Thankfully, spring has returned, and with it, beer fest season. I guess promoters assume we would rather be spending time with our families, or locking ourselves inside, huddled together for warmth during the winter months. Nothing could be further from the truth!
Things kick off in a big way with Victoria Beer Week, March 1-9, before the 24th annual Okanagan Fest of Ale returns April 12 and 13. Here’s the full slate of events we’re looking forward to in the next few months!
March 1-9: Victoria Craft Beer Week
This nine-day celebration of all things beer returns to venues all over Victoria for the first weekend in March. Things get started with Lift Off! at the Victoria Public Market as more than a dozen breweries from across B.C. launch brand new, never-before-released beers to public. Be sure to check out The Growler’s Long Table Brewery Tour on March 2, as well as the Ultimate Craft Beer Quiz at Northern Quarter on March 4, where you’ll be able to test your craft beer knowledge against The Growler’s Rob Mangelsdorf and Joe Wiebe. VictoriaBeerWeek.com
March 9: Coquitlam Craft Beer Festival
Close to 50 craft breweries and cideries will be on hand at the Westwood Plateau Golf Club for this locally beloved festival. Be sure to check out the Quirky Beers theme room and the expanded food vendor market. Choose either the matinee session from 12:30-3 p.m. or the evening session, from 7-9:30 p.m. CoquitlamBeerFestival.com
March 13: East Side Beer Fest (Vancouver)
The 7th Annual East Side Beer Fest returns to the WISE Hall to help raise funds for the Greater Vancouver Food Bank Society. All proceeds from both ticket sales and draw prizes directly support the GVFBS, so you’re drinking for a good cause! 18 breweries are taking part, along with a silent auction and door prizes. Tickets are all-inclusive and all beer tastings are included with your ticket. LibertyWineMerchants.com
March 15-16: Beer Goggles (Rossland)
Red Mountain Resort is going craft with its sixth annual beer party at the base of the mountain. Friday, March 15 from 5-9pm, and Saturday, March 16, from 3:30-7:30pm. RedResort.com
April 5: Nanaimo Kinsmen Beer Fest
The Mid-Island’s biggest beer festival returns to the Beban Park Social Centre from 6-9 p.m. with all proceeds going to benefit the Nanaimo Kinsmen’s community charity projects. NanaimoKinsmenBeerFest.com
April 6: Beer League BASH (Vancouver)
Five hockey teams representing breweries from all over the province compete in a one-day hockey tournament at the Britannia Ice Rink with all proceeds going to the Britannia After School Hockey Program (BASH). BeerLeagueBash.com
April 12-13: Okanagan Fest of Ale (Penticton)
Penticton is one of the best craft beer towns in B.C., so it’s hardly surprising that Fest of Ale is one of the best craft beer festivals, too. This year marks the 24th annual edition of Fest of Ale, with 65 craft brewers serving up close to 200 different beers to more than 5,000 craft brew enthusiasts, making it one of the largest and longest running beer festivals in the Pacific Northwest. FestOfAle.ca
April 13: B.C. Beer Wars
Come watch the makers of your favourite beers pummel the crap out of each other for a good cause! Members of the B.C. craft beer industry step into the ring at the Croatian Cultural Centre to battle for bragging rights and help raise money for Eastside Boxing Club’s many social programs. Nothing beats a fight and a pint! BCBeerWars.com
May 9-11: Great Okanagan Beer Festival (Kelowna)
Craft beers by the lake, what could be better? The main event features more than 60 breweries pouring 120+ beers at Kelowna’s Waterfront Park on Saturday, May 11, but there are great events all over town, all weekend long. GibbonsWhistler.com
May 18: Fort Langley Beer and Food Festival (Langley)
Local craft beer and local food come together to celebrate local history at the Fort Langley National Historic Site. More than 25 breweries and 15 food vendors will be taking part, along with live music and costumed historical guides showcasing the place where B.C. began. FortLangley.beer
May 31-June 8: Vancouver Craft Beer Week
VCBW is turning 10 this year, so you know this one’s going to be special. B.C.’s biggest and best craft beer festival kicks off on Friday, May 31, with events all over Vancouver, all week long. The party peaks at the PNE fairgrounds on June 8 and 9 for the main event, where over 100 craft breweries and cideries will be pouring more than 300 beers and ciders. Good times guaranteed! VancouverCraftBeerWeek.com
