Tour Victoria British Columbia’s Local Breweries with a Guide

Victoria, British Columbia is home to the oldest craft brewery in the province, a handful of microbreweries and some local favourites who brew handcrafted beer and ales in a range of styles. And for beer lovers looking for an immersive tour of the city’s vibrant beer scene, touring local breweries with a guide is an ideal way to explore the field.

From traditional tour experiences with knowledgeable guides, to fun hopping buses and adventure on multi-day explorations, there are plenty of options available to explore Victoria’s craft beer scene. In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the best ways to tour Victoria’s local breweries with a guide.

Brew Pub Tours in Victoria

Many companies offer guided tours of Victoria’s local breweries. These include traditional walking or biking tours of four or five local pubs, starting from the lively centre of downtown Victoria. While taking in the sights, your knowledgeable guide will introduce you to the city’s many flavors of craft beer along with some interesting stories about the city and its beer culture.

Depending on the tour you choose, you can expect to sample some of Victoria’s finest craft beers, ciders and ales, plus some tasty appetizers to complement each ale. Most of these type of pub tours will wrap up with a visit to a renowned downtown brewery for a meal and a flight of tasty samples.

Hop-on-Hop-off Brewery Tours in Victoria

For those looking to explore Victoria’s beer scene at their own pace, hop-on-hop-off tours are a popular option. These are brewery hopping bus tours where guests can board a great bus or van and pay as they go – perfect for those who want to tour multiple breweries without committing to just one tour. These brewery hopping buses will often will make scheduled stops at some of the city’s most popular microbreweries, giving you the chance to explore each brewery and its beer offerings at your own pace. On these tours you’ll also get lots of detailed information about the brewery you’re visiting as well as some suggested beer pairings to enjoy while visiting.

Multi-Day Brewery Tours in Victoria

For a longer exploration of Victoria’s beer culture, multi-day brewery tours are also available. These can last anywhere from two days to a week, depending on the tour you choose. During these tours, your group or private guide will bring you to many different breweries around the region, where you’ll learn plenty about each brewery and get unique tasting experiences at each location. On many multi-day brewery tours, accommodations and meals are included as part of the package letting you fully immerse yourself in craft beer culture without having to worry about finding lodging or food along the way.

Finest Craft Brews in Victoria

Victoria is home to many great craft brewers and breweries that you can visit on your local brewery tour. Here are a few places you’ll likely want to check out on when traveling in Victoria:

Phillips Brewery

Phillips Brewery is one of the oldest craft brewers in British Columbia and first opened in 1984. Today the brewery has become renowned worldwide for its wide range of small-batch beers that utilize local ingredients, herbs and hops. The original brewery is based in downtown Victoria, but they’ve also opened up a taproom down by Fisherman’s Wharf where they offer outdoor seating as well as 7 Sour House small-batch beers – perfect for those looking to broaden their beer drinking horizons.

Île Sauvage Brewing Company

One of the newer microbreweries in Victoria, Île Sauvage Brewing Company has become renowned for its award-winning beer selection that focuses on all things wild and experimental. Île Sauvage specializes in French and Belgian style ales and handcrafts small batches that utilize local ingredients from wild fruits and herbs from nearby farms. When visiting their taproom you can sample their colorful beers along with some tasty bites from their excellent food menu prepared by their French Canadian chefs.

Vancouver Island Brewing Co.

Vancouver Island Brewing Co., is one of the most popular craft breweries in Victoria and has been operating since 1984. The brewery uses only top-grade local ingredients and utilizes traditional brewing methods to create tasty ales that range from crisp lagers and light IPAs, to full-bodied stouts and dark porters. When visiting the brewery you’ll get the chance to take a tour of their facilities where you’ll learn all about their brewing process and get the chance to sample some of their award-winning beers in their bright and inviting taproom.

Spinnakers Brewpub

If you’re looking for an unforgettable craft beer experience, Spinnakers Brewpub is definitely worth visiting. Founded in 1984 and housed inside what used to be an old Victorin hotel, Spinnakers Brewpub was the first brewpub in Canada and remains one of the most popular places to visit when in town. The brewpub specializes in tasty ales – brewed on-site – alongside unique food dishes prepared with local ingredients. When visiting Spinnakers you can also take advantage of their numerous accommodations— ranging from rooms overlooking the city harbor or beautifully appointed suites perfect for honeymooners or business travelers alike.

Conclusion

Touring local breweries with a guide is a fantastic way to explore Victoria’s beer culture while being guided by an experienced brewer or tour guide who can tell you all the really interesting stories behind each brew. Whether you decide to take one of the traditional tours around town or an adventure on a multi-day tour bus hopping from brewery-to-brewery, you can expect to sample some great craft beers, plus get to visit many interesting locations along your journey. So why not book a Victoria local brewery tour with a guide on your next visit and let an experienced guide show you around some of Victoria’s best craft breweries?