Your Essential Guide to the Sunshine Coast BC Ale Trail

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.

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

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Thank you BC Ale Trail and Sunshine Coast BC for sponsoring this trip and post.
As always, all opinions are our own.
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