The Growler

29/06/2024

Gibbons Whistler and Brewhalla Beer & Music Festivals have just announced the music line up for Whistler Village Beer Festival, September 14th! 🍻

The main event will feature 40+ craft beverage manufacturers and over 80 varieties of craft beverages, including beer, cider, and seltzers to sample at the iconic Olympic Plaza, with the mountains as a backdrop. Complete with food trucks, live music, interactive activities and thousands of fellow festival lovers, this event is always an incredible time.

This year's event features The Big Love Band, Fresh Cut Grass, Red Chair, and Whistler’s favorite DJ, as voted by Pique Newsmagazine readers for six years, DJ Foxy Moron! 🎧🎤

The 11th annual Whistler Village Beer Festival, presented by Gibbons Whistler & Brewhalla, is returning September 2024.

28/06/2024

Ever wondered what happen Settlement Brewing in Vancouver's Railtown neighbourhood? You may have noticed that they've been missing from shelves for the last year.

Launched as Postmark in 2014, the brewery space has had quite the journey.

You haven't seen them on the shelves in a year.

27/06/2024

Save the date(s)! Tickets for The Great Canadian Beer Festival are on sale NOW!

Canada’s oldest beer festival will celebrate its 30th year on September 6 & 7, 2024 at Topaz Park in Victoria, BC.

GCBF gives festival-goers the opportunity to taste beers they can’t find anywhere else in British Columbia. This premium tasting event will feature up to 250 different beers from up to 80 breweries from coast to coast, many of them served by the brewers themselves.

Plus--the new, more central location offers more space, which means more room for more visitors and even more shenanigans!

Featuring 90+ Canadian craft breweries and cideries from coast to coast, serving 245+ beers, the 28th annual edition of Canada's oldest beer festival will return to Victoria on September 9 and 10, 2022. Bringing beer from every region of Canada, including the Maritimes, Québec, Ontario, Western Can...

23/06/2024

Taylight Brewing is bringing “a comfortable and relaxed dining experience” from the suburbs to downtown Vancouver:

They're bringing in "a comfortable and relaxed dining experience" from the suburbs.

19/06/2024

For a lot of us, craft beer has become so much more than just a tasty beverage—it’a hobby, a passion, a career.

Gone are the days where beer would sell itself. Now, it comes down to the salesperson asking questions, finding preferences and recommending something new.

You don’t have to be a Cicerone or Prud’homme, but learning how to describe beer doesn’t just help you, it also helps the industry sell the right beer to the right people. Indeed, that knowledge is what’s always set the tasting room experience apart.

Ask yourself, how well can you describe beer to others? Can you describe flavours, minerality, carbonation, the warmth of the alcohol, the body and the mouthfeel?

Beer is good. Good craft beer tastes amazing. For a lot of people, it’s become more than a drink they enjoy, it has become a hobby and even further, a passion.

19/06/2024

So sorry to hear this and wishing all at Silver Valley Brewing Company the best! 🍻

We wanted to let all you wonderful people know that SVB’s last day of operation will be Monday July 1st. Thank you all so much for your support over these last 6 years. We deeply appreciate your visits, conversations, and letting us be a hub in your community.

So be sure to stop by and enjoy a pint with your friends or bring in your growler for one last fill. We’d love to see you.

Cheers!

SVB

16/06/2024

Wishing all at Small Block Brewery the very best in their future endeavours. Join them today for one last pint! 🍻

Good morning. If you haven't heard yet, today is the last day of . Drop by for limited hours for take out between 1-4pm. We say goodbye with heartfelt thanks to everybody who has supported us over our six years in business. We look forward to seeing you soon from your side of the bar somewhere, sometime....

So long, and thanks....

12/06/2024

Spotted in the wild Field House Brewing Co.: our beautiful Spring/Summer edition! 😍

An Abby favourite, they’ve just launched their summer menu as well as the brand new Hull Melon Nectaron Sabro Hazy IPA!

This limited release (pictured) features American Sabro cryo hops which bring sweet tropical coconut notes, pairing nicely with the passion fruit and peach of New Zealand’s Nectaron. A dose of German Hüll Melon rounds out the beer with light honeydew and berry notes. 6.4% ABV and available at both locations. 🍻

11/06/2024

Happy 30th Anniversary!!! 🥳🍻🎂

📣 🧳 Great Canadian Beer Festival is moving locations!

For our 30th anniversary, we're switching things up a little bit. This September 6 & 7, come to TOPAZ PARK for all your favourite GCBF shenanigans.

The expanded space means more breweries and more games. Plus, big trees, nice grass to lounge on while you decide what beer to taste next, and a central location for visitors and locals alike... We're super excited about the new location and can't wait to see you all there!

🎟️ Ticket details coming soon

06/06/2024

B.C. breweries are an integral part of our local communities, supporting so many great causes! Head to BC Ale Trail’s blog to learn more about some current initiatives:

05/06/2024

Alright, B.C.! Way to clean up at the 2024 CCanadian Brewing Awards

, B.C. breweries took home a grand total of 48 awards including 17 GOLD! 🏆🥇🙌

4- Kellerbier/Zwickelbier - Timelapse Helles Lager Fernie Brewing Company
6- Wheat Beer - Belgian Style (Wit) - Jongleur Wit Strange Fellows Brewing
9- Belgian-Style Dubbel Or Quadrupel - Brune Dageraad Brewing
11- Belgian Style Abbey Ale/Pale Ale - BEES! Dog Mountain Brewing
20- English Style Pale Ale - Craft Pale Ale Parallel 49 Brewing Company
26- English Style India Pale Ale - Elephant Run IPA Peak Brewing Company
28- North American Style Premium Lager - Main St. Pilsner Main Street Brewing
31- Cream Ale - Glacier Cream Ale Land And Sea Brewing Company
36- Wheat Beer - North American Style - Jerkface 9000 Parallel 49 Brewing Company
38- New England Style India Pale Ale - Hazy PoCo Brothers Brewing
39- Session India Pale Ale - Ultralite Four Winds Brewing Co.
46- Gluten Free Beer - Quick Witted Grey Fox Brewing
47- Session Ale - Dark Mild Deadfall Brewing Company
51- Barley Wine-Style Ale - Batch 300 Estate Barleywine Barnside Brewing Co.
54- Wood and Barrel-Aged Sour Beer - Biere De Coupage Field House Brewing Co.
55- Flavoured Stout/Porter - Black Forest Stout Mountainview Brewing Co.
61- Canadian Evergreen Beer - T.W.S. Sitka Spruce Tip Brut IPA Rusted Rake Brewing

Congratulations to all of the winners! 🍻🥳🍾

2024 Canadian Brewing Awards Winners Congratulations to all the winners of Canadian Brewing Awards! If you have won an award at the Canadian Brewing Awards and don’t see your beer here, please contact [email protected] for the medal images? Click Here! Map List CategoryAwar...

31/05/2024

🍎🍏 🍏🍎

Those unfamiliar with cider might not know it’s naturally gluten-free or that it can be as dry as a French muscadet. Despite some past misconceptions, craft cider is slowly finding its rhythm and there’s been an expansion of cider tasting rooms with many also offering a wide variety of agritourism options.

A drive north on Vancouver Island with stops at several cideries will surely convert those who have yet to taste the full possibilities of this craft beverage, all while experiencing unique activities at each venue.

Here are a few of these pioneers on the island’s cider trail who have expanded their operations well beyond their tasting rooms.

Sea Cider Farm & Ciderhouse / Merridale Cidery & Distillery / Coastal Black Estate Winery

Vancouver Island cideries pour out a wealth of agritourism attractions.

26/05/2024

It’s : the feature where we dive into the particulars of a specific beer style!

This issue, Growler Ontario editor, Jordan St John takes us through the punchy, aromatic hazy IPA, aka the NEIPA.

Shining examples include Superflux Beer Company’s Colour & Shape, Category 12 Brewing’s Diversion, Field House Brewing Co.’s Hazy, Sidekick Brewing’s Best Friend Jer, Backcountry Brewing’s Widowmaker, and Twin City Brewing’s Big Yikes.

An offshoot of top fermenting American IPA styles, typically using new world hops for big, vibrant aromas by focusing on cold side additions to create biotransformation and extract essential oils.

23/05/2024

"Pitter-patter, let's get at 'er!"

Letterkenny star Tyler Johnston has teamed up with East Van's Container Brewing for a special collaboration in honour of his mother's battle with leukemia.

Lynn's Lite Lager--an easy drinking four ingredient beer--aims to raise money for and awareness of the need for blood and platelet donations and their impact.

Join the Johnston's at the launch event June 16th at the Franklin Street brewery. The event also features Eastblvd Records DJs playing music, food trucks (including Mom’s Grilled Cheese in honour of Lynn, whose favourite food is grilled cheese sandwiches), and a team from Canadian Blood Services.

Partial proceeds from all Lynn's Lite Lager sales will go to a charity of her choice. Cheers to Lynn! 🍻

They were motivated by a leukemia diagnosis.

18/05/2024

*UPDATE: Storm will re-open May 21.

After a three-week closure due to a “clerical error”, Storm Brewing is back in action just in time for the long weekend! 🍻🙌🐀

Being "unexpectedly closed for a couple [of] weeks is tough for any small business in Vancouver."

15/05/2024

: Shaketown Brewing’s Pre-Prohibition Pilsner picks up bronze in the American-Style Pilsner category at the World Beer Cup.

Fun fact--this core beer was also the brewery's very first recipe!

Read more from our friends North Shore News:

Shaketown Brewing Co.’s Pre-Prohibition Pilsner picked up bronze in the American-Style Pilsner category.

11/05/2024

🎂🥳🍻HAPPY 10TH BIRTHDAY Dageraad Brewing!!!🍻🥳🎂

Drop by and help celebrate in style today from 11am-7pm at the brewery.

The free, all-ages bash features six new beers to try (and some cellared favourites), a dunk tank hosted by , live music, food by and , and more.

Cheers to 10 years! 🍻

https://bc.thegrowler.ca/events/beloved-burnaby-brewery-celebrates-10-years-with-big-party-this-month/

08/05/2024

Curious about our fantastic cover? 👀

Our 2024 cover artist, Elyssa Padillo, is a Toronto-based multidisciplinary designer with a love for cozy corners, fresh colours, snacks, and florals.

Her goal is to put some magic into the mundane. Follow her work at http://www.elyssapadillo.com

07/05/2024

LOOKING FOR A NEW FAMILY MEMBER? // We're hosting .nbrews X ._.pawsabilities on Saturday, May 11th. Come down and check it out the pawsibilities are endless....

04/05/2024

The second annual Langley Craft Beverage Week is back from May 10th to 19th!

Presented by the Langley Loop Craft Collaborative – a network of local breweries, cideries and distilleries – there are 13 unique experiences showcasing the best of Langley’s craft beverages to take in!

Ranging from innovative product launches to sampling events, the lineup includes outdoor festivals such as the seventh annual Fort Langley and the inaugural Spirits in the Park, which promises to be a showcase of BC’s finest craft spirits.

As a highlight of Craft Beverage Week, the Langley Loop Craft Collaborative has brewed a special collaboration beer: a Valley Berry Sour, made . This juicy fruit-forward beer, made with a blend of five berries from across the Fraser Valley, will be available for purchase during the event period. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of this beer will be donated to The Langley Food Bank.

Check out to learn more!

29/04/2024

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT:

Good News/Bad News

Let’s start with the bad: due to a licensing oversight on our end, we are closed until this issue is resolved. It will likely be weeks so we will sadly be closed for the spring.

Now for the good news: the LDB has been extremely helpful and supportive in this matter and are helping us so we can hopefully be open to enjoy summer with you all! We think a loading dock celebration will be in order.

We’ve been through a lot of ups and downs over three decades and this is another bump in the road. Thanks for all the support and we will be sure to keep you posted on our reopening status.

Sincerely, Team Storm

29/04/2024

From Sidney to Sooke, the Greater Victoria region has some of the best cycling infrastructure around—to go along with one of B.C.’s most dynamic craft beer communities.

Beer-cycling in Greater Victoria.

24/04/2024

Unleashed in 2022 by Leah Bosello and Emily Boucher, Barks N’ Brews is a non-profit event series aimed at promoting dog adoption, connecting people with their local rescues, and creating community.

In partnership with Endless Pawsabilities Rescue Society, Barks N’ Brews has now hosted events at several Metro Vancouver and Lower Mainland breweries, including Strange Fellows Brewing, Parkside Brewery, Wildeye Brewing, and Camp Beer Co., occasionally hosting at cafés as well, resulting in many touching success stories.

Thinking of welcoming a new canine pal into your home? Be sure to follow .nbrews and ._.pawsabilities on Instagram to learn more about fostering and adoption opportunities and to stay in the loop about upcoming events. Support local rescues and please consider older dogs in your search.

Finding puppies their fur-ever homes through craft beer.

20/04/2024

The Vancouver Brewers Fest is back with 10-day of events taking place at breweries across the city!

The fest of ales, lagers, and everything in between launched yesterday with events ranging from all-day happy hours and sales on beer to concerts and comedy nights to special food events.

This year’s events include a “Smoke Show” at Luppolo Brewing Company on April 20 featuring smoked beers (and other smoked treats), free brewery tours at Strange Fellows Brewing, and a night of nitro beers and music at Storm.

Currently, there are more than a dozen events listed, but more are being added to the Vancouver Brewers Fest website; 15 to 20 different events around the city are expected.

Get all the details:

"It'll be a celebration of beer in our own little way for sure."

19/04/2024

🚨 ! 🚨

Exciting news coming out of North Van this week!

Bridge Brewing Company’s application for a new location in the Norgate neighbourhood was officially approved by Council!

Bridge intends to renovate an existing industrial building to accommodate a brewery with a large tasting room. The plan includes a customer service area on the ground floor, an outdoor veranda on the second-floor mezzanine and a small patio.

With only 20 seats, Bridge’s current brewery in Seylynn is always full, and its tasting room on Lonsdale Avenue doesn’t brew on site. The new site will allow Bridge to host bigger events like weddings.

The Norgate brewery will also serve a more diverse menu, with freshly made pizzas and healthy bowls on offer.

Get the whole story from our sibling publication, North Shore News, below:

Once built, the new North Vancouver location will seat more than 100 people and serve up fresh pizza.

15/04/2024

Popped by to visit our friends Dageraad Brewing over the weekend—and to check on the progress of the brand new patio! Can’t wait to cheers to 10 years of Dageraad in the shade! 😎🍻

Be sure to pick up your copy of our new issue on your next visit too!

12/04/2024

There’s still time to get your tickets for this weekend!!!

The Fest of Ale takes place at the Penticton Trade & Convention Centre, with more than 70 breweries stationed both indoors and outdoors, along with numerous food options and other fun activities like a free photo booth, live music and games. The Penticton staple has been running annually since 1996, and offers two separate tasting sessions on Friday evening and Saturday afternoon.

Hurry—this will sell out! 🎟️🍻🎟️

12/04/2024

Victoria’s much beloved Smiths Pub unexpectedly closed its doors today. We’re very sorry to hear of this loss and wish the staff the best of luck in their future endeavours.

What do you even say about a place that has been one of your favorites, since before it even existed as its current form.

Smiths Pub was a place that celebrated good beer, good food, and good people, all without any pomp or pretentiousness.

This was like Victoria's own version of Cheers! and the lights going out feels like the end of an era.

17 years of good times, and one less spot supporting amazing craft beers.

To everyone impacted by the closure, all the best to you in whatever comes next.

📸: Robin Melville