The Complete Guide to All 42 Breweries on Vancouver Island

Visiting breweries on Vancouver Island is one of the most best things for locals and visitors to do while exploring the Island. There’s a rich and lively brewing culture here, and locals are very loyal to their favourite local brewery. Whether you’re into the hoppiest of IPAs or the cleanest and most easy-drinking lagers, almost every small town on Vancouver Island has a brewery that’ll quench your thirst.

Canada’s craft beer revolution in Canada started in Victoria in 1984, just months after brewpubs were legalized. Since then, they’ve expanded all over, and it feels like every small Canadian town has at least one local brewery. Some cater to the esoteric local community, while others have become well-known success stories, available on tap all across the province.

I decided to spend the winter of ’23 visiting every single one of the breweries on Vancouver Island. As far as goals to set for yourself go, it was a pretty fun one. In the process of visiting all of the breweries on Vancouver island, I found several new favourites that I’ve returned to again and again, met a lot of tipsy locals who were happy to tell me exactly why “their” brewery is the best, and I chatted with several passionate brewers eager to share a pint. Most importantly I guess, I drank a lot of beer.

My Top Four Vancouver Island Breweries

My complex mathematical formula for picking my top four breweries on Vancouver Island was simple: I thought about which breweries I’ve gone back to again and again even after I had already finished writing about them. Why four? I originally challenged myself to pick three and just couldn’t whittle my faves down that far. These are my personal top four favourites, and they reflect my personal preferences (wide range of beer styles, relaxed and unpretentious community-focused atmosphere, friendly service). By no means are these the only four breweries on Vancouver Island worth checking out, so I highly highly recommend reading on to the complete list of breweries on Vancouver Island, because all of them are deserving of your patronage.

Bad Dog Brewing Company

I honestly can’t think of a better place to sit outside on a summer day and sip a locally brewed beer than at Bad Dog Brewing. Located on a rural property near Sooke in the middle of nowhere, this family-run brewery skips all the bells and whistles and just brews great beer. In lieu of a fancy taproom there are picnic tables scattered round, and if you’re hungry there’s even a food truck onsite. Everything (except the beer) is kind of unpolished in a way that feels just like home, and it’s relaxing to drink a cold beer and just listen to the sound of trees rustling in the breeze without any city noises behind.

Must Try: Kona’s Gone Coconuts, a red ale with a deliciously coconutty twist.

Dog Mountain Brewing

Dog Mountain is one of the rare breweries that you can walk into and order whatever new beer on the menu you haven’t tried yet, knowing that you’re going to love it. The beers here tend to be easy-drinking and perfect for sipping on their rooftop patio. And that’s what I do every time I’m driving through Port Alberni. Plus the friendly bar staff and fun brightly coloured interior are just the icing on the cake.

Must Try: Try the ‘Bees!’ Belgian blonde ale brewed with carmalized honey or the Lit Wit American wheat beer brewed with orange peel and coriander.

Small Gods Brewing Co

Sidney’s Small Gods Brewing Co is all about books. Well, primarily it’s all about beer but after that it’s all about books. The brewery hosts readings, a book club, and all the beers are named after books that share their country of origin with the particular beer style. The white-walled interior has a sort of hipster coffee shop feel, making the brewery feel more like a place to play a mellow board game with a friend than to get super drunk and chat with a stranger at the bar. But the beer? Small Gods does such a wide range of styles and still consistently knocks it out of the park. In fact, they even made my favourite stout I’ve ever had in my life (the Caribbean Stout – Small Gods if you’re reading this please bring it back!)

Must Try: The Neverending German Pilsner is a perfectly biscuity pilsner if you’re looking for something easy to drink, otherwise just order whatever the weirdest seasonal they have on the menu is – you’re bound to be pleasantly surprised.

Loveshack Libations

Loveshack Libations in Qualicum Beach is hands down my favourite brewery on the Island, and is certainly one of the most unique. Dave Paul’s retirement-project-turned-local-community-hub has one of the most special and fun atmospheres of any brewery I’ve been to. Almost any venue can install communal tables, but it takes a magic touch to get the atmosphere just right to create a real community atmosphere. When you sit down at a table at Loveshack, you’ll be immediately greeted by the locals and roped into whatever conversation is taking place. It’ll probably be about beer though.

There aren’t a lot of breweries on the Island bottle conditioning their beer, which is enough to make Dave’s beer stand out, but the fact that he’s also brewing the smallest batches of any commercial brewery in BC (Each batch of beer makes only 200 bottles- that’s insane!) allows him to get really creative with the beers he brews, From the beer to the atmosphere, everything about Loveshack Libations is fun.

Must Try: Anything! Everything! Ask a friend to drive you so you can try one of each!

North Island Breweries

Devil’s Bath Brewing Co.

Devil’s Bath Brewing Co. in Port McNeill, established by three brothers and their mother, has the unique distinction of being the northernmost brewery on Vancouver island – as well as the most isolated one. It’s a lot further north than the next one down. The brewery draws its name from the Devil’s Bath, Canada’s largest cenote—a natural sinkhole revealing groundwater beneath—one of the unique local attractions. Just like most of Northern Vancouver Island, there’s a rugged community feel here, but by no means an unfriendly one, The brewery occupies a remodeled mechanic shop, providing a warm, wood-interior ambiance that’s free of TVs to encourage social interaction. Their beer menu features a variety of styles, crafted with a unique twist on classic brews. For those not into beer, the brewery also serves wine, cider, house-made kombucha, and seltzer.

Central Island Breweries

Beach Fire Brewing Company

Campbell River’s Beach Fire Brewing Co has been making waves since opening in 2016 in a former CBC TV studio (the one from which the famous Ripple Rock explosion was broadcast). The brewery’s tasting room and lounge are designed around communal harvest tables, making it a fantastic community gathering spot where the focus is on the food as well as the beer. Brewer Darrin Finnnerty’s ethos is about using local ingredients when possible, and this informs the recipes both in the brewery and in the kitchen.

Beach Fire Brewing is Campbell River’s one and only brewery, and for lovers of craft beer the award-winning brews served here should be enough to make it worth a visit. In addition to their craft beers, Beach Fire Brewing also produces brewery-made sodas for those looking for non-alcoholic options​​.

Rad Brewing Company

When Comox’s New Tradition Brewing Company closed it’s doors in 2023, the beer didn’t stop flowing for long. The location was bought by the owners of the nearby Church St. Taphouse, and after some renovations and upgrades the new brewery was quickly established, keeping Tyler Papp on as the same head brewer. You might still notice the brewery’s old name hanging above the door though – by removing most of the letters from ‘New Tradition’, ‘Rad’ was able to keep a connection with the past while also redefining itself for the future. There’s a spread of beer styles here, covering both ales and lagers, without the same huge emphasis on IPAs and sours that a lot of other breweries tend towards. Plus, the super-tiny kitchen also makes some delicious tacos perfect for pairing with whatever your beer of choice might be. Highlights here were the seasonal Weed Whacker Harvest Ale with fresh shops, as well as the Nitro Red.

Land & Sea Brewing Co

The large open taproom at Comox’s Land & Sea is the perfect place to enjoy a beer, as well as watch it being made. The bright contemporary space (the largest of the local brewery taprooms) features an outdoor patio, and from inside you can easily see into the brewing are as well as the kitchen. Here, Head Brewer Tessa Gabiniewicz has been brewing up crushable session beers in a wide range of styles since 2018. Highlights here include the easy-drinking Glacier Cream Ale and the Marina Mild. Land & Sea is firmly established as local favourite, both for the delicious beers, but also for the fantastic food including several interesting takes on nachos (we tried the bulgogi nachos and they were awesome).

Gladstone Brewing Company

Before opening Gladstone Brewing in Courtenay in 2015, Daniel Sharratt was homebrewing in his garage on Gladstone Avenue in Victoria. Today it still feels as laid-back and unpretentious as a garage brewery, and maybe that has something to do with the fact that it still is. The current location, a former car mechanic’s shop, uses upcycled license plates for lamps and for flight boards, and old mechanic tools as tap handles, along with other car parts scattered around tastefully. Head Brewer Tak Guenette brings a focus on English-style beers, which are complemented with a variety of European-style lagers and IPAs. Food here is everything you’d want from a brewery – burgers, poutine, tacos, and burritos.

Ace Brewing Company

Ace Brewing Company, located in Courtenay, BC, uniquely celebrates the history of the Royal Canadian Air Force with its vintage aviation-themed branding. Opened in 2019, the brewery is housed in an octagonal building, a former car dealership, with ample parking and an outdoor patio. Inside, the aviation theme comes alive with details like a replica Spitfire hanging from the ceiling and tap handles resembling propellers. The tasting room offers ten taps, complemented by a kitchen serving delicious bites like delicious nachos, glory salad bowls, wraps, tacos, macaroni and cheese, and daily specials. Their kitchen menu will be broadened shortly after a kitchen expansion. 

The brewery’s beer lineup includes a variety of styles such as Lager, Honey Cream Ale, Pale Ale, Hazy IPA, Blonde Ale, and the F Bomb sour series. Special releases have featured seasonal Lagers, Ales, Stouts, and Porters What Ace is most known for however, is their Jet Fuel IPA; a big, classic, West Coast IPA absolutely overflowing with hoppy flavour.

Cumberland Brewing Company

Cumberland Brewing Co, established in 2014, is a destination brewery that quickly found a dedicated following. They sell every drop of their beer right at the source, either in their cozy tasting room or sun-soaked patio, or in take-away growlers. The brewery does not package its beer in cans or bottles, making a visit to the brewery a unique experience. Hungry? Check out their partner restaurant Rider’s Pizza, located across the street, offering another venue to enjoy their beer along with delicious pizza.

The creation of Cumberland Brewing Co. is a story of collaboration and community spirit. The founders, Darren and Michelle, and Mike and Caroline, shared a vision for creating a brewery that would reflect the unique character of Cumberland. Their range of brews includes the Forest Fog Wheat Ale, Dancing Linebacker Oatmeal Stout, and Red Tape Pale Ale.

Loveshack Libations

When Brewer Dave Paul started Qualicum Beach’s Loveshack Libations in 2017 as a retirement project in 2017, it didn’t take long for his modest tasting room to fill up with locals eager to try whatever was new on the tasting menu. And there always is something new to try – Loveshack brews the smallest batches of any commercial brewery in BC – 100L. (Or just 200 bottles!) The super small batch size grants Dave a lot of flexibility though, and the beer styles range from the mainstream to the obscure to the just plain weird.

Dave is just as proud of the atmosphere at Loveshack as he is of the beer, With no cell service, and large communal tables, it’s the perfect place for the local community to come and catch up over a pint. Loveshack Libations is only open a couple days a week though, so make sure to check if they’re open before you head out of your way for a pint.

Fern + Cedar Brewing Company

Owned by the same team as Mt Arrowsmith Brewery, Fern + Cedar offers a slightly more upscale, restaurant-like experience. It also has one of the most beautifully designed interiors of any of the breweries on Vancouver Island, with lots of natural light and beautiful ferns hanging down from the ceiling. Brewer Wesley Bain’s range of crushable brews are perfectly complemented by the local flavours from head chef Michael Sproul, who utilizes local ingredients as much as possible. This place is busy with the locals, so make sure to time your visit accordingly! Or, if you have to wait for a table, there’s a distillery right next door worth checking out.

Mount Arrowsmith Brewing Company

Mt Arrowsmith Brewing, named for the iconic peak which looms over the region, is also one of the most iconic breweries in the Parksville area. Opened by David Woodward, Dan Farrington, and Matt Hill in 2017, the brewery has received numerous awards for the brews and has quickly become a local favourite. There’s a relaxed and unpretentious community atmosphere, and the staff were some of the friendliest I’ve found. Recently the food menu switched over from a focus on pizza to smoked meats, so even if beer isn’t your thing, the food will be. Popular flagships like the Jagged Face IPA, Salish Sea Pale Ale, and Low Pressure Porter are always available in the brewery, and are increasingly common around the Island.

Rusted Rake Brewing

Rusted Rake Brewing, opened in 2022, is a family-run brewery located in Nanoose Bay, near Nanaimo. This farm-based brewery offers a unique experience with a range of beers crafted by experienced UK-trained brewer Dave Woodward. What makes it really unique is that they grow their barley onsite, embodying an unique “farm to tap” experience. 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. With irs rural, scenic location, Rusted Rake provides a tranquil setting for enjoying meals and drinks. The dog and family-friendly venue has quickly become well-known as a community gathering spot.

White Sails Brewing

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.

Wolf Brewing Co.

Wolf Brewing Company 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. 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 newly expanded dog friendly patio, complemented by a selection of simple but tasty food including pizza, wings, nachos, and pretzels. Friday night ‘Picks n’ Pints’ music scene hosts a variety of local talented musicians and singers… you might even be lucky enough to catch their newest business partner, Canadian Country music star, Brett Kissel, sharing a few tunes or sitting at the bar engaging in a game of crib.

Longwood Brewery

Nanaimo’s Longwood Brewery prides themselves on utilizing local ingredients, with barley and hops coming from Vancouver Island when possible. 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 in a separate location 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.

Pacific Rim Breweries

Dog Mountain Brewing

After years of experience homebrewing, owners Andy and Robin moved to Port Alberni from Edmonton specifically to start Dog Mountain Brewing. In addition to being known for their unique takes on all kinds of beer styles and their delicious food, it’s the huge dog-friendly rooftop patio that is often highlighted as making it one of the best places in Port Alberni to drink a beer and enjoy the view. They’re always changing up their beers on tap so expect to be surprised by what you find! Some of their most popular beers include The Bees! Belgian blonde ale brewed with caramelized honey, Lit Wit wheat bear, and the always refreshing Long Lost Lager. The focus here is definitely on the beer, but the understated food menu is surprisingly good and pairs perfectly with the beer. Plus, if you’d like to take some beer home, it’s easy to mix and match single cans from their fridge into a four-pack, making it easier to choose.

Twin City Brewing

When Twin City brewing first opened its doors in 2017 at the end of a crowdfunding campaign, it was Port Alberni’s one and only brewery. Since then the local beer scene has only grown, but more competition hasn’t hurt this growing brewery. With an extensive lineup of beers as well as delicious piping hot pizza with some of the best crust I’ve tried, Twin City brewing has earned a reputation as one of the best places to eat and drink in Port Alberni. This Port Alberni brewery has won countless awards for it’s beers, as well as its food and tasting room, and most recently being recognized as Brewery of the Year at the BC beer Awards. Local favourites the that remain on tap year round include the Tickity Boo British Pale Ale, Swedish Gymnast Single-Hopped Blonde Ale, Run of the Mill West Coast IPA, and the Porter Alberni Dry Porter, and the rest of their taps are filled by a surprising mix of beer styles that are sure to satisfy even the most difficult-to-please craft beer drinkers.

Alberni Brewing Co

Alberni Brewing Co was founded in 2020 by Yvan St. Onge and Heather and Jason Welsh, and despite being Port Albernis’ newest brewery, it’s clear from visiting the bustling location that the beer (and food!) is popular among locals and visitors alike. The relaxed and unpretentious setting feels like any small-town bar, with the added bonus that they brew their own beer! With 15 different beers on tap including rotating beers and local favourites, there’s a lot to choose from. The focus here is on IPAs, but expect a range of approachable beer styles that can be enjoyed inside the lounge by the fireplace, or on the outdoor dog-friendly patio. This brewery has the most seating of any of Port Alberni’s breweries, so might be the best for larger groups.

Ucluelet Brewing Company

Hopefully there’s nothing sacrilegious about drinking beer in church.

Located in the old St. Aiden’s Church building, Ucluelet Brewing Company was opened by three local friends in 2020, and is now a fixture of Ucluelet. As beautiful as the renovated interior is, you’re missing out if you don’t check out the incredible view from the patio (the best view from any brewery on Vancouver Island in my opinion). Highlights here include the Party Wave Hazy IPA and the South Swell IPA, but if IPAs aren’t your thing then there are a number of other award-winning beers on tap. There are frequent collaborations, including with the coffee roasters downstairs as well as other Vancouver Island breweries.

Tofino Brewing Company

Most people would agree that Tofino is one of the most special places on Vancouver Island, so having a brewery that reflects that sense of place just makes sense. Tofino Brewing Company does just that. This laid-back local brewery was started by several friends in 2011, and head brewer David Woodward’s brews can now be found on tap all over the Island. There are some really fantastic beers here that utilize local ingredients, including the Kelp Stout and Spruce Tree Ale. There’s a cool sort of beach-town-meets-industrial vibe to the interior, but if the weather’s nice you’ll definitely want to be outside on the patio.

South Island Breweries

Bayview Brewing

Bayview Brewing Company opened in Ladysmith in April 2022 and has quickly become a notable destination for craft beer enthusiasts in the Cowichan region. Founders Jonny Ludtke and Alfred Elviss, along with brothers Rod and Geoff Alsop, started Bayview Brewing after achieving success in home brewing competitions. The brewery’s lineup includes classic ales like a blonde, pale ale, Saison, west coast IPA, and hazy IPA. However, Bayview sets itself apart with its focus on crafting unique sour beers, especially dessert sours, a nod to Jonny Ludtke’s extensive 25-year career as a chef.

Bayview Brewing is not only about exceptional beers but also delicious food. Their food program features an eclectic and fresh selection of fusion cuisine, with nothing deep-fried on the menu. They’ve forged partnerships with several local farms to ensure the freshness and locality of their food ingredients. Besides beer, the brewery also provides a variety of other beverages, including local cider, wine, and frequent guest taps from other Vancouver Island breweries.

Deadhead Brew Co.

Vancouver Island’s newest brewery, Deadhead Brew Co, has recently taken over the space previously occupied by Duncan’s Small Block Brewing, right across from Stillhead Distillery. Fans of the former local favourite brewery won’t be disappointed by the new one though, as new owner Jay Barber has retained Head Brewer Gord Parlee. The biggest change other than the new name and fancy paint job is the expanded food menu. What remains the same is the the bright dog-friendly indoor space, lively community atmosphere, and lineup of beers – nearly all of which are gluten-removed.

Red Arrow Brewing Company

Located in a beautiful sunny brick building that previously housed Arrow Custom Cycle, the walls of Red Arrow’s taproom are still decorated with reminders of its past as a motorcycle shop. (Originally to be named Arrow Brewing, the name was changed to Red Arrow to avoid confusion with Arrowhead Brewing in Invermere) Lance Steward and Chris Gress (co-owner and former head brewer of Craig Street Brewpub, respectively) founded Red Arrow in 2015 out of a desire to open Duncan’s first production brewery. Brews here are typically pretty approachable with the odd surprise here and there. (Lion’s Mane Mushroom Golden Ale anyone?) There’s a healthy mix of ales and lagers with only a modest focus on the super-hoppy IPAs and fruity and sweet sours that many other breweries rely on, and though there’s no kitchen in-house, don’t be too surprised to see a local food truck parked outside in the summer.

Bad Dog Brewing Company

Located on a rural property a short drive outside of Sooke, Bad Dog Brewing is easy to miss-but don’t make the mistake of driving past this local gem. A family-run business, it was started by John and Rosie Lyle in 2017, and has only been growing in popularity ever since. The label designs are done by their son Chris, and their other son Paul is the brewer’s assistant. Unlike some bigger and more commercial breweries in larger cities, Bad Dog Brewing feels a little less polished – in a great way. There’s nothing snobby here. Instead of an expensive taproom, the beer is poured in what looks like a converted kitchen. With plentiful outdoor seating at picnic benches scattered around and a food truck on site, I can’t think of anywhere better to drink a beer outside on a sunny day. The focus here is clearly on the beer, and the relaxed and unpretentious atmosphere falls into place as a result of that. Most of the lineup consists of IPAs, but the brewery is also well-known for a stout that uses squid ink, though sadly it wasn’t on tap when I visited.

Sooke Brewing Company

Visit the website for Sooke Brewing Company, and right at the top you’ll read about the owners’ multigenerational connection to the Sooke area. Or visit the taproom, where you’ll see the sawblade logo or the huge tree pillar at the entrance, drawing inspiration from Sooke’s logging history. While they may be thinking local, that’s certainly not holding them back. The range of beer styles here is impressive, all the way from barley wines to steam beer to IPAs. And unlike some breweries that experiment with a range of styles, Sooke Brewing Company consistently knocks it out of the park. Don’t expect food here, but just outside of the brewery is a Pad Thai foodtruck.

Sooke Oceanside Brewing

Sooke Oceanside Brewing is the original Sooke Brewery, and with a name like that you know they’ve got to have some killer oceanfront views. Sit out on the patio and enjoy views of the Sooke Inlet while drinking one of SOB’s flagship brews. The core lineup is all very approachable, consisting of a blonde, red, pale, and India pale ale as well as a lager. It’s also worth keeping an eye out for their limited and seasonal options, as well as the recent introduction of some light seltzer-style beers.

Greater Victoria Breweries

Whistle Buoy Brewing Company

Whistle Buoy Brewing, opened in 2019, is located in the heart of the city’s historic Market Square smack-dab in the middle of downtown. It’s only a couple blocks away from many of Victoria’s most iconic landmarks, and definitely benefits from its central location. brewer Matt West-Patrick offers a diverse tap list that covers all kinds of experimental small-batch brews, providing something for every beer enthusiast. Favourites here cover a wide range, all the way from the Lojo Light Lager to the spirulina powder-blue Undersea Gose made with salt from locally harvested bull kelp.

In addition to their tasty beer offerings, Whistle Buoy has a basic snacks menu and encourages visitors to bring their own food from nearby restaurants. The brewery is also dog-friendly, inviting patrons to enjoy their brews in the company of their four-legged friends on the sunny outdoor patio.

Swift Brewing

Swift Brewing officially opened its doors in May 2023 in downtown Victoria, in the space formerly occupied by Canoe Brewpub. Created by the team behind CRAFT Beer Market and sharing a building with the larger venue, Swift Brewing carves out an unique identity with its relaxed and cozy interior design inspire by your grandparents’ basement. The establishment is designed to evoke a sense of nostalgia, which it does successfully with all kids of vintage furniture and tchotchkes displayed everywhere. The location itself, 450 Swift Street, has been a community staple for over a century, originally being built as a power plant and hosting numerous successful businesses and brewers throughout the years.

At Swift Brewing, visitors can expect a wide range of beers that appeal to all levels of beer enthusiasts. The founders’ passion for great beer and good times is at the heart of Swift Brewing, promising a welcoming and enjoyable experience for the community. In addition to a variety of tasty brews, the brewery also offers lively cocktails and “basement snacks” like Jiffy Pop and Chex Mix, enhancing the retro vibe of the venue.

Herald Street Brew Works

Herald Street Brew Works, opened in 2020 in Victoria, BC, is a collaborative effort between Mike and Lee Spence of The Drake Eatery and Jorden Foss and Jamie Garbutt of Steel & Oak Brewing. Located at 506 Herald Street, this brewery has quickly made a name for itself in the local craft beer scene. No flagships here, instead they choose to constantly evolve and explore new recipes rather than sticking to a set core. The focus here is on IPAs, and there’s usually something new and exciting on tap.

The brewery’s interior, inspired by Victoria’s Design District, showcases the heritage warehouse it occupies. The two-level tasting room is designed to focus attention on the brewhouse and the 10 double-stacked bright tanks from which they serve tank-fresh beer, and there’s plenty of seating in the breweries two levels for when it gets busy.

Phillips Brewing & Malting Co.

Phillips Brewing & Malting Co, founded in 2001, started with founder Matt Phillips maxing out credit cards to bring his dream to life. Since then it’s grown from modest beginnings to become one of British Columbia’s most prominent and well-known craft breweries. Known for its consistent quality and innovative brewing techniques, Phillips Brewing offers a wide range of beers, from classic styles to more experimental and seasonal offerings including beer advent calendars. Their dedication to community extends to hosting an annual downtown music festival and a “Benefit Brew” project, creating a custom beer in collaboration with different charities and donating all the proceeds.

Phillips Brewing also showcases a commitment to sustainability and local sourcing. In 2015, they opened their own maltworks, becoming the only brewery in canada to malt their own barley. This allows them to malt barley grown fifteen minutes away, and provides ultimate control over the core ingredients in their beers and distilled products.

Moon Underwater Brewery

When Moon Under water Brewery opened in 2012, they were the 50th brewery in BC, beating the recent boom of craft beer by only a couple of years. Today the establishment headed by Clay Potter along with his mother Anne Farmer-Ash and step-father Steve Ash is well known for their German lagers, but they’ve also been branching out into non-alcoholic beer as well as distilling. The atmosphere is laid back and friendly, with the kind of unpolished feel that’s more akin to your local neighborhood pub than anything else, making it very easy to have at least a couple more beers than you walked in planning to. Make sure to try some of their whisky as well as their beers, and even order a shaft if you’re keen to try Victoria’s most iconic cocktail.

Hoyne Brewing Co.

Hoyne Brewing Co., established in 2011 by Sean Hoyne, is a family-run brewery that has become a staple in Victoria’s craft beer community. The brewery sits in the Rock Bay brewery district, close to other breweries and brewpubs. Sean Hoyne, with over two decades of brewing experience at local brewpubs, has built a reputation for producing high-quality beers that are excellent examples of their styles.

The brewery takes pride in using traditional malts sourced from regions known for specific beer styles, such as the UK, Germany, and the Czech Republic, to give an authentic taste to their beers. Hoyne Brewing is committed to sustainability, working with local farmers and suppliers, and utilizing eco-friendly practices. This approach has helped establish Hoyne as a community leader and a favorite among local beer drinkers.

Île Sauvage Brewing Company

Île Sauvage Brewing is well known for its focus on sour beers, utilizing a variety of unexpected ingredients and flavours. I was pleasantly surprised to discover that their non-sour beers are delicious as well, meaning that no matter what your preference, they have something for you. Plus, the yummy food pairs perfectly, no matter what your beer of choice. Founded by Stephane Turcotte, who honed his skills in Busan, South Korea, Île Sauvage offers a stylish, two-level tasting room right in the heart of the Rock Bay brewery district. The brewery has won several awards, including being named Rookie Brewery of the Year at the BC Beer Awards shortly after its opening.

Spinnakers Brew Pub

Spinnakers Brewpub, established in 1984, holds the distinction of being Canada’s first brewpub. Spinnakers is not just a pioneer in the craft beer revolution but also an early advocate of the local food movement, known for working closely with local farmers and food producers. The brewpub offers a range of traditional ales and innovative styles, including barrel-aged beers and daily casks. In addition, Spinnakers produces its own cider and has recently ventured into distilling spirits.

Spinnakers also provides accommodation options with its own guesthouses, allowing visitors to use it as a base for exploring Victoria’s craft beer community. The brewpub’s history is marked by a pivotal role in changing federal excise tax laws, which originally forbade brewing and serving beer in the same building. This change in law allowed Spinnakers to open as Canada’s first brewpub, though the city insisted that they not be too close to any established neighbourhoods lest the neighbours complain. As a result it has a spectacular waterfront location with excellent views of the harbour.

Driftwood Brewery

Co-founders Jason Meyer, Kevin Hearsum, and Gary Lindsay have focused on producing full-flavored, world-class beers at Driftwood, along with more recent forays into spirits. The brewery opened in 2008 and quickly distinguished itself with its unique offerings, and since then has become one of the most iconic Victoria breweries. You can even get their beers or BC Ferries on your way to or from Vancouver island

Driftwood’s most well-known beer is the ever-popular the popular Fat Tug IPA, making up 60% of their beer sales and recognized as BC’s best IPA and named Beer of the Year at the Canadian Brewing Awards in 2011. Besides IPAs, Driftwood also has a significant barrel-aging and sour beer program, known as the Bird of Prey series, inspired by a Cooper’s hawk that took residence in the brewery.

Lighthouse Brewing

Lighthouse Brewing, established in 1998, is a family-owned and operated craft brewery located in Esquimalt, Victoria, BC. Lighthouse is one of the oldest breweries in the region, and many of their original beers are still as wildly popular today as in the past.. From their first beer, Race Rocks Amber Ale, to their variety of delightfully hoppy IPAs, Lighthouse Brewing prides itself on using the finest ingredients to produce beers that delight and thrill the palate. Plus, they support local farmers by providing nutrient-rich solid waste from their brewing process for animal feed.

4 Mile Brewing Co

4 Mile Brewpub is situated in a historic building which dates all the way back to 1858. Originally a roadhouse for stagecoaches and later automobiles, it transformed over the years, to dance hall, brothel, and in the 80’s finally being turned into a local pub, with the brewery being a relatively recent addition. The brewpub offers an extensive food menu upstairs in the pub and a modern sports bar-themed tasting room downstairs, next to the brewery. Head Brewer Matt Riches along with Brewer Mel Boutilier offer a wide range of brews sure to satisfy anyone.

Twa Dogs Brewery

Twa Dogs Brewery, established in 2016, is a part of Macaloney’s Distillery. Embracing its Scottish roots, Twa Dogs Brewery is named after an 18th-century poem by Scottish poet Robbie Burns, and each beer’s name draws inspiration from Burns’ works.

The brewery boasts a spacious facility featuring a beautiful tasting room where visitors can enjoy a range of beers or a taster’s flight of whiskies. Twa Dogs is dog-friendly, offering Happy Hour pricing to patrons who bring in their furry friends. The brewery also has an outdoor patio beside the tasting room, providing a perfect setting to enjoy their beers.

Category 12 Brewing

Coming off of a job at a scientific software company and with a doctorate in microbiology and biochemistry from UVic, Michael Kuzyk changed careers and opened Category 12 in late 2014, along with his wife Karen.

Category 12 embraces Kuzyk’s scientific background, combining it with a love for Belgian beers as well as IPAs to create both classic and West Coast styles. The brewery has expanded its tasting room and added a kitchen serving a range of delicious dishes to pair with their excellent beers. Before recipes are brewed at Category 12’s full 1500 L capacity, they’re first tinkered with on a 50 L pilot brew system, and a wide variety of yeasts are grown on site. There’s a lot on offer here especially for the IPA lover, but keep an eye out for some of the rarer more esoteric limited releases which often include barleywines, barrel-aged stouts, and belgians.

Howl Brewing

As of April 2024 Howl has closed their taproom, and is working on moving into a new location. You can still try the beer in liquor stores, but that is for now the only way to get your hands on a taste. Howl classifies themselves as a picobrewery, meaning that they operate at an even smaller scale than most microbreweries. The benefit of the small batches (only 280 litres at a time) is that there’s a lot of room for experimentation. There are no flagship beers at Howl Brewing, so every time you visit you can expect to see something new and different, often using local ingredients. Brewer Dan Van Netten researches ancient brewing techniques to produce some archaic beer styles you won’t find anywhere else except for history books, and there’s spirit of experimentation and fun in everything. For some of the most unique beers anywhere on Vancouver Island, Howl Brewing is a must-try.

Small Gods Brewing Co.

Small Gods Brewing takes literary inspiration and turns it into brewing practice, with both their name being a literary allusion (more on that here) and all their beers are named after books linking to styles or ingredients’ countries of origins. For example, their Neverending german pilsner is named after the classic German tale, The Neverending Story. It’s appropriate, since Sidney is Canada’s only book town, a designation recognizing a high concentration of antiquarian or second-hand bookstores in a small town or village. What matters at the end of the day is the quality of beer, and the beer at Small Gods is exceptional. There’s a wide variety of styles here, and a lot of creativity at play, especially when it comes to unexpected (often locally sourced) ingredients. Check out their dog-friendly patio, and make sure to reference their events calendar, as there are community events happening nearly constantly.

Beacon Brewing

Both Beacon Brewing and Small Gods Brewing benefit from being next-door neighbours in downtown Sidney, so if you’re visiting one it only makes sense to visit the other as well. Similarly to Small Gods, Beacon Brewing has a (new!) dog-friendly patio area and a full events calendar. When Beacon opened it’s doors in 2021 it was downtown Sidney’s first brewery, but it’s been embraced and a thriving beer culture has grown around it and it’s delicious brews. The beers here are easy-drinking and approachable, with a core lineup including a lager, a dark mild, a pale ale, and an IPA. In addition to their flagship beers, check out the rotating sour beer tap, hoppy beer tap, pilsner/lager tap, and seasonal tap. The real selling point however is the friendly staff and community atmosphere, with a variety of events happening regularly.

Mile Zero Brewing

Founded in late 2022 by Michael Morgan, Michelle Morgan and Dirk Slot-all of whom also work day jobs when they’re not running the brewery-Mile Zero Brewing has quickly become a community favourite, situated in the building that once served as the local school. This Vancouver Island brewery has partnered with local businesses like Urban Forage to enhance their food offerings as well as local craft chocolate company Uncouth Chocolate. It’s a small community microbrewery so it doesn’t distribute, meaning the only way to taste their beer is in person or to take a growler home with you.