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Victoria Beer Week returns for its 10th birthday this March
Here is what to expect from the craft beer festival
Sarah Madsen
February 13, 2024
Victoria Beer Week. Photo: Submitted
Victoria’s craft beer festival is fast approaching and we are here to give you the scoop of what you can expect from the Victoria Beer Week events that are taking place from March 1-9. The festival is celebrating its 10-year anniversary and its events are highlighting both heritage beers as well as innovations that have been made over the past decade.
From brewery tours and beer launches to food pairings and trivia, these are the craft beer events that you should get excited about.
To kick-off the start of Victoria Beer Week, the festival is collaborating with several local breweries to create an exclusive extra pale ale that is made with 10 grains, 10 hops, and 10 yeasts. Île Sauvage Brewing Co. will host the launch party for the special beer on March 1. Tickets for the event include a pint of the Ten Ten Ten collab beer as well as food and beer specials.
Where: Île Sauvage Brewing, 2960 Bridge St.
When: Friday, March 1, 5:30-10pm
Tickets: $10
Hoyne Brewing Co. is hosting a tour of its facility on March 2, giving you the opportunity to meet the brewers behind your favourite beers. The brewery will be featuring five of its best lagers, with tickets including 10 oz. samples of each of them. Tickets also include appetizers to snack on.
Where: Hoyne Brewing Co., 2740 Bridge St.
When: Saturday, March 2, 3-6pm
Tickets: $30
Get a taste for what the Sidney craft beer scene has to offer with this guided tour on March 3. A bus will pick up attendees from Mayfair Mall and take them to Field Five Farm, where they will learn about the growing and malting process and will enjoy a 12 oz. beer. The tour will then stop at both Small Gods Brewing Co. and Beacon Brewing to get a glimpse behind the scenes of production and will include either one beer or a four beer flight sample at each brewery.
Where: Bus leaves from Mayfair Mall at 3:15pm
When: Sunday, March 3, 4-7pm
Tickets: $55
Moon Under Water Brewery will host a night in honour of German beer on March 4. Tickets for the event will include a German dinner with small plates as well as four 4 oz. German-style beers, including Island Rauchbier—a collaboration between Small Gods Brewing Co. and Whistle Buoy Brewing.
Where: Moon Under Water Brewpub, 350 Bay St.
When: Monday, March 4, 5-10pm
Tickets: $40
Put your craft beer knowledge to the test with this trivia event hosted by Phillips Brewing & Malting Co. on March 5. The event will also include new beer releases and prizes. All proceeds will be donated to The Pink Boots Society, who provide support and education for women and non-binary individuals in the fermented and alcoholic beverage industry.
Where: Phillips Brewing & Malting Co., 2000 Government St.
When: Tuesday, March 5, 6:30-9pm
Tickets: $10
This event at Whistle Buoy Brewing on March 6 celebrates all things hazy beer and features a curated lineup of hazy IPAs from local breweries, with the first sleeve of beer being included in the ticket price. Whistle Buoy Brewing and Category 12 Brewing will also launch their hazy beer collaboration. The event will feature an industry cornhole tournament where local breweries can battle it out.
Where: Whistle Buoy Brewing, #63-560 Johnson St.
When: Wednesday, March 6, 5-9pm
Tickets: $10
Vancouver Island Brewing is celebrating four decades of craft beer in Victoria with 18 of its own heritage and throwback pilot beers as well as legacy beers from other local breweries including Swift Brewing, Moon Under Water Brewing, and others. Throwback beers will include its Absolute Darkness India Dark Ale, its Sea Dog Amber Ale, and its Bourbon Barrel Aged Hermannator Ice Bock. Tickets include either a 20 oz. pint or a flight of four 4 oz. beers. Scorpion Chef will be cooking up empanadas for sale at the event. Attendees are encouraged to don their retro beer merch.
Where: Vancouver Island Brewing, 2330 Government St.
When: Thursday, March 7, 7-10:30pm
Tickets: $15
Lighthouse Brewing will be bringing back three of its classic brews, as voted on by its customers, on March 8. The returning beers will be its Beacon ESB, its Perla Negra Baltic Porter, and its Red Sky IPA. Tickets include either a 20 oz. pint or a flight of four 4 oz. beers.
Where: Lighthouse Brewing Co., 836 Devonshire Rd.
When: Friday, March 8, 4-9pm
Tickets: $10
To wrap up the beer festivities, the festival is hosting a party in honour of its 10th anniversary at the Victoria Press Building on March 9. The event will feature games, prizes, entertainment, and of course—craft beer. Tickets include six drink tokens for 4 oz. beer tasters, a 10th anniversary tasting cup, and a birthday goodie bag. Additional drink tokens can be purchased at the event for $2 each and food will be available for purchase.
Where: Victoria Press Building
When: Saturday, March 9, 7-10pm
Tickets: $45