Best Nanaimo Breweries: The Complete Guide

Nanaimo’s breweries are as much a part of its cultural landscape as its scenic oceanfront and looming Mt Benson are to its geographical one. These breweries serve as social hubs and emblems of local pride. In Nanaimo, the brewery scene is tightly knit with the city’s lifestyle, where residents often visit a brewery after outdoor activities like hiking the nearby trails, especially during the sunnier months. During the cooler, rainier days, locals find comfort in the variety of brews these establishments offer, particularly favoring the richer ales and stouts. The breweries in Nanaimo, each with its unique character, range from rural farm-based establishments in rural settings to urban taprooms in the heart of the city.

What You’ll Find In This Post:
  1. White Sails Brewing
  2. Wolf Brewing Co.
  3. Longwood Brewery
  4. Rusted Rake Brewing
A bartender pours beer samples into a wooden flight tray with three filled glasses on a bar counter, in a well-lit Nanaimo Breweries craft brewery with taps and a beer menu on the wall.

This guide to Nanaimo’s breweries is organized to take you through the city from closest to downtown Nanaimo to furthest away, showcasing the unique character of each brewery. This list is not a ranking but a journey through Nanaimo’s vibrant beer scene. If you know of a brewery that deserves a mention, feel free to reach out and let me know.

For more information about Nanaimo’s breweries and their offerings, you can visit their respective websites or check out local guides like the BC Ale Trail.

White Sails Brewing

A pint glass of golden beer with a foamy head sits on a wooden bar at White Sails Brewing, Nanaimo, BC—one of the standout Vancouver Island breweries. A second, darker glass is blurred in the background amid warm lights.

White Sails Brewing, established in 2015 in downtown Nanaimo, is an award-winning brewery known for its modern and traditional craft beers. The taproom is the largest of any of Nanaimo’s breweries, and with its high ceilings and fireplace, is ideal for large groups or individuals. White Sails Brewing sits on a site steeped in Nanaimo’s brewing history, originally the location of the Newcastle Hotel, which had ties to the early Nanaimo brewing scene. The brewery’s name, White Sails, pays homage to Nanaimo’s heritage and environment, symbolized by the white sails that dot the nearby harbour only a few blocks away. Award-winning favourites here include the Bastion Blonde Ale, Snake Island Cascadian Dark Ale, and Mount Benson IPA.

125 Comox Rd, Nanaimo BC V9R 3H9
(250) 754-2337
Visit Website
People sit at tables and a bar inside one of the cozy Vancouver Island breweries, with wooden beams, metal tanks, and string lights. Some guests use phones while others chat, as staff work behind the counter in this welcoming taproom.
A person in a blue shirt fills a glass with beer from a tap at a bar, showcasing the craft of Vancouver Island breweries. Menus listing food and drink options are displayed above the taps, with several empty glasses on the counter.

Wolf Brewing Co.

A pint glass filled with dark beer sits on a bar counter at one of the renowned Vancouver Island breweries. The glass features the Wolf Brewing Co. logo and rests on a branded coaster, with blurred beer taps and warm lighting in the background.

Wolf Brewing Company, opened in 2010, is known for its unique blend of traditional European brewing style and West Coast creativity. Brewmaster Kev Ward got his start in Liverpool, so beers on tap naturally lean European, offering a pleasant break from the IPAs and sours that dominate much of the beer scene. The brewery offers a welcoming atmosphere in its cozy lounge, “The Wolf Den.” Here, customers can enjoy a variety of beers either inside or on the patio, complemented by a selection of simple but tasty food including pizza, nachos, and pretzels.

940 Old Victoria Rd, Nanaimo BC V9R 6Z8
(250) 716-2739
Visit Website
A woman stands with her back to the camera, pouring a drink from one of several taps mounted on a wooden wall at Wolf Brewing Co., one of the notable Vancouver Island breweries. She wears a gray shirt and plaid pants, with a sign and digital menu nearby.
People sit at bar stools and tables inside a Vancouver Island brewery taproom with wooden decor, a chandelier, and a digital beer menu. Some patrons are drinking and talking while others face the bar in this casual, social setting.

Longwood Brewery

A tall glass of beer with the Longwood Brewpub logo sits on a coaster on a bar counter, showcasing the quality found at Vancouver Island breweries, with a blurred background of bottles and shelves.

Nanaimo’s Longwood Brewery is well-known for its commitment to using locally sourced ingredients. The brewery uses barley and hops primarily from Vancouver Island and other parts of British Columbia, emphasizing the importance of local ingredients in their beer making. This approach has led Longwood to be recognized as a standout in “100-mile brewing” in BC, as noted by The Tyee Magazine in 2020.

The brewery features six core beers, including a raspberry ale and a stout, along with a sour series, a barrel series, and rotating seasonal brews. Their products reflect a variety of styles and tastes, catering to a wide range of beer enthusiasts. Longwood Brewery is also known for its seasonal picnic patio, a space that welcomes families and pets and allows guests to bring their own snacks, as there is no onsite kitchen.

Additionally, Longwood operates a brewpub which serves their beers alongside fresh, locally sourced, West Coast-inspired dishes. The brewpub provides a family-friendly environment with a cozy rock fireplace and an outdoor patio, offering a comprehensive experience that combines craft beer with quality cuisine.

Longwood Brewery

2046 Boxwood Rd, Nanaimo BC V9S 5W7
(250) 591-2739
Visit Website

Longwood Brewpub

5775 Turner Rd, Nanaimo BC V9T 6L8
(250) 729-8225
Visit Website
The exterior of Longwood Brewery, one of the notable Vancouver Island breweries, features a red and gray metal facade, large white sign above the entrance, wooden beams, potted plants, and posters visible on the doors and windows.
Several people sit at tables and the bar inside a warmly lit pub or restaurant, some chatting while others check their phones; large windows and wall art set the scene—perfect for sampling selections from local Vancouver Island breweries.

Rusted Rake Brewing

Rusted Rake Brewing, opened in 2022, is a family-run brewery located in Nanoose Bay, near Nanaimo. Though not technically a Nanaimo Brewery, it’s close enough to be worth the short drive. This farm-based brewery offers a unique experience with a range of beers crafted by experienced UK-trained brewer Dave Woodward. Their lineup includes distinctive brews like mexican lager, belgian witbier, and a spruce tip IPA

The brewpub serves diverse menu items, from burgers to falafels, emphasizing fresh, local ingredients. Set in a rural, scenic location, Rusted Rake provides a tranquil setting for enjoying meals and drinks. The venue is family and dog-friendly, adding to its appeal as a community gathering spot.

3106 NW Bay Rd, Nanoose Bay BC V9P 9E2
(250) 821-1934
Visit Website