Hop Along the Lower Mainland

Your Guide to Vancouver’s Craft Beer

Photos by Cathy Ye

In the ever-changing landscape of the modern world, third spaces—social environments separate from home and work where people can gather, relax, and socialize—are quickly disappearing. One thing is for sure, where people can still hangout in Vancouver are the diverse craft breweries we have.

Today, there are many choices of breweries. However, this wasn’t always the case for Vancouver. There were no craft breweries in British Columbia until 1984, when Granville Island Brewing became Canada’s first licensed microbrewery.

It wasn’t until the early 2000’s that the term “craft beer” was being used regularly. This was due to tap houses and tasting scenes appearing more and more.

Presently, Vancouver residents are lucky enough to have a craft beer scene that is thriving and growing. We have a diverse range of about 70+ breweries, with each of them individually having their own unique styles.

Three Breweries That Have Played a Part in Shaping the Craft Beer Scene in Vancouver

Located in Port Moody, this brewery maintains a special partnership with the BC SPCA. Each month they brew a specialty “Puppy Batch” in honour of a deserving pup in need of adoption—one who has been at the shelter longer than usual.

Their Puppy Batch brews are smaller, beers that allow their brewers to be creative, adventurous, and daring. More so, 100 percent of the proceeds from these batches go directly to the animals at the BC SPCA.

This brewery is open seven days a week and is a cool casual place to visit for a hangout. However, an especially great day to visit would be the last Wednesday of the month for “Western Wednesday”, where they serve special drinks, and you have an opportunity to dress in Western attire.

Must-Try Brews:

• Play Dead
• Chase My Tail

In 2012, three friends opened Parallel 49 with the goal of making craft beer available to everyone. This brewery is known for their variety of hybrid beer styles featuring names that offer puns and pop culture references.

One major reason to visit this brewery? Parallel 49 craft beers have won awards nationwide! Notable awards include the Craft Lager Munich Helles, which has won gold at the BC Beer Awards in 2015 and 2017.

Best time to visit to beat the crowd would be between 1:30 to 3:00 pm.

Must-Try Brews

• Trash Panda IPA
• Jerkface 9000

Inspired by Portland’s craft beer scene, founder P.J. L’Heureux was determined to make craft beer accessible to all Canadians. In 2011, the first CRAFT Beer Market opened in Calgary, and since then, the company has expanded nationwide. CRAFT Beer Market was the forefront of Canada’s craft beer movement. Most of their restaurants are in historic buildings or iconic districts, serving as excellent hangout places.

For recommended visiting hours, check them out during their happy hour, Monday to Friday from 2:00 to 5:00 pm, or their brunch hours, Saturday, Sunday, and holiday Mondays from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm.

Must-Try Brews:

• Bomber Pear & Yuzu Sour
• Granville Island Cypress Honey Lager

The Lower Mainland’s brewery scene is constantly evolving. Each brewery contributes its own unique character, making a visit worthwhile. Whether you’re planning a solo beer crawl or heading out with friends, these spots are essential spots for a refreshing drink.