Given its British heritage and traditions, it's no surprise that Vancouver Island boasts award-winning brews and ciders, and is home to the first estate cidery in BC. The mild Pacific climate contributes to the success of the production and cultivation of ales and cider.
Authentic and unique flavours, handcrafted by inspired brew masters, have earned the Island's breweries an international following for their ales, lagers and stouts. A number of brewpubs on Vancouver Island offer unique experiences combining brewery tours, cuisine and very comfortable accommodation. Look out for beer festivals too, during the summer.
Renowned Brewpubs and Cideries include:
Canoe Brewpub
Canoe's handcrafted beers and vibrant atmosphere are revered throughout the Pacific Northwest. Situated in a distinctive brick-and-wood-beam 1894 heritage building, this landmark can be found in Victoria's picturesque Inner Harbour.
> Visit the Canoe Brewpub website
Swans Brewpub
Raise your pint to this Inner Harbour brewpub, which placed second at the 2006 Canadian Brewing Awards. Swans offers a huge selection of foreign and domestic beers, but more importantly, always keeps its own, authentic microbrews on tap.
> Visit the Swans Brewpub website
Spinnakers Gastro Brewpub
Renowned as Canada's oldest licensed brewpub and for its unique malt vinegar brewery, Spinnakers is regarded as a pioneer in micro brewing. Handcrafted beers are partnered with outstanding cuisine, cooking with the freshest ingredients from local organic farms.
> Visit the Spinnakers Gastro Brewpub website
Merridale Estate Cidery
A visit to Vancouver Island would not be complete without stopping at one of the island's only cideries. Merridale Estate Cidery crafts distinct varieties of unpasteurized ciders from recipes that include 400-year old Elizabethan scripts. In the heart of the Cowichan Valley, the soil and climatic conditions mirror those of the renowned cider regions of Europe.
Visitors are invited to:
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Tour the orchard, apple mills, presses and fermentation casks.
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Sample the full spectrum of ciders from the sharp Scrumpy to the smooth, honey-sweetened Cyser.