Disc golf pairs well with B.C. craft beer
While flinging a flying disc for fun likely dates back to the proliferation of the pie pan, it became popularized in the 1950s with the commercialization of the Frisbee. A variety of sports involving flying discs have been invented since then, most in conjunction with the hippie movement because, you know, man, frisbees are groovy. Today, the two most popular disc-based sports are Ultimate and disc golf, the latter of which, it turns out, has a huge following in B.C.’s craft beer community.
It is the best (and hardest) sport I have ever played, and the community rocks. Disc golf just has that extra special piece to it being able to play in such wide array of courses in so many different places. —Todd Fowler, Brewmaster, Phillips Brewing & Malting Co.
When I reached out to my contact list of B.C. breweries hoping to hear back from a few folks that were into disc golf, little did I know my inbox would soon be overflowing with responses. They are still coming in as I write this!
Makes sense. Disc golf is a fun, accessible sport that is easy to get into. It works well for beginners, as well as folks who treat it as a hobby and those who make it the primary focus of their lives. Modeled after conventional golf (or “ball golf” as many disc chuckers refer to it), players throw discs at baskets or special “tonal” targets on a preset course, which is usually integrated into the landscape unlike traditional golf where nature is landscaped over. You will often find yourself throwing a disc around trees or over streams, and by the end of a session you might feel like you enjoyed a nice hike while you played. Disc golf courses are also typically free to access, although occasionally there is a small payment or reservation required if they are located on private property.
Don’t call it “frisbee golf”—or even worse: “frolf.” Actually, specially designed discs are used that have slight variations to their shape, weight and balance, making them better for different distances and types of throws. They are generally split into three categories: drivers, mid-range, and putters. You can pick up a starter set of three discs for $25 at a sporting goods store—and some B.C. craft breweries even sell their own branded discs.
Disc golf goes great with craft beer
As I already mentioned, B.C.’s craft brewing community loves disc golf! Many breweries sponsor local clubs and tournaments, and some offer discounts to club members. Penticton’s Cannery Brewing even hosts the Penticton Disc Golf Club’s indoor putting league on Monday evenings during the winter.
Fox Mountain Brewing in Williams Lake is conveniently located midway through the local 18-hole course at Boitanio Park. “We get lots of people coming in for a beer and a bite at the turn,” explained Dave Reedman, brewery president. “Some people start at our parking lot so that they can end here as well.”
Checkerhead Brewing in Shirley, a little bit west of Sooke on the southwest corner of Vancouver Island, has its own six-hole course in the forest behind the brewery that was designed by Iain Warren, head brewer at Serious Brewing in Chemainus (where a brand new disc golf course recently opened at Fuller Lake Park). “Instead of baskets, he used old corny kegs as the targets. They make a very satisfying sound when the disc hits them!” enthused Checkerhead’s owner, David Aiken, who says he plans to extend the course to nine holes when he has time.
The owners of Mariner Brewing in Coquitlam are big disc golf fans, and the brewery even makes two related beers. According to co-owner, Gil Desaulniers, “A beautiful thing about Coquitlam is all parks are allowed alcohol so playing disc golf with beer is fully allowed at Mundy Park!” Indeed, it is not uncommon to see disc golfers enjoying a cold beverage while playing, but of course, heed local regulations and be sure to carry out your empties!
Tapworks Brewing in Gibsons is all in. Owner Geoff Gornall said, “We sponsor a tournament with the local disc golf association, have done branded discs, and have tossed a few ourselves over the years.” Nearby, Persephone Brewing once had a course set up on its farm so you can also check in with them to see if that is still an option.
Personally, my favourite course on Vancouver Island is in Cumberland. I love the way it is integrated into the forest there. And then afterwards you can enjoy some great beer and food at Riders Pizza or Cumberland Brewing, which is a real hidden gem if you’ve never been there before.
Another of my favourite places to disc golf is Mayne Island, home to another excellent brewery. There are two courses there, a public one at Dinner Bay Park (right next to the Japanese Gardens which I recommend highly) and a private one called Ravens Ridge, which also offers accommodation on Airbnb. For a great island vacation, stay there or in a cabin at Blue Vista Resort, visit Mayne Island Brewing, and eat at the Montrose Local. Or expand it into a Gulf Islands Disc Golf & Brewery Tour. Salt Spring Island has an excellent course to go along with its resident brewery. Pender Island doesn’t have a brewery, but it has one of the country’s Top 10 courses, Disc Island, a cidery, winery and lots of other great experiences. Saturna Island has a solid if basic disc golf course along with Sage Hayward Vineyards, which offers seasonal food menus at the Feral Goat Bistro.
I could keep going with recommendations, but suffice to say there is likely a disc golf course in any B.C. community that has a brewery so you should have no trouble building out your own Disc Golf & Craft Beer adventure this year.
B.C.’s Best Disc Golf Courses
According to UDisc.com, Canada is the third best country in the world for disc golfing, behind only USA and Finland, and British Columbia is home to six of the top ten courses in Canada: #2 Raptors Knoll (Langley); #6 Wycliffe Park (Cranbrook); #7 Rose Hill (Kamloops); #8 Golf Island (Pender Island); #9 Three Blind Mice (Penticton); and #10 Thin Air (Rossland). Raptors Knoll is considered one of the world’s best courses.
