Beer-lovers, rejoice: the Great Canadian Beer Festival is back in Victoria for another hop-heavy celebration.
The 30th-annual, adult-only event will take place on Friday, Sept. 6 and Saturday, Sept. 7 at Topaz Park.
鈥淚t was started in 1993 by a couple of folks who were leaders in the micro-brewing movement, and then we took over in 2019 when they retired,鈥� said Joe Wiebe, the festival's beer director. 鈥淚t鈥檚 been an honour to continue their legacy.鈥�
Organized by the Victoria Beer Society, the festival is Canada's first and longest-running beer-tasting event. For those familiar with Canadian brewing history, it鈥檚 no surprise why the festival began in the Capital Regional District.
Founded in 1984, Spinnakers was Canada's first brewpub, and Wiebe said that's why Victoria has long been recognized as the starting point for today鈥檚 craft beer movement. Thanks to Spinnakers' groundwork, breweries have since shot up in large numbers in Victoria. For example, Phillips, which began in 2001 as a one-man operation, is now one of the biggest craft breweries in Canada.
鈥淎 lot of the early prominent brewers started here and then moved out into other locations across B.C. and Canada,鈥� added Wiebe. 鈥淚t really was the epicentre of things in the early days and continues to play that important role, even as other places have gotten more prominent.鈥�
Of the over 40 craft breweries and cideries on the Island, 21 will be at the festival.
The festival will offer over 200 craft beers and ciders to sample, from German-inspired lagers to hoppy IPAs. For those looking to take their taste buds on a wild ride, select breweries will pour wacky brews, including a dill pickle gose and a white pepper and cherry blossom lager.
As always, the event will provide plenty of non-alcoholic fun, including a 100-foot-long, inflatable obstacle course.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a big hit, especially for people who have had a couple of beer samples,鈥� laughed Wiebe. 鈥淭hey seem to enjoy risking their neck.鈥�
Folks can also play cornhole between drinks or jam-out to DJ sets.
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