5 Reasons We’re Excited About the Great Canadian Beer Festival

Image: Adam Barhan

Beer-lovers rejoice! The 26th annual Great Canadian Beer Festival is coming to Victoria on September 7 and 8. Here’s why we just can’t wait.
 
1. We’ll be Spoiled for Choice
This year’s festival will feature more than 60 breweries and cideries at boots showcasing more than 250 beers and ciders.
 
2. There Will be a BC Trail-er
The ‘BC Trail-er’ is a new addition to the festival, serving up suds from an extra 10 breweries from around BC that are on the BC Ale Trail. Those clever people at the Ale Trail have decided to focus on beers that are not often tasted in Victoria, so you can expect to try something new. Breweries in the Trail-er include Backcountry Brewing, Fieldhouse Brewing, Kettle River Brewing, Strange Fellows Brewing, Twin City Brewing, Whistler Brewing and Yellow Dog Brewing. 
 
3. It’s an Award-Winner
The Great Canadian Beer Festival won Best BC Craft Beer Event in BeerMeBC’s People’s Choice Awards for 2015, 2016 and 2017. Bring on 2018!
 
4. There Will Be Plenty of First-Timers
First-time breweries from BC include Britannia Brewing, Crossroads Brewing, East Van Brewing, Iron Road Brewing, Mariner Brewing, Small Block Brewing, Smithers Brewing and Sooke Brewing. From Alberta, you’ll see Blind Enthusiasm Brewing, The Dandy Brewing Co, Blindman Brewing and Town Square Brewing. From Ontario Collective Arts Brewing and Blood Brothers Brewing will be in attendance, while Winterlong Brewing will be representing Yukon.
 
5. There Will be Food and Entertainment
Local food vendors this year include Ali Baba, Greek on the Street, Deadbeetz, Mama Rosie’s, Taco Justice and L'Authentique Poutine & Burgers. There will also be plenty of buskers, bands and circus performers to watch.
 
Tickets to the Great Canadian Beer Festival are $40 per day (incl tax) plus fees and includes your taster glass, program and BC Transit Get Home Safe bus ticket. Tokens cost $2 for a 4oz taster. If you’re heading to Victoria for the Beer Festival, check in to the Best Western PLUS Carlton Plaza. Take a short walk down Government Street from this AAA Three Diamond hotel and in seven minutes you’ll find yourself amid the Inner Harbour and the Legislature Buildings.