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<\/a>\r\nWiebe admits that taking over the fest has been \u201ca ton of work,\u201d but attendees should enjoy the benefits of VBS\u2019 hard work, such as live DJs Bryan Boitano and Mike Devlin, new food trucks, and, as mentioned above, several breweries that haven\u2019t been at the fest before. And, of course, beer. Lots and lots of beer. It\u2019s always interesting seeing what styles of beer are popular when the fest rolls around. Last year was sours; this year there are a couple different trendy styles. (Speaking of all that work, Wiebe says the fest is still looking for volunteers; head to victoriabeersociety.com\/volunteer-for-gcbf<\/a> for more info.)<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n \u201cThere\u2019s a style called \u2018gose,\u2019 which is really nice\u2014it\u2019s not very sour; it\u2019s a little tart and a little salty,\u201d says Wiebe. \u201cThere\u2019s quite a few of those being served, which is great; they\u2019re interesting beers. In terms of trends, just seeing what the new breweries can come up with\u2026 Hazy IPAs\u2014hazy styles in general\u2014have really blossomed over the past couple of years, so there\u2019s tons of those. It\u2019s funny\u2014five or six years ago, there would have been eight or 10 pumpkin beers; this year I think we only have one or two. But I have a feeling they\u2019re going to be really popular, because with so few of them, I think people are going to want to try them.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Wiebe also says that fruit-infused beers are really growing in complexity, and that there are a lot of really interesting things happening with fruity brews.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n \u201cThey kind of cross boundaries between sours\u2026 you might get IPAs now infused with fruit in a really interesting way, hazy beers, because there\u2019s lots of citrusy tropical flavours often in those hazy IPAs, so they often experiment with fruit, pineapple, strawberries\u2026 there\u2019s so many different options,\u201d he says.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n But almost as much as the fest focuses on the delicious drinks, there\u2019s an emphasis on community.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n \u201cThere\u2019s a brewery from Prince Rupert, Wheelhouse Brewing, that comes down every year for beer fest and drives something like 22 hours to get here, but there\u2019s no logic to it, because they don\u2019t sell any beer outside Prince Rupert,\u201d says Wiebe. \u201cMaybe a little bit in Terrace or something. They don\u2019t sell beer down here, they do it because they just want to celebrate with the brewing community every year, so I\u2019m super excited to see them again. I think that\u2019s a really cool thing about the event\u2014there\u2019s several breweries like that, that have travelled from way up north or way across the province.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n The Wiebe tasting list<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Because all this talk of beer just wasn\u2019t enough, we caught up with Victoria Beer Society beer director Joe Wiebe after our initial interview to find out what five beers he was personally most excited to try at the fest. If anyone knows what\u2019s worth checking out, it\u2019s Wiebe, so bring this list to the beer fest for quick reference.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n * Wheelhouse Brewing Scurvy Dog Spruce Ale<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Wiebe: \u201cBrewed with spruce tips and travelling all the way from Prince Rupert!\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n * Four Winds Brewing Apricot Jam Lactose IPA<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Wiebe: \u201cI remember their Raspberry Jam IPA last summer was spectacular, so I can\u2019t wait to try this one.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n * 33 Brewing Experiment Black Currant Session Saison<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Wiebe: \u201cJust sounds amazing.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n * Twin City Brewing Tangent Fresh Hopped Tangerine Sour<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Wiebe: \u201cThis Port Alberni brewery makes amazing fruit sours.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n * Smithers Brewing Strawberry Rhubarb Pie Blonde<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Wiebe: \u201cThis was my sleeper pick last year so I can\u2019t wait to taste it again.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n