Vancouver’s craft beer breweries that you need to know

Craft beer culture in Vancouver has exploded in recent years and dozens of microbreweries have sprouted up all over town. So which brewery should you hop to next? Many of these local spots are within biking distances of each other, so why not leave the car at home and go on a biking tour to sample some of the city’s best ales, lagers, stouts and porters.

Vancouver’s craft beer breweries that you need to know
Nancy Wu By

33 Acres Brewing Co

1
15 8th Avenue W, Vancouver, BC V5Y 1M8

Bring home some sharp carbonation, bite and hoppy characters in glasses, growler and bottles from this Mount Pleasant microbrewery. 33 Acres is all about community and simple West Coast pleasures. The interior is a photogenic white space with a Scandinavian vibe. If you’re hungry, check out the weekly food truck eats: the waffle menu draws crowds on weekends while Monday nights feature Juno Kim’s pop-up dinner.

This business is featured in the following Smart Lists:

Brassneck Brewery

2
2148 Main St, Vancouver, BC V5T 3C5

Serving the Mount Pleasant neighbourhood, this local brewery is full of character, wooden panels and serious ales. Brassneck doesn’t have a kitchen of its own, but you’re welcome to bring your own outside food to enjoy with your beer. Saisons, dry hops, porters, Hefeweizen and other European styles will have you asking for more. Visit the tasting room often as their chalkboard menu changes frequently.

This business is featured in the following Smart Lists:

Red Truck Beer Company

3
295 1st Ave E, Vancouver, BC V5T 1A7

Head east to find this big truck-stop style brewery in an industrial area of Strathcona. Contrary to the aesthetic of many newer craft breweries that are filled with minimalist decor and PNW style, the space at Red Truck resembles a super-sized American diner. The impressive menu features a long list of food options and perfect snacks, such as garlic fries, for less than five bucks. Order a pint of Red Truck Ale, Lager or India Session Ale to go with your food.

This business is featured in the following Smart Lists:

Doan's Craft Brewing Company

4
1830 Powell St, Vancouver, BC V5L 1H9

This nano-brewery is filled with quirky vibes, artistic wall murals and personal touches. Located in the East Van neighbourhood of Granview-Woodland, it’s one of the few that pours a full 20-ounce pint. Whether you’re looking for a crisp and refreshing easy drink or a full-bodied altbier, Doan’s has something just for you.

This business is featured in the following Smart Lists:

Off The Rail Brewing Co

5
1351 Adanac St, Vancouver, BC V5L 2C4

You’ll fall in love with Off The Rail’s smooth-tasting Lancaster Cream Ale that’s rich without being, well, too creamy. Enjoy an afternoon in their tasting lounge or fill a growler to go. Snacking options include spicy pepperoni sticks or sundried-tomato and feta twisty bread. All sound a little too healthy? Double up on a Smoked Porter that drinks almost like a meal!

This business is featured in the following Smart Lists:

Bomber Brewing

6
1488 Adanac St, Vancouver, BC V5L 2C3

You’ll find hockey, flannel and stubbies at this East Van tasting room founded by three long-time friends. The ESB, IPA, Pilsner, Blonde and all of Bomber Brewing’s beers are super drinkable with a satisfying rich texture. The old school branding and decor keep this microbrewery true to its roots. Pick up two growlers to go in a wooden to-go case.

This business is featured in the following Smart Lists:

Strange Fellows Brewing

7
1345 Clark Dr, Vancouver, BC V5L 3K9

Don’t be a stranger and hop over to Strange Fellows Brewing on Clarke Drive in Strathcona. This brewery has a great line up so it’s best to order a flight of six different varieties to sample. Choose from the easily drinkable West Coast pale ale, the cloudy Belgian Wit or the sharp-biting French-style Saison; the list of Old World inspired brews will have you plotting return visits.

This business is featured in the following Smart Lists:

Steel & Oak Brewing Co Ltd

8
1319 Third Ave, New Westminster, BC V3M 1R2

In the suburbs of New Westminster, Steel & Oak is located on a tiny corner adjacent to the overpass ramp on Third Avenue. Wooden panels and industrial polished steel ornament the space. Friendly beer drinkers make the trek for the full-bodied and crisp Red Pilsner and the refreshingly smooth Royal City Ale.

This business is featured in the following Smart Lists:

Postmark Brewing

9
55 Dunlevy Ave, Vancouver, BC V6A 3A3

Postmark Brewing shares the space at The Settlement Building with Roaring Twenties Wine Co. and The Belgrade Kitchen, which means there are tasty lunch, dinner and brunch menus to enjoy alongside your small-batch brews. Accompany your meatball brunch skillet with a refreshing pint of Hibiscus Ale or a glass of Dry Irish Stout, which features subtle notes of coffee and chocolate. The growler station is open daily from 11:00 am to 11:00 pm. The brewery also offers a tasting bar, wine tours and wine-on-tap via freshTAP.

This business is featured in the following Smart Lists:

Four Winds Brewing Co Ltd

10
4-7355 72 St, Delta, BC V4G 1L5

Located in a middle-of-nowhere industrial park in Delta, Four Winds holds an impressive lineup of limited brews. The family-owned brewery has earned numerous awards since joining the B.C. craft beer community in 2013. Try the crowd favourite Phaedra Belgian Rye IPA filled with floral and citrus notes, or go for the hop-centric Vexillum with grapefruit and melon flavours.

More from Nancy Wu Nancy Wu
Nancy Wu is a finance professional by trade and has an eye for passion. She is editor in chief for NOMSS.com, a Vancouver food blog focused on food journalism, lifestyle, travel, branding and social media. Nancy is passionate about invoking vivid imagery, descriptive personal experience and public relations. She is digitally savvy and energetic about content marketing, digital relationships and food photography.
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