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Adult Beverages

Vancouver’s North Shore Craft Beer Week is Back!

Cheers to the return of the iconic Vancouver’s North Shore Craft Beer Week! From November 2nd – 14th, 2023, the festival is serving up daily showcase events at local craft breweries in the Shipyards District. This year’s Craft Beer Week features events from 10 North Shore Breweries, 1 Distillery and 1 Cidery, featuring music, limited edition beers and drinks, food pop-ups, games, and prizes.  Get your game on and munch on delicious dumplings alongside your ale with an all-day Dim Sum & Pac Man Competition at Streetcar Brewing, tap into your competitive spirit with a good old fashioned bar Trivia Night at Windfall Cider or release your inner warrior with axe-throwing and stein holding for Viking Day at Braggot Brewing.  That’s just a taste of what’s on the schedule for Craft Beer Week! Check out the full list of Signature Craft Beer Week Events here.  The Launch Party at The…

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New Westminster

The Tannenbaum’s Mira Mendes Talks Beer and Bratwurst

If you have not checked out German/Bavarian restaurant Tannenbaum in New Westminster since it opened in spring of 2023, it’s time. The busy, bustling vibe and full tables are every indication that this new hotspot is a breath of fresh air, and very welcome in the Greater Vancouver area. An unexpected plus? Vegetarian and gluten-free options are on the menu. I sat down with owner Mira Mendes to chat about schnitzel, German beer, and her favourite dessert. By Catherine Dunwoody Hi Mira, thanks for chatting with us. Your food is delicious, your room is cozy, and we would love to know more about your background. What can you tell us? I was trained in the service and hospitality industry in Germany. I went to Hospitality School and lived there for 13 years where I learned all my recipes and cooking skills. Moving to Canada, my first job was at the Alpen Haus…

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Festivals & Events

Celebrate Summer in Langley

The Township of Langley has a line-up of summer food and beverage events and festivals that are not to be missed. By Catherine Dunwoody Sun and Soil Concert Series On July 8th the Sun and Soil Concert Series, held at Fraser Valley Cider Company promises to be a dreamy, immersive summer evening sure to tickle the senses with food, drink, and music. Tickets are sold in advance, and the experience includes a 90-minute set from local musician Antonio Larosa, a shareable Tiffin Tin for Two, local bevvies, and all aimed at a 19+ crowd. The Fraser Valley, so rich with farm fresh produce, local food growers and producers, means the tiffin tin will feature local meats and cheeses, or vegan options. Cider crafted onsite right at Fraser Valley Cider Company is the perfect pairing. If cider is not your thing, not to fret, local Langley wines and beer will be…

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Festivals & Events

April Foodie Events in Metro Vancouver

Spring has sprung! And with all the new shoots and blossoms comes a fresh crop of exciting food and drink events in Metro Vancouver. Check ‘em out here. Soup & Bread: Tour, Passover Cooking Demo & Lunch, April 8  Enjoy a tour of Coquitlam Heritage’s current Breaking Bread exhibit (running until June 30) focusing on the historical and cultural importance of bread followed by learning about the process of making Matzo ball soup and Matzo Kugel during the Jewish festival of Passover in this mini-workshop and lunch with Chef Victoria Paikin. Details and tickets on the event page. Coquitlam: Coquitlam Heritage at Mackin House, 1116 Brunette Avenue Easter Egg Hunt at Township 7, April 9  Sip on award-winning local wines while the kids enjoy the Easter Egg Hunt, scavenging the vineyard, and enjoy activities such as Glitter Tattoos, a petting zoo by the 4H club, and more. Adults can join…

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Where to Eat

5 NEW Restaurants at The Amazing Brentwood 

Burnaby’s one-of-a-kind urban gathering place, The Amazing Brentwood, is not only a destination for fabulous shopping and entertainment but for a wide range of dining options too. In the last few months, five new restaurants have opened, and you’ll want to check them all out. Here’s what’s what. By Catherine Dunwoody Earls Kitchen + Bar Just opened on Brentwood Plaza, the newest Earls location has a beautifully designed space including a lounge, dining room, and an island bar featuring artwork from local BC talent. Expect Earls classic, signature dishes like the Santa Fe chicken salad, famous clam chowder and Bigger Better burgers, plus weekend brunch dishes, and happy hour deals. Exclusive to this Brentwood location is a take-out window, the very first of its kind from Earls, and ideal for grab and go – literally. 1308 – 4525 Lougheed Hwy Neptune Seafood Palace Restaurant This Michelin-recommended restaurant offers sophisticated gourmet…

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Craft Beer

A Glass of European Vacation at Dageraad Brewing

In a little pocket of Burnaby, at the bottom of the mountain, in the corner of a white-washed industrial park, a fast-travel portal exists ready to whisk you away to the beer halls of Belgium. Named after a city square in Antwerp popular with locals as a non-pretentious, laid-back place to gather with friends, Dageraad Brewing brings the same ideals to their cozy and welcoming indoor/outdoor tasting room. The beers are Belgian-inspired (very broadly defined by complex flavours: fruity, spicy, herbal, floral), brewed in Burnaby with local ingredients. “Burnabarian” as they’ve been dubbed. Here are a choice few to sample on your next visit, which really should be soon. New Slang 4 The latest in a series of biotransformed IPAs that are experimenting with new yeast combinations and unconventional ingredients to create some verifiable “fruit bombs,” this iteration is a double IPA that marries Amarillo and Sultan hops for a…

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Dine the Line

Brunch to Brews – A Leisurely Day in Langley

Local history meets luscious farmland in picturesque Langley! Visitors can easily while away the hours exploring the culinary gems of Langley Township and Fort Langley, taking their palates for some site seeing. Start with a leisurely brunch and wander, sampling beer flights at the local pubs, or catch up with friends at one of Langley’s many cozy cafes and restaurants- just a few ways to spend a sunny day! From omelets to ales, you’ll have a day full of adventure and new experiences when you explore with Dine the Line’s Brunch to Brews in Langley itinerary. Hop on the #562 Langley Centre Bus and learn about why so many people love Langley! By Marisa Chandler Langley Egg Bomb  Egg Bomb is a beloved all-day breakfast and lunch spot serving up fresh twists on traditional brunch classics. Indulge in a plate of fruity croffles (croissant-waffles covered in fresh berries and whip)…

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Festivals & Events

February Foodie Events in Metro Vancouver

Ah February, the month of love. And there’s nothing we love around here more than food. So may we present February, the month of food-love, and all the ways to celebrate it around Metro Vancouver. Hot Chocolate Festival, now to February 14th Greater Vancouver’s “sweetest” celebration returns for its 13th year, larger and more creative than ever, in support of small businesses, local charity organizations and of course, all things hot and chocolate. The region’s best chocolatiers, pastry shops, bakeries, cafes, and ice cream makers are joining forces to elevate the humble hot chocolate into something like drinkable art. Check out the interactive map and see how many you can sip before they’re gone! BC Ale Trail x Dine the Line Tasting Passports, February 1st-28th Grab a Tasting Passport and collect stamps at breweries across Metro Vancouver for your chance to win one of five getaway packages from the BC…

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Festivals & Events

November Foodie Events in Metro Vancouver

As the weather around here has finally turned seasonally-appropriate, there’s plenty of food and beverage events around Vancouver to keep us nourished in November. November 3 – 14: Vancouver’s North Shore Craft Beer Week One of the province’s premiere celebrations of all things malty, hoppy and good, this week-plus long party will see 11 North Shore breweries host a different special event each night featuring music, games, giveaways, food pop-ups and of course delicious limited edition beers. Highlights include a Brazilian Jazz night at Beere Brewing on November 4 and the Shaketown Hoedown Country Music Night on the 11th. November 5: Vancouver Cheese and Meat Artisan Food and Beverage Festival  “Long live local” is the theme of this, the only festival dedicated to artisan food in the Pacific Northwest. Vancouver’s stop is at the Pipe Shop on Vancouver’s North Shore where you can explore the smells, tastes and textures of…

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Craft Beer

Vancouver’s North Shore Craft Beer Week is Back

Attention craft beer lovers, head over to Vancouver’s North Shore in November! Vancouver’s North Shore Craft Beer Week is back November 4 to 14 with exciting events at a different brewery, every night. Here’s a roundup of four fun ways to explore one of BC’s most eclectic craft beer scenes and celebrate a little while you’re at it. Launch Party, November 4 Kick the week off right at the Pipe Shop in The Shipyards District, at the gala event of the festival. In one amazing evening by the water, you can get a taste of the North Shore’s finest craft breweries, all the while revelling in live music from local artists Jimi and the Antonio Larosa Trio, plus games and prizes galore. Be sure to pre-purchase your tickets for exclusive early entry and first access to tokens and vendors! What we’re ordering: A very special 2022 Collaboration Brew unveiled that…

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Craft Beer

Tap Into Your Brewing Skills At The BC Beer Conference

Crack a bottle and tap the keg, the BC Beer Conference is about to start pouring! On Nov 8+9, you can join over 220 BC craft breweries in celebrating all the delicious brews of the Lower Mainland. If you’re interested in brewing beer, or are a part of a brewery already, this is a fantastic event to network, learn about new techniques and sample the wares of fellow brewmasters. If you’re more of a beer enthusiast, it’s a great way to discover new breweries, sample seasonal offerings and meet the people behind your favourite taps. Held at the Anvil Centre in New Westminster, both days will feature keynote speakers from the industry, educational seminars, and a trade show floor with over 50 vendors. For beer enthusiasts like us, this is a great way to follow your curiosity about something you love. Whether you’re there to meet people, learn about the…

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Adult Beverages

Braggot Brewery & The Oldest Alcoholic Beverage in the World

It’s not quite mead; it’s not quite beer. By Avneet Takhar Located on the North Shore and having opened recently in May 2022, Braggot Brewery holds an impressive title as “the oldest alcoholic beverage in the world”! Creating a unique blend that’s not quite mead, but not quite beer it’s not like anything you’ve ever tasted before. This primeval liquid refreshment dates back to the 12th century and used to be enjoyed by the Vikings and Celtics! The word “Braggot” is where the Norse (Viking language) verb “Brugga” comes from. Brugga means “to brew”, indicating that even for them it was the original brewed beverage. It’s a staple drink for a Sunday meal with the Welsh even to this day and is deemed a snug-like drink for cold nights. As fall is upon us, that couldn’t be more welcoming! At the brewery, they make up the braggot with fermented organic…

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Burnaby

Summer Beers You Need to Try on Canada’s West Coast

The sun is shining, the beaches are calling, and couldn’t you just go for a beer? It’s still summer out there, folks – though not for long – so don’t sleep on these get-em-while-it’s-hot-out limited-run flavours from some of our favourite West Coast breweries. By Wade Kinley Mimosa Summer Ale at Russell Brewing Company Summer is also the season of long lazy brunches, so a beer modelled after a day-drinking staple is a no-brainer. A splash of OJ is added to a light, citrusy blend of hops and London Ale and Saison yeasts for a perfect buddy to your benny. Hula Hula at Main Street Brewing A hit from summers past sashays back to Mount Pleasant with flavours of passionfruit, orange and guava with hints of vanilla and hibiscus in a Berlin-Weisse-styled quaff. And now you can enjoy one with the boys of summer as part of the…

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Adult Beverages

Beer and Spent Grain Baked Goods in White Rock

By Ariane Fleischmann Hillcrest Bakery is serving up something a little different these days. Owner David Moyer had to think outside the box when the 45-year-old bakery relocated due to construction in the burgeoning uptown White Rock area. What started as casual conversations with local breweries White Rock Beach Beer Company and 3 Dogs Brewing soon became a new business model: using spent grain from the brewing process at the bakery to create unique and tasty eats. Canada’s West Coast is known for many things: scenic ocean and mountain views, hiking, biking, kayaking–pretty much every outdoorsy activity you can imagine–and craft beer. Yes, after a day on the water or in the woods, people love to grab a bite to eat and a craft beer to wash it all down with. So, is it really a surprise that a bakery would team up with some breweries to combine the two?…

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Galaxie Brewing in White Rock
Craft Beer

Space Flight: Trying the Most “Out There” Beers at Galaxie Brewing

The Galaxie Craft Brewhouse in White Rock sits tucked just away from the hustle of Marine Drive, steps from the promenade, pier and the beaches. A perfect place to escape the world for an afternoon and try on some beers that take classic North American brewing methods and boost them with some unique experimentation. By Wade Kinley We arrived on a warm Sunday and got a nice spot in the sun on their large patio right off the sidewalk on Vidal Street, under a graffiti-style mural that is just one of the many galactic references you’ll find decorating the airy 60-seat establishment that has served a number of purposes over its almost 75-year history, including a recording studio and yoga center. Spaced out vibes, for sure. White Rock was bustling that day and it truly felt like summer was nearly here. Fitting then, that brewmaster Doug Card’s menu of eight…

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Craft Beer

The Barley Merchant’s Tim LaHay Keeps His Guests Always Topped Up

By Brittany Tiplady If you love BC craft beer and culture, there’s a pretty good chance you’ve heard the name Tim LaHay once or twice. LaHay is the BC and beer enthusiast behind the moniker @crafttourist, a digital ode to all things BC craft beer, spirits, cider, and scenery. LaHay’s love of craft brews has amassed an engaged following of nearly 22,000, not including the readership on his blog. His account is dedicated to travel, hiking, and of course, BC craft beer. “I’ve been a craft beer enthusiast for over 10 years now. The BC craft beer scene has really evolved as many people are aware, and it all started [for me] with a visit to a Winter Cask Festival at the Central City Brewpub in 2012. It opened my eyes to the amazing flavours that exist in the craft beer world,” shares LaHay in a phone interview. “Working at…

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Self-guided Tours

Guide Your Friends Along the North of the Fraser BC Ale Trail

By Wade Kinley All across the province, BC’s Ale Trails crisscross through our communities introducing each intrepid traveller to the wonder and discovery of a craft beer scene unrivalled in the rest of the world. The latest addition to the map is dubbed North of the Fraser Ale Trail, and comprises breweries in New Westminster, Burnaby, Coquitlam and Port Coquitlam in a self-guided itinerary for beer lovers: from the storied history of brewing in BC’s once-capital city of New Westminster, where John Labbatt himself set up shop in 1860, to the burgeoning scene in Port Coquitlam where the craft beer scene is tied into the geography of the city itself, where cyclists and pedestrians can tour its five breweries along the Traboulay PoCo Trail that encircles the community. North of the Fraser Ale Trail also includes a thorough exploration of the sights, sounds and tastes of each community that fill…

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Craft Beer

Vancouver’s North Shore Craft Beer Week Is Almost On Tap

Gather ‘round all you ale aficionados, there’s an important announcement regarding your favourite hopped beverage!  Vancouver’s North Shore Craft Beer Week is right around the corner, so it’s time you start planning your brewery route. From November 4-14, North Shore brewing houses will be hosting special events with exclusive beer collabs, kitchen takeovers, games and prizes. And it’s all happening just because we love beer!  If you’ve read this far, chances are that you do too, so here’s an idea of the things you can expect to be tapping into. Events The North Shore calendar will be lit up with craft beer events throughout the week! La Cerveceria Astilleros will be featuring live music (including a Mariachi band) to ring in the launch of their new Horchata Porter, while Wildeye Brewing is hosting a dim sum night featuring a special Asian-styled cask beer. Over in Deep Cove, Deep…

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Self-guided Tours

Bike (and Eat!) the Central Valley Greenway: New Westminster

By Jackie Dives  The Central Valley Greenway is a great way to explore on a bicycle. It’s a relatively flat bike path that runs all the way from Vancouver to New Westminster, and one of our favourite ways to work up an appetite for a day of exploring the amazing food and drink in New Westminster. Our first stop in New Westminster along the Central Valley Greenway on our bike ride from Vancouver was Old Crow Café for a much-needed caffeine dose, where I ordered a flat white and Dan got an americano. You can enjoy coffee and breakfast here, watching the trains go by, or grab a croissant to-go and head to the water. The River Market is a great place to visit, especially every Saturday, where Rain City Games hosts an open board game day where you can crack open a game and try it out. A welcome…

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Beer Image by Barbershop Films
Craft Beer

Winter Beers from Richmond You Need to Try

By Brittany Tiplady Richmond has a lot to offer. Most notably, the beautiful Steveston village and boardwalk and, recently, a burgeoning craft beer community. Fuggles & Warlock Craftworks recently took home some serious hardware at the BC Beer Awards, which means, you now have no excuse not to visit their tasting room, and tack on a few others too. Check out the seasonal goodies pouring this fall and winter in Richmond. Fuggles & Warlock Craftworks 11220 Horseshoe Way #103, Richmond Bean Me Up Espresso Milk Stout, 5.7% Coffee, meet beer. We think you’ll get along perfectly, and so do the follks at Fuggles & Warlock. This delightful, winter-friendly stout made in collaboration with Notch Coffee is extra creamy and sweet from the added lactose. Enjoy it on tap, or in cans. Britannia Brewing Brewery: #110-12500 Horseshoe Way, Richmond Brewpub: 12240 Second Ave, Richmond, Steveston  Sirens Chai Saison, 5.75 Basically just…

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Nutty Uncle Peanut Butter Stout at Dead Frog Brewery
Craft Beer

Get Seasonal with these Winter Beers from Langley

By Brittany Tiplady You don’t have to be a Yeast Van resident to enjoy great seasonal beer. Lauded as the next brewery boom town, Langley and Langley City are now home to some pretty sweet, ultra-cozy, breweries, with two more on the way. Check out the seasonal goodies pouring this fall and winter in Langley. Dead Frog Brewery #105 – 8860 201 Street, Langley City Nutty Uncle Peanut Butter Stout, 7.1 % Brewed with eight choice malts, roasted cocoa beans, and of course, copious amounts of peanut butter. This creamy milk stout boasts smooth, peanut butte notes with an ever-so-sweet finish. Frostbite Winter IPA, 6.5% Don’t let the name fool you: this one will keep you nice and toasty. This hazy, “snow-white” IPA has delightfully hoppy and juicy flavours of orange, and spices. Winter Beeracle, 7% Winter Ale’s are one of the best parts of the season for obvious reasons.…

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Adult Beverages

Seasonal Winter Beers from Burnaby and New Westminster

By Kristi Alexandra Normally, a cold comfort is a bit of an oxymoron, but Burnaby and New Westminster are brewing up something that’s both refreshingly cool and cheering. As winter descends, you’ll want to cozy up with a glass of these drafts coming out of neighbourhood taprooms until the New Year. Steel & Oak 1319 Third Ave, New Westminster Back for a second year, and brewed in collaboration with Timbertrain (the West Cordova coffee roasters) is First Press. This double-entendre beer is a cold brew coffee stout with serious notes of cocoa, hazelnut, toffee, and a big old helping of freshly roasted coffee. Find them in cans or fill up on tap. As a redux to First Press, Steel & Oak debuts Second Press. This imperial cold brew coffee stout boasts big flavours of molasses, licorice, dark chocolate, hearty, roasted coffee and finishing smooth with a warming of alcohol. To…

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Craft Beer

Autumn Beers in Vancouver

By Brittany Tiplady You know the drill around here, Autumn in Vancouver (or anywhere really) means ditching your summer gear for all the cozy stuff: scarves, thick socks, peacoats, and delicious, rich beer. But because Vancouver is overflowing with beer and brewery options, we’ve rounded up a bevvy of seasonal suggestions whether it’s for your fridge, or your next brewery crawl. Parallel 49 Brewing Company 1950 Triumph Street Lost Souls Chocolate Pumpkin Porter 6.5% “All treat, no trick: this rich, robust chocolate pumpkin porter is so good, even the living dead will indulge.” We warned you: there’s not escaping pumpkin flavoured beer during the autumn season. But pumpkin and chocolate? That’s sure to please even the pumpkin skeptics. The base of the Lost Souls Chocolate Pumpkin Porter is a hearty porter, enhanced with a generous addition of chocolate malts. Stanley Park Brewing 8901 Stanley Park Drive Layer Up Winter Wheat…

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Craft Beer

Autumn Beers from Surrey and White Rock

By Kristi Alexandra South of the Fraser, you’ll find local tasting rooms brewing up some serious flavours and suds over autumn. The season, of course, marks the return of pumpkin-spiced everything, but it also inspires creativity and a break from the norm. Find a few drinks below that’ll have you howling at the moon in Surrey and White Rock this fall. White Rock Beach Beer 15181 Russell Ave, White Rock While the near-beachside brewery may conjure up thoughts of eternal summer, you’ll find a brisk, if not refreshing, return to fall near the seashore. Drink up the spot’s Border beer, a Baltic-style porter that’s malty, clear, and has notes of chocolate. As they put it, this beer is “sure to warm you up on the coldest of days – or nights”. 3 Dogs Brewing 15222 North Bluff Road, White Rock At 3 Dogs Brewing, there are staples and there are…

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Vancouvers North Shore Craft Beer Week 2019
Craft Beer

Vancouver’s North Shore Craft Beer Week Celebrates Craft Brewing Boom

With the inaugural Vancouver’s North Shore Craft Beer Week in 2017 there were just six breweries to revel with. Today, with nine craft breweries and one more anticipated to open by the end of the year, the beer community on Vancouver’s North Shore celebrates October 4-11, 2019. As the North Shore’s craft beer scene bustles, hop-heads and craft beer connoisseurs will be rewarded with a full week of fun beer events happening in breweries and venues across Vancouver’s North Shore. The week kicks off with a launch party featuring all North Shore breweries and is followed by beer-pairing dinners, brewery battles, Oktoberfest events, open houses and more at each of their locations. The VNSCBW launch party takes place at the Pipe Shop on October 4, from 5pm-10pm and plays host to all of the North Shore breweries: Beere Brewing Co, Black Kettle Brewing Company, Bridge Brewing Co, Deep Cove Brewers…

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Craft Beer

Five Local Beer Staples for Patio Sipping

By Joyce Chua, Vancouver Foodie Tours If you don’t mind a light jacket and a slight chance of needing to move inside while a shower passes through, there’s still time to soak up British Columbia’s stunning vistas outside with a cold beer in hand this year. For the sunny days still to come, take note of these five local beer staples – easy-drinking, crowd-pleasing, ultra-refreshing – that you can find almost anywhere. 33 Acres of Sunshine 33 Acres Brewing, Vancouver This French Blanchè beer is inspired by the sun.  Fruity, orange-like, with a slightly sweet aftertaste, you’ll easily spot it on the shelves from its minimalist white label. Destiny IPA Fuggles and Warlock, Richmond Let’s say you’re the kind of person who picks beer by the label. You might already be familiar with Fuggles and Warlock for their whimsical illustrated labels and quirky names. The Destiny IPA has the hoppiness…

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Sweets

Beer and Spent Grain Food Unite in White Rock

By Ariane Fleischmann Hillcrest Bakery is serving up something a little different these days. Owner David Moyer had to think outside the box when the 45-year-old bakery relocated due to construction in the burgeoning uptown White Rock area. What started as casual conversations with local breweries White Rock Beach Beer Company and 3 Dogs Brewing soon became a new business model: using spent grain from the brewing process at the bakery to create unique and tasty eats. Canada’s West Coast is known for many things: scenic ocean and mountain views, hiking, biking, kayaking–pretty much every outdoorsy activity you can imagine–and craft beer. Yes, after a day on the water or in the woods, people love to grab a bite to eat and a craft beer to wash it all down with. So, is it really a surprise that a bakery would team up with some breweries to combine the two?…

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Festivals & Events

A New Beer Festival in Surrey’s Cloverdale

By Brittany Tiplady Giddy-up for the inaugural Clover Valley Beer Festival, happening August 11  in the heart of Cloverdale! This first-time festival— hosted by the powerhouse team that also produces the Whistler Village Beer Festival and the Great Okanagan Beer Festival—promises an afternoon of coveted craft beer, food truck favourites, live music, and event support from local sponsorship. Clover Valley’s festival team has also partnered with Twins Cancer Fundraising as their charitable partner, who will receive proceeds from ticket sales to support their efforts on raising money for cancer-fighting charities. Over 40 craft breweries are expected to set up camp at the fest, including Langley’s Trading Post Brewing, Central City Brewing, and Port Moody’s Yellow Dog Brewing and Parkside Brewery. “We really want to highlight BC craft beers and ciders but we also have some international brews joining us,” explains events manager Tara Myers. For cider lovers, this festival has…

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Craft Beer

Where to Try the Funky, Tart, and Estery Beers Found at Farmhouse Fest in Vancouver

By Joyce Chua, Vancouver Foodie Tours Funky, fruity, estery, tart, dry, and sour; these beer flavours can be under-appreciated but, this July, the fourth annual Farmhouse Festival returned to Vancouver to tease some diversity into a sold-out romp of discerning palates. If you didn’t make it to the festival, not to worry, we’re here to help you find some of the featured flavours. Over 50 breweries and cider makers were invited to the UBC Farm, bringing their most innovative concoctions with them. From mouth-puckering to thirst-quenching, it was a field day (quite literally) for beer enthusiasts. While the majority of recipes were created specifically for the event, a handful of items are will be available for British Columbia locals. Here are 5 locals Farmhouse Festival beers to look out for: Hailing from Burnaby, Dageraad Brewing was the proud supplier of this year’s official Farmhouse Fest beer. The Genever -…

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Craft Beer

Fort Langley Beer & Food Festival Embraces Local in a Big Way

By Catherine Dunwoody If you have ever spent time in BC’s charming Fort Langley then you know that hosting an annual food and beer festival just seems like a natural fit. Be sure and mark your calendars for for May 19th, 2018! Fort Langley’s old-timey streets are a mix of pleasant restaurants, quaint shops and there is a cozy neighbourhood feel that’s hard to capture unless it just comes about organically. The Fort Langley Beer & Food Festival returns for it’s second year for a celebration of craft beer, local food and old-fashioned fun. The festival is the dreamchild of Fort Langley’s own Trading Post Brewing Company and local is the name of the game. So local in fact, that of the 24 breweries participating, the farthest is Mission’s Mission Springs Brewery at 34 km (21 m) and the food is grown and produced in the Fraser Valley. Proceeds will, once again,…

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FestinaLente_IMAGE_BY_Michele_Mateus
Adult Beverages

Sip into Seasonal Spring Beer and Wine in Langley

By Kristi Alexandra With sprawling greenery, idyllic farmland, and wild brambles flourishing in the sub-rural town of Langley, it’s no wonder it’s is home to so many winery vineyards — and a couple breweries, too. Spring is in the air to thaw the frost of winter, and with that comes new berries, new grapes, and new spirits. Enter a new season of sipping. From mead to wine to beer, here’s where you can find fresh new bottles to imbibe in Langley. Festina Lente Estate Winery 21113 16th Avenue From King Arthur’s court to Game of Thrones, the ancient art of mead has always been a tasty one. Festina Lente Estate Winery brings traditional honey wine to the present day with their “modern, sophisticated twist.” This year, they’re introducing two new wines whose names harken back (perhaps) to when mead was a dinnertime staple. Venus Melomel is aptly named after the…

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steamworks winter lager
Craft Beer

Burnaby and East Van have Beer to Spice Up Winter Months

By Brittany Tiplady Spring, so close yet so far. We recommend hibernating for the remaining winter months with a cold beer and a whole lot of Netflix. Or, hang out in one of the tap rooms listed below and take advantage of the rich, wintery beers they have to offer. Dageraad Brewing 3191 Thunderbird Crescent #114, Burnaby Londen, 7.0% Dageraad is the purveyor of classy and full-bodied craft beer. Recently released on January 19th, is Dageraad’s latest winter sipper called Londen; an English porter that is brewed with Belgian and Canadian influence and the “fruity, spicy mystery of a Belgian fermentation.” Try this on tap or in bottles at the Dageraad tasting room. 10°, 10.5% Hold onto your hats, this one is not for the faint of heart (or the lightweight)! The new Dageraad 10°, a 2016 bronze medalist at the 2016 BC Beer Awards, is an exotic winter brew…

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Britannia Brewing Winter Craft Beer
Craft Beer

Embrace the Winter Taps in New Westminster and Richmond

By Kristi Alexandra Winter’s far from over, but the Christmas rush has many of our local craft breweries drying up their stores of limited release selections. If you’ve got a hankering to bring back the holiday season with a few sips of the suds just north of the Fraser, here’s where you can still pour some pints in New Westminster and Richmond. Steel and Oak 1319 3rd Ave, New Westminster This Third Street brewery is still going strong with its limited release, Windrose. This four-grain porter will bring you back to Christmas morning by the fire with the rich taste of chocolate, caramel and toffee fit for overindulging. Sadly, you won’t find it on tap but there are still a few cases of the Zusammen Cardamom Fig Stout floating around Metro Vancouver liquor store shelves. This spicy beverage was brewed by the women of Steel and Oak along with Head…

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Mariner Brewing Coquitlam BC
Craft Beer

Wintery Seasonal Craft Beer in Surrey and Coquitlam

By Brittany Tiplady Beer can be romanticized in so many ways but the great Charles Bukowski nailed it: “stay with the beer,” he penned “beer is continuous blood. A continuous lover.” The holidays have come and gone, but Metro Vancouver’s mild winter weather is here to stay, at least for a few months. Curl up with these seasonal winter brews found in Surrey, White Rock and Coquitlam. Russell Brewing Company 13018 80 Ave, Surrey Winter Stout, 6.5% The name says it all. Available now in 650ml at private liquor stores, Russell Brewing’s Winter Stout is chock-full of chocolate and black malts and roasted barley. Black Death Porter, 6.5% Buckle up for this one! The Black Death Porter, part of Russell Brewing’s Brewmaster Seasonal Series, is a heavy porter brewed with Canadian and Scottish malted barley. Find it on tap or on the shelves at private liquor stores but buyer beware:…

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Winter Craft Beers on Vancoouver's North Shore
Craft Beer

Wintery Seasonal Craft Beer on Vancouver’s North Shore

By Brittany Tiplady Vancouver’s North Shore winters may be chilly and long, but there is always beer- and Kinky Friedman said it best: “Beauty is in the eye of the beer holder.” We know the holidays are long over (thank goodness!) but if seasonal beers are your jam, you’re in luck! There’s still a bevy of winter-themed brews stocked by beloved craft breweries on Vancouver’s North Shore to keep yourself warm for the winter months to come.   Green Leaf Brewing 123 Carrie Cates Court, Lonsdale Quay Market, North Vancouver LoLo Stout 5.5% Named after Green Leaf’s Lower Lonsdale neighborhood, LoLo is a dark and hearty stout that boasts rich and delicious chocolate and coffee flavours. Perfect for the endless North Shore winters.   Deep Cove Brewers and Distillers 2270 Dollarton Hwy #170, North Vancouver Dog Mountain Extra Stout, 7.5% (Cans only) Deep Cove Brewers lovingly describes the Dog Mountain…

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Craft Beer

Seasonal Pumpkin and Kiwi Brews at North Vancouver’s Bridge Brewing

By Kristi Alexandra Upon stepping into North Vancouver’s Bridge Brewing Company, just a shot up Mountain Highway, light streams through the windows, illuminating a quaint tasting room and bottles of amber liquid housed in the cooler. Craft beer culture in the lower mainland has always lauded locality, but head brewer Kerry Dyson’s newest creations take on a whole new light in this hyper-local haunt, whose tasting room is adjacent to a garage-style brewery. His latest seasonal offerings are the Quaywi Sour–a collaboration beer with Tap and Barrel–the Pear Cardamom Milkshake IPA, and the seasonably apt Pumpkin Porter–all of which use locally-sourced ingredients to perfect their taste. “If we can, we’ll try to source it as locally as possible,” Dyson tell WestcoastFood of his brewery’s zero-waste, local, and sustainable ethos. “We get our hops from Chilliwack hops farms out in the valley… it depends on what we’re looking for. We just…

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Craft Beer

Coquitlam Enters the Craft Brewery Scene with Newcomer Mariner Brewing

By Brittany Tiplady It’s risky to open a craft brewery in such a saturated local market. With tasting rooms lining the streets of Vancouver, and Port Moody’s beloved Brewery Row, how does one launch a new craft brewery that we haven’t already seen, and sipped, so many times before? Mariner Brewing found the recipe to do just that. 26-year-old Byron Vallis brought his love of craft beer to his hometown of Coquitlam, just a few blocks from his childhood home. The vision he and his team shared was to bring a unique element to the craft beer scene in the untapped market of Coquitlam, so that folks like him (and girlfriend Lauren Ang, Chief Consumption Officer of Mariner Brewing,) could enjoy doing what they love most, right at home. Mariner Brewing opened their chic and nautical-themed tasting room on August 30th 2017 with four brews on tap, and has been…

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Festivals & Events

Vancouver’s North Shore Has Their First Ever Craft Beer Week

by Catherine Dunwoody Vancouver’s North Shore Tourism Association has partnered with the five (soon to be seven!) microbreweries to host their first-ever craft beer festival, running from October 6-13, 2017. Vancouver’s North Shore goes from Deep Cove to Horseshoe Bay, and participating breweries are offering everything from cask nights to craft brewery crawls, to Brewmaster’s Dinners, and more. Who’s in on the fun? Beere Brewing Company, Black Kettle Brewing Company, Bridge Brewing Company, Deep Cove Brewers and Distillers, and Hearthstone Brewery. Serious about beer? Get your very own Vancouver’s North Shore Craft Beer Week Passport and get stamped as you sip your way to the opportunity to win a prize draw. Think hotel stays, Capilano Suspension Bridge passes, filled growlers, and much more. “We are delighted to introduce this festival, and our craft breweries, to new and old friends alike”, said Jennifer Belak, Executive Director at Vancouver’s North Shore Tourism…

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Craft Beer

Tour: Lagers, Stouts and Ales in Coquitlam, Burnaby and New West

There’s never been a better time to be a beer drinker on Canada’s West Coast. The region is undergoing a craft brewing renaissance and it seems that there is a new craft brewery popping up every week. Let WestCoastFood and our transportation partner, Burnaby Tours, be your host as we guide you to some of the best craft breweries in the region. Enjoy an in-depth look at the art of beer making with a behind-the-scenes tour at one of the breweries, and get a full sampling of the breweries’ finest beers. (If you left beer fans at home, be sure to pick up a growler or two!) On this tour, you’ll visit:   Mariner Brewing, Coquitlam One of the new kids on the block, Mariner Brewing opened recently to much fanfare. Beer enthusiasts can expect their first offerings to include a sour weisse, a dry-hopped cream ale and a Northeastern…

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Craft Beer

Tour: Craft Brew Hop through Surrey and Langley

There’s never been a better time to be a beer drinker on Canada’s West Coast. The region is undergoing a craft brewing renaissance and it seems that there is a new craft brewery popping up every week. Let WestCoastFood and our transportation partner, Burnaby Tours, be your host as we guide you to some of the best craft breweries in the region. Enjoy an in-depth look at the art of beer making with a behind-the-scenes tour at one of the breweries, and get a full sampling of the breweries’ finest beers. (If you left beer fans at home, be sure to pick up a growler or two!) On this tour, you’ll visit:   Central City Brewing and Distillery, Surrey Known for their line of Red Racer beers, including their signature Red Racer IPA, Central City also produces offer a variety of craft beverages including specialty beers, ciders and both brown and…

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Festivals & Events

A New Rustic Food and Beer Festival in Langley begins May 2017

By Catherine Dunwoody If you have ever spent time in BC’s charming Fort Langley then you know that hosting an annual food and beer festival just seems like a natural fit. Be sure and mark your calendars for May 20tt, 2017! Fort Langley’s old-timey streets are a mix of pleasant restaurants, quaint shops and there is a cozy neighbourhood feel that’s hard to capture unless it just comes about organically. The Fort Langley Beer & Food Festival is the dreamchild of Fort Langley’s own Trading Post  Brewing Company, and the aptly put slogan, “tap into the local” says it all. This first-time festival will feature fabulous local food and craft beer from the Vancouver area and the Fraser Valley, plus live music and more. At the Fort Langley National Historic Site, fest-goers will have an opportunity to learn about the lives of the First Nations communities, international fur traders, gold…

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Craft Beer

Passport to Vancouver’s East Village Breweries

By Catherine Dunwoody There’s a new offering from Vancouver’s vibrant east side – a self-guided tasting tour and passport program, featuring some of the best breweries in the city. Yep, seven of Vancouver’s favourite artisanal breweries and one small-batch distillery have come together to make it easy, and rewarding, to sip and sample the best in craft beer and spirits. Here’s how it works. Just pick up your passport and map at any of the participating breweries and distilleries listed below. Self guide yourself through the tour, learning all about what you are tasting as you go, and collect a stamp at each stop. And, it’s no coincidence that some of the hippest eateries are also located in this ‘hood, meaning stopping mid-way for a bite just makes for a fantastic way to spend some time here. Have all your seven stamps in the passport now? Well done. You’ll be rewarded…

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Craft Beer

Kick Back with a Cold Beer at Big Ridge Brewing in Surrey

By Anna Black When you’re looking to enjoy the finest lagers and ales and superior seasonal and specialty beers down at your friendly neighbourhood pub, Big Ridge Brewing Co. in Surrey is the place to go. Not only do they have an impressive array of beverages to choose from, their menu offers up a fine selection of comfort food and wok-prepared dishes using only the freshest ingredients. And the best part? You don’t have to be a beer snob to enjoy any of it. Located at 5580 152nd Street, Big Ridge Brewing Co. is Surrey’s original brewpub, serving patrons their time honored, handcrafted lagers, ales, and beers since 1999.  Part of the Mark James Group, British Columbia’s premiere collection of craft brewery restaurants, Big Ridge Brewing Co. keeps good company with six other West Coast area breweries and distilleries including Vancouver’s Yaletown Brewing Co. and the Brewhouse Brewing Co. in…

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Craft Beer

Ascot Beer Cocktails in Vancouver Put a Bit of Class in Your Glass

By Catherine Dunwoody “Put a bit of class in your glass,” so say the creators of Ascot Beer Cocktail Company – a unique new collection of beer cocktails using fresh, natural ingredients that offer the sophistication of a cocktail – as easy as cracking a cold beer. Well known in Vancouver’s bar scene, Nick Devine is the creator of the brand; starting out behind the bar in the famous horseracing town of Ascot (hence the name), then on to tend bars in London and San Francisco, until settling in Vancouver. Here he won Vancouver Magazine’s Bartender of the Year. A partner in Vancouver’s Cascade Company, which owns The Cascade Room, El Camino’s, The Union, Charlie’s Little Italian, as well as Main Street Brewing, Devine, is skilled in designing cocktails for a variety of tastes. “I set out to try bottling liquor-based cocktails years ago, but stalled after encountering logistical problems,”…

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Recipes

Recipe: Screaming Banshee Irish Cream Stout Cupcakes

By Old Yale Brewing Co. in the Fraser Valley Looking for the perfect beer cupcake recipe? Well, look no further! Introducing Screaming Banshee Beer Cupcakes. These little guys are quick and easy to make, and taste like heaven on earth. INGREDIENTS Screaming Banshee Irish Cream Stout (1 cup) Butter (1/2 cup) Cocoa (3/4 cup) Sugar (2 cups) Sour cream (3/4 cup) Eggs (2) Vanilla (1 tbsp.) Flour (2 cups) Baking soda (2 1/2 tsp.) DIRECTIONS 1. Melt Screaming Banshee + butter in a saucepan over medium/low heat 2. Whisk in cocoa + sugar and remove from heat 3. In a separate bowl, beat sour cream, eggs and vanilla 4. Pour step 3 mixture into Screaming Banshee / butter mixture from step 1 5. Whisk in flour + baking soda 6. Fill muffin tin with cupcake liners & fill each liner 3/4 full with cupcake mixture 7. Bake for 15 mins…

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Craft Beer

Steel & Oak Beer Pairings with Local New Westminster Food

By Alexis Baran Meandering up and down the hilly riverside streets of New Westminster is a great way to work up an appetite and a thirst. If you are down to hunt for the perfect local food to pair with locally brewed beer, the walk from restaurants to the neighbourhood brewery with your take-out feast in-hand is a great way to explore the streets on a nice day. Here are pairing suggestions from the crew at Steel & Oak Brewing: Restauraunt: Rivers Reach Food: New West Deli Pizza Beer: Smoked Hefeweizen Daniel Johnston, front of house manager, recommends that the “rich, meaty and savoury pizza is balanced perfectly by our smoky and subtle Hefeweizen. Great pizza and great beer, how could you go wrong?” With all of the meat piled on this pizza – salami, pepperoni, ham, ground beef, and Italian sausage, a smoked Hef is both complementary and refreshing.…

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Craft Beer

Follow the Tracks to New Westminster’s Steel & Oak Brewing

By Tim Pawsey The craft beer revolution has made itself at home along the Fraser River, down from the hills in New Westminster. Steel and Oak Brewing Co. is a delightful discovery, tucked away in a still fairly industrial part of town, cheek by jowl beside automotive repair shops and train tracks – yet a short walk away from the bustling River Market and the rest of Downtown New West. Steel & Oak arrived with a bit of a bang upon their arrival into the scene in the summer of 2014 by quickly scooping first place in the 2015 BC Beer Awards Amber / Dark Ale category with its gently bitter and quite floral Flagship Royal City Ale. Step inside and chances are you won’t be alone, as the word is out on S&O, which has already built a strong following. Open for just over a year, this compact, wood-trimmed…

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Craft Beer

Coquitlam’s (Crafty) Watering Holes

By Sheliza Mitha for the City of Coquitlam Craft beers and tasty twists on traditional pub grub seem to be a specialty in Coquitlam, where you’ll find plenty of spots to quench your thirst and satisfy your appetite – from cozy pubs to bustling bars. What’s the meaning of craft beer anyways? It’s best defined as being produced by independent brewers that are considerably smaller than major corporate breweries and are generally known for their emphasis on quality, flavour and brewing techniques. You’ll find some ardent fans of this brew in some of Coquitlam’s most popular local hangouts. Boasting more than 50 types of craft beer, the John B. Pub in the city’s south-western section is where you’ll want to kick start your self-styled tour of Coquitlam’s craft beer scene. The drink menu here changes quickly and often, with a fast-rotating list of unique craft beers at any given time.…

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Craft Beer

Warm Up to Winter Beers

By Kathy Mak Baby, it’s cold outside! The best thing you can do is hoist a few wintry beers and cheers to chase the chill away. Winter beers, affectionately called “winter warmers”, are typically stouts and porters that are more robust – richer, bolder, creamier, and hoppier in style with a deeper hue appearance. They also tend to be higher in alcohol by volume (ABV) to keep you warm! Comforting flavours can range from hints of toffee, caramel, chocolate and molasses to smokiness. Some winter beers have spicy or sweet notes, while the more serious brews are barrel-aged. Unlike their summery counterparts, winter beers are sipped, not guzzled, and taste better around 7-10o C instead of icy-cold. In Vancouver and the valley, microbrewers have been busy crafting some of the most innovative seasonal specialities. Touted as the craft beer mecca of Canada, with over 50 artisanal breweries, there is an…

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Craft Beer

Brewery Creek Self-Guided Walking Tour

Circa 1900, “Brewery Creek” was moniker for a stretch of stream in what is today Mount Pleasant. Centered on what’s now known as Main Street, the trickling water supply powered water wheels for area beer and soda producers. Decades of urban development saw the stream closed over and the prohibition years resulted in the breweries closing down – until now. Thanks to the recent change in liquor laws and new crop of breweries are popping up in Mount Pleasant and the area is reclaiming the name Brewery Creek. Take yourself on a tour, strolling around brewery creek until you can stroll no more. Red Truck Brewery 295 East 1st Avenue Begin the tour at the brand new Red Truck brewery diner. Fill up on food and delicious beer before you begin to ingest even more beer! Brassneck Brewery 2148 Main St, Vancouver Head south on Main Street up the hill…

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