How to Experience Victoria's Craft Beer Scene
With over 20 breweries operating in the Greater Victoria area and several excellent craft beer pubs and tap houses, Victoria is the perfect spot to get acquainted with the world of beer. Experience Victoria’s rich brewing culture over a tasting flight, a pint or by taking part in one of several upcoming beer-focused events.
There is no shortage of celebrations surrounding everything to do with brews. Many of the breweries in Victoria also host their own beer-related community events and collaborations, such as Phillips with their annual Backyard Weekenders.
Keep a close eye on our Calendar of Events to find the next exciting event in the world of beer.
For even more ale-spiration, embark on the Victoria Ale Trail!
Driftwood Brewing Company
Founded in 2008, Driftwood Brewing Company is another amazing brewery to look out for in Victoria's beer scene, adopting a bold and adventurous style with an emphasis on delivering high-quality lines of beer. Their bar and patio is located in Victoria West, offering over 16 types of beer, special one-off recipes, local ciders and wine, and a menu catered by Dumpling Drop.
Local tip: After you’ve finished your tasting, opt to purchase a growler or growlito and fill it with your favourite beer to take away. Keep in mind that beer only stays fresh for about 36 hours in a growler before going flat.
Hoyne Brewing
A student of one of the pioneers of the North American microbrewery movement, Sean Hoyne has been perfecting his craft since 1989. Following a love affair with brewing, Sean would go on to launch his own brewery, Hoyne Brewing, in 2011. Since then, Hoyne has become a staple of the Victoria craft brewing scene, you're certain to see their famous Dark Matter and Pilsner at almost every pub and beer hall in town. Aside from pouring up some of the city's best suds, Hoyne ensures there's a sustainability story in every glass, with beer delivered by electric vehicles, low-impact vehicles, and even by bicycle, and spent barley and yeast from the brewery being donated to local farms to feed their livestock.
Whistle Buoy Brewing
Whistle Buoy Brewing is the only craft brewery in the heart of downtown Victoria, located in Market Square, just off of LoJo (Lower Johnson Street), a favourite strip for local shopping. Out of their small batch experimental tap room, you can try and array of ever rotating beers, made with high-quality ingredients. If you're looking for the hole-in-the-wall beer experience, you've found it, their cozy tasting room is only 600 square feet, but it's filled with community spirit, and some of the city's favourite brews.
Macaloney's Island Distillery
I know what you're thinking, "Distilleries don't brew beer"... well, this one does! Macaloney's island Distillery is more that the home of one of the world's best whiskies, but is also home to Twa Dogs Brewing. Macaloney's has tapped the pioneering Scottish spirit into a glass. Stop by their tasting room and try one of their six house beers, and maybe even a dram while you're there. Or, opt for a tour of the distillery and brewery to learn about the process behind their award winning whiskies and beer.
Phillips Brewing & Malting Company
Phillips is one of the most iconic craft breweries in Western Canada, and for good reason, they've delivered a wide-range of hit beers and are always pushing their craft forward. With their vibrant, quirky branding, Phillip's beers pop out of the cooler with unapologetic Island pride. Stop by basically any bar or pub in town and you're almost certain to come across Phillips favourites like Blue Buck, Dino Sour, and Tilt Lager. While in town, be sure to stop by their tasting room on Government street, and sample a flight of your choosing. For merchandise lovers, nobody does it better than Phillips, you can find everything from glassware to posters to hats and even cycling shirts.
Swift Brewing
At Swift Brewing, every day is Throwback Thursday, because stepping through their doors is like stepping into a time machine that transports you to a 1970s basement party. Connected to CRAFT Beer Market, right on the harbourfront and just a block from Chinatown, Swift combines old-school cool and modern-day comfort, in an Instragram-worthy space. They'll certainly pour you a great pint, but what they're really serving up are good times and even better vibes.
Category 12 Brewing
Category 12 are our local mad scientists of brewing. Founded by Michael Kuzyk, who holds a doctorate in microbiology and biochemistry, Category 12 put chemistry are the forefront of their brewing process, and the results speak for themselves. Stop by The Lab, their taproom on the Saanich Peninsula, and explore a range of carbonated concoctions ranging from Cryo Quench Cold IPA to Ion Drift Lemon Gose, and much, much more
Spinnakers Gastro Brewpub
As the oldest brewpub in Canada, a visit to Spinnakers Gastro Brewpub is a pilgrimage for beer lovers. More than 30 years after opening their doors, they are still coming out with innovative and cutting-edge styles. They do a fantastic brunch as well, accompanied by kids menus! Spinnakers offers a large range of beers, sours, ciders, and spirits, and pairs it all with locally sourced foods. Spinnakers never rests on their laurels and is always creating something new.
Craft Beer Pubs
The Churchill has over 50 taps of some of the Pacific Northwest’s finest craft beer, so you’re sure to find something on the menu that appeals to your taste buds. Get cozy at The Drake Eatery, home to a unique atmosphere where you can order a pint from their ever-rotating taps and relax on one of their comfy couches, or catch some rays on their patio overlooking Market Square.
Located in the bustling hub of Bastion Square, Garrick’s Head Pub is one of the oldest English pubs in Canada and with 65 beers on tap, has the largest selection of craft and import beers available in Victoria.
Brewery Tours
If you’re new to the craft beer scene, taking a tour with a self-proclaimed local beer geek is one of the best ways to explore Victoria’s craft brewery scene.
Book a Hoppy Hour tour with The Pedaler to bike through some scenic landscape including the Selkirk Trestle and Trans Canada Trail while learning about the history of Victoria’s local beer scene. Along the way, enjoy a stop at three different locations for beer tastings.
Pickle Boat Pub Crawl
Victoria Harbour Ferries also holds a famed Pickle Boat Pub Crawl until October 2nd. Admission includes 4 stops at different pubs around Victoria, along with a complimentary appetizer with purchases of a beverage for every group of four. You don't want to miss this!
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