After reading all about the growing trend of craft breweries, I bet you’re wondering about some good locations and events in your area. Well, consider this your ‘all you need to know’ guide on local craft breweries in the Lower Mainland. Since the list of breweries surrounding us is quite a long one, I have created a list of eight of my favourite breweries and some information about them. Let’s check it out!
- Smugglers Trail Brewery and Restaurant, Langley
Two best buds and longtime rugby teammates founded Smugglers Trail in 2017 and opened the brewery tasting room in Summer of 2020. The brewery was inspired by the colourful legends of smugglers and miners who traveled through these parts during the Gold Rush. The Smugglers Trail was a secret route for enterprising outlaws to transport beer, gold and other desirable goods, while dodging British tax collectors. Their signature beers pay homage to local rogues and the legends they left behind. Their most popular beers include Flaskers British Ale, Canoe Chase IPA, Wedgehead Kolsch, Black Gold Coffee Stout and Captain Stone Lager. 3 of these brews took home medals in the 2021 World Beer Awards. Each week they have multiple artists playing live music while you’re sipping on your beer.
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2. Camp Beer Co, Langley
Bringing a relaxed causal atmosphere to the Fraser Valley, Camp Beer offers a large outdoor and cabin feel brewery as they believe beer is best enjoyed outdoors. Their top beers on the roster include Anorak IPA, Copa Da Floresta Sour, Camp Beer Lager and Dark Lager. As for events, Wednesday nights are date nights where they offer exclusive cocktails and on Tuesdays they have ‘Dogs of Camp Club’ where they host dogs and their owners with special treats, giveaways and deals. To top it off, they provide live music every Thursday and Sunday.
3. Strangefellows Brewing, Vancouver
The two founders had trouble coming up with a name for their beloved brewery. After months of fumbling through a list of names Strangefellows has been about a blending of ideas and histories with a common vision: that two strangers can have a beer together, look each other in the eye and toast each other’s good health. While they are known for their sour and barrel-aged beers, they also brew a broad range of styles. If you’re looking for an activity to go with your tasting, you found the right place. Strangefellows offers a long list of fun events coming up over the winter months. On November 17th they are hosting a candle making workshop, November 25th they have a beard and moustache contest for Movember and from December 3rd to 5th, they are putting on KrampusMarkt, a winter farmers market with beer, cider and wine tasting to partner with your shopping.
4. Foamers’ Folly Brewing Co, Pitt Meadows
The brewery opened in 2015 and has hit a local gathering place in the Pitt Meadows and Ridge area ever since. The team values experimentation and is always working on new and unique creations. Some of their current popular brews include Beetlejuice Sour, Yada Yada IPA, Dad Beer Pilsner and Hot Box IPA. As for food, due to COVID-19, they aren’t currently serving food but you’re welcome to bring outside food to pair with your pint.
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5. 3 Dogs Brewing, White Rock
Dogs and beer, what’s better than that? 3 Dogs was founded in 2017 and is a family and friends built, owned and operated craft brewery. They strive to use locally sourced ingredients and offer up to thirteen rotating beers and ciders in the tasting room. Two of their popular taps include Hudson India Pale Ale and Double Dog Dare. As for upcoming events, they are continuing to bring back comedy nights. In addition, they have live music and occasional fun events like paint nights.
6. White Rock Beach Beer, White Rock
Right around the corner from 3 Dogs is this little gem. Founded in 2013, this microbrewery is the definition of good things come in small packages. The two owners started off this brewery with no background experience in beer making and it is amazing to see how far they have come. Although they offer fewer beers than some of it’s competitors, they dedicate more time experimenting and perfecting the few they do offer. As they like to say, “because beaches and beer go better together.”
7. Trading Post Brewing Company, Langley, Abbotsford and Oliver
With doors opening in 2016, Trading Post has spread to multiple locations, a brewery and tasting room in Langley, an eatery in the heart of Fort Langley and in Abbotsford and just this past summer opened up a brewery, tasting room and eatery in the District Wine Village in Oliver. Their finest brews include Helles Lager, Best Coast IPA, Smash Saison, Amber Ale and one of my personal favourites is the Tart Cranberry Ale.
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8. Field House Brewing Co, Abbotsford and Chilliwack
The brewery opened up in East Abby in 2016 and since has expanded to Chilliwack. With Field House located in the historic downtown core of Abbotsford, the owners intention was to bring a more “Vancouver” feel into Abby. One of the company’s core values is to support local in their community by using locally grown ingredients or collaborating with other local businesses. They always have a ton of fun stuff going on such as their ‘after dark’ beer deals, pizza and beer special and their infamous ‘Field Sessions’ where they host live local artists each week.