Current beer: Certified organic IPA, Irish Ale, Stout, Potato Ale; seasonals. Kegs only
Driftwood Brewery
Address: #102, 450 Hillside Ave, Victoria
Open: 2008
Current beer: Eight beers currently available including the award winning Fat Tug IPA
Fernie Brewing
Address: 26 Manitou Road, Fernie
Open: 2002
Current beer: 11 beers currently available; three award winning beers
Firehall Brewery
Address: 6077 Main Street, Oliver
Open: 2012
Current beer: Backdraft Blonde Ale, Stoked Ember Ale, Holy Smoke Stout
Gulf Islands Brewing
Address: 270 Furness Road, Salt Spring Island
Open: 2006
Current beer: Five flagship beers; two seasonals
Howe Sound Brewing
Address: 37801 Cleveland Ave, Squamish
Open: 1996
Current beer: Eight year-round; two spring seasonal; three summer seasonal; two fall seasonal; four winter seasonal
Hoyne
Address: 101-2740 Bridge Street, Victoria
Open: 2012
Current beer: Nine beers currently available
Lighthouse Brewing
Address: #2-836 Devonshire Road, Victoria
Open: 1998
Current beer: Six signature brands; limited releases; seasonals
Mt. Begbie Brewing
Address: 521 1st Street West, Revelstoke
Open: 1996
Current beer: Seven beers currently available
Nelson Brewing
Address: 512 Latimer Street, Nelson
Open: 1992
Current beer: Seven beers currently available
Old Yale Brewing
Address: #4-7965 Venture Place, Chilliwack
Open: 2000
Current beer: Old Yale Pale Ale, Sergeant’s IPA, Sasquatch Stout, Chilliwack Blonde
Pacific Western Brewery
Address: 641 North Nechako Road, Prince George
Open: 1957
Current beer: Seven beers currently available
Philips Brewing
Address: 2010 Government Street, Victoria
Open: 2003
Current beer: 17 beers currently available.
Tin Whistle Brewing
Address: 954 West Eckhardt Ave, Penticton
Open: 1995
Current beer: Nine beers currently available
Townsite Brewing
Address: 5824 Ash Ave, Powell River
Open: 2012
Current beer: Seven beers currently available
Tree Brewing
Address: 1083 Richter Street, Kelowna
Open: 1996
Current beer: Seven beers currently available
Vancouver Island Brewery
Address: 2330 Government Street, Victoria
Open: 1984
Current beer: 10 beers currently available
Wheelhouse Brewing
Address: 221 1st Ave, Prince Rupert
Open: TBD 2013
Current beer: TBD
Whistler Brewing
Address: 1045 Miller Creek Road, Whistler
Open: 1989
Current beer: Eight beers currently available
Wolf Brewing
Address: 2-940 Old Victoria Road, Nanaimo
Open: 2011 (rebranding of the Fat Cat Brewery)
Current beer: Black Tail Porter, Golden Honey Ale, Red Brick IPA, Wood Cutter Brown Ale
Combine all these breweries with the ones located in Vancouver and that’s a total of 42 craft beer makers in B.C.!
By looking at the lists, Vancouver and Victoria are the most active sites for craft beer makers, but communities in the north like Powell River and Prince George have a strong presence as does the Okanagan.
Written and researched by Ryan Tessier, a food and drink contributor to Vancity Buzz. Connect with Ryan on Twitter at @wanderguides.
Photo credit: Michelle Tribe