There was a time when the term “craft beer” barely existed in Vancouver’s drinking vocabulary. However, over the last decade, the craft beer scene has proliferated to such an extent that the city has become an imbibing destination.
The 9th annual Vancouver Craft Beer Week (VCBW) kicks off tomorrow and is sure to be a lively and spirited celebration of local and imported brews.
From May 25 to June 3, 2018, VCBW (it’s actually 10 days, not a week) will run with a variety of events centred on fostering and furthering appreciation of craft beer, its community, and its food pairings.
Photo Credit: Christine McAvoy
The Week began in 2010 with just 15 breweries and 100 devotees of craft beer and has evolved to become the biggest craft beer celebration in Canada, with over 15,000 expected attendees!
Photo Credit: Two Peas
The two biggest events are the “VCBW 2018 Kickoff: East Van Crusher” on May 25, 2018 and the “VCBW 2018 Festival at the PNE Fairgrounds” from June 2-3, 2018. The kickoff party takes place at the Maritime Labour Centre (1880 Triumph St) from 7pm to 11pm ($25 per person, which includes entry and 2 beers). There’ll be over twenty breweries represented in this can crusher event, including the VCBW 2018 Collaboration Beer, a double dry hopped pilsner, created through a Sea-to-Sky partnering of Beere Brewing, Coast Mountain Brewing, and Backcountry Brewing. Feats of Strengths games will be happening (think keg stacking competitions), as well as live music from Alex Maher and Hebegebe, and eats to be purchased from Bandidas Food Truck.
Photo Credit: Two Peas
The other huge gathering takes place on the PNE Fairgrounds. This closing celebration is a two-day outdoor event with food trucks, games, live interactive painting with the Vancouver Mural Festival, live music (eg Dakota Pearl), floral leis and crown-making, and over 100 breweries and cideries offering over 300 ciders and beers (eg Faculty Brewing Co., Four Winds Brewing). Food trucks include REEL Mac and Cheese, Chickpea, Disco Cheeta Korean Grill, and Miss Siam. There are single day, weekend, and VIP tickets (starting at $39). You can even create, in advance, a list of breweries and beers you want to try through the website. This is not a party to be missed.
Photo Credit: Two Peas
And to make the week even more of a blast, at VCBW-approved venues, there will be a variety of different events and evenings. For example, on May 31, 2018, Portland Craft is hosting an Oregon Trail Tap Takeover; on May 31, 2018, Devil’s Elbow Ale & Smoke House is hosting their Forbidden Fruit event featuring 23 fruity and sour beers; and on May 31, 2018, Vancouver Brewery Tours is hosting a Gastown Pub Walk.
Photo Credit: Christine McAvoy
Further information and tickets can be found on-line.
