Here’s what you need to sip on this spring in Victoria

As the streets become lined with fluffy pink blossoms that branch out from cherry and plum trees, it is clear that spring has sprung. 

Whether you are surrounded by laughter on a patio or relaxing in your back garden, what better addition is there to the recent sunshine than a cool and refreshing drink. 

From hazy beers and fruity sours to dry ciders and tangy white wines, these are the drinks we are most excited to enjoy this spring.  

Hoyne Brewing Co.

Hoyne Brewing Co.’s newly released Che Bello Italian pilsner has arrived just in time for spring. This crisp beer features Eraclea malts grown on the Adriatic coast and has notes of honey, sage, and lemon balm. Alternatively, try the brewery’s Entre Nous Belgian Witbier, a fruity seasonal beer made with German red wheat malt.

Address: 2740 Bridge St. #101, Victoria
Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 11am-6pm

Whistle Buoy Brewing

If springtime means one thing, it means that Whistle Buoy Brewing’s patio is back in full swing. What better way to bask in the sun than with the brewery’s Garden City Kiwi Sour in hand. This dry-hopped beer is made with locally grown kiwis from Peninsula Kiwi and features notes of papaya. For a crisp, refreshing drink try out Whistle Buoy Brewing’s Marktplatz Pilsner, a malty take on the classic German beer that uses Field Five Farm’s pilsner malt.  

Address: Market Square, Lower Courtyard, #63, 560 Johnson St., Victoria
Hours: Sunday-Wednesday, noon-9pm; Thursday, noon-10pm; Friday and Saturday, noon-midnight

Île Sauvage Brewing Co.

Enjoy a beer flight at Île Sauvage Brewing Co. as the weather begins to warm up. Make sure to check out the brewery’s Rustique Saison, a brett saison with flavours of sumac and golden beets. The brewery’s Lunar Lager also makes a great addition to the flight line up. This fruity light lager has aromas of passionfruit and pink guava. 

Address: 2960 Bridge St., Victoria
Hours: Monday, noon-6pm; Wednesday and Thursday, noon-8pm; Friday and Saturday, noon-10pm; Sunday, noon-7pm

Phillips Brewing & Malting Co.

In a scarily good addition to its Dinosour lineup, Phillips Brewing & Malting Co. has released Orange Dreamsicle, the perfect springtime beer that hearkens to nostalgic days of brightly-coloured popsicles running down your arms. This velociraptor dedicated sour is packed with flavours of orange and vanilla. The brewery has another special addition just in time for spring. Doe-a-Beer is a citrusy witbier with spices made in collaboration with Pink Boots Society, with a portion of proceeds assisting the education of women and non-binary individuals in the fermented/alcoholic beverage industry. 

Address: 2000 Government St., Victoria
Hours: Sunday-Wednesday, noon-8pm; Thursday, noon-9pm; Friday and Saturday, 11am-9pm

Salt Spring Wild Cider

Warmer weather and cider go hand in hand. Salt Spring Wild Cider has the perfect ciders to enjoy in the sunshine, like its hopped apricot cider that is infused with apricot nectar and four types of organic hops and that has flavours of lychee, stone fruit, and grapefruit. For a classic option, try the cidery’s Farmhouse Scrumpy, a strong and tannic cider made with heritage apples.  

Address: 151 Sharp Rd., Salt Spring Island
Hours: Monday-Sunday, 11am-9pm

Sea Cider Farm & Ciderhouse

In celebration of the city’s gorgeous cherry blossoms, try out Sea Cider Farm & Ciderhouse’s Canadian Invasion Cherry Lane cider. This semi-sweet, rose coloured drink is made with bitter cherry, pin cherry, and choke cherry and proceeds from this series help to combat invasive plants. The cidery also makes a perry that is ideal for springtime. This take on the classic English pear cider is ultra-dry with a light tannic.  

Address: 2487 Mt St Michael Rd., Saanichton
Hours: Monday-Sunday, 11am-6pm

Esquimalt Vermouth & Apéritifs

Not only has Esquimalt Vermouth & Apéritifs won numerous awards for its botanically infused wines made from mead, but it also has a selection of beverages ideal for spring. Its Kina-Salal is a quinquina style wine—also known as tonic wine due to the addition of quinine to sweet wine—and is made with wild salal berries and blueberries. Alternatively, try its Apéritif Cascadia, an herbal apéritif made with sitka alder that has flavours of berries, pine, and salty brine.

Address: 859 Devonshire Rd. #3, Esquimalt
Hours: Tuesday-Friday, 10am-5pm

Sea Star Vineyard and Winery

Located on Pender Island, Sea Star Vineyard and Winery produces wines that are perfectly suited to springtime on the West Coast. Its Salish Sea is a white wine made with ortega and siegerrebe grapes and has flavours of melon, herbs, and pineapple. The winery also makes Blanc de Noir, a Provence-style dry rose wine made with pinot noir grapes that has flavours of rhubarb, strawberry, and cranberry.   

Address: 6621 Harbour Hill Dr., Pender Island
Hours: Wednesday-Sunday, noon-5pm