So here鈥檚 a crazy thing: it turns out British Columbians really like craft beer. Who knew!
There are currently 172 craft breweries pouring beer in B.C., with 22 of those having opened, reopened or moved into new homes in the past year, everywhere from Fort St. John to Port Coquitlam.
Here鈥檚 a look back at the many new breweries we鈥檝e seen open their doors in the past year. How many have you had a chance to visit?聽
33 Acres Experiment (Vancouver)
is right next door to its current tasting room, offering a totally different line-up of beers focusing on experimentation and exploring the science of fermentation.聽
Alchemy Brewing Company (Kamloops)
Smoked meats and fresh brewed ales are on the menu at Kamloops鈥� newest brewpub, which opened just two weeks ago.
BREWHALL (Vancouver)
to offer sociable seating, a gastropub menu and rotating brews by Kerry Dyson (ex-Bridge Brewing) and collaborators.
Bulkley Valley Brewing (Smithers)
This community-focused brewery was founded by two Smithereens with a passion for the Northern B.C. lifestyle of skiing, boarding, fishing and biking in unexplored wilderness. 聽聽
Dead Frog Brewing (Langley)
moved into a new facility just off Highway 1 in Langley this past summer, with a big tasting room complete with indoor and outdoor seating.
Flashback Brewing (Chilliwack)
Chaos and Solace founder Gord Gagne has rebranded his downtown Chilliwack craft brewery and tasting lounge with a new look and new beers.
Electric Bicycle Brewing Co. (Vancouver)
The building used to be an electric bicycle factory, now it鈥檚 a beer factory pumping out some of Brewery Creek鈥檚 most creative brews.
Howl Brewing (North Saanich)
This small batch nano brewery nestled away on a farm in North Saanich uses 90 per cent homegrown ingredients.
脦le Sauvage Brewing (Victoria)
This long-awaited brewery is focusing on Belgian-style wild and sour beers, with lots of Lactobacillus, Brettanomyces, Pediococcus and secondary fermentations with fruit.
Land & Sea Brewing (Comox)
Located at the former site of the legendary Loft Cabaret, this new brewery has seating for 100, taps aplenty and a full kitchen.
Loudmouth Brewing (Abbotsford)
This craft brewery is looking to make some noise in West Abby with a lineup of creative sours, IPAs and craft sodas.
Mighty Peace Brewing Co. (Fort St. John)
B.C.鈥檚 northernmost brewery is converting the masses with tits wide selection of lagers and craft classics.
Northpaw Brewing (Port Coquitlam)
Port Coquitlam鈥檚 first craft brewery (finally!) is bringing West Coast classics to the 鈥榖urbs.
Old Abbey Ales (Abbotsford)
After shutting its doors for almost six months, Old Abbey is back in business with new owners, a renovated taproom and a new lineup of beers. There鈥檚 a pool table and jukebox, too!
Pemberton Brewing Co. (Pemberton)
PBC鈥檚 wood-hewn esthetic is more than fitting for this corner of the world, where the wilderness is just steps away.
Small Block Brewing (Duncan)
Duncan鈥檚 newest brewery is up to some innovative stuff, including brewing beer from unused bread courtesy of the Cowichan Green Community.
Smithers Brewing (Smithers)
Northern B.C.鈥檚 only purpose-built craft brewery is home to some of the region鈥檚 most creative and delicious beers, too.
Taylight Brewing (Port Coquitlam)
PoCo鈥檚 second brewery missed out on being the first by days. With a dozen taps pouring brewer Darren Hollett鈥檚 beers, you鈥檙e bound to find a favourite.
Trench Brewing and Distilling (Prince George)
One part East Van-style brewery, one part distillery and one part community centre, with trivia, movies, board games, yoga, live music and DJs featured on any given evening.
The Beer Farmers (Pemberton)
This Pemberton brewery鈥檚 tasting room is located in the middle of an active organic farm where they grow their own barley and hops.
Vice and Virtue Brewing (Kelowna)
The latest addition to Kelowna鈥檚 burgeoning brewery scene features a bright, good-vibes tasting room, a local, seasonal food menu and a snappy list of New World-style beers.
Wild Ambition Brewing (Kelowna)
This brewery focused on 鈥渞ustic ales with a bit of a wild side鈥� just opened, but its first batch of barrel-aged beers is already starting to mature.
鈥搘ith files from Jan Zeschky and Joe Wiebe
You can find B.C.鈥檚 favourite craft beer guide at your local brewery, select private liquor stores, and on newsstands across the province.
