On Tap Features

So Much Beer! So Little Time! Keeping the BC Beer Guide up to date...or not 24/10/2015 As anyone familiar with the burgeoning B.C. beer scene will note, this once all-encompassing guide to craft beer in B.C. has not kept up with the times. The combination of rapid expansion of the industry, there only being one of me, and the fact that I'm not, like, all about beer all the time, has led to this sorry state. So while I have not abando... more More info:
BC Beer Awards! 2014 Winners Announced 01/11/2014 2014 British Columbia Beer Awards are in the history books, awarded as always at the annual BC Beer Awards and Festival held last weekend: see the full list of winners in each category. Great recognition of the hard work done by BC's brewers, with the usual suspects (Central City, Stea... more More info:
BC Craft Beer Month Month-long Celebration of BC Craft Beer in October 04/10/2013 October is designated as 'BC Craft Beer Month' and will see tons of craft beer-related events around the province, including Oktoberfests, breweries collaborating on special brews, cask nights, beer dinners, etc. The Craft Beer Month website has a handy list of some of the main events. <... more More info: http://www.craftbeermonth.ca
New Book on BC Craft Beer Craft Beer Revolution - The Insider's Guide to B.C. Breweries 12/08/2013 Joe Wiebe a.k.a �the Thirsty Writer� has published a book called �Craft Beer Revolution� that is a must-read for any serious British Columbia craft beer enthusiast, or for anyone curious to know a bit about the origins, history, and current state of craft beer in the province. With an engaging style, Joe, who has been a fan of B.C. craft beer for about 20 years and has ... more More info:
Vancouver Craft Beer Week! 9 Days of Beer: May 31 - Jun 8, 2013 16/05/2013 Vancouver Craft Beer Week is just around the corner, with 9 days of beer involving: 9 signature events 6 feature events 6 walk up events epic week-long specials 60+ breweries and 30+ venues! There's a superb promo video featuring local brew luminaries and highlighti... more More info: http://www.vancouvercraftbeerweek.com/
Christmas Beers! Winter Festive Beers Abound in BC 21/12/2012 There's a chill in the air, the Christmas lights are out, and it's that special time of year when breweries around the province brew up their best winter recipes for folks to enjoy on those long cold nights. Seasonal brews have become increasingly prevalent in recent years, as shown by the bumper crop of pumpkin ales this fall. Now we switch to heartier, more robust ales - and some lagers ... more More info:
Visitor Comment Barley Station Brew Pub 01/10/2012 Barley Station Brewpub in Salmon Arm has received rave reviews over the years. Judging by this recent comment it is worth seeking out! "This summer we drove from Victoria to Salmon Arm to sit in the pub and drink the beer, and oh year, to get another keg. Ya gotta just go there a... more More info:
17th Annual Okanagan Fest-of-Ale! Okanagan's Biggest Beer Festival in Penticton (April 13-14, 2012) 06/04/2012 It's that time of year again, when beer fans from around the Okanagan gather at the Penticton Fest-of-Ale to indulge in the latest offerings from some of the finest breweries in the province and beyond. As has been the case in the last few years, due to the popularity of this event, tickets are only available in advance, and can be ... more More info: http://www.fest-of-ale.bc.ca
New Breweries! B.C. Craft Brewing Scene Continues to Expand with 4 New Breweries on the Way 10/10/2011 The craft brewing scene has ebbed and flowed since the late 1980's, with a general upward trend in the number of microbreweries and brewpubs. There seems to be a bit of a surge in 2011, with at least four new breweries in the works, located in different areas of the province. These include: - Hoyne Brewing Co. in Victoria: expected Nov, 2011. - Firehall Brewery in Oliver: construc... more More info:
The Beers of Summer BC Lagers for the Hot Days Ahead 03/07/2011 In most parts of BC, it has not been a stellar year in terms of hot, sunny weather. But things are looking up and no doubt, there's plenty of sun coming our way in the days ahead. And that, of course, means we'll need lots of cold beer to quench the summer thirst - and BC craft brewers are ready with a wide assortment of sun-friendly beverages, that g... more More info:
16th Annual Okanagan Fest-of-Ale! Get Your Thirst On...Okanagan Fest-of-Ale in Penticton (April 8-9, 2011) 01/04/2011 The Okanagan Fest-of-Ale, traditional start to the Spring/Summer/Fall beer-drinking season is set to go on April 8-9 this year, held as usual at the Penticton Trade & Convention Center. Always a good time to get out and see what is on offer these days from some of the finest craft breweries in BC (and beyond). And you never know who you'll run into in that great swarming, drunken crowd. :) ... more More info: http://www.fest-of-ale.bc.ca/
Christmas Beers: 'Tis the Season BC Breweries Have Again Produced a Bounty of Flavourful Seasonal Beers 11/12/2010 Lots of good beers around to celebrate Christmas with. Unfortunately (or not), I've been a bit busy with celebrations myself, and haven't had chance to put any notes together. Hopefully coming soon! Meantime, let me know if you've had any remarkable Christmas/Winter beers - and please add your comments for those beers that have returned from previous years! more More info:
Okanagan Fest-of-Ale! Gettin' Thirsty for the Big Show in Penticton 03/04/2010 The 15th Annual Okanagan Fest-of-Ale in Penticton is set to go Friday and Saturday next weekend (Apr 9-10) and as usual promises to be a good time for all. There�s no doubt that this is one of the premier beer events in the country, being well-organized, timed to coincide with the coming of warmer beer-drinking weather, and situated w... more More info: http://www.fest-of-ale.bc.ca/
Fuller's at Granville Island GIB Participates in International Beer Exchange 23/01/2010 From Jan 25 to Feb 5, Granville Island Brewing will be hosting an international beer exchange with the legendary Fuller's brewery of London, England. For two weeks, the venerable Fuller's London Pride will be available on tap at Granville Island Brewing's Taproom. In exchange, Fuller's will be offering Granville Island Lions Winter Ale at a pub in London called the Iron Duke. It's a ... more More info:
The Art of Beer Marketing Label of the Year: Bombshell Blonde Ale 30/08/2009 The label on the bottle - like insignia on a beer tap or even the sign hanging from the medieval pub - has always been an unlisted 'ingredient' in beer, helping to create a connection between the brewer and beer drinker. Some breweries go to extremes of creativity and artistry to enhance the appeal of their products and in recognition of this effort, the Collectors of Canadian Brewery Adv... more More info:
New Looks for Spring BC Breweries Unveil New Labels 09/05/2009 Spring is here and with it some new fashions, as both Tree Brewing and Granville Island Brewing have overhauled their labels/packaging for 2009. (This after Okanagan Spring did a major revamp of their packaging, introducing the helpful 'color wheel' in late 2008.... more More info:
Beer Season Begins Spring is Here: Okanagan Fest of Ale! 30/03/2009 The weather is warming up, the snow is almost gone, but more importantly the true sign of spring is almost here: Okanagan Fest of Ale in Penticton. Held this year on Friday, April 3-Saturday, April 4, this festival has been running each spring since 1995 and is always a super showcase of some of the finest ales in these parts (and beyond) - and a heck of a good opportunity to celebrat... more More info: http://www.fest-of-ale.bc.ca/
Ales for the Winter Christmas Beers are Coming to Town 06/12/2008 Winter beers are once again among us, with a festive variety of flavours, and even different sizes and shapes. Among the specialties returning from previous years are Granville Island's Lions Winter Ale and Tree's Spiced Mid-Winter Ale (always a treat)... more More info:
Kelowna Beer Festival Kelowna Beer Festival May 30/31 a Noisy Affair 12/06/2008 The Kelowna Beer Festival held on May 30 and 31, and billed as the 'first annual', went off like a bomb - in various senses of the word. It was a fairly small scale affair, with not a lot of breweries and nothing much that you couldn't pick up at the local well-stocked liquor store. (Unless you count 'the no. 1 export beer in China.') Still, a good enough showin... more More info: http://www.kelownabeerfest.com/
Let's Drink to the Environment Bottles or Cans: Which is the Environmental Choice? 17/03/2008 Out here in British Columbia, we not only enjoy fine beer, but we also place a high value on our super natural surroundings. And, as we all know by now, we need to pay more attention than ever to environmental considerations in order to ensure that our natural endowments are available for our children to enjoy. Which brings us to beer packaging. When the microbrewery revolution started in BC ... more More info: http://www.slate.com/id/2186219/
Beer of the Year 2007! Phillips Brewing - Black Toque 21/01/2008 Phillips Brewing's Black Toque India Dark Ale gets my vote for BC 'Beer of the Year 2007.' India Dark Ale is not a common style - for all I know, Matt Phillips may have invented it himself as a way to push the limits of India Pale Ale (IPA) in a malty direction without losing the hop factor. Whatever t... more More info: http://phillipsbeer.com/thelineup.php
'Tis the Season for Fine Drink Bring on the Heartier Beers for the Cooler Months 17/12/2007 With the festive season upon us, the cooler weather calls for something heartier � and maybe with a bit more spirit � than what is typically quaffed in summer. BC craft brewers offer a number of selections that fit the bill. Dark Ales BC brewers produce a number of darker and richer ales that are available all year long but go down particularly ni... more More info:
A Beer Champion Passes On Beer Hunter Michael Jackson Dies at 65 20/09/2007 Michael Jackson, widely regarded as the world�s foremost beer aficionado and writer, died on August 30, 2007 in his London home. Long before most folks realized there was anything more than an ocean of bland lagers out there, Michael Jackson was scouring the world for interesting examples of the brewers art and chronicling his discoveries for others to enjoy. In addition to his more More info: http://michaeljacksonthebeerhunter.blogspot.com/
Beers of Summer Cool Beers for the Hot Days 26/07/2007 For most beer drinkers, summer brings on a thirst for something a little lighter and snappier than what they might reach for in the cooler months. Beer styles such as lager, pilsner, wheat beers, and maybe even IPA, come to mind. Naturally, BC brewers rise to the occasion and have a number of offerings that fit the bill. One of the best things about lagers more More info:
Upcoming Features Summertime is Beer Time! 21/05/2007 With summer well on it's way in BC, the beer is starting to flow - on the patio, by the barbeque, at the beach, the baseball game, after the mountain bike ride. So in the next couple of weeks we'll be doing some intensive tasting and do a roundup of some of the best of BC summer beers in a couple of different categories. Stay tuned! (And if there is any particular style of ... more More info:
Beer Season Kick-off! 12th Annual Okanagan Fest-of-Ale in Penticton (April 13-14, 2007) 28/03/2007 Although there have been some beer events already this year, such as the Wine & Beer Festival at UBC, many beer fans look to the Okanagan Fest-of-Ale held in Penticton since 1995 as the traditional kick-off to the beer drinking season. Of course beer can - and should - be enjoyed all year long, but the warmer weather just seems to make i... more More info: http://www.fest-of-ale.bc.ca/index2.html
Barley Wine Revelation Tall Ship: Legacy Lives on Through No. 1 Barley Wine Ale 16/12/2006 'Barley Wine' is a name given to extra strong (typically 8-15% alcohol), robust ales that can often improve with age, similar to wine. They are a rare commodity and, so far as I know, none are being produced in BC at this time. But... ...A few weeks back my buddy Peter Glockner reached way into his cellar and pulled out a bottle of 'No. 1 Barley Wine Ale' brewed by Tall Ship... more More info: http://www.angelfire.com/hi/tallship/products.html

So Much Beer! So Little Time!

Keeping the BC Beer Guide up to date...or not

24/10/2015

As anyone familiar with the burgeoning B.C. beer scene will note, this once all-encompassing guide to craft beer in B.C. has not kept up with the times.

The combination of rapid expansion of the industry, there only being one of me, and the fact that I'm not, like, all about beer all the time, has led to this sorry state.

So while I have not abando... more

More info:

BC Beer Awards!

2014 Winners Announced

01/11/2014

no image 2014 British Columbia Beer Awards are in the history books, awarded as always at the annual BC Beer Awards and Festival held last weekend: see the full list of winners in each category.

Great recognition of the hard work done by BC's brewers, with the usual suspects (Central City, Stea... more

More info:

BC Craft Beer Month

Month-long Celebration of BC Craft Beer in October

04/10/2013

no image October is designated as 'BC Craft Beer Month' and will see tons of craft beer-related events around the province, including Oktoberfests, breweries collaborating on special brews, cask nights, beer dinners, etc.

The Craft Beer Month website has a handy list of some of the main events.
<... more

More info: http://www.craftbeermonth.ca

New Book on BC Craft Beer

Craft Beer Revolution - The Insider's Guide to B.C. Breweries

12/08/2013

no image

Joe Wiebe a.k.a �the Thirsty Writer� has published a book called �Craft Beer Revolution� that is a must-read for any serious British Columbia craft beer enthusiast, or for anyone curious to know a bit about the origins, history, and current state of craft beer in the province.

With an engaging style, Joe, who has been a fan of B.C. craft beer for about 20 years and has ... more

More info:

Vancouver Craft Beer Week!

9 Days of Beer: May 31 - Jun 8, 2013

16/05/2013

no image

Vancouver Craft Beer Week is just around the corner, with 9 days of beer involving:

9 signature events
6 feature events
6 walk up events
epic week-long specials
60+ breweries and 30+ venues!

There's a superb promo video featuring local brew luminaries and highlighti... more

More info: http://www.vancouvercraftbeerweek.com/

Christmas Beers!

Winter Festive Beers Abound in BC

21/12/2012

no image There's a chill in the air, the Christmas lights are out, and it's that special time of year when breweries around the province brew up their best winter recipes for folks to enjoy on those long cold nights. Seasonal brews have become increasingly prevalent in recent years, as shown by the bumper crop of pumpkin ales this fall.

Now we switch to heartier, more robust ales - and some lagers ... more

More info:

Visitor Comment

Barley Station Brew Pub

01/10/2012

Barley Station Brewpub in Salmon Arm has received rave reviews over the years. Judging by this recent comment it is worth seeking out!

"This summer we drove from Victoria to Salmon Arm to sit in the pub and drink the beer, and oh year, to get another keg. Ya gotta just go there a... more

More info:

17th Annual Okanagan Fest-of-Ale!

Okanagan's Biggest Beer Festival in Penticton (April 13-14, 2012)

06/04/2012

no image It's that time of year again, when beer fans from around the Okanagan gather at the Penticton Fest-of-Ale to indulge in the latest offerings from some of the finest breweries in the province and beyond.

As has been the case in the last few years, due to the popularity of this event, tickets are only available in advance, and can be ... more

More info: http://www.fest-of-ale.bc.ca

New Breweries!

B.C. Craft Brewing Scene Continues to Expand with 4 New Breweries on the Way

10/10/2011

no image The craft brewing scene has ebbed and flowed since the late 1980's, with a general upward trend in the number of microbreweries and brewpubs. There seems to be a bit of a surge in 2011, with at least four new breweries in the works, located in different areas of the province.

These include:

- Hoyne Brewing Co. in Victoria: expected Nov, 2011.
- Firehall Brewery in Oliver: construc... more

More info:

The Beers of Summer

BC Lagers for the Hot Days Ahead

03/07/2011

no image

In most parts of BC, it has not been a stellar year in terms of hot, sunny weather. But things are looking up and no doubt, there's plenty of sun coming our way in the days ahead.

And that, of course, means we'll need lots of cold beer to quench the summer thirst - and BC craft brewers are ready with a wide assortment of sun-friendly beverages, that g... more

More info:

16th Annual Okanagan Fest-of-Ale!

Get Your Thirst On...Okanagan Fest-of-Ale in Penticton (April 8-9, 2011)

01/04/2011

no image The Okanagan Fest-of-Ale, traditional start to the Spring/Summer/Fall beer-drinking season is set to go on April 8-9 this year, held as usual at the Penticton Trade & Convention Center. Always a good time to get out and see what is on offer these days from some of the finest craft breweries in BC (and beyond). And you never know who you'll run into in that great swarming, drunken crowd. :)
... more

More info: http://www.fest-of-ale.bc.ca/

Christmas Beers: 'Tis the Season

BC Breweries Have Again Produced a Bounty of Flavourful Seasonal Beers

11/12/2010

no image Lots of good beers around to celebrate Christmas with. Unfortunately (or not), I've been a bit busy with celebrations myself, and haven't had chance to put any notes together. Hopefully coming soon!

Meantime, let me know if you've had any remarkable Christmas/Winter beers - and please add your comments for those beers that have returned from previous years!
more

More info:

Okanagan Fest-of-Ale!

Gettin' Thirsty for the Big Show in Penticton

03/04/2010

no image The 15th Annual Okanagan Fest-of-Ale in Penticton is set to go Friday and Saturday next weekend (Apr 9-10) and as usual promises to be a good time for all. There�s no doubt that this is one of the premier beer events in the country, being well-organized, timed to coincide with the coming of warmer beer-drinking weather, and situated w... more

More info: http://www.fest-of-ale.bc.ca/

Fuller's at Granville Island

GIB Participates in International Beer Exchange

23/01/2010

no image From Jan 25 to Feb 5, Granville Island Brewing will be hosting an international beer exchange with the legendary Fuller's brewery of London, England. For two weeks, the venerable Fuller's London Pride will be available on tap at Granville Island Brewing's Taproom.

In exchange, Fuller's will be offering Granville Island Lions Winter Ale at a pub in London called the Iron Duke.

It's a ... more

More info:

The Art of Beer Marketing

Label of the Year: Bombshell Blonde Ale

30/08/2009

no image The label on the bottle - like insignia on a beer tap or even the sign hanging from the medieval pub - has always been an unlisted 'ingredient' in beer, helping to create a connection between the brewer and beer drinker. Some breweries go to extremes of creativity and artistry to enhance the appeal of their products and in recognition of this effort, the Collectors of Canadian Brewery Adv... more

More info:

New Looks for Spring

BC Breweries Unveil New Labels

09/05/2009

no image

Spring is here and with it some new fashions, as both Tree Brewing and Granville Island Brewing have overhauled their labels/packaging for 2009. (This after Okanagan Spring did a major revamp of their packaging, introducing the helpful 'color wheel' in late 2008.... more

More info:

Beer Season Begins

Spring is Here: Okanagan Fest of Ale!

30/03/2009

The weather is warming up, the snow is almost gone, but more importantly the true sign of spring is almost here: Okanagan Fest of Ale in Penticton. Held this year on Friday, April 3-Saturday, April 4, this festival has been running each spring since 1995 and is always a super showcase of some of the finest ales in these parts (and beyond) - and a heck of a good opportunity to celebrat... more

More info: http://www.fest-of-ale.bc.ca/

Ales for the Winter

Christmas Beers are Coming to Town

06/12/2008

no image Winter beers are once again among us, with a festive variety of flavours, and even different sizes and shapes. Among the specialties returning from previous years are Granville Island's Lions Winter Ale and Tree's Spiced Mid-Winter Ale (always a treat)... more

More info:

Kelowna Beer Festival

Kelowna Beer Festival May 30/31 a Noisy Affair

12/06/2008

The Kelowna Beer Festival held on May 30 and 31, and billed as the 'first annual', went off like a bomb - in various senses of the word. It was a fairly small scale affair, with not a lot of breweries and nothing much that you couldn't pick up at the local well-stocked liquor store. (Unless you count 'the no. 1 export beer in China.') Still, a good enough showin... more

More info: http://www.kelownabeerfest.com/

Let's Drink to the Environment

Bottles or Cans: Which is the Environmental Choice?

17/03/2008

Out here in British Columbia, we not only enjoy fine beer, but we also place a high value on our super natural surroundings. And, as we all know by now, we need to pay more attention than ever to environmental considerations in order to ensure that our natural endowments are available for our children to enjoy. Which brings us to beer packaging.

When the microbrewery revolution started in BC ... more

More info: http://www.slate.com/id/2186219/

Beer of the Year 2007!

Phillips Brewing - Black Toque

21/01/2008

no image

Phillips Brewing's Black Toque India Dark Ale gets my vote for BC 'Beer of the Year 2007.' India Dark Ale is not a common style - for all I know, Matt Phillips may have invented it himself as a way to push the limits of India Pale Ale (IPA) in a malty direction without losing the hop factor. Whatever t... more

More info: http://phillipsbeer.com/thelineup.php

'Tis the Season for Fine Drink

Bring on the Heartier Beers for the Cooler Months

17/12/2007

no image

With the festive season upon us, the cooler weather calls for something heartier � and maybe with a bit more spirit � than what is typically quaffed in summer. BC craft brewers offer a number of selections that fit the bill.

Dark Ales

BC brewers produce a number of darker and richer ales that are available all year long but go down particularly ni... more

More info:

A Beer Champion Passes On

Beer Hunter Michael Jackson Dies at 65

20/09/2007

no image Michael Jackson, widely regarded as the world�s foremost beer aficionado and writer, died on August 30, 2007 in his London home. Long before most folks realized there was anything more than an ocean of bland lagers out there, Michael Jackson was scouring the world for interesting examples of the brewers art and chronicling his discoveries for others to enjoy. In addition to his more

More info: http://michaeljacksonthebeerhunter.blogspot.com/

Beers of Summer

Cool Beers for the Hot Days

26/07/2007

For most beer drinkers, summer brings on a thirst for something a little lighter and snappier than what they might reach for in the cooler months. Beer styles such as lager, pilsner, wheat beers, and maybe even IPA, come to mind. Naturally, BC brewers rise to the occasion and have a number of offerings that fit the bill.

One of the best things about lagers more

More info:

Upcoming Features

Summertime is Beer Time!

21/05/2007

no image

With summer well on it's way in BC, the beer is starting to flow - on the patio, by the barbeque, at the beach, the baseball game, after the mountain bike ride. So in the next couple of weeks we'll be doing some intensive tasting and do a roundup of some of the best of BC summer beers in a couple of different categories. Stay tuned!

(And if there is any particular style of ... more

More info:

Beer Season Kick-off!

12th Annual Okanagan Fest-of-Ale in Penticton (April 13-14, 2007)

28/03/2007

no image

Although there have been some beer events already this year, such as the Wine & Beer Festival at UBC, many beer fans look to the Okanagan Fest-of-Ale held in Penticton since 1995 as the traditional kick-off to the beer drinking season. Of course beer can - and should - be enjoyed all year long, but the warmer weather just seems to make i... more

More info: http://www.fest-of-ale.bc.ca/index2.html

Barley Wine Revelation

Tall Ship: Legacy Lives on Through No. 1 Barley Wine Ale

16/12/2006

no image

'Barley Wine' is a name given to extra strong (typically 8-15% alcohol), robust ales that can often improve with age, similar to wine. They are a rare commodity and, so far as I know, none are being produced in BC at this time. But...

...A few weeks back my buddy Peter Glockner reached way into his cellar and pulled out a bottle of 'No. 1 Barley Wine Ale' brewed by Tall Ship... more

More info: http://www.angelfire.com/hi/tallship/products.html