2018 Victoria, British Columbia, Official Vacation Guide - 15

PHOTO COURTESY OF TOURISM VICTORIA

Victoria: It's been called the Craft Beer Capital of
Canada and the Cradle of the Craft Beer Revolution.
Home to 13 breweries, scores of friendly pubs and a
thriving real ale culture, BC's capital is a top spot to
sip some liquid gold. How did this come to be? It's a
story best told over a pint.

CRAFT-BEER REVOLUTION
A good place to start is Phillips Brewing and Malting Company, British Columbia's
biggest craft brewery, where a behind-the-scenes tour includes tasters of the signature
Blue Buck IPA, the dessert-worthy Longboat Chocolate Porter, or any of the 35 ales
and lagers brewing at any time. Tours and samples are also on hand just up the street at
Vancouver Island Brewery.
From there, a 15-minute stroll leads to the Moon Under Water Brewpub. A
friendly local hangout, the Moon takes its name from a George Orwell essay about his
fictionalized ideal pub. Try one of seven house brews, including a range of sours (these
sell out fast). A snack, say a bowl of IPA-infused chili, will help fuel the next walk: a
15-minute hike over the Bay Street Bridge to Spinnakers Gastro Brewpub.
Canada's first modern-day brewpub, Spinnakers opened in 1984, launching both
British Columbia's craft-beer revolution and the new seaside neighborhood of Vic
West. Downstairs is an all-ages restaurant with an open kitchen, and you'll find the
Taproom upstairs with vaulted ceilings and sea views that evoke a captain's house of
old. Spinnakers boasts one of the longest, most varied lists in town, ranging from Juice
Monkey IPA to Titanic Stout, plus sours, ciders and blends.

HISTORIC & ARTISTIC
Another reason for Victoria's thriving pub culture is the sheer volume of beautifully
restored historic buildings to house them in. A great example is CANOE, where soaring
ceilings and exposed beams recall the 1894 building's industrial roots (it once housed
generators for the city's streetlights) and the brick patio overlooks the kayaking and barge
action on the Upper Harbour. Brewmaster Daniel Murphy keeps things simple with four
small-batch beers: try a flight of Helles Lager, Belgian Witbier, Pale Ale and Dark Ale with
some short rib tacos or ale-battered cod and chips.

Category 12 Brewery

Vancouver Island Brewing

ANNE FEARON-WOOD

PHOTO COURTESY OF VANCOUVER ISLAND BREWERY

continued on page 16 ➤

Moon Under Water Brewpub

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