Thank you BC Ale Trail and Sunshine Coast BC for sponsoring this trip and post.
As always, all opinions are our own.
Thank you for supporting the brands that make Local Adventurer possible.
We love trying beers when we travel, but we also like to balance it out with being active outdoors. We put on some serious pounds when we were trying new beers a few times a week and had a more sedentary life in Atlanta. A couple weeks ago, BC Ale Trail and Sunshine Coast invited us up to try their beer and explore their great outdoors. It was the perfect way to blend our two loves.
The BC Ale Trail is made up of 15 individual regions. Each one has its own flavor and lets you explore a different part of British Columbia. The best part is that no matter where you are in BC, you’ll have easy access to its beautiful scenery. Today, we’re sharing more about the Sunshine Coast region of the BC Ale Trail.
WHAT WE COVER [ CLICK LINKS TO SKIP AHEAD ]
THE SUNSHINE COAST BREWERIES
GIBSONS TAPWORKS
Besides brewing delicious beers, Gibsons Tapworks aims to be a community hub for locals and visitors. Their tasting room features local artists’ on the walls, and they also host live music.
Our Favorite Beers: Lower G Brown Ale & Stormrider IPA
On Site: Beer on Tap, Growler Fills, 4OZ Samples
Beer Types: Brown Ale, IPA, Stout, Blonde Ale
Other: Tours are Offered (call to check times), Kids area Allowed, Light Snacks Available
(778) 462-2337
[email protected]
537 Cruice Lane, Gibsons, BC V0N 1V9
gibsonstapworks.com
PERSEPHONE BREWING CO.
Persephone is a unique brewery because it runs a farm, where they grow some of their very own hops. Besides sourcing ingredients locally, they also partner with a local Community Living organization to employ disabled adults. Be sure to try the food they make on-site in their outdoor wood-fired oven.
Our Favorite Beers: Black Lager & IPA
On Site: Beer on Tap, Growler Fills, Cans, Bottles, 4OZ Samples
Beer Types: Saison, Pilsner, Lager, Cider, IPA, Stout, Golden Ale
Tours are Offered (call to check times), Kids area Allowed, Food Truck Nearby, Light Snacks Available
(778) 462-3007
[email protected]
1053 Stewart Rd, Gibsons, BC V0N 1V7
persephonebrewing.com
TOWNSITE BREWING
Located in the old Federal Building, Townsite is a popular spot amongst locals and the only brewery on the north side of the Sunshine Coast. We loved that everyone that walked in knew each other. On top of that, they have the only Belgian-born brewmaster west of Montreal. They name their beers after local sites, so see if you learn a thing or two as you enjoy their beers.
Our Favorite Beers: Thaddeus Oud Bruin, Tin Hat IPA
On Site: Beer on Tap, Growler Fills, Cans, Bottles, 4OZ Samples
Beer Types: Stout, Porter, Pale Ale, IPA, Golden Blonde Ale, Witbier, Seasonals (Saison, Wheat, Sour)
Other:Tours are Offered (call to check times), Kids area Allowed, Light Snacks Available
(604) 483-2111
[email protected]
5824 Ash Ave, Powell River, BC V8A 4R4
townsitebrewing.com
THE 15 BC ALE TRAILS
COWICHAN, NANAIMO & PARKSVILLE-QUALICUM BEACH: The Island’s Beer Belt
Recommended Time: 3 Days
Member Breweries: 9
Towns & Communities: Malahat, Shawnigan Lake, Duncan, Chemainus, Ladysmith, Nanaimo, Parksville, Qualicum Beach
List of Breweries: Red Arrow Brewing Company, Craig Street Brew Pub, Riot Brewing Co., White Sails Brewing, Longwood Brewpub, Longwood Brewery, Wolf Brewing Company, Mount Arrowsmith Brewing Co., LoveShack Libations
FRASER VALLEY: Farm Fresh Craft Beer
Recommended Time: 3 Days
Member Breweries: 6
Towns & Communities: Chilliwack, Cultus Lake, Abbotsford, Langley
List of Breweries: Old Yale Brewing Co, Chaos & Solace Craft Brewing Co., Ravens Brewing Company, Field House Brewing Co., Dead Frog Brewery, Trading Post Brewing
KELOWNA: The Heart of the Okanagan
Recommended Time: 3 Days
Member Breweries: 6
Towns & Communities: Kelowna
List of Breweries: Boundary Brewing Company, BNA Brewing Co., Kettle River Brewing Co., Tree Brewing Beer Institute, Red Bird Brewing, Freddy’s Brewpub
KOOTENAY ROCKIES EAST: Travel Far in Search of Beer
Recommended Time: 3 Days
Member Breweries: 6
Towns & Communities: Windermere, Cranbrook, Fernie, Kimberley, Athalmer, Invermere, Radium Hot Springs, Golden, Revelstoke
List of Breweries: Fisher Peak Brewing Company, Fernie Brewing Co., Over Time Beer Works, Arrowhead Brewing Company, Whitetooth Brewing Company, Mt. Begbie Brewing Company
KOOTENAY ROCKIES WEST: The Grand Beauty of Wild Nature Paired with Craft Beer
Recommended Time: 3 Days
Member Breweries: 3
Towns & Communities: Rossland, Nelson, Castlegar, Robson, Cranbrook
List of Breweries: Rossland Beer Company, Torchlight Brewing Co, Nelson Brewing Company
NANAIMO & COMOX VALLEY: Circle Route Pt. II
Recommended Time: 2 Days
Member Breweries: 6
Towns & Communities: Nanaimo, Courtenay, Cumberland
List of Breweries: Wolf Brewing Company, White Sails Brewing, Longwood Brewery, Cumberland Brewing Co., Forbidden Brewing Co., Gladstone Brewing Co.
NEW WEST, DELTA & SURREY: Neighbors with a Passion for Craft Beer
Recommended Time: 3 Days
Member Breweries: 3
Towns & Communities: New Westminster, Delta, Surrey
List of Breweries: Steel & Oak Brewing Co, Four Winds Brewing, Central City Brewers & Distillers
PENTICTON: One of BC’s Best Kept Craft Beer Secrets
Recommended Time: 3 Days
Member Breweries: 5
Towns & Communities: Penticton
List of Breweries: Tin Whistle Brewing, Cannery Brewing, Bad Tattoo Brewing, Highway 97 Brewery, Barley Mill Brew Pub & Bistro
PORT MOODY: New Kids on the Block
Recommended Time: 2 Days
Member Breweries: 4
Towns & Communities: Port Moody
List of Breweries: Moody Ales, Parkside Brewery, Yellow Dog Brewing, Twin Sails Brewing
SQUAMISH: Explore Sea to Sky in Search for Craft Beer
Recommended Time: 2 Days
Member Breweries: 3
Towns & Communities: Squamish
List of Breweries: Howe Sound Brewing, A-Frame Brewing Co., Backcountry Brewing
SUNSHINE COAST: Circle Route Pt. I
Recommended Time: 2 Days
Member Breweries: 3
Towns & Communities: Gibsons, Roberts Creek, Powell River, Lund
List of Breweries: Persephone Brewing Co., Gibsons Tapworks, Townsite Brewing
MAP OF SUNSHINE COAST BC ALE TRAIL
ESSENTIAL TIPS FOR FIRST TIMERS
- When to Go: The coast is mostly mild, although it can reach 32F (OC) in the winter and 90F (30C) in the summer. Summers are the busiest but that also means everything is open, whereas Spring and Fall may have limited hours.
- Be flexible: the Sunshine Coast has an island vibe, that includes how they run their businesses. Sometimes businesses will be closed or have limited hours. Be prepared with back ups.
- Pack Layers. No matter what time of year you go, pack layers so that you can stay warm in the morning and evenings but shed your layers when it gets hotter in the day.
MORE RESOURCES
- Sunshine Coast Map
- The Sunshine Coast: From Gibsons to Powell River
- Sea Kayak Desolation Sound & the Sunshine Coast
- Lonely Planet: British Columbia
DID YOU ENJOY THE POST? PIN IT FOR LATER
SEE MORE CRAFT BEER GUIDES
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ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION – SAN DIEGO BREWERIES TOUR
OUR FIRST BREWERY TOUR ON A CRUISE
BREWERY TOURS WITH ADVENTURES IN SAN DIEGO
PORTLAND BREWERIES BUCKET LIST
SAN DIEGO BREWERIES BUCKET LIST
“Discovery consists not of seeking new lands but in seeing with new eyes” – M. Proust
ESTHER + JACOB
Esther and Jacob are the founders of Local Adventurer, which is one of the top 50 travel blogs in the world. They believe that adventure can be found both near and far and hope to inspire others to explore locally. They move to a new city every year and currently live in Portland, Oregon.
Thank you BC Ale Trail and Sunshine Coast BC for sponsoring this trip and post.
As always, all opinions are our own.
Thank you for supporting the brands that make Local Adventurer possible.
