As December winds down and we look back at the last 12 months, it鈥檚 safe to say that 2019 was another big year for craft beer in B.C. with 30 new breweries opening across the province. It wasn鈥檛 all good news, sadly, as we also said goodbye (or at least, see you later, in some cases) to four craft breweries that shut their doors this year.
Here鈥檚 a look back at all the comings and goings of B.C. craft beer in 2019鈥�
Openings
Ace Brewing Co. (Courtenay)
Ace Brewing is located in the Comox Valley, just a stone鈥檚 throw away from the Courtenay Airpark. Their tasting room is aviation-themed, showcasing Canadian Air Force history.
Alchemy Brewing (Kamloops)
In addition to its massive selection of craft beer, Alchemy boasts its own barbecue smoker and wood-fired pizza oven.
Another Beer Co. (New Wesminster)
New West鈥檚 newest brewery has not only delivering delicious brews since opening late July, but also offers artisanal cocktails based on their beers.
Barn Owl Brewing (Kelowna)
Situated in a lovingly renovated century-old barn just steps from Okanagan Lake, Barn Owl is worth a detour just for its spectacular setting.
Breakaway Brewing Co. (Summerland)
Breakaway has only been open for less than a year, but work is already underway to double its brewhouse and triple its seating capacity.
Bright Eye Brewing (Kamloops)
Kamloops鈥� newest brewery鈥攁nd the only one on the North Shore鈥攆eatures an ever-rotating lineup of experimental and small batch beers in its bright, modern tasting room.
Camp Beer Co. (Langley)
You鈥檙e going to want to camp out at this brand new brewery, which features multiple fire pits and a massive 2,000-sq.-ft. outdoor beer garden.
Cliffside Brewing (Nanaimo)
Nanaimo鈥檚 newest brewery is family-owned and right in the heart of the historic downtown, just steps from the ocean and seawall.
Container Brewing (Vancouver)
This new addition to the Yeast Van scene has a split-level tasting room with lots of natural light and plenty of interesting beers to sample there.
Copper Brewing (Kelowna)
Kelowna鈥檚 newest craft brewery (unless another one has opened this week) features approachable styles and a dog-friendly patio.
Dog Mountain Brewing (Port Alberni)
This bright blue brewery in downtown Port Alberni is coming together nicely and is set to open just before the new year. The rooftop patio offers panoramic views of the Alberni Inlet, the perfect place to sample Dog Mountain鈥檚 wild and mixed-fermentation beers.
Empty Keg Brewhouse (Merritt)
Empty Keg Brewhouse is the only brewhouse in Merritt; some might call it a gateway to the interior craft breweries in the Cariboo and Okanagan.
Farm Country Brewing (Langley)
After all manner of setbacks鈥攆rom red tape to burglars鈥攖he beer is finally being brewed at Farm Country, and by the time you read this, they鈥檒l probably be serving it, too.
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Five Roads Brewing (Langley)
This new addition to the burgeoning Langley beer scene offers an ever-changing array of fresh options on tap along with pizzas, paninis, pretzels and other snacks.
House of Funk Brewing Co. (North Vancouver)
Challenging the status quo and cultivating an environment of experimentation, House of Funk鈥檚 small batch system pushes boundaries to serve up fresh and unique flavours. Winner of Best New Brewery in the Growler鈥檚
Kelowna Brewing Co. (Kelowna)
Check out this Kelowna brew pub that has something happening every night, including trivia, karaoke, DJs, and is now brewing beer. KelownaBrewingCompany.com
Land & Sea Brewing (Comox)
Fantastic beers, delicious food and tasting room that鈥檚 as cool as it is welcoming: what鈥檚 not to love at Land & Sea?
New Tradition Brewing (Comox)
This family owned and operated brewery was hand built with using scavenged and reclaimed materials with natural building features. Also, the beer is delicious!
North Point Brewing (North Vancouver)
North Point offers craft beer with a rustic, cabin-like vibe in the heart of North Van鈥檚 burgeoning Shipyards Brewery District.
Rumpus Beer Co. (Revelstoke)
This tiny Revelstoke brewery hasn鈥檛 even been open for a year and it鈥檚 already planning a (much-needed) expansion for spring. Expect more beers and more space!
Rustic Reel Brewing Company (Kelowna)
This expansive Kelowna brewery features daily fresh-baked spent grain breads and pastries available at its Tackle Box Marketplace.
Slackwater Brewing (Penticton)
The Penticton craft brewery is quickly becoming the coolest place in town to hang out, thanks to great beers, delicious food, live music and a welcoming, friendly atmosphere.
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Slow Hand Brewing (Vancouver)
While they don鈥檛 just make lagers anymore, Slow Hand does focus on making distinctive, balanced beers that you can, and actually might want to, drink a lot of.
Stanley Park Brewing听(Vancouver)
You can now enjoy your next Stanley Park brew at their brand-new brick and mortar location! Nestled in Vancouver鈥檚 West End, just at the tip of its namesake, the Stanley Park Restaurant and Brewpub is serving up casual west coast fare and the same great beer, now brewed onsite.
Streetcar Brewing (North Vancouver)
Vancouver鈥檚 North Shore continues to surprise and delight with its growing craft beer community. Streetcar Brewing is a must when doing North Vancouver brewery crawl; now offering growler fills!
Tailout Brewing (Castlegar)
If you鈥檙e passing through the Kootenays, make sure to stop in at the newly-opened Tailout Brewing, Castlegar鈥檚 first and only craft brewery.
The Bakery Brewing Co. (Port Moody)
Brand new and already raking in the hardware. The Bakery Brewing Co took home a bronze at medal for their Cold Steeped Irish Stout at the 2019 BC Beer Awards.
Tinhouse Brewing (Port Coquitlam)
After a successful opening, the new founders club, the 鈥淪hed Society鈥�, are looking for new members. Watch for their exclusive hoodies and stainless growler.
Wildeye Brewing (North Vancouver)
Congratulations to Wildeye Brewing who was recently named named Winner of the People鈥檚 Choice Award at the Whistler Beer Festival 2019.
Whistle Buoy Brewing (Victoria)
Victoria鈥檚 newest brewery is located in the bottom of historic Market Square where it proudly displays its first place award from the B.C. Beer Awards. At least it did, until some jerk stole it.
Closings
Doan鈥檚 Craft Brewing Co. (Vancouver)
This beloved local brewery closed its doors on Powell Street in February. But fear not, Doan鈥檚 is anything but dead, as it continues to contract brew its beers out of Craft Collective while it courts investors and finds a new brick-and-mortar location.
Forbidden Brewing (Comox)
After years of acrimony with its landlords resulting in padlocked doors and illegal eviction notices, the folks at Forbidden understandably decided not to renew their lease in September. Forbidden鈥檚 brewhouse will live on, however, ending up at the soon-to-be-opened Devil鈥檚 Bath Brewing in Port McNeill.
Savoy Brewery (Nelson)
Staff at Nelson鈥檚 were stunned after owners decided to permanently close the West Kootenay craft brewery in January. The Savoy Brewery was located in the recently renovated Savoy Hotel on Nelson鈥檚 lively Baker Street. Owner Jimmy Bundschuh cited the competitive local market as the reason for the brewery鈥檚 closure, as it was 鈥渦nable to rise above a number of challenges in the industry.鈥�
White Rock Brewery (Surrey)
This 鈥渂rewery鈥� was attached to a U-brew store where the beer was brewed. Apparently, that鈥檚 not allowed, so the B.C. Liquor Distribution Branch found it to be in breach of its liquor licence, resulting in a $16,000 fine and cease-and-desist back in May. At the time, White Rock鈥檚 owner indicated that he鈥檇 be filing for bankruptcy and wouldn鈥檛 be reopening.
鈥揥ith files from Mike Ansley, Ted Child, Kristina Mameli, Brittany Tiplady and Joe Wiebe.
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