Finding puppies their fur-ever homes through craft beer Warning: if you hate unabashed joy, puppy cuddles, beer, and undying loyalty and companionship, these events are not for you. Unleashed in 2022 by Leah Bosello and Emily Boucher, Barks N’ Brews is a non-profit event series aimed at promoting dog adoption, connecting people with their local rescues, and creating community. Inspired by, of all things, the model of cat cafés, the premise is simple. For a small donation benefitting a local rescue, you get five minutes of blissful puppy time in a pen full of cute! Then you grab a pint, suppor ..read more

Ben Coli of Dageraad Brewing (L) and Iain Hill (R) discuss changes to the B.C. brewery scene over the past decade. Sandra Thomas photo Since launching Burnaby’s Dageraad Brewing in May of 2014, Ben Coli has seen a lot of changes to B.C.’s craft brewing scene. It’s the same for Iain Hill, whose Strange Fellows Brewing in East Vancouver turns 10 this December. During that time, the craft-beer industry across the province also experienced exponential growth. By 2022, the number of craft breweries in B.C. had reached almost 250, but ever-increasing rents and property taxes, the rising costs of shi ..read more

iStock / Getty Images Plus / bfohack2 photo Although the craft beer industry as a whole is facing some economic challenges in this post-pandemic world and consumers seem to be drinking less beer overall, we are still seeing some new breweries opening around British Columbia. Here are some more to look forward to. Boltage Brewing Squamish (coming soon) Boltage’s social media feeds and website have been saying “Coming Soon to Downtown Squamish” for a while now. BoltageBrewing.com Bridge Brewing Pemberton North Vancouver (fall 2024) Bridge is opening a second brewery location in the same area as ..read more

Welcome, CowDog! A new brewery has opened in East Vancouver in Callister’s former space. CowDog Brew Co. hopes to open in March. CowDog Brew Co./Instagram After having lost a couple of breweries over the last year, Vancouver has a new one. The CowDog Brew Company has officially opened its doors this weekend, after taking over the former location of Callister, which left its East Vancouver home at the end of 2023. CowDog opened at 1338 Franklin St. in East Vancouver on Friday, March 15, which seems a fitting weekend to start selling beer. “I want to thank everyone who came out to support u ..read more

The Growler is back with all the beer news and features you need to get you through the spring and summer! In this issue, we sit down with Ben Coli of Dageraad Brewing and Iain Hill of Strange Fellows Brewing to discuss highlights of the last ten years. Noëlle Phillips digs into the past and tells us all about Vancouver’s first brewery owner. Joe Wiebe gives us a guide to “beer-cycling” in Greater Victoria. Ontario editor Jordan St. John explores hazy IPAs, with food pairing examples and must-try B.C. beers. Sandra Thomas meets the chef at North Vancouver’s Bridge Brewing, who shares a recipe ..read more

Enjoy a craft beer responsibly on select Penticton beaches and parks year-round. BC Ale Trail photo I’ve been visiting Penticton annually to judge beers at the Okanagan Fest of Ale for more than a decade, and this beautiful, small city tucked between Okanagan Lake and Skaha Lake seems to get even better year after year. While summer is prime time for vacationing in the Okanagan, spring is also a wonderful time to visit Penticton, which might also be a little more affordable. Consider planning a trip around the Okanagan Fest of Ale (April 12-13 this year) for a great way to sample the region’s ..read more

Victoria Beer Week Celebrates 10 Years! Launched in 2014, VBW returns for its 10th annual celebration of the capital city’s craft beer culture March 1-9, 2024. Celebrate 10 Years of Victoria Beer Week with this special collaboration beer brewed at Île Sauvage Brewing. Launched in 2014, Victoria Beer Week is returning March 1-9, 2024. The festival includes nine daily events culminating in the VBW 10th Birthday Bash on the final night. VBW10 Event Schedule Tickets for all events are on sale now at victoriabeersociety.com. Ten Ten Ten: VBW Collaboration Beer LaunchFriday, March 1, 5:30 pm ..read more

Calling all creative artists, graphic designers and illustrators out there! The Growler is looking for someone to design our next series of guide covers for B.C. and Ontario. If you are interested in being our 2024 cover artist, send us an introductory email with a portfolio link to gnugent@glaciermedia.ca by January 15, 2024. This job is open to anyone, and artists who haven’t already done illustration or design work for breweries are encouraged to apply. Previous artists have included Anja Werner, Tom Froese, Cai Sepulis, Marcus Hynes, Neil Manuel, Cynthia Frenette, and Lea Linin ..read more

paired with Spinnakers Jolly Hopper Imperial IPA Chef Nigel Taylor’s Beer and cheese pot. Photos courtesy of Spinnakers Gastro Brewpub Spinnakers Gastro Brewpub Chef Nigel Taylor admits that while growing up on the West Coast of Vancouver Island, he took the bounty of fresh ingredients and seafood surrounding him for granted. Taylor says while his grandmother grew raspberries, his grandfather was known locally for baking delicious wholewheat bread, his dad was a landscaper who planted a beautiful garden each year filled with fresh vegetables, and his mom was a wonderful cook. “And, dad wo ..read more

From the somewhat obvious, to the quirky and creative—we’ll help you look like you put some thought into it. Happy Huckin’ Holidays! Photo courtesy of Fernie Brewing Company How is it already the middle of December?! If you’re like me, that means that you are utterly unprepared, likely still have your Halloween decorations up, and are just now being reminded about your snow tires by reading this. We’re a beautiful disaster, my friend—cheers. Luckily, there’s still time to pull out a win! Sleigh! Photo courtesy of Phillips Malting and Brewing CoThe Not-So-Ugly “Ugly” Brewery Christmas Sweater T ..read more