Looking for a fun and frothy adventure? Look no further than Victoria, BC - the birthplace of Canada's craft beer revolution! This charming city is home to some of the country's most popular breweries, as well as some of the best restaurants and brewpubs around. The story of beer in Victoria goes back to 1858, when the first brewery was founded by a German man during the Fraser Canyon Gold Rush. Since then, brewing has been a constant in Victoria, except for a brief period of Prohibition in the early 20th century. Today, there are more than a dozen breweries operating in the Greater Victoria area, each with its own unique style and approach.
Explore the city's "Brewery Bay," a walkable ring of brewpubs and breweries that surrounds the Upper Harbour in downtown Victoria. Take a ferry or pub crawl, join a bicycle tour, or hop on a bus tour to discover the city's dynamic beer community. Don't miss a visit to Esquimalt, home to two more breweries, or head out of town to explore the Saanich Peninsula, where you'll find five distinct breweries. For a true island escape, take a ferry to the Southern Gulf Islands, where you'll find two more unique breweries, as well as a variety of cideries, restaurants, artisans, and other activities. Whatever your brew-tastic adventure, the Victoria Ale Trail has something for everyone!
If you are reading this, you or someone close to you most likely loves BC Craft Beer. In the provincial capital of Victoria there is nearly 12 breweries within an hour drive. Which Victoria breweries have the best beer & tap rooms? Which tap rooms have a kitchen and great food? And which make for the best Experience overall?
There is two directions you can head when looking for craft beer in Victoria and they are both north. Victoria is like a horseshoe. Both directions have fantastic Breweries, Distilleries, Wineries and Cideries.
There is plenty of craft breweries to get a tasting flight in Victoria. For a day in or around Victoria you can choose from:
The Victoria brewery for beer drinkers who love beer. This might be our favorite stop at Canadian Craft Tours. Recommendations? All of them. But if you are only there for 3 or 4, top of the list needs to be their Black IPA, Wild IPA and anything just released. Once you get in the tasting room you’ll see why your there. Want to see what really goes into your making your beer? Ask for a tour. Oh, and seriously bring a growler – or two.
Just out of downtown, known for their vast array of beers on tap. Grab a tasting flight for a donation or just try a couple while waiting to fill your growler.
Go to Hoyne - then Driftwood. If you are doing one, you might as well do both. Located next door to each other. Head in to buy a bomber or a growler fill and stay for a tasting. This is not a full tasting, but you get a couple ounces of your favs like Hoyne’s Dark Matter or pilsner.
Home of the famous "Fat tug IPA" this is a small tasting room that is perfect for picking up growlers and bombers on your way to a weekend day out. Be sure to ask what is coming up next as you'll want to be in the know.
It’s worth the stop, the beer here is good. You can get a growler fill and a couple of quick samples while you wait.
Whistle Buoy is one of the newest breweries on the block in Victoria and is worth a visit.
Harold Street opened in 2022 and is one of our favourte tour destinations. This brewery is partially owned by one of the owners of Steel and Oak Brewing in Vancouver "Jordan Foss".
If you are around Monday’s stop by Moon Under Water for $5.00 pints and $10 nachos.
Okay, now we have exhausted the Brewery’s and Brew Pubs in Victoria. Now what? Well my friends, you are only half way there. To truly experience all that Vancouver Island has to offer you need to head north!
The newest location on the Vancouver Island beer trail. On your way to Category 12, this production brewery is worth a stop. Stop by for a taster flight a tour or a 6 pack to go. Opened August 2016.
All right, here's a insider tip. Sweet leaf IPA. Yes your welcome. Great stop on a road trip through or take a brewery tour with Canadian Craft Tours.
Located in Chemainus BC this is great stop on your Vancouver Island brewery road trip. Stop for a flight and relax with some great people that live in this smaller BC town.
Nanaimo or bust right? If you are passing through you’ll need to make a stop at Wolf for a tasting rack. Although it is in an industrial area, it’s so close to the city you won’t even notice. Worth the trip every time. Take a seat on the bar and kick back.
You have two to choose from here. You’ll want to check out the Brewpub for some nano brews on tap.
Don't expect anything fancy but take a friend and try a tasting rack or two. Great view of the brewing area from the tasting room. Get there early!
Here is your perfect summer getaway. A little food, and beer are the perfect mix on this small town patio. Try two flights and walk back to your hotel. Sorry folks, no uber here!
Well, here we found it. Video games and craft beer. Stop now. You'll love the pac man and donkey kong table. Don't spill your beer while you play, we know it's going to be tough.
When you walk around this town one starts to wonder, where are all the people? It's a quiet little town with few cars and people on the streets. Oh wait, we found them! They are all on the patio at Cumberland Brewing.
Last but certainly not least is Tofino Brewing Company. If you only try one, let it be the Kelp Stout. This video below will tell you why you need to check out this brewery.
So there it is, your mission if you choose to accept it is to try them all this year. By the end of 2022 there should be 220 Brewery’s in BC, 80 Distilleries and another 260 Wineries. Sky is the limit with breweries as we are only at 25% of the market, and the BC beer market is over 1.1 Billion in BC alone.