What’s Brewing Magazine: The Journal of BC's Craft Beer Movement

Colder months are generally more suited to beers that are stronger in both flavour and alcohol. I have talked about barley wine in past columns, so this year I thought I would suggest an Imperial Stout.

As a recent transplant to the North Island community of Comox, I had fun in the fall, social-distance visiting the local breweries. I noticed that a big seller was cream ale—both Gladstone Brewing and Land & Sea Brewing were serving it as fast as they could make it. Even Dave Paul’s nano-operation Love Shack Libations in Qualicum keeps a cream ale as one of his four core beers.

These are most certainly challenging times for independent craft breweries in Prince George and Northern BC. Yet many have stepped up in order to keep the spirit of the #BCCraftBeer community alive!

In these times of social distancing and closed borders, we still have opportunities to explore in our own backyard. Brian K. Smith takes you on a four-day trip to Vancouver Island’s west coast to check out the recent arrivals in the craft beer scene, easily and affordably.

In late May of 2019, Wildeye Brewing opened their brewery/tasting room in North Vancouver, an area that has definitely become a destination craft beer hub. The owner and conceiver is Samantha Lindeman, and she is not even thirty!

Despite the challenges of COVID-19 restrictions, regulations and rules, the South Okanagan craft beer industry has adapted and pivoted.