Sit, sip and savour at the best breweries and distilleries in Vancouver
With the rising popularity of local craft beer and distilled spirits comes the emergence of Vancouver tasting rooms. These spaces allow guests to try a variety of beers or spirits in smaller sample sizes, giving you the opportunity to experience new flavours and – if you're lucky – find the perfect drink. So enjoy a drink while you learn more about the process of brewing and distilling. Here is our list of top tasting rooms to visit in Vancouver.
33 Acres Brewing Company
33 Acres Brewing is a West Coast company through and through. Their three locally crafted beers are inspired by natural elements and appropriately named: 33 Acres of Life, Ocean and Darkness. Each beer reflects the characteristics of these elements and conveys different flavours. Life is a sharp deep amber full of hops. Ocean is a fruity and floral light amber. And Darkness is rich and deep with a smoky aroma. Don’t-miss Drink: Darkness. Despite the black colour this beer is refreshing and clean. Tasting Hours: 15 W 8th Ave, Vancouver
Monday to Thursday: 12-11 p.m.
Friday to Sunday: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Prohibition
The goal of Prohibition Brewing is to brew beer that's so good you would order it even if it were against the law. Put their mission to the test when you visit their tasting bar in Yaletown. The tasting room has five Prohibition beers on tap that will take you back to a time where drinking was dangerously delicious. You can also indulge in signature cocktails and a pairing menu to compliment your drink.
Don't-miss Drink: The Bootlegger Ale is crisp and bitter. Tasting Hours:
1269 Hamilton St., Vancouver
Friday and Saturday: 3 p.m. to 1 a.m.
All other days: 3-12 p.m.
Long Table Distillery
Vancouver's first micro-distillery, Long Table Distillery, prides itself on using organic and natural ingredients to create small-batch, high-quality spirits, including a flavourful dry gin and a handcrafted vodka. By using locally sourced ingredients (seriously, even the water they use is from B.C.’s Coast Mountain Range) they combine fresh West Coast recipes with traditional practices. Don’t-miss Drink: Long Table London Dry Gin. The blend of juniper and earthy tones are perfect for the spring weather. Tasting Hours: 1451 Hornby St.
Vancouver
Friday and Saturday: 12-6 p.m.
Vancouver Urban Winery
Vancouver Urban Winery brings the best of our province to Vancouver. Their portfolio of wines on tap reflect the variety of wines made in B.C. and the rich landscape they are crafted in, allowing you to travel to a different winery with every glass. The tasting room also aims to provide visitors with a learning experience that grants them insider knowledge on the process of wine making and the trendy wine-on-tap industry. Don’t-miss Drink: Sommelier Services. This custom service caters to you and your group’s needs as you explore the winery. Offering food pairings, classes about wine and more, it’s a great idea for wine newbies and connoisseurs alike. Tasting Hours: 55 Dunlevy Ave.
, Vancouver
Sunday to Wednesday
11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Thursday to Saturday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Parallel 49 Brewing Company
It’s hard to believe Parallel 49 only opened a few years ago; the brewery has really exploded since opening. Their brews embody the fun of craft beer and their flavours showcase a diversity of original flavours. The tasting room acts as a refuge for beer afficiandos and newcomers alike, and allows visitors to enjoy sampler sizes of everything from ales, lagers, malts and popular seasonal brews. Also be sure to check out their fusion flavours available only in the tasting room – you may just find gummy bears or coconut in your beer! Don’t-miss Drink: Seedspitter. Light and fresh with a subtle watermelon flavour that’s sweet for summer. Tasting Hours: 1950 Triumph St. Vancouver
Every day: noon to 9 p.m.
Deep Cove Brewers and Distillers
Co-founders Shae and Shawn, from Vancouver and Ontario respectively, want you to "Celebrate. Everyday." They want it so much that they made it their motto. With the aim to create beers that you can share with friends and family, Deep Cove Breweries make three year-round beers as well as seasonal flavours and their very own vodka. Also be on the lookout for a rosemary and olive gin in production. Don’t-miss Drink: Quick Wit Wheat Ale, 2013 B.C. 1st Place Beer Award Winner Tasting Hours: Unit 170 – 2270 Dollarton Highway, North Vancouver
Monday to Tuesday: 4–8 p.m.
Wednesday to Sunday: 12-8 p.m.
Salt Tasting Room
Relying on good ol' fashioned hospitality, the Salt Tasting Room has a welcoming atmosphere with a wide range of spirits and beers. You can also choose from a selection of wines as part of a unique dining experience that take place in three steps. Step one: pick your dish from a menu of cheeses, meats and condiments. Step two: pair your plate with the perfect drink. Choose your own, try three sample sizes or leave it up to the knowledgeable staff to surprise you. Step three: add any extras you want. The result is a complementary dining experience that is individualized to your tastes. Don’t-miss Drink: Ask and you shall receive. Tasting Hours Gastown Location: Tasting Hours Kits Location: 45 Blood Alley Square, Vancouver
Monday to Thursday: 5 p.m. – late
Friday to Sunday: 12 p.m. until late
Tuesday to Thursday: 5 p.m. until late
Friday to Sunday: 4 p.m. until late
2585 W Broadway, Vancouver
Odd Society Spirits
This small-batch distillery in the heart of East Van conveys their philosophy through the spirits they make. Odd Society operates with the ideology that it’s OK to be different. They experiment with traditional techniques in an original way to create spirits that take on their own personality. From Wallflower Gin to Mongrel Rye, there is something for everyone. Don’t-miss Drink: East Van Vodka, a tribute to East Van that is both complicated and smooth. Tasting Hours: 1725 Powell Street
Vancouver
Thursday to Sunday from 1-7 p.m.
Artisan SakeMaker
Celebrating their seventh anniversary this year, Artisan SakeMaker produces small-batch homemade sake year-round. Unlike imported Japanese sake, Artisan’s Osake is proudly produced from B.C.-grown rice as of 2013. The rice is fermented and through the brewing process creates a wine that is typically fruity and sometimes sweet. Don’t-miss Drink: Fraser Valley Junmai Sake – Series Two, made in celebration of their seventh anniversary. Tasting Hours:
1339 Railspur Alley, Vancouver (on Granville Island)
Monday to Sunday: 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Granville Island Brewing
When it opened in 1984, Granville Island Brewing was the first microbrewery to set up shop in Vancouver. Today, it still brews small batches in its original location while also distributing their flavours across Canada. Learn more about the process of brewing during a tasting tour featuring your choice of year-round samplers and brewmaster Vern Lambourne’s handcrafted beers. Don’t-miss Drink: It’s a toss-up between the False Creek Raspberry Ale, a summer ale made from Fraser Valley raspberries, and the Lions Winter Ale, with its layers of vanilla and cocoa. Tasting Hours: 1441 Cartwright Street, Vancouver
Monday to Sunday: three tours daily at noon, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.
Yaletown Distillery
The Mark James Group has brewed beer at the Yaletown Brewing Company for over 20 years, so when they decided to start artisan distilling in 2013 they brought with them a wealth of industry knowledge. Located in the historic Yaletown Soho building, the tasting room offers visitors guided tours, tastings and a retail room where you can purchase a bottle to take home for yourself. Don’t-miss Drink: Yaletown Vodka. B.C. grains are the foundation for this smooth and creamy vodka. Tasting Hours: 1132 Hamilton Street, Vancouver
Tuesday and Wednesday: 12-5 p.m.
Thursday: 12-7 p.m.
Friday and Saturday: 12-10 p.m.
Brassneck Brewery
The unique design and minimalistic decor of the Brassneck Brewery complements the classic beers brewed on-site. Owners Nigel Springthorpe and Conrad Gmoser are dedicated to their craft and have successfully created a space where people can stop by for a beer after work, fill up growlers on the go and, of course, enjoy a sampling of tasters. Don’t-miss Drink: Passive Aggressive IPA. Despite the name, the hops in this one are anything but passive. Tasting Hours: 2148 Main St, Vancouver
Monday to Friday: 2-11 p.m.
Saturday & Sunday: 12-11 p.m.
The Liberty Distillery
Made from 100 per cent B.C. grain, the spirits distilled at The Liberty Distillery include gin, vodka, white whiskey and, coming soon, aged whiskey. Since opening last year, the Liberty Distillery has become part of the special and creative community on Granville Island. Their impresssive 140- and 220-litre copper distilling pots stand out amongst the crowd. Don’t-miss Drink: Truth Vodka, made with B.C. grain and coastal mountain water. Tasting Hours: 1494 Old Bridge Road, Vancouver (on Granville Island)
Sunday to Thursday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Friday to Saturday: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.