Story | Iris Yim Photography | BC Ale Trail
As British Columbia continues its pandemic recovery, travel restrictions have been eased and out-of-province visitors are being welcomed. What could be more enjoyable than savouring a cold craft beer on a sunny terrace?
The BC Ale Trail was launched five years ago, a joint project of Destination British Columbia and the BC Craft Brewers Guild. The self-guided itineraries feature ale trails spanning five regions of the province, highlighting more than 200 breweries and the super, natural landscapes that surround them and feature a wide range of outdoor activities.
Breweries across British Columbia have reopened indoor tasting rooms, and most of them also have outdoor spaces to welcome visitors. More than 50 new beers were released this summer, and the supplies are plentiful.
Visit bcaletrail.ca for all the details.
Faux Paw Cherry Saison (6.5% ABV | 25 IBU)
Mt. Begbie Brewing (on the Kootenay Rockies East Ale Trail)
When Mt. Begbie was building its new brewery last year, a bear walked across a freshly poured concrete slab, leaving its paw prints forever preserved in the brewery’s floor. This limited-release beer, brewed with cherry purée, celebrates that curious bear’s faux paw.
Nautical Nonsense Pineapple Sour with Pink Sea Salt (4% ABV | 8 IBU)
Slackwater Brewing (on the Penticton Ale Trail)
It is light and refreshing with sweet pineapple, balanced by a light, tart body and a gentle salty finish. 
More Often Than Not Apricot Blonde Ale (4.7% ABV | 18 IBU)
Twin City Brewing & Dog Mountain Brewing (on the Vancouver Island Part 2 Ale Trail)
A collaboration between two Port Alberni breweries, this fruit-forward blonde ale is lightly hopped with citrusy Simcoe and fruity Amarillo, then conditioned on apricot.
Mandarina Bavaria Sour Ale (6% ABV | N/A IBU)
Apricot Wild Ale (5.8% ABV | N/A IBU)
Persephone Brewing (on the Sunshine Coast Ale Trail)
Made exclusively with Mandarina Bavaria hops, this sour ale packs a seriously citrusy punch. Loads of apricots and Brettanomyces make for a funky fruit-forward brew.
Ponkan Pale Ale (5% ABV | 30 IBU)
Twa Dogs Brewery (on the Victoria Ale Trail)
Brewed with tangerine puree, this crisp and juicy, citrus-infused pale ale has bright flavours of orange rind and hops.
Super Neat Saison (6.4% ABV | 12 IBU)
Mighty Peace Brewing (on the Northern BC Ale Trail)
This saison is brewed with local Peace region haskaps and black currants.
Bayard Farmhouse Saison (5.5% ABV | 25 IBU)
Mistral Riesling Saison (6% ABV | 18 IBU)
Strange Fellows Brewing (on the Yeast Vancouver Ale Trail)
Originally brewed for farm workers in Belgium and northern France, it is a refreshing and versatile style of beer with notes of white pepper, pome fruits and a delicate acidity. This dry bright saison was aged in Riesling barrels with a unique yeast culture. It is not unlike a classic Riesling wine, featuring flavours reminiscent of lime, petrol and dry earth.
Raspberry Lemon Sourweisse (5.2% ABV | 16 IBU)
Mango Party Cream Ale (5.2% ABV | 22 IBU)
Faculty Brewing (on the Vancouver – Brewery Creek Ale Trail)
A kettle sour wheat ale with added raspberry and lemon. It’s millennial pink, fruity and refreshing. A collaboration with Wize Coffee Leaf. This smooth and crushable cream ale is infused with Wize’s Mango Party tea and enhanced by citrus notes from Mandarina Bavaria hops.
All Inclusive Pineapple Coconut Sour (5.5% ABV | N/A IBU)
Wheelhouse Brewing (on the Northern BC Ale Trail)
This kettle sour was brewed with pineapple and aged on a heap of housetoasted coconut.
Hula Hula Shake (5.4% | 12 IBU))
Main Street Brewing (on the Vancouver – Brewery Creek Ale Trail)
This Berliner Weisse-style beer is a sherbet-y sour slammer that combines fresh passionfruit, orange and guava purée with subtle hints of vanilla.
Sunkissed Grapefruit Radler (5.2% ABV | 15 IBU)
The Noble Pig Brewhouse (on the Kamloops, Shuswap and Vernon Ale Trail)
This grapefruit-infused beer is an ideal patio sipper.
Zest in Show IPA (5.8% ABV | 22 IBU)
Luppolo Brewing (on the Yeast Vancouver Ale Trail)
Luppolo’s twist on an East Coast IPA has loads of fresh zested orange and grapefruit, yet plenty of West Coast hops. Aromas of tropical citrus fruit lead to flavours of pineapple and tangerine with a zesty finish.
