In this article, we will introduce three carefully selected breweries. The shining silver stainless steel tanks and the aroma of hops tickle your nose. Why not visit these unique breweries in this beautiful port town as if you were on an adult school trip?
*Prices and rates as of July 2024.
*Store opening hours may change depending on the season, etc. Please check the official website for the latest information.
INDEX
- Victoria, the mecca of craft beer
- The cute killer whale is their trademark. "Vancouver Island Brewing"
- The impressive beer tanks are a must-see. "Herald Street Breweries"
- The first legendary brewpub born from the passion of the brewer: "Spinnakers"
- The keyword is "Flight." The wonderful relationship between "travel lovers" and "tasting sets"
Victoria, the mecca of craft beer
Victoria, a beautiful port city described as "more British than Britain"
Victoria is a city on the southern tip of Vancouver Island, which sits off the west coast of Canada. It is a port city characterized by its historical architecture and abundant nature, and can be reached in about 30 to 40 minutes by air or about 1.5 hours by ferry from Vancouver, which takes about 9 hours (outbound) by direct flight from Japan.
In fact, the capital of British Columbia is not Vancouver but Victoria. There are many interesting sights, such as the neo-baroque Parliament Building and beautiful gardens, but Victoria has more to offer than that. This small town is also known as the "holy land of craft beer," with about 20 microbreweries.
The golden color of the beer stands out against the blue of the sea and sky.
Canada's craft beer culture has been developing since the 1980s. At a time when "beer sipped in large quantities" produced by large corporations was the norm in North America, the passion and hard work of local brewers gradually created a culture of "beer savoured slowly."
A new business concept that emerged from this history was the brew pub, which combines a brewery with a restaurant. Today, it remains a popular place for people to enjoy aromatic, fresh beer.
Here we introduce three unique brewpubs you should definitely visit in Victoria.
The cute killer whale is their trademark. "Vancouver Island Brewing"
"Craft Beer Tasting Set" where you can enjoy a little bit of each type
If you head north on Government Street, the main street in downtown Victoria, you will see Vancouver Island Brewing, marked by a killer whale. Founded in 1984, it is one of the oldest breweries representing Victoria's craft beer scene.
As I walked north along the main street, I found a sign on the side of the sidewalk near the edge of town.
At first glance, the building has a plain, impersonal appearance, reminiscent of a factory or company. However, if you follow the killer whale sign, you will see a pub (restaurant) attached to the building.
A "Taproom" is a store that serves draft beer from a "Tap" (beer server).
Although the entrance is small, the interior is bright and open with an atrium, making it a great place to come and enjoy a beer even if you're alone.
After ordering at the counter, be sure to head to the second floor.
The menu is filled with a wide variety of unique beers. If you can't decide because you're overwhelmed by all the options, the perfect thing to do is the "Tasting Set" where you can try a variety of beers in small amounts (4 types for 8.5 Canadian dollars, or about 970 yen; 5 types for 9.5 Canadian dollars, or about 1,090 yen). You can choose your favorite from the approximately 20 types of beer written on the menu board at the counter, and each glass will be served about 120 ml. You can choose the beer by imagining the taste from the name, or you can ask the staff for their recommendation and discover something delicious.
Even the handle of the beer server is cute, shaped like the trademark killer whale.
"Islander" is a lager beer that is as light as the breeze of a port town and is a popular brand loved by everyone. There is also a wide variety of fruit beers that are made by adding fruit juice such as strawberry, peach, and grapefruit during the brewing process, and they have refreshing flavors that even people who are not beer lovers should try.
The "tasting set" is a great way to try out a variety of beers, including fruit beer and IPA (India Pale Ale).
"Fieldberry Sour" is a unique red beer with a refreshing strawberry flavor.
Satisfy your adult curiosity and spend some relaxing time in the special seats on the second floor, where you can see the huge brewing pots.
Observing the beer-making process through glass is like a nostalgic field trip, and makes your heart flutter.
Vancouver Island Brewing
| address | ： | 2330 Government St, Victoria, BC |
|---|---|---|
| business hours | ： | 13:00～19:00 |
| Closed Day | ： | Monday and Tuesday |
| web | ： | Vancouver Island Brewing official website (foreign language site) |
| ： | @vibrewing |
The impressive beer tanks are a must-see. "Herald Street Breweries"
Near Chinatown. Stylish dark grey exterior.
There are many cities with thriving Chinatowns, including Victoria. Victoria Chinatown is the first Chinatown in Canada and is always bustling with tourists. Nearby is Herald Street Brewworks, a brewpub with impressive beer tanks lined up inside the store.
The exposed tanks are impressive. The ruggedness of the interior creates an artistic impression.
Its cool appearance contrasts with the bright and open Vancouver Island Brewing mentioned above. Behind the door is an adult hideaway. The best seats to sit at here are at the counter where you can enjoy the beer right in front of the tanks, or on the second floor where you can look down on the entire tanks.
Looking down from the second floor seats, you can see the tanks and piping clearly, making you feel like you're inside a factory.
The menu at this shop also includes a "tasting set." This allows you to choose your four favorite beers from about 10 varieties (one glass is about 120ml). The lineup is full of strong personalities, ranging from clear and light lager beer to pale ale with a pleasant bitterness, dark beer with a caramel flavor, and fruit beer. This is truly a shop for beer lovers.
The variety of beers available speaks to the breadth of flavors.
The philosophy of this restaurant is to "not stick to standard recipes, but to continue to explore and evolve recipes." It's the kind of place you'll want to visit in search of unknown flavors.
Herald Street Brew Works
| address | ： | 506 Herald St, Victoria, BC |
|---|---|---|
| business hours | ： | Monday to Thursday and Sunday 12:00 to 22:00 Friday and Saturday 12:00-23:00 |
| Closed Day | ： | none |
| web | ： | Herald Street Brew Works official website (foreign language site) |
| ： | @heraldstbw |
The first legendary brewpub born from the passion of the brewer: "Spinnakers"
Spinnakers, the place that started the history of Canadian brewpubs
Spinnakers Brewpub is a key player in the development of Victoria's craft beer industry. It opened in 1984 as Canada's first brewpub.
The exterior looks like a house. A large stainless steel tank welcomes you.
In the 1980s, Canadian law did not permit a brewery and a restaurant to be located in the same building. However, a brewer named John Mitchell, with his passion for beer and love for his hometown for the development of the industry as a whole, even moved the local government to create a new business model called a "brewpub." The first of these legendary establishments was Spinnakers.
The bright and spacious interior is a popular spot where locals gather from early in the morning.
Another feature of this restaurant is that it uses many locally produced ingredients. The menu includes sparkling beer made from apples from orchards in the state, as well as a wide variety of locally produced food. From brunch to dinner, customers range from children to seniors. This restaurant is enjoyable for everyone, even if you're not a beer lover, and it continues to be popular with locals, and the restaurant is filled with lively laughter during meal times.
The food menu is also extensive, using locally produced ingredients. This is a restaurant where you can enjoy a hearty meal.
Although it is a little far from the downtown area, it is easily accessible by taxi or city bus. On a sunny day, be sure to enjoy the terrace seats by the sea. There is also a three-star hotel called "Guest House" on the premises, so you can stay overnight.
Feel the sea breeze on the terrace seats by the sea
Spinnakers Brewpub
| address | ： | 308 Catherine St, Victoria, BC |
|---|---|---|
| business hours | ： | 9:00～23:00 |
| Closed Day | ： | none |
| web | ： | Spinnakers (foreign language site) |
| ： | @spinnakersbrewpub |
The keyword is "Flight." The wonderful relationship between "travel lovers" and "tasting sets"
"Flight of Four" beer tasting set
The microbreweries in this beautiful port town are full of fascinating beers that overflow with the craftsmanship and playfulness of the makers.
Here's a little bit of trivia. In the English-speaking beverage industry, a "tasting set" in which you get to taste small amounts of different types of beer is called a "Flight." The word's origin is said to come from the idea of trying different types of drinks as if you were "flying" between them, but it's also a word that tickles the travel bug.
Get on a plane and fly to Victoria, the mecca for craft beer, where you can find your favorite flavor. Have a safe flight!
Interview and photography: Yuriko Sachi
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The contents published are accurate at the time of publication and are subject to change.
