Homer Simpson once extolled on an episode of The Simpsons that beer is “the cause of, and solution to, all of life’s problems.”
So it’s the cause of much excitement (and hangovers) that the Great Canadian Beer Fest will again take place in Victoria on September 5 and 6. Two days may not seem like a lot of time to consume beers from over 30 Canadian breweries, but with the right knowledge of local beer and a strong thirst, anyone can get through the weekend unscathed and enjoy all the local beer that Beer Fest has to offer.
BC has been adding about a dozen new craft breweries a year during the past five years, so there’s quite the pick of the crop when it comes to local breweries. Most of these breweries are on the mainland, however, Vancouver Island has become home to quite a few new breweries and microbreweries.
Meanwhile, breweries such as Vancouver Island Brewery, the Island’s first craft brewery, and Phillips Brewing are gaining nationwide recognition for making some of the best craft beer in British Columbia.
Some experts are calling the surge of breweries and brewpubs in the area a craft-beer renaissance, and even going so far as to say that we’re in the golden age of the craft-beer industry.
“Because of enthusiastic craft-beer lovers, who aren’t necessarily always brand loyal and are always willing to try something new and support the newest kid on the block as best they possibly can, it’s a real community and it’s a blast to be a part of it,” says Matt Schmitz, creator of the Victoria Beer Museum, a website documenting local beers.
Tommie Grant, brewmaster of Spinnakers Brewpub, recommends anyone interested in craft beer to “get out there and experience as much as possible; visit breweries, try and new and different beer styles, give home brewing a try and just make an effort to scratch beneath the surface of the craft beer scene.”
Schmitz says that a person who crafts a great beer is “somebody who cares enough to pay attention to all the details and is striving for his or her version of perfection.”
Organizations such as CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) are popping up in more and more cities, advocating for craft beer and local ingredients. People are now more conscious about the beverages they drink, says Grant.
“A few years ago, craft beer folk were mostly thought of as older, bearded dudes with beer bellies,” says Grant.Ę“Nowadays, the typical craft-beer consumer is thought of as being a younger, urban hipster type.”
Held at Royal Athletic Park since 2005, the Great Canadian Beer Fest gives brewers an opportunity to share their craft with people, and gives loyal consumers a chance to meet and greet with the brewers.
Over 8,000 people attend the event annually to sample the participating Canadian beer vendors.
Five fave local brews
Moon Under Water’s session lager. It’s pretty much the perfect summer drink!
Matt Schmitz, Victoria Beer Museum
Weather, mood and circumstances are big factors.ĘIf it’s hot, and I mean Death Valley hot, my go-to is the Potts Pils from Moon Under Water. It’s light, has a gentle but crisp hop to it, and is lovingly refreshing.ĘIf I’m in the mood for a hoppy monster of an IPA, I’ll usually go for the Lighthouse Switchback, or the classic Fat Tug from Driftwood. But if I’m indecisive or just have a momentary lack of brainpower, I’ll go for a Dark Matter from Hoyne Brewing. It’s like a warm hug when you need it.
Greg Pratt, Nexus managing editor
Not a word of a lie, one rainy afternoon last year I drove around to various beer stores in town, my two offspring in tow, to try to find the last remaining bottles of Hoyne’s Voltage Espresso Stout in town. I found one store that had a box of 12 remaining. I bought the whole box, without second thought.
Jason Schreurs, Nexus assistant editor
Hoyne’s Hoyner Pilsner is my go-to brew. So crisp and clean, it goes down smooth and is, by far, the most refreshing beer I’ve ever tasted. All of Hoyne’s beers are great, but their pilsner is the best. An amazing summer drink, but pretty adaptable for every season, and it pairs well with all kinds of food dishes.
Zoe Harvey, Nexus contributing writer
Much like having the rose as a favourite flower, my favourite local beer has been, and always will be, Phillips Blue Buck. It’s the crispiest, smoothest, and sexiest beer I have tried and it will always have a special place in my liver.
Great Canadian Beer Fest
September 5-6
Royal Athletic Park
gcbf.com