For restaurants, the economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic has been a tale of two cities. Restaurants in Vancouver’s and Victoria’s downtown core, typically buzzing with business lunches and after work cocktails, have been struggling. However, restaurants in the suburbs […]
Vancouver, Burnaby extend temporary patio program to Oct. 31, 2021
The City of Vancouver has extended its free temporary expedited patio program to Oct. 31, 2021 for restaurants impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, officials said today. That means that the temporary patios – which in some cases have allowed some […]
Online beer festival brewing in North Vancouver
Are you missing the thrill of trying a new beer brewed by one of your favourite local brewers? Or listening to a brewmaster describe how they used a foeder, 80 pounds of B.C. cherries and a hint of pixie dust […]
Pandemic shakes up Vancouver’s alcohol-delivery sector
The COVID-19 pandemic has shaken up the liquor delivery business in Metro Vancouver, opening the door – at least temporarily – for restaurants to deliver alcohol with meals, for consumers to receive alcohol bought from private retailers through meal-delivery apps […]
The Growler is back!
Next issue of The Growler due out Nov. 1, 2020! After a brief hiatus due to the world almost ending (and the birth of my second child, totally unrelated), I’m happy to announce that The Growler is back, with a […]
Parking lot patios a hit at Port Coquitlam breweries
There’s nothing like a cold beer and relaxing on an outdoor patio and now there will be more of them, at least in Port Coquitlam. The city has given the green-light to outdoor patio space to three local breweries and […]
Why B.C. will have trouble putting the genie back in the beer bottle
Ken Beattie is old enough to recall when B.C. pubs had to keep their doors closed to anyone looking for a cold one on a Sunday. “Then Expo [86] came, they allowed it, and they realized, ‘Hey, it wasn’t mayhem,’” […]
First wave of B.C. craft brewery and cidery tasting rooms set to reopen this week
The first wave of B.C. craft brewery and cidery tasting rooms is set to reopen this week following the provincial government’s decision to ease restrictions on social distancing. Food primary-licenced establishments—like restaurants, and some pubs and brewery tasting rooms—were allowed […]
Vancouver craft breweries one step closer to getting patios
Vancouver craft breweries could soon be getting patios after Vancouver City Council unanimously passed a motion Wednesday allowing for more flexibility with patio licencing. The motion, put forward by Coun. Sarah Kirby-Yung, allows the city to expedite patio applications, with […]
UPDATED! The Growler’s ultimate guide to B.C. craft beer and cider delivery
Just because you’re stuck inside due to this pesky COVID-19 outbreak, that’s no reason to go without beer or cider. Thankfully, a number of B.C. craft breweries and cideries offer online sales, with delicious craft beer available to be delivered […]