Whistler is well known as an outdoorsy town, and the natural beauty and diverse terrain attracts skiing, snowboarding, mountain biking, and hiking enthusiasts year-round. Snowy winters give way to lush, green summers, so there’s almost always something to do outdoors here. After a day spent carving through powder or navigating mountain trails, locals embrace the tradition of après, where adventurers gather to unwind and share stories over drinks. Local bars, breweries, and distilleries become become the perfect place to taste something uniquely local, perfect for those chilly winter nights or warm summer days.
Two of the Whistler’s three breweries, as well as its distillery, are all located well within walking distance of each other in Function Junction, just south of town. Along with one more centrally located brewery, they’re all worth getting to know, whether you’re a local or just visiting.
For more information about Whistler’s breweries and their offerings, you can visit their respective websites or check out local guides like the BC Ale Trail.
Whistler Brewing Company
Located in Function Junction in walking distance from two of the other spots featured on this list, Whistler Brewing has been a staple in the BC beer scene for decades. They’ve been brewing since 1989, though ownership has changed a couple of times since then. Today they’re owned by Northam Beverages, who also own familiar brands like Sneaky Weasel and Hey Y’all, and though most of their beer is actually brewed in Kamloops, the Whistler taphouse is lots of fun to visit. Not the brewery’s original location, it was opened up in 2009 in an old bus station, just ahead of the Olympics. In addition to beer, they serve a range of bites including nachos, samosas, and pizza.
Must Try: Whistler has several iconic beers that can be recognized all across BC, with the highlights being the Chestnut Ale and Grapefruit Ale.
Coast Mountain Brewing
Owner / Brewmaster Kevin Winter spent years at other breweries (including Whistler Brewing) before opening up Coast Mountain Brewing, where he’s carved out quite a nice niche for himself making some of the most unique and interesting beers in Whistler. Relatively young compared to the other breweries in town, Coast Mountain has been brewing since 2016, but has amassed a loyal following since then, making it a favourite among local craft beer lovers. The taproom is cozy, casual, and feels more like a local hangout than a streamlined operation targeting tourists. That said, all beer lovers are welcome, whether you live here or not.
Must Try: There are some deliciously hoppy IPAs on tap with the Hope You’re Happy being a favourite. Plus, definitely make sure to try any of their limited sours or barrel-aged beers.
High Mountain Brewing Company
High Mountain Brewing Company, known locally as the “Brewhouse,” has been an iconic part of Whistler Village since 1997. Located in Olympic Plaza right next to the iconic Olympic rings, it’s right within walking distance to many of the other restaurants, bars, and shops in Whistler. The brewery is owned by the Mark James Group, which also owns Yaletown Brewing in Vancouver and Big Ridge Brewing in Surrey. The high-ceilinged warm wood interior has a ski chalet-esque vibe, and the amount of seating in this full-service restaurant and brewpub shows that they’re clearly used to the rush of tourists that must flood the place in summer. Expect standard West Coast pub fare on the food menu – everything burgers to tacos to poutine. If you get a chance I highly recommend the patio overlooking Olympic Plaza – perfect for people watching and day drinking.
Must Try: The 5 Rings IPA has been a Whistler classic for more than a decade, but for something light and crushable the Lifty Lager is the way to go.
Montis Distilling
Kwang and Bryanna Chen’s Montis Distillery is Whistler’s one and only distillery, having been in operation in Function Junction since 2019 (“Montis,” meaning “mountain” in Latin). On offer is a vodka, several unique and interesting gins, a whisky, and their “Winter Spirit”, an unique spiced young whiskey. Alternatively, if none of their offerings are to your palate, Montis also offers custom gins tailored to your preferences. A minimum of 12 bottles is required, and you get to pick your own botanicals and personalized label design, perfect for weddings and other celebrations. If you’d rather have your own custom cask of whisky instead, they also provide that as well.
Must Try: The entire rage of gins does a great job of each being unique and distinct from one another, but of course the Winter Spirit is the most unexpected spirit available here, and is well worth a try regardless of the season.
