Winter beers have a special magic about them. Often darker and more robust, these carefully crafted ales and stouts are perfectly designed for the colder months. But it’s not just about the comforting warmth of a dark beer: this year’s lineup balances rich, hearty styles with lighter, more refreshing options—many incorporating seasonal fruits and spices in surprising and delightful ways–plus a hefty dose of hoppy brews.

We asked breweries on the BC Ale Trail to share what they’ve been brewing up, and they delivered: we’re spotlighting over 100 exceptional beers this year, showcasing the incredible creativity and craftsmanship of our local breweries.

These seasonal brews are more than just beverages: they’re perfect for gifting, elevating gatherings with friends and family, and sharing your local pride when hosting visitors. Whether you’re searching for the ideal companion to a cozy evening by the fire or a standout beverage to bring to a holiday gathering, ’tis the season to show off the flavours and sense of place that make your corner of BC special, one thoughtfully crafted beer at a time.

Jump to a region near you:

• Cariboo Chilcotin Coast
• Kootenay Rockies
• Northern BC
• Thompson Okanagan
• Vancouver Coast and Mountains (includes the Fraser Valley, Sea to Sky and Sunshine Coast)
• Vancouver Island

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Cariboo Chilcotin Coast

• London Fog Ale (5% ABV) by Cask and Cleaver Brewing

Inspired by the classic London Fog, this ale is smooth, cozy, and lightly sweet. Vanilla and lactose add a soft, creamy body, while subtle Earl Grey–style bergamot and black tea notes bring a gentle, familiar warmth.

Find Cask and Cleaver Brewing in 100 Mile House, BC

• Ullr’s Coconut Porter (6.3% ABV | 38 IBU) by Fox Mountain Brewing

Brewed in honour of Ullr, the God of Snow and Patron Saint of Skiers. This is a robust porter that is mellowed with copious additions of toasted coconut and a hint of vanilla from fresh vanilla beans. Decadent.

Find Fox Mountain Brewing in Williams Lake on the Northeast BC Ale Trail

• Three new releases from Lillooet Brewing Company

Wolverine – Belgian Amber Ale (5.3% ABV |36 IBU)
A warm, copper-coloured Belgian amber with layers of caramel malt, stone-fruit esters, and gentle peppery spice. Lively carbonation lifts the rich flavours into a clean, dry finish, making this ale both deeply complex and effortlessly drinkable.

Spotted Bat Stout (5% ABV | 36 IBU)
A supernatural stout named after a supernatural BC bat, this dark and rich brew has notes of coffee and chocolate and is a year-round favourite for new and old stout aficionados.

Townsend’s Big-Eared Bat Stout (4.2% ABV | 36 IBU)
Brewed with fair trade espresso beans from Canada’s Level Ground Coffee Roasters and a touch of creaminess, this stout is velvety and rich with notes of coffee and chocolate.

Find Lillooet Brewing Company in Lillooet, BC, on the Sea to Sky Ale Trail

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Kootenay Rockies

• Center Pole Pilsner (4.7% ABV) by Backroads Brewing Company

A light and refreshing German-style Pilsner, perfect for après, brewed in collaboration with Whitewater Ski Resort in honour of their 50th anniversary season.

Find Backroads Brewing Company in Nelson, BC, on the Kootenay Rockies West Ale Trail, and in Osoyoos, BC

• First Chair White IPA (6% ABV | 25 IBU) by Fernie Brewing Co

Catch the first chair with this citrusy White IPA. Bright & smooth, just like your favourite run on a bluebird day. A medium-bodied brew with lingering notes of zesty citrus & lively carbonation, First Chair features a balanced hoppy bitterness & subtle fruity spice. Loaded with Centennial & Citra hops, this White IPA is worth an early start to snag the front of the lift line.

And watch for the Backdrop Chocolate White Stout, coming soon! 5.6% ABV and 20 IBU. Light & smooth with creamy notes of cocoa, this Chocolate White Stout is the perfect backdrop to a winter day. A medium-bodied brew, Backdrop is silky & slightly sweet, finishing with a gentle earthy bitterness. Rich and roasted, featuring real cocoa husks and nibs, this Chocolate White Stout holds its own in FBC’s limited release line-up.

Find Fernie Brewing Co. in Fernie, BC, on the Kootenay Rockies East Ale Trail

• Two new releases from Rumpus Beer Company

Bodacious – Super Mega Session Ale (2.6% ABV | 18 IBU)
Bodacious is the in-between beer you never knew you needed. In fact, if you’re not already excited about where this fits in your life, the folks at Rumpus are probably not talking to you. Brewed with oats, BC grown Triumph hops, and a kiss of Azacca Cryo, it goes down crisp, clean, and easy. Pairs well with a good conversation, and maybe a few more.

Chrysalis – Foeder Aged Saison (5.3% ABV | 35 IBU)
Chrysalis is the latest pull from the oak foeder at Rumpus Beer. A classic beer of contradiction, it manages to be wildly complex and very crushable at the same time. Brewed with raw spelt, raw emmer, and Czech Saaz hops, then fermented with a blend of Saison and Brett yeast strains in addition to the resident microbiome of the foeder. They’ve keg-conditioned most of the batch straight up, but will also have a few one-off side hits throughout the winter, which will be blended with other beers or dry-hopped with some rad hop extracts from New Zealand.

Find Rumpus Beer Company in Revelstoke, BC, on the Kootenay Rockies East Ale Trail

• Party Laps Hazy Session IPA (4.5% ABV | 25 IBU) from Tailout Brewing

When Tailout Brewing and RED Mountain Resort team up, you know it’s going to be a good time. Party Laps is an easy-drinking hazy session IPA brewed for those perfect après moments—swapping stories about the day’s best turns, secret stashes, and non-stop laps with your crew. Soft, juicy, and refreshingly crushable, it’s your go-to companion from first chair to last call. Let’s gooo!

Find Tailout Brewing in Trail, BC, on the Kootenay Rockies West Ale Trail

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Northern BC

• Phoenix Rising Ale (5.5% ABV) by CrossRoads Brewing & Distilling

Golden and bright, dry hopped with Citra and Cascade hops

Find CrossRoads Tap and Kitchen in Prince George, BC, on the Northwest BC Ale Trail

• Three new brews from Sherwood Mountain Brewhouse

Silent Night Belgian Ale (7.25% ABV | 25 IBU)
Illuminated with flavours of coriander, cloves, star anise, licorice, juniper, and vanilla, this is a winter warmer.

Hello Gourdgeous Porter (7.6% ABV | 25 IBU)
This porter is everything you need in a drink: pumpkin, spices, and coffee, with perfectly blended flavours to produce the ultimate seasonal beer.

Seven Sisters Stout (4.8% ABV | 25 IBU)
A dark ale with distinct roasted character & hints of dark chocolate & coffee.

Find Sherwood Mountain Brewhouse in Terrace, BC, on the Northwest BC Ale Trail

• Old Man Winter (7.8% ABV) by Smithers Brewing Co

This beer will launch in early January and is a local favourite! It won Silver at the Canadian Brewing Awards this year. It is a Scottish-style dark ale with bold caramelized sugar and toffee flavours, and a sweet finish. This beer is from the Skeena Seasonal Series, in partnership with Canadian artist Roy Henry Vickers. The partnership with Roy showcases the true essence of Northwest BC and the Skeena Valley. There are a total of four beers, one representing each season; Old Man Winter is the winter beer of this series.

Find Smithers Brewing Co in Smithers, BC, on the Northwest BC Ale Trail

• Two new brews from Two Peaks Brewing

Coffee Lager (5% ABV)
This beer is a classic style with a smooth and balanced taste that is sure to please beer drinkers and coffee enthusiasts alike. This small-batch lager is crafted in collaboration with Bugwood Coffee, located in Smithers, BC.

Smoked Ale (5.4% ABV)
This beer has a malty backbone with hints of caramel. The bitterness from the hops helps to balance the sweetness of the malt, creating a well-rounded flavour profile with smoky notes.
Find Two Peaks Brewing in Kitimat, BC, on the Northwest BC Ale Trail

Thompson Okanagan

• Two new brews from Abandoned Rail Brewing Co.

Harvest Moon Dark IPA (6% ABV | 40 IBU)
This dark IPA opens with a touch of hop bitterness before settling into a rich malt backbone that carries notes of toasted grain and cocoa. Finished with juice from the cherries that grow beside the brewery’s picnic tables, it ends with a gentle tartness that ties it all together.

Bellhop Porter (5.8% ABV | 60 IBU)
Bellhop is a multi-award-winning brew, including gold medals at the Canadian Brewing Awards and Canada Beer Cup for the past 3 years. This malty, medium-bodied porter has a smooth mouthfeel with notes of roasted coffee and cacao.

Find Abandoned Rail Brewing Co. in Penticton, BC, on the Penticton Ale Trail

• Nutty Owl Vanilla Chestnut Ale (5% ABV | 20 IBU) by Barn Owl Brewing

A warm hug in a glass. This winter ale is lovingly made with roasted chestnuts and real vanilla. There’s a reason that people ask for this seasonal beer year-round.

Find Barn Owl Brewing in Kelowna, BC on the Kelowna and West Kelowna Ale Trail

• Back Hand of God Stout (5.2% ABV) by BNA Brewing Co (Crannóg Ales)

In cans for the first time in its 25-year history, Back Hand of God is ready for the masses! After BNA Brewing began brewing the storied recipes from Crannóg Ales in the spring, rumours began swirling that this iconic stout might be in line for packaging, and now that’s come to fruition. Still crafted with the same ingredients, including organic hops from Left Fields Farm, Back Hand of God balances its bold flavour with an effortlessly smooth body. Big notes of roasted barley bring forth aromas of coffee and cocoa, which carry through on the palate. It’s a beer that stays with you, sip after sip and beyond.

Find BNA Brewing in Kelowna, BC, on the Kelowna and West Kelowna Ale Trail;  Vernon, BC, on the Southern Interior Ale Trail; and Penticton, BC, on the Penticton Ale Trail

• Three returning seasonal releases from Cannery Brewing

Kindling Imperial Stout (9% ABV | 60 IBU)
The 2025 batch of Kindling Imperial Stout is brewed with vanilla beans, coconut, oats and lactose. It was brewed with over three pounds of vanilla beans from Sumatra, Ecuador, and Madagascar — plus toasted coconut. Note: this beer contains lactose. Cannery is also pleased to release an updated label to reflect the new ingredients in this 2025 version. This year’s limited release Kindling is back as of Dec. 5th, just for the winter.

Kindling took home the Gold Medal in the 2022 Canadian Brewing Awards, and the Cannery team is thrilled that it is back, just in time for the festive holiday season. They can’t wait for you to try the new 2025 version.

Thornless Blackberry Porter (6% ABV | 40 IBU)
Blackberry flavour and roasted dark malts are combined to create a balanced sweetness in this robust porter. This seasonal beer is back for a limited time this winter.

Thornless won Gold at the 2022 BC Beer Awards. This beer pairs perfectly with steak, BBQ beef, and even with dessert. For a delicious treat, pair it with a rich chocolate brownie or make it into a float with vanilla ice cream.

Heist Maple Stout (5.5% ABV | 40 IBU)
Canadian Maple Syrup is sought after around the globe. This highly coveted commodity came into the spotlight when $18 million worth was stolen in the great Maple Syrup Heist. The addition of this liquid gold gives this Stout a truly Canadian twist.  Heist Maple Stout is back again now for the winter.

Find Cannery Brewing in Penticton, BC, on the Penticton Ale Trail

• Two new brews from Empty Keg Brew House

Snow Bank Winter Ale (5.4% ABV | 30 IBU)
Dive into the season with Snow Bank, Empty Keg’s rich and warming Winter Ale. This deep amber brew is a perfect blend of caramel, toasted malt, and dark fruit, with a whisper of cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla and clove to evoke the spirit of winter. Full-bodied and smooth, it finishes with a gentle warmth, making it the ideal companion for chilly nights.

Double Trouble Chocolate Ale (8/2% ABV | 26 IBU)
Indulge your sweet side with this smooth, cocoa-kissed brew. Layers of rich chocolate and roasted malt melt together in every sip, making it taste like dessert in a glass—without being overly sweet. A cozy pint for when you’re craving comfort.

Find Empty Keg Brew House in Merritt, BC, on the Southern Interior Ale Trail 

Oatmeal Stout (5.6% ABV | 25 IBU) by Giant’s Head Brewing

A classic oatmeal stout, with notes of dark chocolate & roasted coffee.

Find Giant’s Head Brewing in Summerland, BC

• Two new brews from Highway 97 Brewing

Fresh Tracks Winter Cream Ale (6% ABV | 20 IBU)
A true winter warmer with pleasant notes of cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, allspice, ginger and vanilla. This beer was brewed with après in mind for those beautiful, relaxing winter days.

Triple Berry Cream Wheat Ale (6% ABV | 19 IBU)
This little number is creamy and refreshing, made in traditional wheat ale fashion. You will taste a berry explosion with a hint of vanilla to round out those creamy corners. The bright profile that will keep you coming back is made up of a wild mixture of Raspberries, Blueberries and Blackberries.

Find Highway 97 Brewing in Penticton, BC, on the Penticton Ale Trail

Fireside Winter Ale (6% ABV | 18 IBU) by Lakesider Brewing Co.

Embrace the cozy charm of winter with our Fireside Winter Ale, the perfect companion for chilly evenings by the fire. This rich, full-bodied brew features notes of dried fruit and brown sugar.

Find Lakesider Brewing Co in West Kelowna, BC on the Kelowna and West Kelowna Ale Trail

• Appa The Stout – A Salted Caramel Stout (5/4% ABV | 30 IBU) by Red Collar Brewing

Appa, the mischievous Corgi, joins the esteemed ranks of brewery dogs with their own namesake beer at Red Collar. And really, could there be a more fitting style for the shortest, stoutiest pup around? This salted caramel stout is brimming with notes of coffee, dark chocolate, and toffee. A rich, smooth blend of flavours, enhanced with salt, makes it an ideal brew for the winter season. Unfiltered and naturally carbonated.

Find Red Collar Brewing in Kamloops, BC, on the Southern Interior Ale Trail 

• Two new brews from the Noble Pig Brewhouse

Hopkuna Matata Brown IPA (5.75% ABV |40 IBU)
Malty and Hoppy. The best of both worlds! Piney and Citrusy hop notes paired with some chocolate and roasted notes. This beer is meant to remind you of a walk in the woods with your favourite meerkat friend.

Mulled Swine Spiced Belgian Pepper Ale (5% ABV | 20 IBU)
A festive remix of the Stick House Belgian Pepper Ale. The Mulled Swine uses similar spices to those traditionally found in mulled wine. Having this tasty Christmas infusion might just make your heart grow three sizes that day.

Find the Noble Pig Brewhouse in Kamloops, BC, on the Southern Interior Ale Trail 

• Sling It American Amber Ale – Winter Edition (4% ABV) from Silverstar Brewing

The folks at Silverstar have taken the classic toasted-malt character of the style and refined it with precise, warm, subtle roast notes that add depth without heaviness, keeping the beer smooth, crips and genuinely sessionable.

Sling It is brewed in collaboration with Mac Boucher.

Find Silverstar Brewing in Vernon, BC, on the Southern Interior Ale Trail

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Vancouver Coast and Mountains

• Skull Lake Imperial Stout (9.6% ABV | 50 IBU) by A-FRAME Brewing

Blended on White Oak and bottle conditioned, this stout is dark, rich and intense. Delivering roasted depth and subtle sweetness, it’s layered with hints of cocoa and dark fruit. Smooth yet commanding, it gains complexity the longer it rests in the bottle.

Find A-FRAME Brewing in Squamish, BC, on the Sea to Sky Ale Trail

• Protect Our Winters Hazy Pale Ale (4.5% ABV | 28 IBU) by Backcountry Brewing

Protect Our Winters Pale Ale features Chili Thom’s iconic “Green Burst” artwork and is brewed with Mosaic, Simcoe, and Krush hops for a bright burst of tropical and citrus flavours.

“We believe our love of adventure in nature demands our participation in the fight to save and protect it. Partial proceeds from each beer sold will be contributed to Protect Our Winters Canada, a charitable organization united to advocate for policy solutions to fight climate change. Since launching this partnership in 2023, we’ve raised over $24,000 for POW, and we’re aiming even higher this year! ⁠$1 from each 4 pack and $50 from each keg will be donated, do your part and try the beer that fights climate change!” – Backcountry Brewing

Find Backcountry Brewing in Squamish, BC, on the Sea to Sky Ale Trail

• Spressy Tini Espresso Martini Stout (5.1% ABV | 35 IBU) by Beere Brewing

It’s ’tini time! This espresso martini-inspired stout was conditioned on chocolate, vanilla beans, and mountains of espresso beans roasted at Moja Coffee in North Vancouver.

Find Beere Brewing in North Vancouver, BC, on Vancouver’s North Shore Ale Trail

• Albero Winter Saison (6.8% ABV) from Beva Brewing & Blending

An amber farmhouse ale to commemorate the cooler months. A blend of farmhouse ales aged in American oak and stainless steel using their house mixed culture and refermented with maple syrup.

Find Beva Brewing & Blending in North Vancouver, BC, on Vancouver’s North Shore Ale Trail

• Two seasonal favourites from Bridge Brewing Company

The Grinch Winter Ale (6.5% ABV | 20 IBU)
This popular Winter Ale is a robust porter spiced delicately with cinnamon, vanilla and oak.

Santa’s Sac Belgian Golden Ale (10.5% ABV | 30 IBU)
A Belgian Golden Strong bursting with banana, clove and peppercorn— the perfect stocking stuffer!

Find Bridge Brewing Company in North Vancouver, BC, on Vancouver’s North Shore Ale Trail

• Two new brews from Camp Beer Co.

Pecan Pie Imperial Brown Ale (7.1%ABV)
A decadent slice of dessert in a glass. This smooth imperial brown ale layers toasted pecans, vanilla, cinnamon, and brown sugar over a rich caramel and biscuit malt base. The aroma recalls a fresh pecan pie cooling on the counter, while each sip delivers nutty richness, gentle spice, and a soft roasty finish.

The Extra Mile Mandarin Cranberry Hazy IPA (6.5% ABV)
The big brother to the beloved Mile Marker Hazy Pale Ale, the team at Camp amped up one of their favourite brews. Not only is Extra Mile a bigger beer, but they also added mandarin and cranberry puree. Loaded with heaps of Sabro hops, bringing subtle coconut and layered complexity. Soft and pillowy like a cloud.

Find Camp Beer Co. in Langley, BC, on the Langley Ale Trail

• Seawise Giant Imperial Stout (11.2% ABV | 22 IBU) by Container Brewing

Dark and indulgent with complex notes of dark chocolate, espresso and a hint of black licorice. Full-bodied with a warm, satisfying finish that is surprisingly smooth.

Find Container Brewing in Vancouver, BC, on the Yeast Vancouver Ale Trail

• Two new brews from Field House Brewing

Orange Dark Chocolate Imperial Dessert Stout (10.5% ABV)
A nod to a classic chocolate dessert. Rich layers of sweet and flavourful chocolate blend with bright orange citrus characteristics, creating a dessert-like experience in this full-bodied imperial stout.

Fudge Brownie Vanilla Ice Cream Imperial Dessert Stout (10.5% ABV)
This imperial dessert stout was inspired by all the warm and delicious skillet brownies in the world. Rich chocolate fudge topped with smooth vanilla ice cream, drizzled with salted caramel.

Find Field House Brewing in Abbotsford, BC, and Chilliwack, BC, on the Fraser Valley Ale Trail

• Three new releases from Four Winds Brewing Co.

Astraeus – Imperial Stout (9% ABV)
Astraeus, named for the Greek god of dusk and stars, is a bold yet balanced take on a timeless classic. This Russian Imperial Stout opens with rich aromas of chocolate, roasted coffee, and caramelized sugar, drawing you into its dark, velvety depths. On the palate, it’s smooth and creamy, decadent but not overindulgent, with a gentle hop bitterness that lifts the sweetness and keeps each sip remarkably drinkable.

Pomona – Stone-Fruit Sour (6.2% ABV)
One of the team’s favourite annual beers to brew, the 2025 Pomona is bright, lightly tart, and juicy as it’s ever been! Big bold stonefruit aromas and flavours are brought on by using loads of whole Okanagan apricots and nectarines. Fermented in steel with Lactobacillus and Sacc Trois, this sour ale was aged in an oak foeder for 18 months before being conditioned on carbonically macerated apricots and nectarines. You know what they say, good things take time!

Noctarous – Dark Sour Ale (5.9% ABV)
Noctarous is Nectarous’ sultry sibling: burgundy depths swirling with lush cassis, ripe blackberries, and a hint of spice. Unexpectedly bright, elegantly balanced, delicately tart. A compelling twist on the classic sour – where darkness meets flavour in a whole new way.

Find Fours Winds Brewing Co. in Delta, BC, on the South of the Fraser Ale Trail

• Salted Caramel Ale (6.2% ABV | 16 IBU) from Fuggles Beer

Carefully balanced between indulgence and drinkability. This English-style amber ale is crafted with caramel-forward malts and enhanced with additions of caramelized sugar and hints of sea salt. Perfect for Fall, it’s gently warming and lightly sweet, while remaining exceptionally sessionable.

Find Fuggles Beer in Richmond, BC, on the South of the Fraser Ale Trail

• Three new releases from Howe Sound Brewing

Mexican Hot Chocolate Stout (5.8% ABV)
Rich cocoa, cinnamon, and a gentle kick of chilli blend into a silky stout. Like a cozy fiesta in a glass — warm, smooth, and a little bit wild.

Howe Sound Mixer 8 Pack (5 – 6% ABV)
Mix it up with your Howe Sound favourites – easy to share, easier to enjoy. Featuring the Howe Sound Lager, Hazy Daze Hazy IPA, Squamish Valley Pale Ale and Rail Ale Nut Brown, this 8-pack brings a taste of Sea to Sky adventure to every occasion.

Howe Sound Lager 12 Pack (5.5% ABV)
Crisp, clean and brewed or easy drinking – and now available in a convenient 12-pack of 355ml cans, it’s the perfect choice for sharing with friends, stocking the fridge, or bringing along for any Sea to Sky adventure. Balanced, refreshing and proudly brewed in Squamish.

Find Howe Sound Brewing in Squamish, BC, on the Sea to Sky Ale Trail

• Christmas Brown Ale (6.3% ABV | 22 IBU) from the KPU Brew Lab| Kwantlen Polytechnic University

A festive twist on a classic English brown ale, this seasonal warmer brims with holiday cheer. Brewed with cinnamon, ginger, cloves, nutmeg, allspice, and bright orange peel, this beer is a lively medley of holiday aromas. The warming spice blend lifts the beer’s smooth notes of toasted malt, coffee, and soft chocolate, making each sip feel like a cozy celebration of the season.

Find the KPU Brew Lab in Langley, BC, on the Langley Ale Trail

• Churro de Leche Pastry Stout (5% ABV) from La Cerveceria Astilleros

Indulge in a dessert-inspired pastry stout that tastes just like a churro in a glass! This fan-favourite brew is loaded with rich cinnamon, creamy vanilla, and dulce de leche caramel. Every sip delivers a velvety smooth mouthfeel with sweet, indulgent flavours, perfectly balanced for a decadent treat.

Find La Cerveceria Astilleros in North Vancouver, BC, on Vancouver’s North Shore Ale Trail

• Farm to Barn Apple Pie Saison (5.5% ABV | 10 IBU) by Locality Brewing and Barn Owl Brewing

A farmhouse ale inspired by a classic apple pie, this saison layers crisp apple character with warming pie spices. Notes of cinnamon, nutmeg, caramel and baked apple rise from the glass, balanced by the yeast’s classic spicy esters and a dry, effervescent finish. The malt bill provides a touch of biscuit sweetness, evoking flaky crust, while the spritzy carbonation keeps it bright and refreshing. It’s apple pie in a glass—comforting, spiced, and delightfully drinkable. A Barn Owl Brewing and Locality Brewing Collaboration.

Find the Locality Brewing in Langley, BC, on the Langley Ale Trail

• Dark Room V.2 – Blended Bourbon Barrel Aged Imperial Stout by Luppolo Brewing Company

Welcome to the Dark Room: where spirit-aged stouts and bold barrel-aged strong ales are the focal point. With an impassioned dedication, this barrel program aims to produce unique blends that showcase the relationship between beer and barrel developed over time. These small-batch beers, much like film emerging from a dark room, are snapshots that blend the past and present. No two batches will be the same – here for now then gone forever…

This second release in the series is a blend of 1- and 2-year aged stouts that were brewed with a mix of barley, oats, wheat and rye to create a rich and full-bodied beer. Both vintages were aged in freshly emptied Bourbon Whiskey barrels to create robust aromas of coconut, vanilla and caramelized sugar with a complex undertone of Whiskey and toasted oak. Indulge in decadent flavours of dark chocolate, caramel and oak-aged Bourbon. Enjoy now or cellar for later.

Find Luppolo Brewing Company in Vancouver, BC, on the Yeast Vancouver Ale Trail

• Two new Imperial Stouts (8.9% ABV) from Main St. Brewing

Not one but two new Imperial Stouts in 250-mL cans now available just in time for Dark Beer Season at Main St. Brewing in Vancouver’s Brewery Creek: the Stroopwafel Imperial Stout and a Chocolate-Dipped Stroopwafel Imperial Stout!

Expect a rich, sweet and malty backbone with biscuity stroopwafel and caramel notes thanks to a specialty malt base, extended boil and addition of vanilla and cinnamon to the brew, and a chocolate-dipped delight with delicious cocoa notes to follow that up.

Find Main St. Brewing in Vancouver, BC, on the Brewery Creek Vancouver Ale Trail

• Winter Ale Spiced Beer (5.8% ABV) by Mariner Brewing

Mariner’s Winter Ale is a robust ale with a deep chestnut colour and a hint of vanilla and spice. A perfect winter warmer to complement crisp fall air, damp and dark evenings and the occasional bright and sunny snow day! Not only was this Mariner’s first award-winning beer ever, it also won Gold at the 2025 Canadian Beer Awards.

Find Mariner Brewing in Coquitlam, BC, on the North of the Fraser Ale Trail

• Three new releases from Off the Rail Brewing Co

Twilight Bliss Dark Cream Ale (5% ABV)
A smooth and comforting Dark Cream Ale that bridges light and dark with effortless balance. Pouring a deep amber-brown with a soft, creamy head, it carries gentle notes of roasted malt, caramel, and a touch of chocolate, rounded out by a velvety mouthfeel. Subtle sweetness meets a crisp, clean finish, making it both approachable and intriguing. Twilight Bliss invites you to linger, unwind, and savour the moment between the day’s energy and the night’s calm.

Tiki Talk IPA (6% ABV)
A juicy, hop-forward hazy that’s bursting with notes of ripe pineapple and luscious mango. This IPA balances bright, fruity sweetness with a crisp, refreshing bitterness. Crack one open and drift away—this is your island escape in a can.

Hennes Kölsch (4.8% ABV)
Cologne is steeped in tradition from the city’s proud coat of arms to chants of the diehard FC Köln soccer fans and their legendary four-legged mascot, Hennes. He’s such an icon, Off The Rail named their Kölsch after him. Light, crisp and golden, this brew carries Cologne’s tradition. Named after a goat, brewed for the herd, this beer isn’t just good – it’s the G.O.A.T.

Find Off the Rail Brewing Co in Vancouver, BC, on the Yeast Vancouver Ale Trail

• Three new releases from Parallel 49 Brewing

Craft Draft Stout (4.6% ABV | 28 IBU)
An Irish dry stout with rich coffee and chocolate notes. Beautiful cascade, fine thick head, and smooth velvety mouthfeel from nitrogenation. Light fruity undertone from English yeast. Light, dry, and easy drinking. Available exclusively at BC Liquor Stores.

Toques of Hazzard Double White IPA (9.2% ABV | 76 IBU)
Back for winter! An imperial IPA brewed with a large portion of wheat in the grain bill. A big hop punch with a hint of white grape, kiwi and lime from Nelson Sauvin and Citra. A little white haze adds mouthfeel. Light malt sweetness with wheat flavour. Surprisingly drinkable for its high ABV.

Toque Berries (8.6% ABV | 46 IBU)
P49 has twisted up their beloved Toques of Hazzard Double White IPA with blackberry and raspberry. The punchy hop aroma of white grape, kiwi, and lime character from Nelson Sauvin and Citra intertwines beautifully with blackberry and raspberry. A slight hint of tartness sharpens the overall impression. Generous amounts of wheat contribute to a pleasant haze, enhanced mouthfeel, and a distinctive wheaty undertone. This version is designed with slightly lower alcohol and lower bitterness than the original Toques of Hazzard to keep it approachable. Find it in this year’s Naughty & Nice pack.

Find Parallel 49 Brewing in Vancouver, BC, on the Yeast Vancouver Ale Trail

• Auld Nick Winter Ale (7% ABV | 28 IBU) from R&B Brewing

First brewed in the winter of 1998, Auld Nick is a carefully handcrafted strong dark ale. This mellow and warming beer is the perfect antidote to the cold nights of winter.

Find R&B Brewing in Vancouver, BC, on the Brewery Creek Vancouver Ale Trail

• Hygge Pro Andreas Coppenhagen Spiced Lager (5.6% ABV | 22 IBU) from Sidekick Brewing

Embrace the warmth of comfort with this golden-dark Copenhagen Spiced Lager. Smooth caramel sweetness blends with notes of licorice, cinnamon, and vanilla, balanced by subtle bitterness. The result is a dry, satisfying brew that invites you to slow down and savour life’s simple pleasures.

Find Sidekick Brewing in Chilliwack, BC, on the Fraser Valley Ale Trail

• Two new brews from Smugglers Trail Caskworks

Illicit Cargo Imperial Stout (10% ABV | 42 IBU)
The fourth annual iteration of Illicit Cargo is a Double Chocolate Hedgehog Caramel Imperial Stout brewed with a copious amount of Dutch cocoa, Madagascar bourbon vanilla bean, roasted hazelnuts, caramel malt and aged on American oak. An extended five-hour boil reduces this impressive stout down to something truly extraordinary. Learn more

Black Gold Coffee Stout (5.6% ABV | 29 IBU)
Even the most charismatic smugglers have a dark side! Black Gold balances bold, smooth and roasty flavours with slight touches of spruce and the added kick of cold-brewed
and whole bean coffee. 

Find Smugglers Trail Caskworks in Langley, BC on the Langley Ale Trail

• Throw Blanket West Coast IPA (7.2% ABV) from Steel & Oak Brewing

A little bit old school, a little bit new school, S&O took a classic West Coast IPA and added some new hop varieties. Strata is the star here, delivering resin and passionfruit on the nose and a mouthful of fresh pine. Idaho 7 and Amarillo support the throw blanket like a nice accessory throw pillow, with notes of citrus and stone fruit. Classic American Ale yeast keeps things crispy and clean.

Find Steel & Oak Brewing in New Westminster, BC, on the North of the Fraser Ale Trail

• Two new brews from Taylight Brewing

Eggnogg White Stout (5.6% ABV)
This dreamy white stout brings all the silky-smooth sweetness you love from a classic stout without the roasted chocolate or coffee notes. Instead, it’s loaded with the festive spice of real eggnog.

Mint Conditions Stout (5% ABV)
This smooth, velvety pour brings together cool mint and rich cocoa, making it the perfect companion for cozy nights, festive gatherings, and fireside sips.

Find Taylight Brewing in Port Coquitlam, BC, on the North of the Fraser Ale Trail

• Four new releases from The Patch Brewery

The Old Dewdney Dark Lager (4.8% ABV | 34 IBU)
The Old Dewdney is a barrel-aged, Czech Dark Lager. Clean but complex, nutty, toasty and smooth, with a dark chocolate dry finish

Hot Rocks: Nitro Orange Creamsicle Sour (4% ABV | 30 IBU)
Bright, citrusy kettle sour with orange juice forward hops, a hint of vanilla, and a silky nitro finish.

The Laity Lager (4.9% ABV) – Seasonal can design
The Patch Core Beer Laity Lager, all dressed up for Christmas. A Clean and crisp classic Lager.

Salted Brownie S’more Nitro Double Porter (7.4% ABV | 35 IBU)
Rich chocolate porter brewed with chocolate chips and cocoa nibs, layered with vanilla and topped with a marshmallow-like nitro foam.

Find The Patch Brewery in Maple Ridge, BC, on the Maple Ridge Ale Trail

• Four new releases from Tinhouse Brewing Co.

Roundhouse Imperial Porter (9.5% ABV | 50 IBU)
A big, bold Porter, perfect for those cool winter evenings. Hints of coffee, chocolate, and roasted marshmallows.

2023 Single Malt Barrel Aged Porter (7.5% ABV | 45 IBU)
The Swingbridge Porter aged for two years in Single Malt Whisky barrels. Available on tap in the tasting room and select hospitality accounts only. Growler Fills will be available.

2021 Barrel Aged Cherry Sour (7% ABV | 10 IBU)
The Hyde Kriek Cherry Sour aged four years in mixed-culture barrels from Dageraad Brewing, for a deliciously tart Belgian Lambic-like finish. Available in the tasting room and select hospitality accounts only. Growler fills we be available.

2023 Single Malt Barrel Aged Peach Sour (9% ABV | 10 IBU)
The Mortal Peach Sour aged for two years in Single Malt Whisky Barrels for a stone fruit whisky sour like beer, with a lot of dry oak on the finish. Available on tap in the tasting room and select hospitality accounts only. Growler fills are available.

Find Tinhouse Brewing Co in Port Coquitlam, BC, on the North of the Fraser Ale Trail

• Beartooth Belgian Dubble (7.5% ABV | 28 IBU) from Townsite Brewing

Pouring out a deep brown with ruby highlights, Beartooth’s complex caramel flavours with hints of raisin and dark fruit (think cherries and plum) is the perfect dark sipper to warm you up from the inside out on a cold winter’s night.

Find Townsite Brewing in Powell River, BC, on the Sunshine Coast Ale Trail

• Easy Stout – Non Alcoholic Beer (.5% ABV) from Wildeye Brewing

Made in collaboration with Thomas Haas Chocolate, the Easy Stout pours deep espresso brown with a soft tan head and offers rich aromas of cocoa, roasted malt and a hint of vanilla. The flavour is silky and balanced, with layered dark chocolate, gentle coffee notes and a touch of toasted hazelnut that leads into a clean, lightly roasty finish. Smooth and velvety in body, it delivers a decadent yet refreshing stout experience that showcases the signature chocolate character of Thomas Haas while keeping the drinkability of the EASY lineup.

Find Wildeye Brewing in North Vancouver, BC, on the Vancouver’s North Shore Ale Trail

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Vancouver Island

• Three new brews from Ace Brewing Co.

Pilot Project – Valley Vibes Session IPA (4.2% ABV | 40)
The team at Ace are excited to unveil the winner of Pilot Project #6: Valley Vibes Session IPA by Max McLean. A low ABV, full-flavour brew showcasing Citra and Simcoe hops, bursting with bright citrus and juicy stone fruit notes. Once a small-batch stand-out, it’s now ready for the big stage.

Stout (6.6% ABV | 43 IBU)
A rich, smooth and full-bodied stout with a complex malt recipe. A touch of rye gives this beer a spicy background with rich chocolate and coffee notes taking centre stage. A touch of Beechwood smoked malt leads to a subtle smokiness that is present but not overpowering. A generous percentage of oats gives the beer a silky smooth mouthfeel and body. As cold weather approaches, this stout will help ease the burdens of winter.

Rocket Fuel West Coast Double IPA (9% ABV | 90 IBU)
Every holiday season, when the planets align just right, the team at Ace aims for the stars and boosts up their Jet Fuel IPA with an astronomical amount of hops! Buckle in ’cause the countdown is on and this stellar double IPA is ready to launch you into orbit!

Find Ace Brewing Co. in Courtenay, BC, on the Northern Vancouver Island Ale Trail

• Two new brews from Bayview Brewing Company

Christmas Sour (4.7% ABV | 5 IBU)
The Christmas Sour is a traditional kettle sour with Lactobacillus Plantarum. It’s Christmas in a pint glass! Bursting with vibrant Yellow Point cranberries and supported by a beautiful meld of orange, ginger, cinnamon, and vanilla.

Cherry Poppins Cherry French Toast Dessert Sour (4.5-5% ABV | 5 IBU)
Keep an eye out for this returning favourite coming soon! More than a few spoonfuls of dark sweet cherries, cinnamon, vanilla, lactose and maple syrup help this sour beer go down. Supercalifragalisticexpiala-delicious!

Find Bayview Brewing Company in Ladysmith, BC, on the Central Vancouver Island Ale Trail

• Three new releases from Category 12 Brewing

Breakthru Dry Irish Stout (4.9% ABV)
A smooth, approachable stout built on roasted malt character with a touch of vanilla for balance. Light in body yet rich in flavour, it delivers a clean, easy finish that makes this stout refreshing and satisfying. Check out the C12 website for each batch’s third-party certified gluten results!

Black Forest Pastry Stout (11.5% ABV)
Indulge in the layered decadence of this rich, dark stout. Brewed with nine malts and an abundance of cocoa, sour cherry, and vanilla, it evokes the timeless dessert it’s named for – dark chocolate, tart fruit, and creamy sweetness in perfect harmony

Prism Feoder-aged Wild New Zealand Pilsner (5.9% ABV | 29 IBU)
Prism is a wild take on New Zealand Pilsner: the same NZ hop backbone, re-fermented with Brettanomyces in the oak foeder to reveal new facets. Expect citrus-lime and sauvignon-blanc notes with a hint of tropical lift, clean mineral bitterness, and a bone-dry, persistent finish. The foeder adds depth without weight; Brett provides a subtle, elegant complexity rather than overt funk. It’s Seismic Shift seen through another angle.

Find Category 12 Brewing in Victoria, BC, on the Greater Victoria Ale Trail

• Gratitude Winter Ale (9% ABV) from Hoyne Brewing

Gratitude is Hoyne’s most heartfelt beer, inspired by a 15th-century winter-warmer style and brewed with those closest to them in mind. Luscious, full-bodied, and gently warming, it offers rich malt character with notes of caramel, toasted grain, and subtle spice, thanks to Thomas Fawcett and Golden Promise malts and BC-grown Willamette hops. Best enjoyed slowly from a snifter by the fire, this seasonal ale is crafted in honour of the people who bring colour and meaning to our community.

Find Hoyne Brewing in Victoria, BC, on the Greater Victoria Ale Trail

• Noël Gose (5% ABV) from Île Sauvage Brewing Co

A salty sour beer with cherries, baking spices and tonka beans.

Find Île Sauvage Brewing Co in Victoria, BC, on the Greater Victoria Ale Trail

• Confluence Bière De Coupage (6.5% ABV) from Land & Sea Brewing

Confluence is a blend of two rustic Saisons, one aged for the Oak Foeders over six months, and the other, a bright and freshly brewed Farmhouse Ale. This harmonious, blended Saison is brewed in celebration of Land & Sea Brewing’s seventh anniversary.

Find Land & Sea Brewing in Comox, BC, on the Northern Vancouver Island Ale Trail

• Two new brews from Longwood Brewery

Chocolate & Vanilla Swirl Stout (6.5% ABV | 8 IBU)
Chocolate & Vanilla Swirl Stout is a decadent winter delicacy with gobs of sweet chocolate, dollops on dollops of vanilla, and so much creamy lactose. South American cacao nibs and pure vanilla extract are added at two stages of this brew to enhance the rich flavours from the first sip to the long, rich finish. This dessert beer is chocolate and vanilla all night long.

Big Red Pacific Red Ale (5.8% ABV | 28 IBU)
Big Red is a bold Pacific Red Ale brewed with a balance of citrus-forward West Coast hops and a smooth backbone of Pilsner, Biscuit and Red malts. A full pint in every super tall can — big flavour, big character, Big Red. An Imperial pint in every super tall can.

Find Longwood brews at the Brewery on Boxwood Road, and at the Longwood Brew Pub, both in Nanaimo, BC, on the Central Vancouver Island Ale Trail

• Fathoms Below Imperial Stout (8% ABV) from Mount Arrowsmith Brewing and Fern + Cedar Brewing

A collaboration between sister breweries – the teams at Mount Arrowsmith Brewing and Fern + Cedar Brewing came together to create this rich and decadent Stout for the holiday season.

Find Mount Arrowsmith Brewing in Parksville, BC, and Fern + Cedar Brewing in Qualicum Beach, both on the Central Vancouver Island Ale Trail

• Reinbeer Mixed Pack from Phillips Brewing & Malting

Featuring eight mystery brews inspired by Santa’s B-Team of mischievous reindeer. Each beer is crafted to showcase the creativity of Phillips’ expert brewing team, letting the personalities of these delightful troublemakers shine through. Expect a variety of unique, delicious beers that are perfect for celebrating the holiday season!

• Dozer – Brown Ale – ABV% 3.5
• Coco – Hot Chocolate Dark Lager – ABV% 4
• Glitzen – Aussie Sparkling Ale – ABV% 5.5
• Ryder – Rye Witbier – ABV% 5.7
• Crumby – Extra Special Bitter – ABV% 6
• Dipstick – Dip-Hopped IPA – ABV% 6.5
• Jitterz – Hazy Coffee IPA – ABV% 7
• Danky – Single Hop No Boil IPA – ABV% 7.5

Find Phillips Brewing & Malting in Victoria, BC, on the Greater Victoria Ale Trail

• Two new brews from Red Arrow Brewing

Toasted Coconut Porter (5.1% ABV)
The taproom smells incredible when the team at Red Arrow toasts all the coconut needed for this beer in their kitchen! Enjoy comforting dark malt notes of coffee and chocolate with a delightful toasted coconut finish. Oats and rye malt provide a soft mouthfeel for a rounded balance.

Espresso Dark Lager (5.3% ABV)
Coffee Beer! This special collaboration beer features big flavour made smooth by lagering. Rich, velvety, and dark malt-forward with heavy espresso aromatics thanks to the addition of 110lbs of Compass Espresso from Cowichan Valley’s own Peak’s Coffee.

Find Red Arrow Brewing in Duncan, BC, on the Central Vancouver Island Ale Trail

• Contrary Evidence Nitro Cold Brew Porter (4.45% ABV | 24 IBU) from Serious Brewing Company

A smooth chocolate porter with the addition of Serious Coffee’s Three Amigos roast cold brew. Smooth, creamy, full-bodied bodied and easy drinking.

Find Serious Brewing Company in Chemainus, BC, on the Central Vancouver Island Ale Trail

• Blink Milk Chocolate Coconut Porter (6% ABV) from Small Gods Brewing

The use of lactose sugar, along with fair-trade cocoa nibs, gives this porter a rich, creamy milk chocolate character that is then amplified by a bounty of shaved coconut.

Find Small Gods Brewing in Sidney, BC, on the Greater Victoria Ale Trail

• Two new brews from Spinnakers Brewpub

Trans Atlantic Collaboration IPA (5.2% ABV | 40 IBU)
This old-world style IPA, features Fuller’s yeast, local malts, and a mix of old-world and Northwest hops. Its flavour profile includes notes of pine, grapefruit, and light malt. Read more about the history behind the beer.

Imperial Chocolate Stout (8.4% ABV | 5 IBU)
A robust American Stout that leads with subtle coffee flavours and opens to huge chocolate notes that are balanced out by a bite of sweetness.

Find Spinnakers Brewpub in Victoria, BC, on the Greater Victoria Ale Trail

• Vanishing Act Sour (5.7% ABV | 10 IBU) from Twin City Brewing

Like taking a tropical vacation or the holidays, but without any of the family guilt. Vanishing Act is a pineapple coconut sour that starts as a golden base, gets acidified using a house culture of lactobacillus until sour, then gets hopped with pineapple-forward hops, fermented with Voss kveik, and finally conditioned on loads of pineapple and finished with a touch of coconut. A pina colada-reminiscent fan favourite that also happened to be a gold medal winner at the 2025 BC Beer Awards.

Find Twin City Brewing in Port Alberni, BC, on the Pacific Rim Ale Trail

• Juleøl Winter Lager (5.6% ABV | 25 IBU) from Whistle Buoy Brewing Company

Pronounced Yule-ol. A winter lager inspired by the traditional holiday beers of Denmark and Norway. Malt forward and slightly sweet. Amber in colour with a hint of spice from star anise, cinnamon, and orange peel. Warming and seasonal, with balanced crushability.

Find Whistle Buoy Brewing Company in Victoria, BC, on the Greater Victoria Ale Trail

• Smoked Dobbelbock (8% ABV) from Wolf Brewing Company

Beech-smoked malt on the nose gives way to a rich malty lager with toasted bread, raisin and prune, followed by caramel and a hint of molasses. A medium to full-bodied beer with a clean, lager-style finish.

Find Wolf Brewing in Nanaimo, BC, on the Central Vancouver Island Ale Trail

The post Winter Warmers and Holiday Hops: 2025 Winter Beer Round-up appeared first on The BC Ale Trail.

Twinkling lights all around, Christmas markets fill the air with the scent of fir and baked treats, and local businesses, including West Kelowna’s two standout breweries, bring their own winter warmth to the community.

Whether you’re planning a cozy weekend getaway, exploring with friends, or searching for the perfect holiday gift, West Kelowna offers a festive mix of activities, flavours, and cheer. Here’s your guide to experiencing the best of the city this Christmas on the BC Ale Trail.

Holiday Spirit in West Kelowna

West Kelowna truly comes alive during the holiday season, offering festive events, charming experiences, and plenty of cheer for visitors and locals alike. Here are some highlights you won’t want to miss.

Twinkle Tour – December 1–31 | Various locations

Want to see the best holiday light displays in town? Take a self-guided tour of all the Twinkle Tour entries. Winners will be announced December 19th, and a mobile-friendly map is available online. 

Family Paint Night at The Hatching Post – December 11 | 5.30 pm – 7 pm

Create a festive masterpiece — choose between painting Elf Legs or a Snowman. Fun for all ages!

Ugly Sweater Music Bingo at Connector Brewing – December 18 | 6 pm – 8 pm

Head to Connector Brewing dressed in your ugliest holiday sweater. Listen for songs, dab your card, and win fun prizes. Free to play!

Lakesider Brewing Ugly Christmas Sweater Party – December 19 

A crowd favourite! Enjoy music, mingle with friends, and compete for prizes in your best (or worst) festive sweater. Free entry.

Pancake Breakfast with Mrs. Claus at Connector Brewing – December 21 | 11 am

Warm pancakes, family fun, and a holiday appearance from Mrs. Claus herself.

Dining in the Domes – Frind Winery | Wed–Sun

Frind’s iconic winter domes return for another cozy season. Book a private, twinkle-lit dome right along the lake and settle in with wintery views, delicious food, and an intimate holiday atmosphere that feels straight out of a snow globe.

Boxing Day Hangover PJ Party at The Hatching Post – December 26

Still recovering from the holidays? Throw on your comfiest PJs (or get dressed if you must) and join The Hatching Post for a day of laid-back fun with all-day Happy Hour and Music Bingo. 

NYE Beer-Paired Dinner at Lakesider Brewing – December 31

Ring in the new year on Eastern Time with a 3-course beer-paired dinner and a 9 pm bubbly countdown.

A Craft Beer Christmas: Meet West Kelowna’s Breweries

West Kelowna’s brewery scene is small but vibrant — and during the holidays, both taprooms bring their own festive flair. Whether you’re looking for a cozy spot to warm up or the perfect local gift for the craft beer fan in your life, these two breweries deliver.

Lakesider Brewing Co.

Lakesider Brewing Co. embodies everything people love about the Okanagan lifestyle — casual, welcoming, and effortlessly cozy. Their lake-house-inspired taproom features warm lighting, a glowing fireplace, and a just-launched food menu that fits perfectly with winter comfort vibes.

Their seasonal lineup is built for winter comfort. The Fireside Winter Ale brings rich notes of dried fruit and brown sugar (so popular it’s now only available in the taproom). Midnight Swim Nitro Stout is smooth and roasty with dark chocolate and coffee under a creamy nitro head. And Pandosy’s Penance, a Belgian Abbey Ale aged on Okanagan cherries, offers dark fruit, spice, and slow-sipping warmth. Whether you’re sipping in the taproom or grabbing Gift Cards and merch (toques, tees, hats, or hoodies), Lakesider makes holiday gifting easy.

The Hatching Post

The Hatching Post is West Kelowna’s most cinematic brewery — a custom-built Wild West saloon full of rustic charm, smoky BBQ aromas, and a lively community vibe. Part brewery, part destination, it’s the perfect place to warm up after a day of holiday exploring.

Their Midnight Run Nitro seasonal is rich, dark, and kissed with hints of coconut, poured silky smooth thanks to its nitro finish. Pair it with a platter from Smokeshow BBQ and settle in for a cozy winter feast. With trivia nights, live music, themed events, and family-friendly fun all month long, The Hatching Post is always buzzing during the holidays. Looking for the perfect gift? Get their Gift Card online or in the taproom. 

Sip, Celebrate & Stay Cozy

Whether you’re here for the festive events, the cozy brewery vibes, or the sparkling lights of the Twinkle Tour, West Kelowna offers a winter season filled with warmth, flavour, and holiday spirit. Bundle up, sip local, and make the most of this magical time on the Kelowna and West Kelowna Ale Trail.

For more events and travel inspiration, check out Visit Westside.

Every Pint Tells a Story

Supporting Local. Celebrating Community.

The post A West Kelowna Winter: Christmas Magic, Local Cheer & Festive Sips appeared first on The BC Ale Trail.

These seasonal brews are more than just beverages—they’re an invitation to gather with friends and loved ones, capturing the warmth, comfort, and jubilant spirit of the season. Winter beers have a special magic about them. Often darker and more robust, these carefully crafted ales and stouts are perfectly designed for the colder months. But it’s not just about the comforting warmth of a dark beer: among this year’s new releases and return favourites, you’ll find a balance of lighter styles, many incorporating seasonal fruits and spices in new and enticing ways.

Whether you’re looking for the perfect companion to a cozy evening by the fire, a standout beverage to bring to a holiday gathering, or a thoughtful gift for the craft beer enthusiast in your life, this year’s winter beer lineup offers something to delight every palate. We asked the breweries on the BC Ale Trail to share what they’ve been brewing up and have over 50 beers to spotlight this year, showcasing the incredible creativity and craftsmanship of our local breweries.

Jump to a region near you:

Kootenay Rockies

Thompson Okanagan

Northern BC

Vancouver Coast and Mountains (including Sea to Sky and Fraser Valley)

Vancouver Island

Kootenay Rockies

Neve Fresca Italian Pilsner (5.2% ABV | 20 IBU) by Backroads Brewing

Translated as Fresh Snow, this light, effervescent Italian-style pilsner is brewed each winter to celebrate the coming season and is perfect when enjoyed after a day playing in the mountains.

Backroads Brewing is located in Osoyoos, and in Nelson on the Kootenay Rockies West Ale Trail

Yuleride Nordic Pale Ale (5% ABV) by Encore Brewing Company

Fermented with Voss Kveik, a Norwegian farmhouse yeast that likes it hot. With big juniper additions, and a Citra & Hallertau Blanc dryhop, it drinks like a gin mimosa with huge notes of zesty orange and gooseberry, along with a subtle pine and gin aromatic.

Encore Brewing is located in Cranbrook on the Kootenay Rockies East Ale Trail

Powder Leopard White IPA (6.3% ABV) by Nelson Brewing Company

Love story: Untamed and unfiltered, this White IPA is a perfect ode to powder days. Brewed with Cryo, Cashmere, and Mosaic hops, it bursts with vibrant berry and citrus notes, balanced by a smooth, fluffy finish. Wild, refreshing, and always worth another round!
Brewers Notes: A white IPA is a beautiful thing. It pairs the esters and phenols from a Belgium Witbier yeast with modern North American hops. Belgian yeast flavours of bubble gum, banana, clove, and anise blend with notes of berry, citrus, and melon from the hops. Another subtle layer of citrus is present from the addition of sweet orange peel in the boil.

Nelson Brewing Company is located in Nelson, on the Kootenay Rockies West Ale Trail

Thompson Okanagan

Three seasonal offerings from Cannery Brewing

Kindling Imperial Stout (9% ABV | 60 IBU)

The 2024 batch of Kindling Imperial Stout is here! This annual limited-release seasonal beer was brewed with coffee from Backyard Beans Coffee Roasters, chocolate, oats, coconut and lactose. Kindling took home the Gold Medal in the 2022 Canadian Brewing Awards, and we are thrilled that it is back, just in time for the festive holiday season.

Whiskey Barrel Aged Kindling Imperial Stout (10% ABV | 60 IBU)

Around this time last year, the folks at Cannery pulled out some of their 2023 batch of Kindling Imperial Stout and laid it to rest in some fabulous whisky barrels. The 2024 Whisky Barrel Aged Kindling is a classically styled imperial stout aged in Laird of Fintry Whisky barrels from Okanagan Spirits. It was brewed with barley, wheat, oats, coconut, lactose, cacao and cinnamon. Flavours of roasted malt, chocolate and caramel complement the oaked whisky, all set atop perfect full-bodied sweetness.

Thornless Blackberry Porter (6% ABV | 40 IBU)

Just in time for the festive holiday season, the Thornless Blackberry Porter is back. Blackberry flavour and roasted dark malts combine to create a balanced sweetness in this robust porter. This beer took 1st place in the Fruit Beer category of the 2022 BC Beer Awards.

Cannery Brewing is located in Penticton, on the Penticton Ale Trail

Fireside Winter Ale (6% ABV) by Lakesider Brewing Co.

Embrace the cozy charm of winter with Lakesider’s Fireside Winter Ale, the perfect companion for chilly evenings by the fire. This rich, full-bodied brew features notes of dark cherry, dried fruit, and a hint of brown sugar that dances on your palate. Crafted with the finest ingredients, this limited-release winter ale delivers a smooth finish that invites you to savour each sip.

Lakesider Brewing Co is located in Kelowna, on the Kelowna and West Kelowna Ale Trail

A pair of seasonal beers from Noble Pig Brewhouse

Chocomint Peppermint-infused Mocha Porter (5.5% ABV | 22 IBU)

This seasonal offering is a refreshing “winterization” of the Stone House – Mocha Porter. Noticeable amounts of peppermint were infused into Noble Pig’s flagship Porter to hit your mouth with a good dose of holiday nostalgia.

Mulled Swine Belgian Pepper Ale (5% ABV | 20 IBU)

The Stick House – Belgian Pepper Ale is a crowd favourite all year round, but the folks at the Noble Pig thought they’d have some fun by infusing some holiday spirit into it. Using a similar mix of spices traditionally found in Mulled Wine, this festive bevy is ready to make your heart grow three sizes a day!

Noble Pig Brewhouse is located in Kamloops, on the Southern Interior Winter Ale Trail

Northern BC

Two new releases from CrossRoads Brewing and Distillery

Salted Caramel Amber Ale (6% ABV) – a collaboration with Rocky Mountain Chocolate

Brewed in collaboration with friends at Rocky Mountain Chocolate, whose chocolatiers cheerily supplied the caramel used to create this brew. The sweet and nutty malt base of the amber ale gives way to the decadent notes of locally created caramel, topped with hints of salt for the well-known and always delightful dessert pairing.

Sexy Beast Chocolate Raspberry Porter (5.5% ABV)

With rich chocolatey notes and a hint of raspberry sweetness, this one’s designed to be savoured—perfect for cozy nights and fall gatherings.

CrossRoads Brewing is located in Prince George, on the Northwest BC Ale Trail

Cascadian Dark Ale (6.5% ABV | 50 IBU) from Deadfall Brewing

The CDA, also known as Black IPA, is a beautiful balance of rich roasty malts and dank, piney, citrusy hops. Chocolatey. Hoppy. Smooth.

Deadfall Brewing is located in Prince George, on the Northwest BC Ale Trail

Smokehouse Porter (6/3% ABV) from Wheelhouse Brewing Company

Smokehouses have been used on the Coast for hundreds of years.  Wheelhouse has been brewing their Smokehouse Porter for over 10 years now and this beer is a 2X award winner at the Canadian Brewing Awards.  A robust, well-rounded porter that goes well with a hearty meal, a roaring fire and a good book during a winter storm.

Wheelhouse Brewing is located in Prince Rupert, on the Northwest BC Ale Trail

Vancouver Coast and Mountains

Three seasonal releases from Barnside Brewing Co.

Five for Fighting Hazy Pale Ale (4.5% ABV) – a collaboration with SportsNet 650

SportsNet 650 and Barnside Brewing Co. have dropped the gloves on a new pale ale that’s perfect for the hockey season! Five for Fighting is a hazy pale ale that’s soft on the palate and loaded with citrus flavour. Brewed with Canadian pale malt & Barnside’s own Cascade hops, this beer is a great alternative to the classic game day lager or pilsner.

Czech Dark Lager (5% ABV)

In Czechia it’s called Tmavé Pivo, an uncommon dark lager. Barnside’s version is decoction mashed with 50% premium malts from Czechia, 50% Barnside Munich malt, and is hopped assertively with their own Sterling hops. Beautiful in the mug, rich on the palate, and so easy to drink.

Port Guichon Oat Porter (5.6% ABV)

Barnside’s take on the classic English Porter. Brewed with traditional brown and crystal malts, this porter is sweet and caramelly, yet light and effervescent. Hopped with Barnside’s own Cascade Hops.

Barnside Brewing is located in Delta, on the South of the Fraser Ale Trail

Two new brews from Beva Brewing & Blending

Space Bar Dark Lager (4.5% ABV)

Dark, toasty, void

Full of Evil Feelings Double Chocolate Stout (9.3% ABV) – a collaboration with Beere Brewing

Chocolate, burly, rich

Beva Brewing & Blending is located in North Vancouver, on Vancouver’s North Shore Ale Trail

Tripel Sanctity Belgian Ale (9.2% ABV | 26 IBU) from Central City Brewers & Distillers

The word ‘Tripel’ was used by Belgian monks to describe their strongest beer. This beer is big and malty, has a fruity nose, and finishes dry and clean on the palate. Aged for 3 months from Central City’s pilot system.

Central City Brewers & Distillers is located in Surrey, on the South of the Fraser Ale Trail

Two seasonal releases from Dead Frog Brewery

Nutty Uncle Peanut Butter Stout (6.1% ABV | 24 IBU)

A creamy milk stout with flavours of dark chocolate, smooth hints of peanut butter, and a slightly sweet finish. Brewed with 8 choice malts, roasted cocoa beans, and real peanut butter.

Chocolate Mint Winter Beeracle (7.5% ABV | 24 IBU)

Every winter brings with it a new beeracle. A celebration of all the good things winter brings. Complex beers, warm fires, close family, and good friends. This year’s beeracle is a warm winter ale with rich chocolate malts, cocoa nibs, and a burst of mint.

Dead Frog Brewery is located in Langley, on the Langley Ale Trail

Three new stouts from Field House Brewing

Cookie Dough Imperial Dessert Stout (10.5% ABV)

This nostalgic stout carries rich notes of dark chocolate, complemented by the familiar sweetness of vanilla and brown sugar. A decadent sipper and perfect for hitting your next sweet-tooth craving.

Nanaimo Bar Imperial Dessert Stout (10.5% ABV)

This imperial dessert stout is a take on a British Columbian classic: the Nanaimo bar. Similar to the delicious squares, this beer has big notes of coconut, custard, and a sweet chocolate finish.

Toasted Coconut Imperial Stout (11% ABV) – a collaboration with The Barley Merchant

This imperial stout is the ultimate treat for coconut lovers. To bring out a natural sweetness and depth of flavour in the beer, the brewers added a mountain of toasted coconut, creating a luscious, dessert-like experience in every sip. The thick, velvety mouthfeel and chocolate undertones make this the perfect nightcap beer.

Field House Brewing is located in Abbotsford and Chilliwack, both on the Fraser Valley Ale Trail

Two seasonal releases from Four Winds Brewing Co.

Christmas Lights Light Lager (4% ABV)

This is the same Four Winds Light you know and love, with a festive-themed can that will only be available for a limited time! Crisp, clean, and easy drinking. Four Winds Light is brewed with Canadian Pilsner malt and plenty of rice for an ultra-light body and a super refreshing finish. Made simply, because, sometimes it’s best to keep things light.

Boreas 2024 Bourbon Barrel-Aged Imperial Stout (11% ABV)

Boreas (2024) was aged in an eclectic variety of fresh Kentucky bourbon barrels. This 11% indulgence is a blend of 18-month and 6-month-old imperial stouts. Intoxicating aromas of coffee and dark chocolate guide you into the glass, giving way to a sweet, luscious mouthfeel, with just enough bourbon character to round it all out. The days may be getting colder, and the nights are surely getting longer, but you can always turn to Boreas to keep you warm.

Four Winds Brewing Co. is located in Delta, on the South of the Fraser Ale Trail

Puffy Jacket Hazy Pale Ale (5.5% ABV) from Howe Sound Brewing

It’s the time of year again when you reach for your favourite puffy and a soft, hazy pale ale packed with hops.

Howe Sound Brewing is located in Squamish, on the Sea to Sky Ale Trail

You can also find their taphouses in New Westminster and East Vancouver.

Three seasonal releases from Locality Brewing

Cousin Eddie’s Festive IPA (7% ABV) – a collaboration with Barn Owl Brewing

Embrace the festive season with this limited-edition Cranberry Orange Spice IPA — a holiday beer that combines the refreshing citrus of Mandarina hops with warming festive spices. This brew pours a bright orange colour with a frothy, off-white head, releasing a tantalizing aroma of orange and clove, with a hint of cranberry. On the palate, bright citrus notes from the hops mingle seamlessly with juicy cranberry and a juicy orange sweetness, while the spices add a gentle warmth and complexity. The balanced bitterness provides a refreshing contrast to the fruit and spice, with a smooth finish that invites another sip. Perfect for holiday gatherings or cozy nights by the fire, this IPA brings festive cheer with every pour.

Cran-Chantment Brut Ale (8% ABV)

This year, Locality decided to highlight local cranberries and cherries in their winter celebration brut beer. It’s a beautiful pink, bubbly, bright and refreshing holiday celebration beverage to elevate your dinner table. With cranberry juice from the BOG and cherry juice from Farming Karma, Locality is highlighting local farms in this effervescent drink. Perfect to enjoy with friends!

Happy Place Figgy Pudding Belgian Quad (8% ABV)

Figgy Pudding is a rich and spicy beer, perfect for warming the soul on a cold winter day. With notes of allspice, cinnamon and nutmeg, carried on a rich malty backbone of toffee, caramel and brown sugar, this beer captures the holiday spirit in a glass.

Locality Brewing is located in Langley, on the Langley Ale Trail

Stroopwafel Imperial Stout (9.8% ABV) from Main St. Brewing in collaboration with Café Medina

Main St. Brewing has released a new Stroopwafel Imperial Stout collaboration with Michelin Guide-Recommended renowned downtown Vancouver brunch hotspot Café Medina.

The newest edition in Main St.’s Chef and Restaurant collaboration series, the Stroopwafel Imperial Stout is built on a base of English specialty malts and conditioned on vanilla and cinnamon and has notes of stroopwafel, caramel and a graham cracker-like character that conjures up the flavours of Café Medina’s beloved Liege Waffles.

Main St. Brewing is located in Vancouver, on the Brewery Creek Vancouver Ale Trail

Two seasonal releases from Mariner Brewing

Winter Ale (6.8% ABV | 21 IBU)

A robust ale with a deep chestnut colour and a hint of vanilla and spice. A perfect winter warmer to complement crisp fall air, damp and dark evenings and the occasional bright and sunny snow day.

Lights at Lafarge Dark Lager (5.6% ABV | 15 IBU)

Lights at Lafarge Dark Lager captures the magic of a winter stroll through Coquitlam’s Lafarge Lake shimmering lights. With notes of dark caramel and hints of rich chocolate, balanced by spicy noble hops and a flinty, dry finish, this lager is a tribute to the season’s warmth and wonder.

Mariner Brewing is located in Coquitlam, on the North of the Fraser Ale Trail

Holiday Mix Pack (all 6% ABV) from Moody Ales & Co

A jolly holiday pack with 4 seasonal sips:

Eggnog Cream Ale: Decadent holiday ale with lactose, vanilla & nutmeg

Gingerbread Ale: Festive amber ale with warm, sweet spice

Christmas Tree IPA: West Coast IPA with spruce tips and juniper berries

Holiday Party Punch Sour: Garnet fruit sour with cranberry, plum, and citrus

Moody Ales & Co is located in Port Moody, on the Port Moody Ale Trail

The Birds Barrel-Aged Maple & Coffee Stout (8.2% ABV | 10 IBU) from The Parkside Brewery

A silky smooth imperial stout aged in single malt whiskey barrels, showcasing notes of dark maple syrup with a kick of freshly-roasted espresso beans from our friends a Caffe Artigiano.

The Parkside Brewery is located in Port Moody, on the Port Moody Ale Trail

Little Red Truck Spruce Tip Ale (5.3% | 30 IBU) from Red Truck Beer Co

Made with hand-picked spruce tips, this pale ale features zesty, peppery flavours with hints of conifer, lemon and a bready aroma.

Red Truck Beer Co. is located in Vancouver, on the Brewery Creek Vancouver Ale Trail

Grayskull Barrel Aged Strong Ale (7.8% ABV) from Rewind Beer Co.

Master your universe with a sword in one hand and the power of rich bourbon-aged Grayskull Strong Ale in the other!

Rewind Beer Co. is located in Port Moody, on the Port Moody Ale Trail

Two new releases from Sidekick Brewing

Adreas – Copenhagen Spiced Lager (5.6% ABV)

Embrace the warmth of comfort with this golden-dark Copenhagen Spiced Lager. Smooth caramel sweetness blends with notes of liquorice, cinnamon, and vanilla, balanced by subtle bitterness. The result is a dry, satisfying brew that invites you to slow down and savour life’s simple pleasures.

Naveen – Dark Cherry and Fig Strong Sour (9% ABV)

Sidekick’s dark cherry and fig sour is as bold as it is celestial. With layers of tart cherries and sweet figs, this 9% ABV brew pulls you in like the gravity of a distant star. Perfect for those seeking something as vast as the night sky.

Sidekick Brewing is located in Chilliwack, on the Fraser Valley Ale Trail

Megalith Barley Wine (11.4% ABV) from Steel & Oak Brewing

This beer won 1st place at last year’s BC Beer Awards in the category of Strong Ale & Lager. Flavours open with fruitcake and cherry candy aromas; each taste brings rich notes of caramel and molasses cookie, with a smooth, full body. A touch of Noble hops provides balance, making it complex but approachable.

Steel & Oak Brewing is located in New Westminster, on the North of the Fraser Ale Trail

Holiday Gift Pack from Storm Brewing

Gift packs include a Storm pint glass, as well as 473ml cans of:

Apple Pie Ale (5% ABV) – A malty amber ale infused with apples and cinnamon.

Eggnog Latte Stout (8% ABV) – An imperial oatmeal stout infused with coffee, vanilla and nutmeg.

Storm Brewing is located in Vancouver, on the Yeast Vancouver Ale Trail

A bevy of seasonal releases from Strange Fellows Brewing

Evermore West Coast IPA (6% ABV)
Bridging the gap between classic West Coast and modern New England styles, this unique IPA features Yakima hop varieties, offering a bright burst of tropical and stone fruit flavours, while subtle hints of West Coast pine and citrus linger in the background.

Krampus Abbey Double (8.5% ABV)
An annual favourite beer for sharing by the fire – a Belgian-style Abbey Double brewed with Belgian candy sugar and dark malts, it’s rich with the flavour of dried stone fruits, subtle toffee and spice, and has a long and warming effect on the constitution.

Lord Barleycorn Bourbon Barrel Lager (6.5% ABV)
A wonderfully warming pre-prohibition-style lager brewed with corn & barley then aged in Bourbon barrels (post-Boris) – it’s round and malty with a balanced bitterness and underlying notes of peat and bourbon.

Boris Russian Imperial Stout (10.3% ABV)
Aged one year in Basil Hayden Bourbon barrels and brewed with roast dark malts and peat-smoked barley, which yields an assertive backbone with suggestions of dark dried fruits and an aromatic scotch-like nose.

Nocturnum Dark IPA (6.5% ABV)
A.K.A. a Cascadian Dark Ale, this unique and intriguing style combines the rich roasted flavours of a stout with the bold hop character of an IPA. Roasted malt sweetness balances a pronounced hop bitterness that results in a beer that is both complex and quaffable.

Beest Triple EYE.P.A. (9% ABV)
Big, bold and packing a punch, this West Coast-style triple IPA has been heavily dry-hopped using Simcoe, Amarillo and Centennial, creating a dank, resinous and fruity aroma. Up front flavours of ripe stone fruit and a bitter finish are rounded out with a sweetness to balance its high alcohol and big hop character. Don’t let the drinkability fool you, this Beest is dangerous!

Coolship Barrel-aged Spontaneous Fermentation (6.2% ABV)
Strange Fellows is rightly proud of this very special beer which recently won “Best in Show” at the 2024 BC Brewing Awards. Brewed using the orthodox methods of traditional Belgian lambic breweries, this beer began with labour-intensive turbid mashing, followed by air cooling and inoculation in their open Koelschip vessel. Whatever wild yeasts and organisms that happened to be around the brewery that night inoculated a spontaneous fermentation in the cooling wort which was then racked into oak barrels to ferment and age. All of this, along with the addition of aged hops (2016 Tardif de Bourgogne, France) result in a beer with a uniquely delicious and complex character.

Vancouver Island

S-92 Imperial Stout (10.5% ABV | 48 IBU) from Hornby Island Brewing

This 2024 Canada Beer Cup Gold medal winner is the second release in Hornby Island’s Sikorsky series. Deliciously dark and complex with notes of espresso. It might have you feeling like you are moving at 280 km/h without leaving the ground.

Hornby Island Brewing is located on Hornby Island, on the Vancouver Island Ale Trail Part II

Depth Charge 2024 – Race Rocks Grand Cru with Cognac (10.1% ABV) from Lighthouse Brewing

As it was with ancient warships, conventional methods would only skim the surface. A bolder, more deliberate approach is necessary to confront the colossal creatures lurking beneath. Enter Depth Charge 2024. This year, the folks at Lighthouse decided to take inspiration from their beloved Race Rocks Amber Ale and make a beer that captures its bold malt flavours. By upsizing key malts like Munich and Crystal as well as adding other grains to double the ABV they created a rich and vibrant brew that was perfect for aging on Sugar Maple wood with a bold touch of Cognac.

Lighthouse Brewing is located in Victoria, on the Greater Victoria Ale Trail

Reinbeer Holiday Mystery Pack from Phillips Brewing & Malting

This holiday season, Phillips Brewing is celebrating creativity with the Reinbeer Mystery Pack. Featuring eight unique beers inspired by Santa’s mischievous B-Team of reindeer, the pack showcases the ingenuity of the brewing and creative teams. Each beer style was carefully crafted to reflect the personality and “crimes” of these holiday misfits, offering a fun and flavorful way to embrace the festive season. A true collaboration of brewing expertise and imaginative storytelling, this limited release is a must-try for craft beer enthusiasts.

SPOILER ALERT: Want to know what’s in the pack ahead of time? Find a full list of brews in this recent Beer Column by Josh Duncan at Now Media.

Phillips Brewing & Malting is located in Victoria, on the Greater Victoria Ale Trail

Holly Day Festive Ale (6% ABV | 10 IBU) from Rusted Rake Brewing

This full-bodied beer blends roasted malt and caramel with seasonal spices and orange peel, while oats and wheat create a silky-smooth finish and rich mahogany colour. This brew is perfect for celebrating holiday moments.

Rusted Rake Brewing is located in Nanoose Bay, on the Vancouver Island Ale Trail Part II

No matter how you celebrate the winter holidays, these craft beers (and so many more) offer a delightful way to mark the season’s special moments. Choose to always celebrate responsibly: have a designated driver, use ride-sharing services, or enjoy a non-alcoholic beverage option. Cheers to a joyous and deliciously crafted holiday season from all of us on the BC Ale Trail!

The post Seasonal Sips: A 2024 Winter Beer Round-up appeared first on The BC Ale Trail.

Our journey takes us from historic Gastown in downtown Vancouver to Coquitlam’s holiday-themed Lights at Lafarge with stops along the way at a handful of breweries. Leave your cars at home, hop on the SkyTrain and let’s go exploring!

Fun fact: SkyTrain is the oldest and one of the longest automated driverless light rapid transit systems in the world.

Steamworks Brewpub

We started our day’s adventure in Gastown at Steamworks Brewpub on the Vancouver Brewery Creek Ale Trail for two reasons — it’s located next to Waterfront Station and the SkyTrain that we’ll be riding today, and it’s a great place to fuel up with a delicious meal before heading out on our crawl. Within its beautifully renovated building, Steamworks’ pub spreads out through several rooms on two levels. The food menu at Steamworks is vast, offering everything from clam chowder and wings, to pasta, burgers, fish tacos, pizza and more, including a plant-based and vegetarian section. To pair with your meal you can enjoy a selection of Steamworks brews, some of which will have been crafted in-house in the original brewery and the rest at their newer production brewery in Burnaby.  I had the Salted Chocolate Porter which was described as, “A well-balanced combination of toasted chocolate malts and hand harvested Pacific Ocean Fleur de Sel from Vancouver Island Salt Co.” Well balanced indeed!

Travel Logistics – Translink SkyTrain

With a good base for today’s crawl, it’s time to get started and head off on the SkyTrain. Inside Waterfront Station, you can purchase your tickets in advance at a kiosk or at the gate by simply swiping your credit card (or use a Compass Card if you already have one). Once through the gates, make your way to the Expo Line platform. We’ll have to change trains once en route but not to worry, each stop is called out via intercom and there’s a map inside each train. Once you arrive at the Commercial/Broadway stop you’ll need to exit the train (not the station) and proceed to the other side of the station to catch the Millennium Line heading to Lafarge Lake – Douglas. (Make sure you hop on the train going to Lafarge and not VCC) The trip from start to finish without any stops other than the train change is approximately 55 minutes.

Time for our first brewery stop – Dageraad Brewing

In just a few minutes we’ve departed Vancouver and are travelling through the next town, Burnaby. On the North of Fraser Ale Trail, Burnaby is host to two breweries. We decided top make a quick stop at one: Dageraad Brewing. Hop off the train at Production Way station and it’s an easy six-minute walk to the brewery. Here you’ll find a wide selection of multi-award-winning Belgian-style beers and special one-off collaboration beers. I had the Irresolution IPA, an annual offering brewed using the brewery’s leftover hops, making it unique each year. It was superb. Note: Dageraad doesn’t often make IPAs and that’s why I had to taste this one. Dageraad is known for its stellar array of Brunes, Blondes, Farmhouse Ales, Saisons, Singles and more. Here’s a full list.

Holiday Lights at Lafarge

Back on the train and on our way to view the Lights at Lafarge,  a 1.2-kilometre loop around a lake in the city of Coquitlam, and also the last stop on this train line. This year’s event features even more lights wrapping their way around the lake and featuring re-imagined elements that highlight flora, fauna and fairytales. There are also different food vendors at various locations on-site throughout the season for visitors to warm up with hot chocolate and treats. On Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, you can join the Park Spark Light Brigade for activities like Pirate Paaarties, fairytale themed events, or even an attempt at the world record for singing Jingle Bells in unison.

Produced by the City of Coquitlam and presented by Coquitlam Centre, Lights at Lafarge is Metro Vancouver’s largest free outdoor winter lights display.

The lights turn on at 4 p.m. and remain on to 10 p.m. nightly until the end of February. For the best viewing experience, skip the crowds by coming before 6 p.m. or after 8 p.m. on weeknights and avoiding weekends. For full information on special features and weekly activities visit Coquitlam’s website.

Thirsty yet? Next stop is Mariner Brewing

Conveniently located steps away from the Coquitlam Central SkyTrain station (just two quick stops from Lafarge) is Coquitlam’s only brewery – so far – Mariner Brewing. The brewery was named for NASA’s Mariner space program as well as the nearby street of the same name, though recently they have begun taking more inspiration from the surrounding community for their beer names and label art. Mariner offers two covered and dog-friendly patios and a taproom with a full in-house food menu to go along with a strong beer program. The Marshmallow Stout is particularly festive, and is a vegan milk stout, making it accessible to those with dietary restrictions.

Next, on to the Port Moody Ale Trail!

Time to hop back on the train at Coquitlam Centre. The Port Moody Ale Trail is conveniently located only a few minutes down the line heading back towards Vancouver, and next to the Moody Centre SkyTrain station. The walk is just a quick loop around an overpass and in about nine minutes you’re there. The Port Moody Ale trail features six very different breweries all in a row, known as Brewers Row. From East to West you’ll find Twin Sails Brewing, Yellow Dog Brewing, Rewind Beer Co, Parkside Brewery, Brave Brewing Co and Moody Ales.

Tip: If you’re an ice cream lover I’d recommend you make a pit stop between the train station and Brewers Row at Rocky Point Ice Cream (pictured below) where they handcraft ice cream in small batches ‘with love’ using as many local ingredients as possible.

Twin Sails Brewing

On this trip, I stopped in first at Twin Sails to warm up with a Con Leche Horchata Milk Stout. Described by Twin Sails as “A Horchata style Milk Stout brewed with a variety of roasted malts and coffee. It pours very dark black with a thick creamy mocha head. The oats and lactose provide a silky rich mouthfeel, which is balanced with strong aromatics of coffee. The beer is conditioned on cinnamon and vanilla beans, which provide a unique spice character that pairs perfectly with the strong coffee & chocolate flavours of the stout. ” In other words, it’s delicious! You’ll also find a multitude of other styles including Hazy IPAs which Twin Sails is well known for. In fact, at the 2018 BC Beer Awards they swept the new Hazy IPA category taking home Gold, Silver and Bronze.

Yellow Dog Brewing

Next door, Yellow Dog Brewing was the first of the five breweries to open on Brewers Row and has since expanded to offer a larger tasting room with several taps plus a few guest taps. Here you’ll enjoy beers like Shake a Paw Smoked Porter, High Five Hazy IPA, Take a Walk Wit, Pack Leader Pilsner and other seasonals. Noticing a trend here? All of the beers are named with dog themes.

Rewind Beer Co.

They may have opened just this year, but Rewind Beer Co is taking things back a few decades. The neon signs, vintage movie posters and signage, and overall nostalgic feel will take you right back to the ’80s, ’90s, and early ’00s. They are also home to the Row’s first in-brewery kitchen, Hightop Pizza. They’ve started off with a solid foundation of their own beers, as well as a series of collaborations with other lower mainland breweries. We recommend refuelling with a Detroit-style pizza and a flight before you continue along the row to your next stop.

Parkside Brewery

Next down the line is Parkside Brewery, with a central location on Brewers Row and a beautiful, welcoming tasting room. Parkside offers a solid lineup of core beers and a few seasonals including three varieties of IPAs, plus a couple of wonderfully wintery-sounding beers — Nitro Button Irish Stout and Snow Globe Salted Caramel Porter. Here you can sip your beer, play some shuffleboard or enjoy the view of Rocky Point Park from their many windows. You’ll often find a food truck parked out front, check the schedule for information.

Brave Brewing

The newest brewery on Brewers Row, Brave Brewing Co. can be found in the space formerly occupied by now-closed The Bakery Brewing. They have opened with three of their own beers on tap: Grace Under Pressure Lager, First Date Hazy IPA, and Last One Standing Amber Lager. On their website, their brewing philosophy is described as appreciating the simple things, “and we take classic recipes and build on the experience by adding our passion to the process, before, during and after.”

Moody Ales & Co.

At the far end of Brewers Row is Moody Ales & Co. The brewery features weekly experimental casks and small batches along with a solid lineup of core beers: Blonde and Brown Ales, IPAs, and Lagers. A favourite seasonal of mine, The Bourbon Barrel Aged Russian Imperial Stout is divine and not to be missed!

Feeling peckish?

Alas, most of the breweries on Brewers Row do not have kitchens so you’ll have to plan your meal around your brewery stops. You’ll likely find locally-sourced snacks in the tasting rooms and with luck, you might time it for a day when a food truck is parked at one of the breweries. Nearby, there are a couple of great options too. Taps & Tacos and the Burrard Public House are both within easy walking distance between Brewers Row and the Moody Centre SkyTrain Station.

Plan your trip

Let BC Ale Trail and Dine the Line be your guide. Links above to various Ale Trails have maps to help you navigate and links to the breweries if you’d like more information. You’ll find a full schedule here for the SkyTrain along with pricing information.

Enjoy your crawl and Happy New Year!

Other Holiday Crawl options

Combine the North of the Fraser Ale Trail with Shine Bright until December 31

Continue your Holiday Lights Crawl along the SkyTrain lines with a stop in New Westminster. Find new and exciting lighting installations, inspired cultural experiences, and imaginative creative activities throughout December. Be sure to check out the website for a full calendar of events.

Combine the Langley Ale Trail with Christmas Glow until December 30

This year’s all-new theme at the Christmas Glow Gardens is “Christmas Carnival”, featuring over 1 million lights. Explore your creative side at the free craft tent, participate in the scavenger hunt, challenge your family and friends with free carnival-themed mini-games, and enjoy treats from the food trucks. Tickets are required, and it’s recommended to book in advance.

Combine the Victoria Ale Trail with The Butchart Gardens until January 6

Christmas is a cheerful time of year at The Gardens. Experience the Magic of Christmas. Bundle up and stroll through the Twelve Days of Christmas display, sing along to the sounds of the season with Traditional Carollers or listen to the Festive Brass, then stop in at the Coffee Shop to warm up with a hot chocolate and gingerbread by the fire.

Combine the Vancouver – Brewery Creek Ale Trail with VanDusen Festival of Lights until January 7

Explore 15 acres adorned with over 1 million twinkling lights, featuring a glowing display inspired by the vibrant colours and unique plants and animals from BC’s endangered Garry oak meadows. There are 3 Dancing Lights sets this year. Enjoy the show every 20 minutes from the top of the hour. Reservations in advance are highly recommended.

Combine Vancouver’s North Shore Ale Trail with The Peak of Christmas until December 25

Step into a world of enchantment at Vancouver’s North Pole, where twinkling lights, the gentle echo of snowfall, and the thrill of encountering real reindeer come together for a magical holiday experience like no other. You can also enjoy The Light Walk at Blue Grouse Lake, skating on the 8,000 square foot mountaintop ice skating pond, watching Christmas movies at The Theatre in the Sky and more. The public transit system offers regular service to and from the base of Grouse Mountain every half hour. See Grouse Mountain’s website for details.

The post Holiday Lights Brewery Crawl appeared first on The BC Ale Trail.

These seasonal beers are perfect for the wintertime. Many are a little darker and stronger — ideal  for colder, darker days — and some of the recipes even include spices, cranberries, or other tasty ingredients like chocolate, hazelnut or coffee. They make perfect stocking stuffers for beer lovers, or maybe even part of a home-made beer advent pack. Many are good options to serve at a holiday party or as part of a special holiday meal.

We all know the holidays can be a busy time for socializing so if you want to take a break from imbibing now and then but still want to enjoy a craft beverage, many BC breweries also offer non-alcoholic options.

Here are more than 50 suggestions for holiday-themed beers that can be found on the BC Ale Trail, organized by region:

The Fraser Valley

Winter Ale (7.5% ABV | 37 IBU) by Trading Post Brewing

This chestnut-brown ale was brewed with cinnamon, nutmeg, orange peel, and chili peppers. A true winter warmer!

Trading Post Brewing can be found on the Langley Ale Trail.

Illicit Cargo II Imperial Salted Caramel Porter (10.2% ABV | 48 IBU) by Smugglers’ Trail Caskworks

Brewed with vanilla beans, Himalayan salt, caramel malts, and aged on toasted American Oak.

Smugglers’ Trail Caskworks can be found on the Langley Ale Trail.

Cacao Chocolate Porter (6.5% ABV) by Farmhouse Brewing in Chilliwack

This porter was brewed with a mixture of crystal and chocolate malts with cacao shells added to further bolster the tasting notes of milk and dark chocolate and light roast coffee.

Farmhouse Brewing can be found on the Fraser Valley Ale Trail.

Frostbite Ginger Snap Cookie Ale (6% ABV) by Camp Beer Co.

This annual treat tantalizes the palate with a snap of ginger, creating a tingling sensation. It’s complemented by a malty sweetness, creating a well-rounded flavour profile, and balanced with a unique blend of spices, crafted to bring warmth and joy this season.

Camp Beer Co. can be found on the Langley Ale Trail.

Three Unusual Beers from Dead Frog Brewery:

• Jellies Jelly Donut Ale (5% ABV | 12 IBU) A limited edition collab with Zilla’s Donuts in Abbotsford & Chilliwack, this beer was made with a hearty helping of Zilla’s delicious jellies donut.
• Nutty Uncle Peanut Butter Stout (6.1% ABV | 24 IBU) A creamy milk stout brewed with eight choice malts, roasted cocoa beans, and real peanut butter.
• Apple Fritter Donut Ale (5% ABV | 12 IBU) Another special donut beer made with apple fritters from Zilla’s Donuts.

Dead Frog Brewery can be found on the Langley Ale Trail.

Greater Victoria

Code Name: The Quiet Man Stroopwafel Herfstbok (6% ABV) by Herald Street Brew Works

This special beer was inspired by the story of  “the Quiet Man,” the brewer’s great-grandfather who hid Jewish people in his home and held up passport and ration offices at gunpoint to help feed and smuggle Jewish people to safety. A stroopwafel is a Dutch cookie, made with cinnamon, caramel and vanilla, and a Herfstbok is a strong beer brewed during harvest time.

Herald Street Brew Works can be found on the Greater Victoria Ale Trail.

Two Dark & Smooth Beers from Vancouver Island Brewing:

• Nanaimo Bar Imperial Porter (8.2% ABV | 15 IBU) This dessert-style porter combines the many layers of the classic Nanaimo bar — starting with chocolate on top, vanilla in the middle, and finally a base note of coconut with a decadent sweetness throughout.
• Hermannator Ice Bock (9.5% ABV | 25 IBU) A legendary seasonal brew born in 1987, this full-bodied and velvety beer was aged over three months in subzero conditions, resulting in rich notes of chocolate, coffee, and brandied plums. Hermannator is a timeless classic perfected over decades of Vancouver Island winters.

Vancouver Island Brewing can be found on the Greater Victoria Ale Trail.

Dark Side of the Sun Belgian Dark Strong (9% ABV | 25 IBU) by Small Gods Brewing

This is a classic Belgian Dark Strong Ale brewed with a proprietary blend of yeast from Beirm Biotech based out of UVic.

Small Gods Brewing can be found on the Greater Victoria Ale Trail.

25th Anniversary Brew: Belgian Quad with Cherries (11.1% ABV | 23 IBU) by Lighthouse Brewing

Featuring the delightful addition of cherries, this 25th Anniversary Belgian Quad exudes a harmonious blend of rich dark fruit, alluring notes of clove and banana, velvety caramel, and a touch of bready perfection.

Lighthouse Brewing can be found on the Greater Victoria Ale Trail.

Space Case by Phillips Brewing

This fun Advent Calendar-style pack includes 12 exclusive, never-released beers from Phillips’ Tasting Room.

Phillips Brewing can be found on the Greater Victoria Ale Trail.

Two festive beers from Howl Brewing:

• Cranberry Saison (5% ABV | 15 IBU) A Belgian farmhouse ale with cranberries, rosemary, and mandarin zest.
• Juleol (6% ABV | 0 IBU) A Norwegian solstice ale dating back to the Viking era, filtered through juniper branches with additions of yarrow.

Howl Brewing can be found on the Greater Victoria Ale Trail.

Three Dark Winter Beers from 4 Mile Brewing:

• Rice Pudding Porter (6% ABV) Dessert in a glass with a velvety malt base kissed by vanilla with hints of cinnamon and nutmeg.
• Intergalactic Imperial Stout (8.6% ABV) A celestial voyage in a glass: nebulous depths of roasted malt, espresso and dark chocolate notes.
• Dark Fruit Intergalactic Imperial Stout (8.6% ABV) Brewed with the addition of black currants.

4 Mile Brewing can be found on the Greater Victoria Ale Trail.

Gratitude (9% ABV) by Hoyne Brewing

A style of beer that reaches back to the 15th century, this winter warmer is best in a snifter by a fire with someone you love by your side. This year, for the first time it is available in cans as well as 650-ml bottles.

Hoyne Brewing can be found on the Greater Victoria Ale Trail

Golden Beet Weizen Bock (6.5% ABV) and the Greatest Hits box from Mayne Island Brewing

This is a traditional German Winter Wheat Ale with an addition of golden beets. Mayne Island also sells special Greatest Hits advent packs with 12 different special beers to sip and savour.

Mayne Island Brewing can be found on the Greater Victoria Ale Trail.

Two Noël-Themed Beers from Île Sauvage Brewing:

• Noël (5.8% ABV) A gose brewed with cherries and tonka beans.
• Au Courant (6.8% ABV) A dark sour with black currants.

Île Sauvage Brewing can be found on the Greater Victoria Ale Trail.

Kelowna

Under the Weather Chocolate Milk Stout (6% ABV | 25 IBU) from Kettle River Brewing

This smooth, dark ale shows off whispers of chocolate, coffee and cream (contains lactose).

Kettle River Brewing can be found on the Kelowna & West Kelowna Ale Trail

Winter Ale (4.9% ABV | 18 IBU) from Kelowna Beer Institute

This smooth winter warmer has a perfect balance of nutty and sweet vanilla flavours.

Kelowna Beer Institute can be found on the Kelowna & West Kelowna Ale Trail.

Hammer of Doom (9% ABV) from Jackknife Brewing

Doom has landed in the dungeon. This Canadian imperial stout beckons you with layers upon layers of rich dark chocolate and graham cracker. Aged on scores of vanilla beans and bourbon barrel-aged maple syrup. Dive deep into a glass of pure darkness.

Jackknife Brewing can be found on the Kelowna & West Kelowna Ale Trail.

The Kootenay Rockies

Black Mammoth Winter Ale (8% ABV | 25 IBU) from Fernie Brewing

First released 10 years ago for the brewery’s 10th anniversary, Fernie Brewing is now celebrating 20 years of brewing!  This deliciously dark wintry brew is made with additions of chocolate malt plus dark organic cocoa. Aging on oak adds smoothness and complexity.

Fernie Brewing can be found on the Kootenay Rockies East Ale Trail

Faceplant Winter Ale (6% ABV) from Nelson Brewing

This classic winter ale has roasty hints of chocolate and molasses.

Nelson Brewing can be found on the Kootenay Rockies West Ale Trail

Neve Fresca Italian Pilsner (5.3% ABV | 20 IBU) from Backroads Brewing

A crisp and refreshing Italian style Pilsner meant to celebrate every skier and snowboarder’s dream: fresh snow!

Backroads Brewing can be found on the Kootenay Rockies West Ale Trail

North of the Fraser

Smoked Honey Doppelbock (7.9% ABV) by Steel & Oak Brewing

This is a classic winter lager featuring a complex flavour profile that begins with a gentle smokiness from beechwood-smoked malt, followed by a subtle sweetness derived from the New Westminster Beekeeper’s Association’s honey. This beer is lovingly lagered for eight weeks, allowing it to fully mature and develop, resulting in a rich and velvety texture.

Steel & Oak Brewing can be found on the North of the Fraser Ale Trail

Blitzen (9% ABV | 20 IBU) by Steamworks Brewing

Nothing says “It’s the Holidays” like time-honoured traditions and pink-cheeked revelry. Steamworks has combined both of those things into this 473ml can of their yearly winter offering. Brewed with the devout monastic traditions of Belgian Abbey ales in mind, Blitzen has all the hallmarks of a classic tripel: the lingering, snow white foam lacing your glass, the delightful ester profile of candied fruit and subtle baking spice, and the refreshing spritz of high carbonation.
All of this ensures that this winter warmer is sure to add some cheer to your festivities.

Steamworks Brewery can be found on the North of the Fraser Ale Trail

Frozen Pond (7.5% ABV | 40 IBU) by Silver Valley Brewing

This winter warmer is rich and malty with hints of caramel, chocolate, and treacle.

Silver Valley Brewing can be found on the Maple Ridge Ale Trail

The Birds Barrel-Aged Black Forest Pastry Stout (9.5% ABV | 17 IBU) by Parkside Brewery

This silky smooth Imperial Stout aged in Kentucky bourbon barrels features Black Forest pastry notes of dark cherry and chocolate in a warming whiskey finish.

Parkside Brewing can be found on the Port Moody Ale Trail

Holiday Mix Pack from Moody Ales & Co.:

• Eggnog Cream Ale (8% ABV) – Decadent holiday ale with lactose, vanilla & nutmeg.
• Gingerbread Ale (5.5% ABV) – Festive amber ale with warm, sweet spice.
• O Christmas Tree IPA (6% ABV) – West Coast IPA with spruce tips and juniper berries.
• Holiday Party Punch Sour (7% ABV) – Garnet fruit sour with cranberry, plum, and citrus.

Moody Ales & Co. can be found on the Port Moody Ale Trail

Anno 2023 (8.5% ABV | 28 IBU) by Dageraad Brewing

This beautiful beer has become an annual tradition in many beer lover’s households. It can be enjoyed with a holiday meal, as an able substitute for sparkling wine on New Year’s, or just on a winter evening shared with good friends or loved ones. It is a Belgian Strong Golden Ale made with Okanagan pears, coriander, and brettanomyces.

Dageraad offers several different mixed packs for the holidays, including Anno 4-Year Vintage packs. View the options online.

Dageraad Brewing can be found on the North of the Fraser Ale Trail

Sea to Sky and the Sunshine Coast

Beartooth Belgian Dubbel (7.2% ABV | 28 IBU) by Townsite Brewing 

This traditional Belgian Dubbel is made with European ingredients and dark candi sugar (made in-house!), resulting in a gorgeous beer with a deep brown colour with ruby highlights, complex dark caramel flavours with hints of burnt sugar, raisins and dark fruits (think cherries and plums).

Townsite Brewing can be found on the Sunshine Coast Ale Trail

Protect Our Winters Pale Ale (4.5% ABV) by Backcountry Brewing

Partial proceeds from each beer sold will be contributed to Protect Our Winters Canada, a non-profit organization united to advocate for policy solutions to fight climate change.

Backcountry Brewing can be found on the Sea to Sky Ale Trail

Cranberry Orange Sour (5% ABV) by Tapworks Brewing

This holiday in a cup is sure to have you reaching for your favourite holiday sweater and making merriment.

Tapworks Brewing can be found on the Sunshine Coast Ale Trail

Northern BC

Prescription Porter (5.2% ABV | 30 IBU) by Barkerville Brewing

This rich elixir, with its distinctive flavour profile of chocolate, chilli and chaga, may just be your secret remedy for relaxation and indulgence — a prescription you won’t need a doctor to enjoy.

Barkerville Brewing can be found on the Northeast BC Ale Trail

South of the Fraser

Three Seasonal Beers from Barnside Brewing in Delta, winner of our 2023 Best Brewery Experience Award:

• Czech Dark Lager (5% ABV)  Brewed in true Czech tradition, featuring 50% premium malts from Czechia and 50% Barnside’s own Munich malt, and hopped assertively using Barnside’s own Sterling hops from right across the street.
• Distant Storm Double IPA (8% ABV) This beer is a tropical juice extravaganza.
• Maple Bourbon Imperial Oatmeal Stout (11.2% ABV) Aged for six months in ex-bourbon barrels most recently used for maple syrup, then blended and aged in glass to develop a gentle complexity.
  

Barnside Brewing can be found on the South of the Fraser Ale Trail

The Thompson Okanagan

Glorious Hazelnut Coffee Milk Stout (5.6% ABV ) by Tin Whistle Brewing 

This gloriously rich Hazelnut Coffee Milk Stout won a gold medal at the 2022 BC Beer Awards and recently received a gold medal at the 2023 Canada Beer Cup. It is brewed with coffee from Tin Whistle’s neighbour One 14 Coffee Co. giving it huge coffee notes with a subtle hit of hazelnut.

Tin Whistle Brewing can be found on the Penticton Ale Trail

Sugar Shack Maple Amber Ale (5.1% ABV) by Giant’s Head Brewing

Giant’s Head teamed up with Maple Roch Pure Canadian Maple Syrup to create this smooth amber ale brewed with silky maple syrup. 

Giant’s Head Brewing will be part of the new South Okanagan Ale Trail launching in 2024.

Two Imperial Stouts by Cannery Brewing:

• Kindling Imperial Stout (9% ABV) Brewed with coffee, chocolate, oats, coconut and lactose.
• Rum Barrel-Aged Kindling Imperial Stout (10% ABV) Aged in rum barrels from the famed Foursquare Rum Distillery in Barbados.

Cannery Brewing can be found on the Penticton Ale Trail

Vancouver

Three Seasonal Beers from Strange Fellows Brewing:

• Krampus (8.5% ABV) A Belgian-style Abbey dubbel brewed with Belgian candi sugar and dark malts. Rich with the flavour of dried stone fruits, subtle toffee, and spice.
• Lord Barleycorn (6.5% ABV) This pre-prohibition lager was aged in Woodford Reserve barrels that previously held Russian Imperial Stout.
• Nocturnum Dark IPA (6.5% ABV) A robust and balanced dark hoppy ale that will help keep the darkness at bay.
  

Strange Fellows Brewing can be found on the Vancouver-Yeast Vancouver Ale Trail

Naughty & Nice Mix Pack by Parallel 49 Brewing

This Holiday-themed 8-pack features a great mix of four wintry beers:

• Ziegebock Helles Bock (6.4% ABV | 28 IBU)
• Old Boy Cream Ale (5.0% ABV | 23 IBU)
• Natcrucker Blackcurrant Belgian Ale (5.4% ABV | 19 IBU)
• Lil’ Imp Cold IPA (6.7% ABV | 49 IBU)

Parallel 49 Brewing can be found on the Vancouver – Yeast Vancouver Ale Trail

Tart Wild Ale with Quince (5% ABV) by Luppolo Brewing

A gorgeous beer that was fermented with Luppolo’s house culture of Brett C and Lactobacillus and re-fermented on hundreds of pounds of fresh quince from the Fraser Valley, resulting in complex flavours and aromas of apple, pineapple, pear and white pepper with a medium body and bright acidity.

Luppolo Brewing can be found on the Vancouver – Yeast Vancouver Ale Trail

“Wee Laird” Barrel-Aged Wee Heavy (9.2% ABV) by Callister Brewing

This is version 2.0 of Callister’s 2022 Canada Beer Cup Best in Show winner. Aged for seven months in Okanagan Spirits “Laird of Fintry” whisky barrels, this version is complex and bold with strong notes of caramel, vanilla, oak, and a hint of coconut from first-use Bordeaux barrels. On tap and in bottles for a limited time at the brewery.

Callister Brewing can be found on the Vancouver – Yeast Vancouver Ale Trail

Bourbon Barrel-Aged German Porter (6.7% ABV | 27 IBU) by Main St. Brewing

This bourbon barrel-aged German Porter is made to order for the advent of dark beer season. A historical wild ale with Germanic origins that date back to the 1850s, this recipe uses a mixed bill of English Maris Otter, chocolate, brown and crystal malts, Hook Norton and Brettanomyces yeast strains, Olicana T-45 and Phoenix hops, and the benefit of a long rest in bourbon barrels.

Main St. Brewing can be found on the Vancouver – Yeast Vancouver Ale Trail

Vancouver’s North Shore

Three Holiday Beers from Bridge Brewing:

• Santa’s Sac (10.5% ABV | 30 IBU) A Belgian Golden Strong bursting with banana, clove and peppercorn— the perfect stocking stuffer!
• The Grinch (6.5% ABV | 20 IBU) This popular Winter Ale is a robust porter spiced delicately with cinnamon, vanilla and oak.
• Caramel Cookie Stout (6.5% ABV | 27 IBU) A full-bodied, rich stout with natural salted caramel, chocolate malt and sweetened with lactose.
  

Bridge Brewing can be found on the Vancouver’s North Shore Ale Trail

Vancouver Island

Got Any Stouts or Porters? (7% ABV | 50 IBU) by Hornby Island Brewing

Clearly, this beer was answering customer demand! This delicious stout with rich notes of chocolate and coffee is available in 4-oz tastings and 355ml sized cans to go on Saturdays in the tasting room on Hornby Island throughout December.

Hornby Island Brewing can be found on the Vancouver Island Part II Ale Trail

Cherry-Oke Dessert Sour (7% ABV) by Longwood Brewery

Cherry-oke is like biting into a freshly baked cherry pie but instead of the usual sweetness, it’s got a tangy, sour kick that will leave you wanting more. The lemon and vanilla flavours add a nice depth and complexity to the beer.

Longwood Brewery can be found on the Vancouver Island Part I Ale Trail

Rocket Fuel (9% ABV | 90 IBU) by Ace Brewing

Every holiday season when the planets align just right Ace Brewing boosts up their regular Jet Fuel IPA with an astronomical amount of hops, resulting in this stellar double IPA that will launch you into orbit.

Ace Brewing can be found on the Vancouver Island Part II Ale Trail

No matter which brews you choose to savour this holiday season, we encourage you to support BC craft brewers. And as always, enjoy responsibly.

Looking for more holiday gift-giving inspiration? Check out this year’s holiday shopping guide:

Brewtiful Gifts: A Local Beer Lover’s Guide to Hoppy Holidays

The post Jingle Brews: Unwrapping the Festive Flavours of BC’s Holiday Beers appeared first on The BC Ale Trail.

Recognizing the challenges faced by small businesses nationwide, we want to inspire you to embrace the spirit of shopping local this holiday season. This guide will help you find the perfect gifts and stocking stuffers for all the beer lovers on your list, all while supporting your favourite breweries.

As the holiday season unfolds, let’s make a spirited toast to community and craft by choosing to support our local breweries. Beyond the twinkling lights and festive cheer, there’s a wealth of unique flavours and gift options at your neighbourhood breweries. Whether it’s a seasonal brew, curated gift pack, or brewery merch, there is something for everyone on your list. So, this holiday season, let’s raise a glass to our community, celebrating the flavour of BC brews that add a touch of local magic to the festivities.

Sip and Shop

What could be better than sipping on your favourite holiday brew while perusing a market full of locally crafted goods? Many breweries have started hosting pop-up markets featuring local makers and artisans, and while quite a few have already wrapped up, there are still some chances to shop.

Here are just a few markets being held at breweries:

• Holiday Sip & Shop Handmade Market – Moody Ales & Co  – December 3, 10 and 17
• Winter Market – Three Lakes Brewing, Kelowna – December 19
• A Reel Christmas Market ~ Rustic Reel Brewing, Kelowna – December 15 and 16

Be sure to keep an eye on our events page as markets are still being added.

Gift Cards

Choosing between all of the great brews and merch can be the hardest part of shopping. So why not keep it simple and go for a gift card? They’re truly one-size-fits-all and make fantastic stocking stuffers.

Plus, some breweries and craft community partners are offering bonus deals during the holiday season:

• Giant’s Head Brewing: get a $20 bonus card when you buy a $100 gift card
• Abandoned Rail Brewing: get a $10 bonus card when you buy a $100 gift card
• CRAFT Beer Market: get a $15 bonus card when you buy a $50 gift card
• BREWHALL: get a $25 bonus card when you buy a $75 gift card
• Tapworks Brewing Company: get a $20 bonus voucher when you buy a $100 gift card

And many more. Look for the online shopping link on each brewery’s page or if you have our mobile app, we’ve organized them all for you in a new menu option.

Gift Sets and Advent Calendars

Dive into something new with a seasonal gift pack, or an advent calendar-style curated box. From hoppy ales to rich stouts, barrel-aged special releases and cellarable beers, these packs are like a liquid tour of BC’s craft goodness. Perfect for seasoned beer lovers or anyone up for a taste adventure.

Check out the unique gift packs from Smithers Brewing and Bulkley Valley Hive & Honey. There are a variety of gift pack options available, each including beer and/or merch from Smithers Brewing, and honey and/or soaps from Bulkley Valley Hive & Honey. The packs are designed to showcase the long-standing collaboration between the two local businesses: BVHH has been providing the honey used in several Smithers Brewing beers since the beginning.

Another unique offering this year are the beer judge training kits from Tin Whistle Brewing in Penticton. Each kit includes a locally made flight board, four taster glasses and four tall cans of Tin Whistle beer. They have included some handy tasting tips and tricks, great for those just beginning their beer-sipping journey, as well as more experienced palates.

Want to customize your own beer advent calendar? Check out The Exploration Place in Prince George for everything you need: a wooden tree designed to hold 12 or 24 cans of beer, plus a great selection of brews from around Northern BC! Grab a pre-made pack, or join in the final workshop on December 7 to craft your own.

And be sure to check your local liquor stores and tasting rooms for these great giftable packs:

• Phillips Brewing & Malting have released their fifth annual Space Case, filled with 12 mystery beers specially crafted for the occasion, and only available in the pack
• Mayne Island Brewing has put together their Greatest Hits gift box again this year as well, featuring 12 x 500ml bottles featuring familiar favourites to savour
• Beacon Brewing is celebrating the season with the Velvet Elvis gift pack, featuring a branded 12oz glass and 500ml bottle of Velvet Elvis: a peanut butter, banana, french toast chocolate porter fit for a King
• Get ready for the Motherlode – Barkverville Brewing’s annual release. This year, the advent calendar features 24 unique tall cans, including 10 specialty brews you won’t find anywhere else
• Howl Brewing’s Holiday Boxes are back, including 12 different 650ml bottles of Howl’s unique brews
• Dageraad Brewing’s Holiday gift packs include rare and cellared beers, paired with commemorative gold-leaf glasses. Featuring Anno 2023 and 2022, Entropy 30 – Cara Cara, and Entropy 22 – Vast Indifference of Cacao Nibs

Brew gear

Merch, swag, beer gear, no matter what you call it, wearing your heart on your sleeve  – or your favourite brewery logo on your clothes – is a great way to support your local brewery year-round.

This year, Île Sauvage Brewing Company is offering a great deal for anyone wanting to stock up on stocking stuffers (or shop for themselves): buy a branded tote bag, and get 15% off the additional merch items you fill it with. And Lillooet Brewing Company is making it even easier to create your own custom gift pack by offering gift-wrapping for your purchases at the tasting room.

Vancouver Island Brewing is making shopping easier too, with curated merch bundles available at the brewery, or online. If you aren’t in Victoria, no worries! They offer shipping as well. There are several bundles available this season: The Essentials, the Camping Bundle, Northern Sweel Bundle, and the BBQ Bundle.

Hornby Island Brewing is taking shopping local to a whole new level: Not only do they ship Canada-wide, they are also proud to offer all Canadian-made or small business-made branded merchandise including renowned Stanfields, from Nova Scotia – and if you’ve spent any time outdoors, you know how warm and cozy those wool henleys will keep you! The waxed canvas & Pendleton wool beer koozies and cotton/poly branded toques are made in Seattle by a small woman-owned business, and t-shirts and hoodies are all screen printed in Vancouver.

Keep an eye on the retail section of your local brewery for other goodies like:

• beer koozies
• beer soaps
• bottle openers & bottle opener keychains
• camp mugs
• cooler bags
• growlers and glassware
• hats of all styles
• scarves & toques
• t-shirts and hoodies
• tote bags
  And so much more!

Gifting an Experience

Gifts don’t have to be limited to specific dates – give the gift of quality time spent with loved ones throughout the holiday season with a special event or activity.

This year, A-FRAME Brewing is hosting its sixth-annual gingerbread cabin-building event from December 1 to 21. The kits, made locally at Sunflower Bakery in Squamish, are only $25 and of course pair well with the beers on tap – and the other bevy options, including non-alcoholic ones.

There are a couple of breweries around the province with built-in entertainment, like BNA Brewing Co in Kelowna with their six-lane bowling alley, plus vintage arcade games and pinball. You can buy a gift certificate specifically for a game or two of ten-pin bowling on their website, and give the gift of family game night.

Instead of a pre-holiday get-together, why not think ahead to next year’s ale-ventures and give the gift of multiple brews to sip with tickets to a festival? Here are just a few that are on sale now:

• Williams Lake Craft Beer Festival: one of the first festivals of 2024, taking place February 24th. This festival sells out every year, so grab your tickets while you can! And don’t forget that this is good beer for a good cause: all proceeds from this event are donated to the Cariboo Chilcotin Child Development Centre.
• Brewhalla Festivals’ Golden Ticket: a digital gift card which can be used for entry to ANY Brewhalla Craft Beverage and Music Festival during the 2024 season.
• Squamish Beer Festival 2024: Early bird ticket pricing is on now until December 31st, and includes 15 beverage tokens
• Okanagan Fest of Ale 2024: Early bird tickets are also available for this April fest, and you can choose between one- and two-day pass options. Even better, you can feel good about doing good: since its inception, over $800,000 in net proceeds has been gifted back to qualifying registered charities in the community!

Giving Back

This holiday season will be difficult for many people in our communities – as it is every year. It’s easy to get blinded by the twinkling Christmas lights and forget those less fortunate, but when you look for them, opportunities to give back to the community are shining just as brightly. Main St. Brewing is doing just that with its fourth annual Miracle on Main Street toy drive benefitting the Downtown Eastside Women’s Centre. Kicking off December 1, and running until December 12, the brewery is accepting donations of unwrapped toys, games, sporting goods, and gift cards which will be delivered to the DEWC for the annual children’s Christmas Party on December 16. PLUS – when you make your donation, you’ll receive a complimentary flight of flagship beers at the brewery, and be entered into a series of prize draws.

And last, but never least, the beer!

It goes without saying, but you can never go wrong with the gift of craft beer! With the incredible variety of beers in the region, choosing might be the only challenge. Not sure where to start? Just chat with the friendly folks at your local brewery—they’ll point you to the bestsellers or the latest releases. Elevate your holiday gifting game with the perfect taste of BC’s craft beer scene.

Holiday shopping pro tip: Check out the latest update to the BC Ale Trail App, where you can now find a list of breweries offering online shopping for gift cards and merch. From the main screen, click ‘Explore’ and then ‘Gift Cards + Online Shopping’.

For more holiday beer inspiration, check out Joe Wiebe’s annual holiday beer guide:
Jingle Brews: Unwrapping the Festive Flavours of BC’s Holiday Beers

Happy sipping and shopping!

The post Brewtiful Gifts: A Local Beer Lover’s Guide to Hoppy Holidays appeared first on The BC Ale Trail.

These wintry beers are often a little darker and stronger, making them well-suited for colder, darker days, and some of the recipes even include spices, cranberries, or chocolate. Here are more than 100 suggestions for holiday-themed beers — and even one special cider — that can be found on the BC Ale Trail.

Let’s start off with the cider…

First Frost Spiced Cider (8% ABV) by Persephone Brewing 

Water restrictions forced Persephone to stop brewing for a few weeks this fall — but instead of shutting down entirely, they pivoted and decided to make a cider. After all, the liquid used for fermentation was all apple juice! A strong brew made with 100% BC apples and a unique blend of winter spices, this cider is the perfect pairing for the holiday season. 

Persephone Brewing can be found on the Sunshine Coast Ale Trail.

And now the beer!

BC Cranberry Sour by 33 Acres Brewing (5.7% ABV)

Brewed with barley, wheat and spelt, and fermented with a special mixed culture in an oak foeder, then refermented on BC cranberries for a delicate berry character and complex acidity.

33 Acres Brewing and 33B Experiment can be found on the Vancouver-Brewery Creek Ale Trail.

Two Seasonal Beers from Abandoned Rail Brewing:

• Bellhop Porter (5.8% ABV | 60 IBU) A Bronze Medal winner in the Canadian portion of the World Beer Awards, this porter has classic cocoa and coffee notes but is hopped a little heavier than normal, adding just a kiss of orange.
  
• Fernbeziehung (Long Distance Relationship) IPL (6.5% | 65 IBU) – This is a collaboration between Abandoned Rail’s brewmaster Pete and his German brewmaster friend, Bene of Blech Brut.

Abandoned Rail Brewing can be found on the Penticton Ale Trail.

Two Winter Beers from Ace Brewing:

• Pilot Project – Chocolate Vanilla Stout (5% ABV | 30 IBU) A milk stout brewed with oats, chocolate malt and crystal malt, to give a rich base character and velvety texture that’s complemented with cocoa nibs, vanilla, and lactose sugar. This is chocolate cake in a glass. 
• Rocket Fuel Double IPA (9% | 90 IBU) Once a year, when the planets align we aim for the stars and boost our Rocket Fuel IPA with an astronomical amount of hops. Buckle up, because this interstellar IPA will launch you into orbit.

Ace Brewing can be found on the Vancouver Island Part II Ale Trail.

Three Dark Beers from Angry Hen Brewing:

• Steal Yer Soul Black Lager (5.1% ABV | 33 IBU) Give in to the dark side.
• Somewhere In Time Imperial Rye Stout (8.8% ABV | 88 IBU) Honestly, just let yourself go… 
• Up The Kriek in a Barrel (5.9% | 25 IBU) Celebrating Angry Hen’s 5th Anniversary with the traditional gift of wood: this sour cherry Kriek was aged for four months in an Odd Society ex-gin/bourbon barrel.

Angry Hen Brewing can be found on the Kootenay Rockies West Ale Trail.

Winter Rations Belgian Quad by Barkerville Brewing (9.0% ABV)

Strong, bold, and surprisingly smooth, this Belgian Quad pours a reddish-brown hue, with notes of caramel, raisins, and dried fruit.

Barkerville Brewing can be found on the Northeast BC Ale Trail.

Strawberry Rhubarb Ale by Bad Tattoo Brewing (5.4% ABV | 9 IBU )

 Cozy up with this seasonal wheat ale that blends the fresh juiciness of strawberries with the satisfyingly tart flavours of rhubarb. This beer will take you back to those memories of grandma’s famous strawberry rhubarb pie, as you sit back, relax, and enjoy this dessert-style ale with those closest to you. 

Bad Tattoo Brewing can be found on the Penticton Ale Trail.

A Trio of Imperial Stouts from Barnside Brewing:

• Peaches & Cream Imperial Brandy Milk Stout (11.2% ABV) Brewed as an imperial milk stout and aged in peach brandy ex-bourbon barrels for 12 months.
• Spiced Apple Brandy Imperial Milk Stout (11.2% ABV) Imperial milk stout as the base, then aged for 12 months in apple brandy ex-bourbon barrels.
• Bourbon Imperial Oatmeal Stout (11.2% ABV) This stout was aged in Union Horse bourbon barrels for 12 months and left unblended.

Barnside Brewing can be found on the South of the Fraser Trail.

Tennessee Bourbon Barrel Aged Imperial Milk Stout by BNA Brewing Co (8.25% ABV)

Think Tennessee in a bottle: deep dark chocolate colours with fruity aromas and just a hint of vanilla. A rich beer packed with flavours of chocolate and coconut, with a sweet creamy finish. 

BNA Brewing can be found on the Kelowna and West Kelowna Ale Trail.

Two Winter Beers from Boardwalk Brewing:

• Black Forest Schwarzbier (4.5% ABV) A warm winter beer where delicate aromas of dark chocolate and s’mores converge with light roasted flavours and a dry crisp finish. 
• Tart of Funk Sour Brett Raspberry Ale (7.2% ABV) Fermented in tequila barrels and conditioned for eight months with a whole load of raspberries, then blended with a sour lactobacillus ale. A beer designed to evolve with time.

Boardwalk Brewing can be found on the North of the Fraser Ale Trail.

Hedgehog Hazelnut Milk Porter by Bomber Brewing (5% ABV)

Brewed with barley, wheat, and chocolate rye, this hazelnut porter is lightened with a touch of lactose for a sweet and creamy finish. 

Bomber Brewing can be found on the Vancouver-Yeast Vancouver Ale Trail.

Two Winter Beers from BREWHALL Beer Co:

• 7109 Whiskey Barrel Aged Imperial Stout (9% ABV | 61 IBU) A collaboration with Egan’s Whiskey and a BCBA gold medal winner for wood-aged beer.
• Lambrusco Hybrid Ale (10% ABV | 27 IBU) This hybrid ale was brewed with a light malt base to let Lambrusco grapes shine through, then cold-cellared for a year, providing a vibrant ruby tone for this delicious and fruit-forward beer.

BREWHALL Beer Co. can be found on the Vancouver-Brewery Creek Ale Trail.

Two Christmasy Beers from Bridge Brewing:

• The Grinch (6.5% ABV | 20 IBU) This famous winter ale is a robust porter, spiced delicately with cinnamon, vanilla, and oak. It’s brewed with an emphasis on chocolate and roasted malts, hopped lightly with Willamette, and fermented with our house yeast strain. The Grinch is a rich, complex, and warming winter beer.  
• Santa’s Sac (10.5% | 30 IBU) Clocking up a hefty 10.5%, this Belgian golden strong is about as warming a beer can get. Brewed with a simple malt bill and lightly hopped, Santa’s Sac was fermented warm with a classic Belgian yeast strain. The yeast profile dominates in Santa’s Sac, with notes of clove, banana, and peppercorn.  

Bridge Brewing can be found on Vancouver’s North Shore Ale Trail.

Everything’s Vine by Bright Eye Brewing (6% ABV)

This hybrid ale is a Saison that underwent secondary fermentation on 100 lbs of Cabernet Franc grape skins from Harper’s Trail Winery, resulting in a delicious beer that finishes dry with a fantastic perceived sweetness from the Saison yeast blend.

Bright Eye Brewing can be found on the Southern Interior Ale Trail.

Three Winter Beers from CAMP Beer Co.:

• Winter Camp (6% ABV | 23 IBU) A gingersnap ale that carries a sting of ginger that tingles across the palate accompanied by a malty sweetness, and balanced with unique spice notes.
• Voyager (4.7% ABV | 31 IBU) A farmhouse ale that’s subtly tropical made with ripe pear juice and finished with a collection of spices. 
• Flannel Pyjamas ‘23 (10% ABV | 35 IBU) This winter warmer is a strong, dark, and malty Scottish-style Ale with complex flavours of toffee, caramel and smoke. 

CAMP Beer Co. can be found on the Langley Ale Trail.

Three Winter Beers from Cannery Brewing:

• Thornless Blackberry Porter (6% ABV) This classic porter combines roasted dark black malts with natural blackberries. Gold medal winner at the 2022 BC Beer Awards.
• Kindling Imperial Stout (9% ABV) The 2021 version of this beer won gold at the 2022 Canadian Brewing Awards. This year’s version was brewed with coffee from Seis Cielo Coffee, chocolate, oats, coconut and lactose. 
• Barrel-Aged Kindling Imperial Stout (10% ABV) This very limited release was aged in Laird of Fintry Whisky barrels from Okanagan Spirits.

Cannery Brewing can be found on the Penticton Ale Trail.

Two Gorgeous Vintage Packs from Category 12 Brewing:

• 8th Anniversary Barleywine (11.5% ABV) The 2022 vintage barleywines were brewed in Fall 2021 with 100% barley malt grown and malted by Field Five Farms on the Saanich Peninsula. This pack includes two versions: one aged in freshly emptied Barbados rum barrels and the other in medium-toasted American white oak barrels.
• 2022 Quantum Imperial Stout (10.5% ABV) This big stout was allowed to mellow in toasted American white oak and Barbados Rum barrels for twelve months.
  

Category 12 Brewing can be found on the Victoria Ale Trail.

Seawise Giant Vertical Pack by Container Brewing (11.2% ABV)

This amazing four-pack features a vertical run of all four vintages of Container’s epic Imperial Stout — the ideal way to taste and compare how a big beer like this mellows with age.

Container Brewing can be found on the Vancouver – Yeast Vancouver Ale Trail.

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Common Denominator Doppelbock by CrossRoads Brewing & Distillery (8.6% ABV)

The perfect fire-side sipping beer, this traditional Doppelbock displays malt notes of toasted bread, chocolate and a hint of roast, with yeast notes of dark fruit such as date or fig. Full-bodied, sweet, and displaying a beautiful ruby colour, it’s definitely worth the calories.

CrossRoads Brewing & Distillery can be found on the Northwest BC Ale Trail.

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An Annual Favourite from Dageraad Brewing plus 3 New Entropy Releases:

• Anno 2022 (8.5% ABV) A strong, golden ale brewed with Okanagan pears and Indian coriander, then bottle-conditioned with brettanomyces claussenii, a strain of wild yeast that adds funky, fruity flavours and slowly develops over time in the bottle, preserving freshness and adding layers of complexity as the beer ages.
• Entropy No. 24 – Take Manhattan (10.5% ABV) This cocktail-inspired beer is a blonde ale aged in rye and port-finished bourbon barrels, then blended with cherry juice and merlot grape must.
• Entropy No. 26 – Pirate Quad (13% ABV) A special batch of ‘21 vintage 10° aged 14 months in South American rum barrels making it absurdly dark and luxurious.
• Entropy No. 27 – 12° (11.8% ABV) This began as a special, extra-strong quad that aged seven months in oak barrels with a blend of saccharomyces, brettanomyces, and lactic acid bacteria.

Dageraad Brewing can be found on the North of the Fraser Ale Trail.

Coffee Shop Mixer Box by Dead Frog Brewery

Get your coffee fix with this eight-pack featuring two tall cans each of four different java-rated beers: Vanilla Coffee Porter, Mocha Fudge Frappe Coffee Stout, Cold Brew Coffee Lager, and Caramel Macchiato Espresso Ale.

Dead Frog Brewery can be found on the Langley Ale Trail.

Four Seasonal Beers from Deep Cove Brewing & Distilling in North Vancouver:

• Frostbite Winter Ale (5.0% ABV | 18 IBU) A creamy, medium-bodied winter ale with caramel and nut flavours that finishes smooth with a subtle hint of vanilla. 
• Night Watch ESB (5.0% ABV | 37 IBU) A classic take on this British style beer, brewed using Golding hops and fermented with English Ale yeast, providing a great balance of malt sweetness and hop bitterness.
• Luminescent Chocolate Coconut Porter (5.0% ABV | 32 IBU) The jellyfish of Deep Cove are well known for unexpectedly lighting up the dark waters with their bioluminescent glow. 
• Raspberry Plum Sour (ABV 5.0% | 15 IBU) This fruit-forward kettle sour pours with a rich red hue and is exploding with flavours and aromas of berry jam and fresh baked plum cake. 

Deep Cove Brewing & Distilling can be found on Vancouver’s North Shore Ale Trail.

Sleigh Hello To My Little Friend by Dog Mountain Brewing (6.4% ABV)

Have you ever had a strange turkey dinner-induced dream, where you turn a Christmas pudding into a beer? Maybe not, but that sounds pretty darn good, right? This Christmas fruitcake ale is exactly that: plum, cherry, dates, and raisins, a hint of vanilla, and a dash of orange zest. The flavours of Christmas poured into a glass.

Dog Mountain Brewing can be found on the Vancouver Island Part II Ale Trail.

Impression Quadrupel by Driftwood Brewery (11.5% ABV)

Quadrupels are the strongest beers in the Belgian monastic tradition, though this is brewed by beer nerds, not monks. A strong, warming, intense, caramel and plum profile lead to a dry and effervescent finish. This is definitely a cellarable beer!

Driftwood Brewery can be found on the Victoria Ale Trail.

Holiday Jam by Electric Bicycle Brewing (5.0% ABV)

Celebrate the good times. BC’s favourite sour now has a seasonal twist, with the classic tang being complemented by fresh and bright cranberries.

Electric Bicycle Brewing can be found on the Vancouver – Brewery Creek Ale Trail.

241 Minzeweizen by Faculty Brewing (5.2% ABV | 9 IBU)

This classic Faculty recipe is not your average winter ale. This hazy wheat beer is infused with peppermint tea for a pleasantly refreshing and unique twist on a beloved beer style.

Faculty Brewing can be found on the Vancouver – Brewery Creek Ale Trail.

Two Winter Beers from Fernie Brewing Co.:

• Black Mammoth Winter Ale (8% ABV | 25 IBU) Rich, strong and decadent, this beer is aged on oak with rich notes of cocoa.
  
• Belgian Quad Aged in Rum Barrels (11.5% ABV) This barrel-aged beer is complex, rich, and smooth with dark fruit flavours and spiciness complemented by notes of vanilla, molasses, and oak from the rum barrels.

Fernie Brewing can be found on the Kootenay Rockies East Ale Trail.

Belgian Dip Dark Ale by Five Roads Brewing (5.5% ABV | 15 IBU)

Expect notes of sticky plum, raisin, bread and stone fruit.

Five Roads Brewing can be found on the Langley Ale Trail.

Two Winter Beers and a Mix Pack from Four Winds Brewing:

• DBL JUX (8.0% ABV | 60 IBU) When a regular Juxtapose just doesn’t quite cut it, double down on a DBL JUX. All of the glory from their standard Wild IPA with a hoppier wallop.
• BOREAS (11% ABV) Aged in an eclectic variety of fresh Kentucky bourbon barrels and named after the God of the North wind, this is a blend of 18-month and 6-month-old imperial stouts.

Four Winds also has released a special IPA Mix Pack featuring two of each of the following beers: Vexillum Imperial IPA, Extralux Hazy IPA, Juxtapose IPA, and the brand new, never released Icebox Cold IPA. Hoppy Holidays!

Four Winds Brewing can be found on the South of the Fraser Ale Trail.

Two Beers from Freddy’s Brewpub in Kelowna:

• Heart of Darkness Oatmeal Stout (5% ABV | 35 IBU) A very dark and full-bodied oatmeal stout with coffee and chocolate aroma and taste.
  
• Monkey Wrench Hefeweizen (5% | 15 IBU) Inspired by Freddy’s bowling mechanics (yes… they have 30 lanes of bowling), this hef gives off the traditional flavours of banana and clove with a hint of cocoa that was added during the boiling process.

Freddy’s Brewpub can be found on the Kelowna & West Kelowna Ale Trail.

Two Beers from Fuggles Beer in Richmond:

• Heart of Darkness Oatmeal Stout (5% ABV | 35 IBU) A very dark and full-bodied oatmeal stout with coffee and chocolate aroma and taste.
  
• Monkey Wrench Hefeweizen (5% | 15 IBU) Inspired by Freddy’s bowling mechanics (yes… they have 30 lanes of bowling), this hef gives off the traditional flavours of banana and clove with a hint of cocoa that was added during the boiling process.

Fuggles Brewery can be found on the South of the Fraser Ale Trail.

Legendary Stout from Giant’s Head Brewing (5.6% ABV | 25 IBU)

This stout is dark with notes of chocolate and roasted coffee, a perfect beer for those holiday nights spent around the fire.

Giant’s Head Brewing is located in Summerland.

Howe Sound Brewing Brings Back a Classic Winter Ale along with a Vintage Pack of Woolly Bugger Barleywines:

• Father John’s Winter Ale (5.5% ABV) A rich, malty seasonal ale for the winter months with a blend of fresh ginger and nutmeg.

Howe Sound is also releasing a Special Reserve Pack of Woolly Bugger Barley Wine featuring:

• 2018 Reserve (11% ABV) Rhubarb and brown sugar dominate the nose on the 2018 vintage. It presents additional aromas of baked gala apples, fig and raisin, with notes of cinnamon and nutmeg giving a lingering spiciness.
• 2019 Reserve (12.1% ABV) The grain dominates the nose, with rich butterscotch and toffee notes. A subtle spiciness runs through, with notes of black pepper and cinnamon. Beneath this runs a surprising, juicy note of honeydew melon and celery.
• 2020 Reserve (12.4% ABV) Aromas of toffee, treacle, and a distinct smokiness. Additional notes of fig and Medjool date lend a fruity character that grows as it warms, while a complex array of spicy aromas are reminiscent of paprika, rosemary, and black pepper.

Howe Sound Brewing can be found on the Sea to Sky Ale Trail.

Two Historic Styles from Howl Brewing:

• Juleøl (6% ABV | 0 IBU) This style dates back to the Viking era when farmers were required by law to brew this beer for their farmstead each Christmas. Similar to Sahti and other Scandinavian brews of yore, this full-bodied dark ale was filtered through juniper branches with additions of yarrow.
  
• Belgian Dubbel (6% ABV | 20 IBU) – Strong dark Trappist ales have a long tradition— they were usually consumed by the monks who brewed them during the cooler months and times of fasting. The yeast creates a fruity tone that balances with the rich malt character and low hop bitterness.

Howl Brewing can be found on the Victoria Ale Trail.

Gratitude Winter Ale by Hoyne Brewing (11.5% ABV)

A style of beer that reaches back to the 15th century, this winter warmer is best in a snifter by a fire with someone you love by your side. We gather a group of friends every year to hand-wrap each bottle. In honour of all those who make up our community, who add colour and meaning and spice to the lives of those around them.

Hoyne Brewing can be found on the Victoria Ale Trail.

Three Winter Releases from Lighthouse Brewing:

• Keepers Dry Irish Stout  (5.1% ABV | 8 IBU) An award-winning beer Lighthouse has brewed since 2001. Roasty chocolate and coffee flavours combine in the nearly black brew with a creamy, mahogany-coloured head.
  
• Golden Rye IPA (7% ABV) This limited release is charged with generous additions of rye malt and mosaic hops, resulting in tropical fruit aromas and notes of spicy orange.
• Depth Charge (2022) Oak-Aged Imperial Red Rum Ale (10.3% ABV | 40 IBU) In this year’s Depth Charge, you will find strong caramel notes alongside dark fruit, vanilla, and biscuit flavours— all met with the sailor’s staple of oak and rum.

Lighthouse Brewing can be found on the Victoria Ale Trail.

Six Winter Beers from Locality Brewing:

• Haywire Valley Cherry Sour (5% ABV | 15 IBU) This brewery believes in showcasing the locality of ingredients, the regionality of beer, and the farmer’s role in making great beer. This is 100% Fraser Valley Farm beer.
• Back to our Roots Ginger Saison (7% ABV | 12 IBU) Spicy, gingery and dry, the Belgian yeast strain produces clove and pepper flavours that complement the ginger root added to this beer.
• Owl Train Vanilla Porter (5% ABV | 16 IBU) Dark English-style malts provide a roasty malt character, along with a pleasant hint of vanilla.
• Honeyshine Barrel-Aged Owl Train Vanilla Porter (8% ABV | 16 IBU) The barrel-aged version of Locality’s Vanilla Porter has a delicious rum character.
• Into the Woods Black Forest Imperial Stout (8% ABV | 30 IBU) Like the cake that inspired it, this beer has bold chocolate notes balanced with a hint of cherry. Cocoa nibs lend to the rich body of this beer and lactose allows for a smooth mouthfeel to finish off every sip.
• Into the Woods Black Forest Imperial Stout Aged in Wine Barrels (9% ABV | 30 IBU) The barrel-aged version has bold chocolate notes that are balanced with a hint of cherry and a creamy, smooth finish. Aged in Valley Commons Cabernet Sauvignon French oak barrels.

Locality Brewing can be found on the Langley Ale Trail.

Chocolate & Vanilla Swirl Ice Cream Stout (6.5% ABV | 8 IBU) by Longwood Brewery in Nanaimo

This is a decadent winter delicacy with gobs of sweet chocolate, dollops of vanilla, and so much creamy lactose. South American cacao nibs and pure vanilla extract were added to enhance the rich flavours, from the first sip to the long rich finish.

Longwood Brewery can be found on the Vancouver Island Part II Ale Trail.

A Winter Beer and a Special 12 Pack from LoveShack Libations

• Winter Wonder Ale (6.2% ABV) Smells like Christmas — tastes like beer.

LoveShack also has a special mixed pack called the 12 Beers of Christmas, which includes the Winter Wonder Ale along with 12 other different beers. Perfect for the beer lover in your life — or for yourself!

LoveShack Libations can be found on the Vancouver Island Part II Ale Trail.

Marshmallow Stout (5.5% ABV | 23 IBU) by Mariner Brewing

A decadent and full-bodied vegan milk stout, this special beer uses a variety of specialty malts to create nostalgic aromas and flavours of caramel, marshmallow and vanilla.

Mariner Brewing can be found on the North of the Fraser Ale Trail.

Greatest Hits from Mayne Island Brewing

Inspired by the brewer’s love of vinyl, this creative collection of beers features 12 different 500ml bottles of specially aged beers set aside throughout the year (or maybe even longer).

Mayne Island Brewing is located on beautiful Mayne Island, halfway between Vancouver and Victoria.

Eggnog Cream Ale (8% ABV) by Moody Ales & Co.

Definitely not your grandma’s nog. Wheat and oat malts create a mouthfeel as pillowy as freshly fallen snow. Sweetened with lactose and vanilla, and warmed with nutmeg,  sophisticated notes of dark rum tie up all the flavours in a boozy bow.

Moody Ales & Co. can be found on the Port Moody Ale Trail.

Black Forest (8.2% ABV | 25 IBU) by Mountainview Brewing in Hope

Mountainview brewed up this “cake” to celebrate their 2nd anniversary. Dark cherries, cocoa nibs, vanilla and lactose mix together to create this untraditional Black Forest treat.

Mountainview Brewing can be found on the Fraser Valley Ale Trail.

Cold Front Winter Ale (5.5% ABV | 12 IBU) by Mount Arrowsmith Brewing in Parksville

This cozy winter ale blends three specialty roasted malts with gentle earthy hops and holiday spices for smooth and warming festive sips.

Mount Arrowsmith Brewing can be found on the Vancouver Island Part II Ale Trail.

A Special Winter Beer and a Mix Pack from Mt. Begbie Brewing:

• Night In The Monashees (9% ABV) Brewed in collaboration with Monashee Spirits in Revelstoke, this imperial stout was aged several months on Monashee Spirit’s whiskey barrel oak.

Mt Begbie also has released a special Campfire Bundle Pack featuring two classics, Begbie Cream Ale and Brave Liver Scotch Ale, along with two new beers: Revelstoke Dark Lager and Fire Roasted Marshmallow Stout.

Mt Begbie Brewing can be found on the Kootenay Rockies East Ale Trail.

Two Holiday Infusions from the Noble Pig Brewhouse:

• Chocomint Mocha Porter infused with Peppermint (5.5% ABV | 22 IBU)
• Mulled Swine Belgian Pepper Ale infused with seasonal spices (5% ABV | 20 IBU)

The Noble Pig Brewhouse can be found on the Southern Interior Ale Trail.

Eggnog Spiced Cream Ale (5% ABV | 18 IBU) by Old Yale Brewing in Chilliwack

Light and smooth, the warmth of the nutmeg and cinnamon spices shine through with just a touch of sweetness from vanilla offering a delicate mouthfeel and refreshing finish.

Old Yale Brewing can be found on the Fraser Valley Ale Trail.

Eclipse Black Velvet Stout by Phillips Brewing & Malting (4.5% ABV)

This dark roasty stout delivers a pleasant coffee aroma and a silky, bittersweet chocolate malt-forward profile that is deep and complex but sits lightly on the palate.

Phillips Brewing can be found on the Victoria Ale Trail.

Happy F***kin’ Holidays Hazelnut Vanilla Coffee Porter by Riot Brewing (6% ABV | 29 IBU)

Dark and complex, nutty, fragrant, and slightly sweet to balance the bitterness of the coffee, this porter will deliver every item on your wishlist this holiday season.  Available in a 473 ml tall can; get yours before it Dashes and Dances away.

Riot Brewing can be found on the Vancouver Island Part I Ale Trail.

Mood Lighting Oatmeal Stout by Settlement Brewing (5.8% ABV)

Heaps of local oats and a mix of special malts give this ale a velvety mouthfeel and a delightful coffee-chocolate finish.

Settlement Brewing can be found on the Vancouver-Yeast Vancouver Ale Trail.

Holiday Spice Brown Ale by Shore Line Brewing (5.5% ABV | 20 IBU)

This taproom-only release is a brown ale handcrafted with specialty malts, cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla.

Shore Line Brewing can be found on the Kelowna and West Kelowna Ale Trail.

Barbara Brown Ale (5% ABV | 20 IBU) by Sidekick Brewing in Chilliwack

A beer that’s big and bold on flavour, while still approachable.

Sidekick Brewing can be found on the Fraser Valley Ale Trail.

Two Holiday Beers from Silver Valley Brewing:

• A Great Big Sled Gingerbread Scottish Ale (5.5% ABV | 20 IBU) This festive take on a Scottish Ale features caramel, toffee, and toasty biscuit flavours, along with a healthy dose of gingerbread spices.
• Don’t Shoot Me Santa Chai Milk Stout (5% ABV | 25 IBU) A milk stout infused with the signature chai mix from T’s Once Upon A Tea Leaf in Maple Ridge.

Silver Valley Brewing can be found on the Maple Ridge Ale Trail.

Illicit Cargo Imperial Stout (10% ABV | 48 IBU) by Smugglers’ Trail Caskworks

An Imperial Stout brewed with vanilla bean, toasted pecans, and a touch of dark chocolate, then aged on American oak, resulting in a toasted, nutty flavour with hints of toffee, cacao, biscuit and coffee.  

Smugglers’ Trail Caskworks can be found on the Langley Ale Trail.

Salted Chocolate Porter (6% ABV | 16 IBU) by Steamworks Brewery

With generous additions of vanilla and local sea salt, the toast and intense chocolate of the dark malts makes this brew reminiscent of a salt-finished chocolate tart.

Steamworks Brewery can be found on the North of the Fraser Ale Trail.

Two Seasonal Beers from Strange Fellows Brewing:

• Krampus (8.5% ABV) A Belgian-style Abbey dubbel brewed with Belgian candi sugar and dark malts. Rich with the flavour of dried stone fruits, subtle toffy, and spice.
• Lord Barleycorn (6.5% ABV) This pre-prohibition lager was aged in Woodford Reserve barrels that previously held Russian Imperial Stout.

Strange Fellows Brewing can be found on the Vancouver-Yeast Vancouver Ale Trail.

Cookies &  Cream Stout (11.8% ABV) by Superflux Brewing & Brassneck Brewery

Superflux invited their friends from Brassneck over again this year to brew Cookies and Cream a second time. They slightly adjusted the recipe but kept the same goal of making this beer taste like everyone’s favourite cookie.  They added about 6000 Oreo Cookies (“maybe 5600 because we’re pretty sure Ben ate at least 400”), a load of cocoa powder, too much vanilla, some lactose and chocolate. It’s decadent and definitely over the top, but truly delicious.

Superflux Brewing can be found on the Vancouver – Yeast Vancouver Ale Trail, and Brassneck Brewery can be found on the Vancouver – Brewery Creek Ale Trail.

63 in Dog Years Imperial Czech Pilsner (8.7% ABV) by Three Ranges Brewing Company in Valemount

Cheers to nine years of brewing at this pioneer Northern BC brewery managed by Rundi Anderson and Michael Lewis. This tasty Bock-ish Imperial Pilsner is a great way to celebrate!

Three Ranges Brewing can be found on the Northeast BC Ale Trail.

Fall Away Bourbon Pear Sour (8% ABV) by Tinhouse Brewing

This winter seasonal is a fruited sour ale brewed with pear, with hints of vanilla, oak and bourbon.

Tinhouse Brewing can be found on the North of the Fraser Ale Trail.

Hazelnut Coffee Milk Stout by Tin Whistle Brewing (5.6% ABV )

This gloriously rich Hazelnut Coffee Milk Stout won a gold medal at the 2022 BC Beer Awards. 

Tin Whistle Brewing can be found on the Penticton Ale Trail.

Beartooth Belgian Dubbel (7.2% ABV) by Townsite Brewing 

This traditional Belgian Dubbel is made with European ingredients and dark candi sugar (made in-house!), resulting in a gorgeous beer with a deep brown colour with ruby highlights, complex dark caramel flavours with hints of burnt sugar, raisins and dark fruits (think cherries and plums). 

Townsite Brewing can be found on the Sunshine Coast Ale Trail.

Tart Cranberry Ale (5.9% ABV | 7 IBU) by Trading Post Brewing

Made with real cranberry puree, this bold, tangy, fruity wheat ale features a medium malt body with a bold tart cranberry flavour.

Trading Post Brewing can be found on the Langley Ale Trail.

Double Black Diamond Double Dry-Hopped IPA (6% ABV) by Trench Brewing

This brew is bone dry with low bitterness, and high carbonation that creates a champagne-like finish on the palate. Dry-hopped with two rounds of Sabro and Idaho Gem hops for a tropical nose with strong notes of lychee and tangerine.

Trench Brewing can be found on the Northwest BC Ale Trail.

Nocturne by Twin City Brewing (10.3% ABV)

This Belgian-style quadrupel features dark caramelized sugars and Belgian spice mingling over a warming, rich body. The recipe uses traditional ingredients including Belgian candi syrup, European Pilsner malt, and a host of other ingredients.

Twin City Brewing can be found on the Vancouver Island Part II Ale Trail.

Misery Slippers Winter Ale (7% ABV) by Ursa Minor Brewing

Prior to opening the brewery (and even occasionally since), owner-brewer Nathan Nicholas spent many a winter working as a timber cruiser — walking through some very rugged terrain on snowshoes or “Misery Slippers.” This beer is a complex mix of chocolatey dark malts and orangey Amarillo hops, with some plum and raisin flavours over a rich malt base.

Ursa Minor Brewing can be found on the Northwest BC Ale Trail.

Nanaimo Bar Imperial Porter (8.2% ABV | 30 IBU) by Vancouver Island Brewing

This dessert-style porter combines the many layers of the classic Nanaimo bar — starting with chocolate on top, vanilla in the middle, and finally a base note of coconut with a decadent sweetness throughout. A venerable bake sale treat in a can.

Vancouver Island Brewing can be found on the Victoria Ale Trail.

Anniversary Winter Warmer (7% ABV) by Wheelhouse Brewing

During dark winter days on the northwest coast, you can get a chill that goes right to the bone. This anniversary winter ale was brewed with bready malts and English ale yeast, then conditioned on coffee and cocoa nibs for extra holiday spirit — and warmth!

Wheelhouse Brewing can be found on the Northwest BC Ale Trail.

Lump o’ Coal Dry Irish Stout (4.8% ABV) by Wildeye Brewing in North Vancouver

Wildeye used activated charcoal to add depth and complexity to this bone-dry Irish Stout. It opens up with a dry and traditional feel and then finishes with a malty chocolatey backbone for a fun twist on a true classic. (Note: many of the brewery staff seem to appear on the Naughty List on the back of the can…)

Wildeye Brewing can be found on the Vancouver’s North Shore Ale Trail.

The post It’s the Most Wonderful Time for a Beer appeared first on The BC Ale Trail.

And this year like no other, the breweries around the province are coming out with some mighty creative gift sets and opportunities to help you out. It will be a challenge for you not to buy something for yourself!

Looking for local places to shop?

Artisan markets and pop-up shops are very popular this time of year, and if the market is located in a brewery then you have the opportunity to purchase a pint of beer or cider while going through the market for your shopping.

Here are just a few markets being held at breweries:

• A Reel Christmas Market ~ Rustic Reel Brewing – Kelowna (December 17)
• Holiday Market – Red Arrow Brewing – Duncan (December 18)

Be sure to keep an eye on our events page as markets are still being added.

Stocking Stuffers

Head over to your favourite local brewery, cidery, or taproom and see what they have to offer. Gift cards are always a great option and many of them have great swag! There are also a few breweries that have Beer Club memberships.

Gift Cards & Beer Club Memberships 

Breweries like Four Winds Brewing, Lakesider Brewing, and recently La Cerveceria Astilleros sell a limited amount of Beer Club memberships that get sent out monthly or quarterly. Many of the beers (and merchandise) are hand selected or are limited releases, sometimes including rare or cellared beers. Some even offer discounts on food and events.

Here are a few gift card promos

• Andina Brewing ~ Buy a $30, $50, or $100 gift card and receive a gift card promo for yourself or someone else
• Brookswood Brewing ~ Get a $10 gift card with every $100 gift card you purchase
• BIA Bucks ~ Support local! Spend $20 or more at Callister Brewing and get a $10 gift card to use at any East Van Village participating businesses. Limited quantities!
• Four Winds Brewing – Buy a $100 gift card and receive a $20 gift card
• Lakesider Brewing – Buy a $100 gift card and receive  a $15 gift card

Gift Sets

Winter is the season when many breweries release barrel-aged or cellarable beers. BC breweries have put together some cool sets — you may even want to buy one for yourself! There are gift sets for those that are just getting into the craft beer scene and extra special sets for the beer nerds! And, of course, you can create your own! Head over to your local and get them to help you out!

And more limited-release gift sets:

• Driftwood Brewery/Distillery has some gin sets available for the first time
• Category 12 Brewing has not one but two boxed releases this year: Continuum & Quantum
• Parallel 49 Brewery has its Naughty & Nice Holiday pack with four new beers specifically brewed for this pack. Available at most BC liquor stores.
• Phillips Brewing & Malting ~ Limited Edition Space Case 12 pack
• Old Yale Brewing has pre-wrapped presents that are ready to give, which come with beer, a growler, a toque, an ornament, and some fun extras!

Advent Calendar-Style Boxes

While advent calendars started off as small calendars with chocolates or tiny toys behind them every day, they are truly becoming an adult treat. Chances are any brewery you visit will have its own rendition of one, so check out your local brewery, or make your own. Don’t know where to get the box to DIY? Check out Craftmasbox!

DIY: Craftmas Box

For those of us with definitive tastes and choosey palates, or if you want to choose specific beers but can never quite get the look right, there are Craftmas boxes to the rescue. There are three patterns to choose from and include spaces and inserts. The box will take short and tall cans as well as small bottles. You can even roll up a t-shirt, add some fun swag and you have created your own one-of-a-kind calendar. This is Year One for the Richmond-based small business, so here’s another great way to support a local and budding entrepreneur.

Vessel Liquor in Victoria has created its own Advent Calendar Craft Beer Box, which sells for $129.99 and features 24 different craft beers curated by Vessel staff.

Bad Tattoo Brewing (Penticton) has a 24-pack with a mix of light and strong beers to suit anyone’s palate.

The Mother Lode by Quesnel’s Barkerville Brewing is a mixture of special beers, exclusive merch, and some tasty treats!

Swag

Who doesn’t like to get something from their favourite brewery, there are so many options to choose from. And with all this selection, you might just need to treat yourself too!

Other suggestions:

• beer chutneys, jams, and jellies (Cannery Brewing)
• beer koozies (a variety of locations)
• beer soaps (a variety of locations)
• bottle openers & bottle opener keychains
• camp mugs
• cooler bags
• growlers and glassware
• hats of all styles
• jigsaw puzzles
• scarves & gaiters (Hoyne Brewing)
• t-shirts and hoodies (everywhere)
• tote bags

Let’s not forget the doggies

With so many dog-friendly breweries it only makes sense to have some dog gift options as well.

Dog collars, bandanas, leashes, tops, and treats are available at several breweries including Cannery Brewing, Coast Mountain Brewing, Hoyne Brewing, Neighbourhood Brewing, Old Yale Brewing, Unleashed Brewing, and Yellow Dog Brewing.

Gifting an Experience

Looking to share a holiday experience but also a social get-together? Here are a couple of ways to bring everyone together.

This is the fifth year that A-FRAME Brewing is hosting their gingerbread cabin building. The event started December 1 and runs through December 21. The kits, made locally at Sunflower Bakery in Squamish, are only $25. You can enjoy a pint and build a gingerbread cabin to bring home.

The very popular “Dine in the Cellar” event is back for the winter on Saturdays at Old Yale Brewing. You can book a table for up to 6 people, set right in the brewery. Spaces are filling up fast, so best get booking your table here.

Wanting to give something you created yourself? Why not book yourself, a friend, or both, a space at this wreath workshop held at Barnside Brewing? The cost includes all the materials to make a wreath and have a beer, and, you can either choose to give the finished piece as a gift or treat yourself. Book HERE

BEER & COOKIES? YES PLEASE! Eat holiday cookies from four Victoria bakeries paired with four craft beers from Island breweries. Beer and treats are hand-selected and the event is hosted by Bonnie Todd (Off The Eaten Track) and Joe Wiebe (The Thirsty Writer). There is enough beer and cookies for two, so it’s a great sharing experience as well as an opportunity to learn a bit more about beer and food pairing. Book HERE for the virtual tasting event. And, if you act fast, you can even get the Beer & Cookie Box delivered to your door.

And, last but not least, the beer!

It goes without saying, but you can never go wrong with the gift of beer, and with all the great beers (and ciders) that BC has to offer, the bigger problem will be choosing. Not sure what beers to get? Ask the folks at any brewery you visit. They will always guide you to the best sellers or the newest releases.

And for more beer ideas check out Joe Wiebe’s Annual Holiday beer guide coming on December 5th.

Happy sipping and shopping!

The post ‘Tis the Season for Giving! appeared first on The BC Ale Trail.

Many of BC’s craft breweries are showing appreciation to their customers for all the support they have received this year by giving back to the community in a variety of ways, including: fundraising for flood victims, supporting scholarships for underrepresented students in the industry, and raising awareness about the need to create and provide safer, more inclusive environments for women and BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ individuals.

Helping Hands Community Pilsner

Led by Coquitlam’s Mariner Brewing, this benefit beer aims to raise $30,000 to benefit victims of the recent floods that have devastated communities around BC. All proceeds of the sale of each four-pack will be donated directly to the Abbotsford Disaster Relief Fund.

Other partners in this collaboration included Vancouver’s Main St. Brewing, which donated the yeast culture and helped brew the beer; Abbotsford’s Field House Brewing, which donated the malt; Vancouver’s Hops Connect, which donated the hops; Langley’s Blue/Meta, which designed the label; Port Coquitlam’s Mile 37 Craft Canning Co., which offered up cans for the cause; and the Parkside Brewery, which will distribute the beer.

The beer is available at more than 70 stores across the lower mainland from Vancouver to Chilliwack, as well as at the participating brewery partners. (See the list at the bottom of this blog.)

Flood Relief Golden Ale

Russell Brewing has released a new charity beer in collaboration with the Great Little Box Company.

Flood Relief Golden Ale (4.5% ABV) is described as “an elegant and bright golden ale, featuring hop additions of Citra and Idaho 7, lending vibrant aromas of tropical and citrus fruit.”

Flood Relief is available now at select beer retailers. $2 from each 4-pack sold, up to a total of $5000, will be donated to the Red Cross BC Flood & Extreme Weathers Appeal.

New School Dry Hopped Märzen

Not only does the New School Dry Hopped Märzen pair well with turkey and all the trimmings, but proceeds of the sale of each can sold will also be donated directly to the BC Hospitality Foundation and its Nancy More Award, which supports female or underrepresented students in Kwantlen Polytechnic University’s Brewing & Brewery Operations diploma program.

A crisp, copper-coloured lager with a rich malt base and fresh bursts of citrus from Mandarina Bavaria hops, the New School brew was a collaboration between Dead Frog Brewery in Langley, the BC Craft Brewers Guild and the KPU Brew Lab. The New School Dry Hopped Märzen is available at over 50 BC Liquor Stores and on tap and in cans at Dead Frog Brewery’s taproom.

Brave Noise

Several BC breweries are participating in a global collaborative effort called Brave Noise, which aims to create and provide safer, more inclusive environments for women and BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ individuals throughout the beer industry. For all the details check out this recent blog by Jake Clark.

The eight BC breweries that are taking part are:

• Parallel 49 Brewing and Settlement Brewing on the Yeast Vancouver Ale Trail
• House of Funk Brewing on Vancouver’s North Shore Ale Trail
• Herald St. Brew Works on the Victoria Ale Trail 
• Jackknife Brewing on the Kelowna and West Kelowna Ale Trail
• Land & Sea Brewing on the Vancouver Island Part II Ale Trail; and,
• Persephone Brewing on the Sunshine Coast Ale Trail

  Each of the Brave Noise beers will debut at different times, so please follow the breweries’ social media accounts to stay informed on specific release dates and where to purchase.

Give Back December in Merritt

After all the devastating flooding in Merritt, its local brewery, the Empty Keg Brew House, has been offering free boiled water to local residents living under a boil water advisory. 

“We also are hosting a whole month of ‘Give Back’ in December where $1 from the sale of each and every beer made on site will be donated to local flood victims,” said Kyle Hall, Empty Keg’s owner-brewmaster. “These are the same people that supported us during our struggle to make ends meet when the shutdowns occurred. We owe them!”

Here is where you can find the Helping Hands Community Pilsner:

39th & Cambie BCL / 5555 Cambie St, BC V5Z 3A3
Abbotsford BCL / 40-32500 South Fraser Way, Abbotsford BC V2T 4W1
Abbotsford Village BCL / 117-2070 Sumas Way, Abbotsford BC V2S 2C7
Alberni & Bute BCL / 768 Bute St, Vancouver BC V6E 4H6
Angry Otter 248th Street / 3548 248 St, Aldergrove BC V4W 1Y7
Angry Otter Barnet / 25 D 2773 Barnet Hwy, Coquitlam BC V3B 1C2
Angry Otter Cambie / 3415 Cambie St, Vancouver BC V5Z 2W7
Angry Otter City Gate / 10 45850 Yale Rd, Chilliwack BC V2P 2N9
Angry Otter Clearbrook / 30-31940 South Fraser Way, Abbotsford BC V2T 1V6
Angry Otter Fleetwood Village / 701-15970 Fraser Hwy, Surrey BC V4N 0X8
Angry Otter Lickman / 43971 A Industrial Way, Chilliwack BC V2R 3A4
Angry Otter North Burnaby / 4125 Hastings St, Burnaby BC V5C 2J5
Angry Otter Point Grey / 3338 West Broadway, Vancouver BC V6R 2B2
Angry Otter Scott Town / 9500 120th St, Surrey BC V3V 4C1
Angry Otter Valleyview / 8-2101 East Trans Canada Hwy, Kamloops BC V2C 4A6
Angry Otter West Railway / 2520 Montvue Ave, Abbotsford BC V2S 3T9
Angry Otter Westgate / 12499 88th Ave, Surrey BC V3W 3H7
Angry Otter Whatcom / 100-1900 North Parallel Rd, Abbotsford BC V3G 2C6
Berezan Liquor Store Coquitlam / 140 Schoolhouse St, Coquitlam BC V3K 6V6
Berezan Liquor Store Langley / 100-19655 Willowbrook Dr, Langley BC V2Y 1A5
Berezan Liquor Store Port Moody / 3224 St John’s St, Port Moody BC V3H 2C9
Berezan Liquor Store Surrey / 304-152nd St, Surrey BC V3S 3K8
Berezan Liquor Store White Rock / Unit 101-15388 24th Ave, Surrey BC V4A 2H9
Berezan Liquor Store Willoughby / 8399 200 St, Langley BC V2Y 3C2
Broadway & Lillooet BCL / 3150 East Broadway, Vancouver BC V5M 1Z6
Bute Street BCL / 1155 Bute St, Vancouver BC V6E 1Z7
Capilano Mall BCL / 24-935 Marine Dr, North Vancouver BC V7P 1S3
Cedar Valley Liquor Store / 103-8778 Cedar St, Mission BC V4S 1A3
Champlain Square BCL / 110-3150 East 54th Ave Vancouver BC V5S 1Z1
Chilliwack BCL / 46040 Yale Rd, Chilliwack BC V2P 7V2
Cloverdale BCL / 101-17780 56th Ave, Surrey BC V3S 4C6
Collingwood-Kingsway BCL / 3436 Kingsway Ave, Vancouver BC V5R 5L4
Commercial Drive BCL / 1520 Commercial Dr, Vancouver BC V5L 3Y2
Community Taps & Pizza / 1191 Commercial Dr, Vancouver BC V5L 3X3
Como Lake BCL / 172-1960 Como Lake Ave, Coquitlam BC V3J 3R3
Deroche General Store / 41679 Lougheed Hwy, Deroche BC, V0M 1G0
El Caminos Restaurant / 3250 Main St, Vancouver BC V5V 3M5
Esplanade BCL / 100-132 West Esplanade, North Vancouver BC V7M 1A2
Everything Wine River District / 8570 River District Crossing, Vancouver BC V5S 4V9
Fieldhouse Brewery Tasting Room / 2281 West Railway St, Abbotsford BC V2S 2E3
Fleetwood BCL / 8904 152nd St, Surrey BC V3R 4E4
Fort Langley BCL / 9110 Glover Rd, Langley BC V1M 2R9
Guildford BCL / 1720-10335 152nd St, Surrey BC V3R 7C1
Haney BCL / 300-22709 Lougheed Hwy, Maple Ridge BC V2X 2V5
Hemlock Valley Lodge / 20995 Hemlock Valley Rd, Agassiz BC V0M 1A1
High Point Beer Wine Spirits / 2769 East Hastings, Vancouver BC V5K 1Z8
Highwayman Pub / 32470 Simon Ave, Abbotsford BC V2T 4S2
Jericho Corner Liquor Store / 230-7150 200th St, Langley BC V2Y 3C2
Johnson Street Liquor / 390-1175 Johnson St, Coquitlam BC V3B 7K1
Kensington BCL / 6512 E Hastings, Burnaby BC V5B 1S2
Kerrisdale BCL / 2058 West 41st Ave, Vancouver BC V6M 1Y8
Kitsilano Cold Beer & Wine Store / 2289 West Broadway, Vancouver BC V6K 2E4
Langley BCL / 6435 201st St, Langley BC V2Y 0G8
Legacy Liquor Store / 1633 Manitoba St, Vancouver BC V5Y 0B8
Main Street Brewing Company Tasting Room / 261 East 7th Ave, Vancouver BC V5T 0B8
Mariner Brewing Co. Tasting Room / H-1100 Landsdowne Dr, Coquitlam BC V3B 5E2
Mission BCL / 207-32530 Lougheed Hwy, Mission BC V2V 1A5
Newport Liquor Merchants / 215 A Newport Dr, Port Moody BC V3H 5C9
Nicola Station BCL / 140-1097 Nicola Ave, Port Coquitlam BC V3B 8B2
North Burnaby BCL / 4450 East Hastings, Burnaby BC V5C 2K2
Northgate BCL / Unit 103-3433 North Rd, Burnaby BC V3J 0A9
Park Royal BCL / Unit 785 Park Royal North Mall, West Vancouver BC V7T 2W4
Portland Craft / 3835 Main St, Vancouver BC V5V 3P1
Richmond Ironwood BCL / 3170-11666 Steveston Hwy, Richmond BC V7A 5J3
Ridgeway Beer Wine Spirits / 21280 Lougheed Hwy, Maple Ridge BC V2X 2R7
River’s Reach Liquor Store / 320 6th St, New Westminster BC V3L 38A
Robson Street BCL / 1716 Robson St, Vancouver BC V6G 1E2
Safeway Liquor Burquitlam / 200-580 Clarke Rd, Coquitlam BC V3J 0G4
Shark Club Bar & Grill / 180 West Georgia St, Vancouver BC V6B 4P4
Side Hustle Sandwiches / 151 East 8th Ave, Vancouver BC V5T 1R8
Sisto’s River City Liquor Store / 33395 1st Ave, Mission BC V2V 1G9
Sumas Liquor Store / 101-1201 Sumas Way, Abbotsford BC V2S 8H2
The Cascade Room / 2616 Main St, Vancouver BC V5T 3E6
The Parkside Brewery Tasting Room / 2731 Murray St, Port Moody BC V3H 1X1
The Score On Davie / 1262 Davie St, Vancouver BC V6E 1N3
The Union Restaurant / 219 Union St, Vancouver BC V6A 2B2
Walnut Grove BCL / 501-8840 210th St, Langley BC V1M 2Y2
Westwood Centre BCL / 100-2748 Lougheed Hwy, Port Coquitlam BC V3B 6P2

The post How Breweries Are Giving Back During the Holiday Season appeared first on The BC Ale Trail.

To help celebrate the holiday season, many craft breweries in British Columbia have been busy brewing up something special.

Some of these holiday-themed beers are made with spices, cranberries, chocolate — or even candy canes! These wintry beers are often a little darker and stronger, making them well suited for colder, darker days.

Here are some suggestions for holiday-themed beers that can be found on the BC Ale Trail. 

BC Cranberry Sour by 33 Acres Brewing (5.7% ABV)

This gorgeous beer was a major hit last December. Brewed with barley, wheat and spelt, and fermented with a special mixed culture in an oak foeder, it was refermented on BC cranberries for a delicate berry character and complex acidity. 33 Acres is re-releasing it at their tasting room in limited bottles on December 17th.

33 Acres Brewing and 33B Experiment can be found on the Vancouver-Brewery Creek Ale Trail.

Patrona Barrel Aged Imperial Stout by Andina Brewing (9% ABV | 50 IBU)

An extremely limited release, Patrona was conditioned in oak barrels for a full year waiting to be just perfect. The result is a combination of rich malt, dried fruit, chocolate and coffee stout flavours infused with bourbon and oak. 

Andina Brewing can be found on the Vancouver-Yeast Van Ale Trail.

Fruition 4th Anniversary Ale by Angry Hen Brewing (4.5% ABV | 15 IBU)

Angry Hen is celebrating its fourth year with the traditional gift of fruit. Locally-picked raspberries, yellow and purple plums, fox grapes and sea salt were added to some of the gose base from their 200th brew. After conditioning for four months, the brewery offers this gift of fruit to salute loyal and new customers alike.

Angry Hen Brewing can be found on the Kootenay Rockies West Ale Trail.

Alright I Believe you, But My Tommy Gun Don’t by Backcountry Brewing (10% ABV | 40 IBU)

“Merry Christmas ya filthy Animal and a Happy New Year… I’m gunna give you to the count of three… to get your lousy, lyin’, lowdown, four flushing carcass out my door…1… 2…”

This imperial stout conditioned on vanilla beans was aged in bourbon barrels sourced from Heaven Hill.

Backcountry Brewing can be found on the Squamish Ale Trail.

Winter Cranberry Sour by The Bakery Brewing (7.1% ABV)

Brewed with cranberry juice, fresh lemon zest, and fresh ginger, this fruity winter sour ale is tart and zingy with a light ginger warmth to bring on festive cheer.

The Bakery Brewing can be found on the Port Moody Ale Trail.

Two Winter Beers from Barkerville Brewing:

• Prescription Porter (5.2% ABV | 30 IBU) A throwback to the old Barkerville days of snake oil, miracle cures, and invigorating hair tonics, Prescription Porter is a healthy dose of malty, warming, spicy, chocolatey goodness.
• Cold Snap Winter Ale (5.5% ABV | 17 IBU) This winter ale has a bright nose (like Rudolph!), with citrus, vanilla, ginger, and just a hint of molasses, and finishes dry with a lasting flavour of orange peel and roasted barley.

Barkerville Brewing can be found on the Northern BC Ale Trail.

Four (!) Imperial Stouts from the Barnside Brewing:

• Peaches & Cream Imperial Brandy Milk Stout (11.2% ABV) Brewed as an imperial milk stout and aged in peach brandy ex-bourbon barrels for 12 months.
• Spiced Apple Brandy Imperial Milk Stout (11.2% ABV) Imperial milk stout as the base, then aged for 12 months in apple brandy ex-bourbon barrels.
• Bourbon Imperial Oatmeal Stout (11.2% ABV) This stout was aged in Union Horse bourbon barrels for 12 months and left unblended.
• Maple Bourbon Imperial Stout (11.2% ABV) Aged for six months in ex-bourbon barrels most recently used for maple syrup.

Barnside Brewing can be found on the South of the Fraser Ale Trail.

 Everything’s Vine by Bright Eye Brewing (6% ABV | 15 IBU)

A saison that underwent a secondary fermentation on 150 lbs of Cabernet Franc grape skins from Harper’s Trail Winery, resulting in a wine/beer hybrid that finishes dry with a fantastic perceived sweetness from the Saison yeast blend. Perfect for a holiday meal!

Bright Eye Brewing can be found on the Kamloops, Shuswap, Vernon & Merritt Ale Trail.

Flannel Pyjamas by Camp Beer Co. (10% ABV)

A Wee Heavy Scotch Ale that was aged in bourbon barrels for 11 months, this winter warmer is a strong, dark, and malty Scottish-style ale with complex flavours of toffee, caramel, and smoke.

Camp Beer Co. can be found on the Fraser Valley Ale Trail.

Two Winter Beers from Cannery Brewing:

• Kiek in de Kök Baltic Porter (8% ABV) The label features an image of Kiek in de Kök, a cannon tower built in 1475 in Tallinn, Estonia. Its name translates to “peek into the kitchen,” because from this tower, it was possible to watch what the enemy was doing in their ‘kitchen.’
• Kindling Imperial Stout (9% ABV) Kindling is brewed with locally roasted coffee beans, chocolate, oats, and coconut. (Cannery is also barrel-aging some of this batch in wet whisky barrels from Okanagan Spirits in Vernon for release likely in March 2022).

Cannery Brewing can be found on the Penticton Ale Trail.

Seasonal Mixed Crate from Container Brewing:

12 different beers in ONE Crate, including: Seeing Doppel Doppelbock, Seawise Giant Imperial Stout, Forty Footer West Coast IPA, All Season Nitro Stout, Plummet Dark Sour, Three Legged Mare English Brown Ale, Noch Mal German Pils, Tapestry Belgian Tripel, Trade Winds Dry Hopped Sour, Manifest Hazy Pale, Origin NEIPA, and Panamax ESB.

Container Brewing can be found on the Vancouver-Yeast Van Ale Trail.

Old Puddin’ Head Winter Ale from Crannóg Ales (7.5% ABV | 20 IBU)
Crannóg’s annual winter ale is back, this year featuring juice from their own plums, organic mace and farm-grown coriander. Plum and mace are both evident in the nose, which is warm and spicy. The finish is dry and the body is full and malty.

Crannóg Ales can be found on the Kamloops, Shuswap, Vernon & Merritt Ale Trail.

Anno 2021 by Dageraad Brewing (8.5% ABV)

Anno is a strong golden ale brewed with Okanagan pears and Indian coriander, and bottle conditioned with Brettanomyces claussenii, a strain of wild yeast that adds funky, fruity flavours and slowly develops over time in the bottle, preserving freshness and adding layers of complexity as the beer ages. Dageraad is also selling Anno Vintage Gift Packs featuring one bottle each of Anno 2021, Anno 2020, Anno 2019, and Anno 2018 plus two limited edition holiday glasses.

Dageraad has several other holiday-appropriate beers, including: 10° Strong Belgian-style Quadrupel, Irresolution Dry-hopped Belgian-style Pale Ale, Entropy No. 16 – Raspberry Sour, and Entropy No. 17 – Balaton Sour. The brewery is selling a variety of gift packs, and you can even build your own gift pack .

Dageraad Brewing can be found on the North of the Fraser Ale Trail.

Winter Beeracle Chocolate Mint Winter Ale by Dead Frog Brewery (7.5% ABV | 24 IBU)

Every winter brings with it a new beeracle. This year’s beeracle is a warm winter ale with rich chocolate malts, cocoa nibs, and a burst of mint.

Dead Frog Brewery can be found on the Fraser Valley Ale Trail.

Angry Elf Cocoa Peppermint Holiday Stout by Dog Mountain Brewing (6.5% ABV)

Many candy canes were sacrificed to make this tasty treat! Brewed with cocoa, vanilla, and, yes, candy canes, it tastes like a peppermint hot chocolate, except it’s cold and carbonated. 

Dog Mountain Brewing can be found on the Vancouver Island Part Two Ale Trail.

Imperial Cookie Stout from Faculty Brewing (9.5% ABV | 24 IBU)

A massive imperial dessert stout, bursting with flavours of silky roasted chocolate, smoky Madagascar vanilla, and undertones of dark fruits from an expressive San Francisco strain of ale yeast. The Dominican cacao was sourced and roasted from East Van Roasters and contributes notes of mango, honey, and red grapes.

Faculty Brewing can be found on the Vancouver-Brewery Creek Ale Trail.

Black Mammoth Winter Ale by Fernie Brewing (8% ABV | 25 IBU)

Rich, strong and decadent, this black ale is complemented by additions of chocolate malt, plus dark organic cocoa and curaçao orange peel. Aged on oak for added smoothness and complexity, this big and boozy brew brings forth rich notes of orange and cocoa, pairing perfectly with dark skies and fresh falling snow.

Fernie Brewing can be found on the Kootenay Rockies East Ale Trail.

Several Holiday Beer Releases from Field House Brewing

• Clementine + Cranberry Spritz (5% ABV) Sensibly low on calories and carbs while extremely flavourful, authentic, and easy drinking, this starts with a slightly tart and light-bodied based beer, which is then loaded with clementine + cranberry.
• White IPA w/ Mandarin (6% ABV | 25 IBU) this collaboration with Four Winds Brewing merges the refined nature of a Belgian Witbier with the boldness of a Hazy IPA.
• Bourbon Barrel Aged Imperial Stout (10% ABV) This big stout was racked into bourbon barrels adding notes of vanilla, oak and caramel. (Release date: Dec. 9)
• Imperial Stout with Rum & Vanilla (10.7% ABV | 25 IBU) Field House pushed the limits of its brewhouse to create this intense beer. (Release date: Dec. 16)
• BRRL ROOM – Bourbon Barrel-Aged Chocolate Orange Old Fashioned Ale (7.5% ABV) A strong ale brewed with dried orange peel and aged in bourbon barrels for six months, then racked out of the barrels onto fresh orange skins, roasted and raw cacao nibs, milk sugar and second-use coffee beans. (Release date: Dec. 28)

Field House Brewing can be found on the Fraser Valley Ale Trail.

Two Holiday Beers by Fisher Peak Brewing:

• Bourbon-Aged Scottish Ale (8% ABV) The brewery’s award-winning Scottish Ale is aged in wet whiskey barrels from Basil Hayden for three months.
• Kain Ginger Beer (5.2% ABV | 10 IBU) Named after the mountaineer Conrad Kain, this seasonal favourite is a crisp amber beer brewed with fresh, hand-peeled ginger.

Fisher Peak Brewing (at the Heid-Out Restaurant in Cranbrook) can be found on the Kootenay Rockies East Ale Trail.

12 Beers of Christmas Advent Box by Five Roads Brewing:

This features some returning classics like Jordy Mac’s ESB, and new beers like the Strawberry Lemon Farmhouse Ale and a Helles Lager.

Five Roads Brewing can be found on the Fraser Valley Ale Trail.

Four Holiday Seasonals from Fuggles & Warlock:

• Dragoon: Imperial Stout with Rum & Raisins (8.45% ABV | 50 IBU) Originally brewed in England to withstand the journey to Imperial Russia. This rich ale boasts caramel and roasted malts with spiced hops. A decadent profile begins with chocolate and coffee before elevating to rum soaked raisins, vanilla, and French oak.
• 442 Squadron Double Rye IPA (7.3% ABV | 55 IBU) Named in honour of the 1951 Royal Canadian Air Force Reserve Fighter Squadron based out of Sea Island flying de Havilland Vampire Jets. A collaboration with Tourism Richmond, the BC Ale Trail, and Monkey 9 Brewing.
• The Dark Cow: Chocolate Hazelnut Belgian Stout (6.7% ABV| 30 IBU) A decadent, creamy stout slightly sweetened with lactose for a smooth exquisite delight.
• Hexflare Goji Sour IPA (6.3% ABV | 20 IBU) A meeting of two worlds: a fruit-infused sour India Pale Ale. Wonderfully tart, bitter, piney, and filled with the fruity magic of Goji berries.

Fuggles & Warlock can be found on the South of the Fraser Ale Trail.

Czech Dark Lager by Gladstone Brewing (6% ABV | 25 IBU)

This dark brown lager provides a lovely aroma of toffee, roasted breadcrumb, hints of dark fruit, cocoa and cold-extract coffee. With peppery notes and a pleasantly bitter finish, this malt-forward lager is a fantastic winter-warmer beer. Enjoy it and a bunch of other lagers at Gladstone’s Lagerfest on Friday, December 10.

Dog Mountain Brewing can be found on the Vancouver Island Part Two Ale Trail.

Two Winter Ales from Howe Sound Brewing:

• Father John’s Winter Ale (5.5% ABV | 18 IBU) A rich, malty seasonal ale for the winter months with a blend of fresh ginger and nutmeg. 
• Woolly Bugger Reserve Packs (11% ABV | 50 IBU) Featuring three different vintages of this award-winning barley wine.
  

Howe Brewing can be found on the Squamish Ale Trail.

Two Scandinavian-style Christmas beers from Howl Brewing:

• Finnish Sahti (6% ABV | 0 IBU) A historic Viking ale made with yarrow, juniper branches and berries.
• Juleøl (7% ABV | 0 IBU) A Norwegian dark solstice ale from the Viking era.

Howl Brewing can be found on the Victoria Ale Trail.

Three Special Releases from Île Sauvage Brewing:

• Au Currant Dark Sour with Black Currants (6.8% ABV) Aged on huge amounts of black currants from Silver Rill Berry Farms.
• Loral Barrel Aged Brett Saison (6% ABV | 30 IBU) A blend of foeder- and barrel-aged saisons that was dry-hopped with Loral hops.
• Achtung Passionfruit Hibiscus Berliner Weiss (4% ABV) Brewed with 50% wheat malt and aged on passion fruit and hibiscus, and dry-hopped with El Dorado.

Île Sauvage Brewing can be found on the Victoria Ale Trail.

2021 Winter Ale by Kelowna Brewing Co. (7.5% ABV | 33 IBU)

Kelowna Brewing Co.’s 2020 Winter Ale was so popular that they decided to make it an annual tradition. This is a beer to crack open in front of the fire after coming in from a cold, dark winter night. Heavy on the malt bill, and with a generous addition of molasses in the boil, expect a balanced sweetness with notes of treacle and coffee.

Also, Kelowna Brewing offers personalized cans as a delicious alternative to traditional Christmas cards. 

Kelowna Brewing Co. can be found on the Kelowna and West Kelowna Ale Trail.

Depth Charge Oak-Aged Barley Wine from Lighthouse Brewing (10.7% ABV):

The 2021 vintage of Depth Charge is a wheat wine that was aged in brandy barrels resulting in a complex mixture of slight caramel, oak, brandy, red fruit, and honey wrapped in a warm bready embrace. Lighthouse also has some gift packs that include the 2020 vintage. 

Lighthouse Brewing can be found on the Victoria Ale Trail.

Barrel Aged Bundle from Luppolo Brewing:

This three-bottle gift pack includes two recent beer releases – Evoluta V Bourbon Barrel Aged Dubbel (9%) and Rosalba Barrel Aged Sour with Fraser Valley Raspberries (7%) — plus a mystery vintage bottle from Luppolo’s cellar! Available at the brewery or on BeerVan. Luppolo is also offering a six-can mixer gift box at the brewery.

Luppolo Brewing can be found on the Vancouver-Yeast Van Ale Trail.

Two Winter Beers from the Longwood Brewery:

• Cake Chocolate Raspberry Stout (5% ABV | 26 IBU) No fork needed! This sweet stout is layered with dark chocolate notes followed by tart raspberry and a long smooth finish.
• Winter’s Own Weizenbock (6.5% ABV | 18 IBU) Traditional Bavarian yeast creates notes of clove and banana that play with your senses making this seasonal brew malty, spicy, fruity and refreshing.

Longwood Brewery can be found on the Vancouver Island Part 1 Ale Trail.

Total Eclipse Dark Lager from Mariner Brewing (5.8% ABV)

This tasty dark lager was brewed with coconut and cacao. Also watch for Into the Abyss Triple Bean Stout, which is brewed with vanilla, coffee and cacao, and should launch right before Christmas. 

Mariner has a great deal on during December: get a $5 gift card for your next visit when you buy two four-packs of Blueberry Sour. And the brewery is throwing an Ugly Holiday Sweater party on December 17.

Mariner Brewing can be found on the North of the Fraser Ale Trail.

Two Winter Ales from Moody Ales:

• Chocolate Mint Stout (5.6% ABV | 30 IBU) This beer adds the festive essence of candy canes to a smooth chocolate stout to create a sweet and minty treat perfect for the holidays season.
• Bourbon Barrel-Aged Russian Imperial Stout (11% ABV) Aged for two months in Woodford Reserve bourbon barrels.

Moody Ales can be found on the Port Moody Ale Trail.

Candy Cane Dunkel by the Moon Under Water Brewery, Pub & Distillery (5.4% ABV)

This dark lager is brewed using a single decoction process that gives the beer an intense malt flavour without leaving too much residual sugar for a dry, refreshing finish. They added candy canes and vanilla for Christmas flare.

The Moon Under Water can be found on the Victoria Ale Trail.

Thirsty Monk Juicy Golden Strong Ale by Mount Arrowsmith Brewing (8.5% ABV | 25 IBU)

Modeled after a traditional Belgian style with a moderate bitterness and dry effervescence, this was brewed using southern hemisphere Motueka and Ella hops to give it a fruity, spicy finish.

Mount Arrowsmith Brewing can be found on the Vancouver Island Part Two Ale Trail.

Three Winter Beers from Nelson Brewing:

• Faceplant Organic Winter Ale (6.0% ABV – 19 IBU) – “New Look, Same Legendary Taste.”
• Hibernaculum – Chocolate Raspberry Pastry Stout (6.5% ABV | 30 IBU) Hibernaculum translates as “winter quarter” in Latin. This rich and velvety pastry stout was brewed on bittersweet organic cacao and 800 lbs of raspberry puree was added to accentuate the decadence.
• POWder Leopard White IPA ⁠⁠(6.5% ABV) An unfiltered White IPA brewed with cashmere and mosaic hops, along with orange peel providing notes of citrus, berries and fresh melon, all complemented by flavours of anise, clove, banana, and bubble-gum from the Belgian Witbier yeast.
  

Nelson Brewing can be found on the Kootenay Rockies West Ale Trail.

Two Holiday Infusions from the Noble Pig Brewhouse:

• Chocomint Mocha Porter infused with Peppermint (5.5% ABV | 22 IBU) 
• Mulled Swine Belgian Pepper Ale infused with seasonal spices (5% ABV | 20 IBU) 

The Noble Pig Brewhouse can be found on the Kamloops, Shuswap, Vernon & Merritt Ale Trail.

“It’s The Most Wonderful Time for a Beer” from Parallel 49 Brewing:

If you can still find one of these Beer Advent packs you can enjoy 24 unique beers, one for each day of the month leading up to Christmas. Every day, Parallel 49 is also donating $1000 to a charity featured on the can.

Parallel 49 Brewing can be found on the Vancouver-Yeast Van Ale Trail.

Two Winter Beers from Patina Brewing:

• Earl Grey Stout (5.8% ABV | 15 IBU) Beer and tea collide in this limited release. This beer is a cozy hug perfect for a cold night!
• Dark Cherry Porter (7% ABV | 20 IBU) Dark cherry makes a subtle and delicious appearance in this creamy porter.

Patina Brewing can be found on the North of the Fraser Ale Trail.

Imperial Gingerbread Porter from Persephone Brewing (8.2% ABV):

This dark strong ale has notes of molasses, ginger, vanilla, roasted malt and cinnamon.

Persephone Brewing can be found on the Sunshine Coast Ale Trail.

Several Holiday Options from Red Collar Brewing:

• Diana Baltic Porter ( 8.7% ABV | 25 IBU) This traditional Baltic Porter is dark and luscious with notes of coffee and chocolate. (Released on November 1)
• Doppelbock Dark Lager (7.7% ABV | 36 IBU) Dark in colour with a silky, rich sweetness and a surprisingly smooth finish. (Released on November 22)
• Kraanbere Cranberry Saison (6.8% ABV | 8 IBU) Fermented with cranberries and a French saison yeast to create a lightly spiced and deliciously fruity seasonal brew. (Released on December 6)
• Double Dubbel (7.75% ABV | 6 IBU) A dark, rich, Belgian Ale fermented on freshly ground coffee. (Release date: December 10)
• No Fun Frank Triple Tripel (9.0% ABV | 70 IBU) Blends the styles of a Belgian Tripel with a Northwest IPA. (Release date: December 29)
• Black Dog Quad (11.69% ABV) Red Collar will be releasing boxed sets of this big Belgian Trappist-style ale with vintages from 2015-1018 and branded glasses.

Red Collar Brewing can be found on the Kamloops, Shuswap, Vernon & Merritt Ale Trail.

The Holiday Classic Collection from Red Racer:

This boxed set includes 12 unique holiday movie-themed beers to help celebrate the season with family and friends.

Red Racer (Central City Brewers & Distillers) can be found on the South of the Fraser Ale Trail.

Two Holiday Seasonals from Riot Brewing:

• Happy F@#$ing Holidays (6% ABV | 29 IBU) This classic porter is flavoured with hazelnut, coffee and vanilla making it a festive and fun holiday beer.
• Black Ales in the Sunset (6.5% ABV | 70 IBU) Celebrating Riot’s 5th anniversary, this Black IPA celebrates the sunset, symbolizing the end of one cycle and the start of a new one.

Riot Brewing can be found on the Vancouver Island Part 1 Ale Trail.

Christmas Mixer Pack from Rossland Beer Co.:

This 12-pack of 650-ml bottles features four beers:

• Seven Summits Milk Stout (5.8% ABV)
• Green Jacket Pale Ale (5% ABV)
• Staff Party IPA (6.5% ABV)
• Cruzin’ Cozumel Cerveza (5.5% ABV)

Rossland Beer Co. can be found on the Kootenay Rockies West Ale Trail.

Tackle Box Beer Advent Calendar from Rustic Reel Brewing:

This 24-pack features two each of 12 different beers, including four never-before brewed beers and nine that have never been canned before.

Rustic Reel Brewing can be found on the Kelowna and West Kelowna Ale Trail.

Three Holiday Beers from Silver Valley Brewing:

• A Great Big Sled Gingerbread Scottish Ale (5.5% ABV | 20 IBU) This festive take on a Scottish Ale features caramel, toffee, and toasty biscuit flavours, along with a healthy dose of gingerbread spices.
• Don’t Shoot Me Santa Chai Milk Stout (5% ABV | 25 IBU) A milk stout infused with the signature chai mix from T’s Once Upon A Tea Leaf in Maple Ridge.
• Frozen Pond English Strong (7.5% ABV | 40 IBU) A tasty winter warmer with hints of caramel, toffee, dark fruit, and treacle.

Silver Valley Brewing can be found on the Maple Ridge Ale Trail.

Three Wintry Beers from Smugglers’ Trail Caskworks

• Black Gold Coffee Stout (5.6% ABV | 43 IBU) Brewed in collaboration with Smoking Gun Coffee Roasters of Abbotsford, this beer is roasty, bold and balanced.
• Rum and Eggnogg Stout (6.5% ABV | 36 IBU ) All of your favourite holiday drinks in one smooth, velvety pint! (Cask only in taproom.)
• Scrumpers Dark Sour (7% ABV | 10 IBU) Brewed with cherries and black raspberries, this is not too sweet, not too sour, just scrumptious.

You can also stock up on non-beer gifts like socks, mugs and dog collars through the brewery’s online store.

Smugglers’ Trail can be found on the Fraser Valley Ale Trail.

Holiday Mix Pack from Storm Brewing (5.7% ABV)

This is a special collection of some of Storm’s favourite Christmas brainstorms from throughout the years. It retails for $21 (tax included) and is available only at the brewery.

Storm Brewing can be found on the Vancouver-Yeast Van Ale Trail.

Spiced Pear Sour by Strathcona Beer Co. in collaboration with Field House Brewing (7% ABV | 6 IBU)

This festive sour ale was brewed with generous amounts of pear puree with the addition of lactose, brown sugar, a healthy dose of cinnamon, and touches of clove, allspice, ginger and orange. 

Strathcona Beer Co. Brewing can be found on the Vancouver-Yeast Van Ale Trail.

Two Winter Seasonals from Tin Whistle Brewing:

• Winter Whimsy Chocolate Cherry Porter (6% ABV) Inspired by Black Forest Cake this porter was brewed with 50 lbs of Belgian chocolate and 330 lbs of fresh cherries.
• One Piece Wonder Hazelnut Flaye White Stout (5.6% ABV) Made with locally roasted coffee and added lactose that delivers a silky smooth, creamy, and slightly sweet finish that is rounded out by the subtle hazelnut flavor.

Tin Whistle Brewing can be found on the Penticton Ale Trail.

Century Grove Chocolate Orange Stout by Townsite Brewing (6% ABV | 28 IBU)

This dessert stout is a warm, comfy, cozy blanket of chocolate notes with sparks of blood orange flavours. Think Terry’s Chocolate Orange in a beer!

Townsite Brewing can be found on the Sunshine Coast Ale Trail.

Persnickety Salted Caramel Altbier by Twin City Brewing in collaboration with LoveShack Libations (5.0% ABV & 28 IBU)

Persnickety is a German-inspired Altbier with an infusion of sea salt and caramel. The beer was fermented cool and lagered for several weeks resulting in a clean, quaffable malt-forward pseudo-lager with restrained flavours of crème brulée and sticky toffee pudding. Plus, “persnickety” is just way too much fun to say!

Twin City Brewing and LoveShack Libations can be found on the Vancouver Island Part Two Ale Trail.

Hermannator Ice Bock from Vancouver Island Brewing (9.5% ABV)

This is BC’s original holiday seasonal beer — VIB’s original brewer Hermann Hoerterer first brewed it as a special Christmas treat for friends and family back in 1987, and it’s been an annual release ever since. In this Vintage pack which includes the 2020 and 20201 editions. you can see how the beer develops with a year of cellaring.

Vancouver Island Brewing can be found on the Victoria Ale Trail.

Angel Delight Ale from Welton Brewery (4.8% ABV | 15 IBU):

A strawberry and white chocolate ale, this delicious dessert beer pairs perfectly with sticky toffee pudding or a trifle. (Release date: December 23).

Welton Brewery and the Welton Arms can be found on the Kelowna and West Kelowna Ale Trail.

The Holiday Box from Whistle Buoy Brewing:

This hand-selected box of crowlers, tall cans, and coffee makes the perfect one-stop gift for the beer lover in your life. It includes:

• 1 x exclusive tall can (473mL) of Hidden Gem – Vic Secret Hazy IPA. This beer has not been released and can only be found in the Holiday Box.
• 1 x tall can (473mL) of Western Clash IPA. A collaboration beer with Blindman Brewing.
• 1 x tall can (473mL) of Coastality Pale Ale
• 1 x tall can (473mL) of Gulagubben Scandinavian Ale
• 1 x crowler (946mL can) of Discovery Coffee Mild Ale
• 1 x mystery crowler (946mL can) containing 1 of 3 unique seasonal beers.
• 1 bag (340 grams) of Discovery Coffee Rock Bay Blend whole bean coffee. (5% of sales from each bag go to the Victoria Cool Aid Society.)

Here is the link to the box on the brewery’s website.

Chocolate Porter from White Sails Brewing (5% ABV)

Brewed with a robust dark malt bill and conditioned on Ugandan cacao nibs, the Chocolate Porter is a White Sails holiday classic.

White Sails Brewing can be found on the Vancouver Island Part 1 Ale Trail.

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