Greater Victoria breweries win big at BC Beer Awards

South Island craft beers are continuing to showcase just how delicious and unique they are. This was proven at this year’s BC Beer Awards where nine Greater Victoria breweries took home wins, including some of the highest honours. 

This follows seven summertime wins at the Canadian Brewing Awards from local breweries, including Small Gods Brewing, Ile Sauvage Brewing Co., and Moon Under Water Brewery. Greater Victoria breweries also secured 12 wins at the BC Beer Awards last year.   

Check out this year’s winners!   

Hoyne Brewing Co. 

Hoyne Brewing was presented the award for Best in Show for its Dark Matter. The chocolatey dark beer with roasted malt also scored a first place win in the Malty UK and Irish Ale category. The brewery also took home gold in the Amber Lager category for its Svec Czech Half Dark Lager.  

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

Small Gods Brewing

Sidney-based brewery Small Gods Brewing received the award for Innovator of the Year. This follows a big win in June at the Canadian Brewing Awards, where the brewery took home a gold for its Promised Land and a silver for its Neverending.   

Address: 9835 Third St., Sidney
Hours: Sunday-Thursday, 11am-9pm; Friday and Saturday, 11am-10pm 

Swift Brewing 

Swift Brewing was awarded the title of Rookie of the Year. The brewery, which opened in April, also won gold in the Hazy IPA category for its Smooth Operator Citra Hazy Pale Ale, a hazy beer made with stone fruit.  

Address: 450 Swift St., Victoria
Hours: Tuesday, noon-10pm; Wednesday-Sunday, noon-midnight

Sooke Oceanside Brewery

The first place wins continued with Sooke Oceanside Brewery snagging a gold in the International Lager category for its Leechtown Lager. This light and bright lager is made with Canadian Pilsner malt and German hops.  

Address: 5871-A Sooke Rd., Sooke 
Hours: Sunday-Wednesday, noon-8pm; Thursday, noon-11pm; Friday and Saturday, noon-9pm

Herald Street Brew Works

Herald Street Brew Works received first place in the North American IPA category for its Gonzalez Bay IPA. Inspired by the iconic Oak Bay beach, this IPA combines mandarin orange peel, stone fruit, and piney resinous. 

Address: 506 Herald St., Victoria 
Hours: Sunday-Wednesday, noon-9pm; Thursday, noon-10pm; Friday and Saturday, noon-midnight

Vancouver Island Brewing

Vancouver Island Brewing took home gold for its Islander Lager in the North American Light Lager category. This crisp and easily drinkable lager has a light floral finish.  

Address: 2330 Government St., Victoria
Hours: Wednesday-Saturday, 1-8pm

4 Mile Brewing Co.

4 Mile Brewing Co. scored two wins at the awards. It took home a silver in the Spice Beer category for its Level Ground Coffee Lager and a bronze in the Specialty IPA category for its Cole Island Session IPA. 

Address: 199 Island Hwy, Victoria
Hours: Sunday-Tuesday, 11am-11pm; Wednesday-Saturday, 11am-11:30pm 

Whistle Buoy Brewing

Whistle Buoy Brewing also won a silver medal for its Zipline Gose in the Specialty Wild Ale category. This tangy citrus beer features coriander, lemon peel, and sea salt. 

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

Category 12 Brewing  

Saanichton-based brewery Category 12 Brewing took home bronze in the Strong Ale and Lager category for its 8th Anniversary Barleywine. This beer features Field Five Farms barley malt and contains flavours of Barbados rum and vanilla.

Address: 2200 Keating Cross Rd. C, Saanichton 
Hours: Tuesday, Wednesday, Sunday, noon-7pm; Thursday-Saturday, noon-9pm