Up until last year, once March and Victoria Beer Week had passed, we would fall into a time of waiting for the summer festival season. Then last year, as we came out of the pandemic, it was bumped forward to April, which was nice. Slightly better weather, fun new venues, and a little less waiting for the summer season. So now, in 2023, with an even later May schedule, what does Victoria Beer Week hold?
It all starts on May 5, with a return to a venue that was once an integral part of the week: Market Square. The last time a VBW event was held there, the roof was still in place, so it’s a nice homecoming of sorts with the chance of better weather under the open air of one of the best event spaces in Victoria. As always, the week will “Lift Off!” with its perfectly named event, themed around over a dozen brand-new beers being released. $40 gets you in to enjoy the start of another amazing week.
Bookending the nine-day festival on May 13 is the perfectly themed Touchdown! event, taking place at a brand new venue, the Victoria Press Building. Well known as the previous home of the Victoria Times Colonist, this will be the first event held in the space, showcasing the brand new venue to Victorians. In addition to B.C.-produced craft beer and cider, there will also be hard seltzers and ready-to-drink options, as well as live music and food trucks. Early images of the space look amazing, so this is going to be an event not to be missed. Tickets for Touchdown! are available for $50.
A couple of new events have popped up this year as well. After their success in 2022, Fridays at the Station in Langford will be taking place on, you guessed it, Friday, May 12, in Langford, and is free to attend. There is also a new event focused on Oceanic ingredients and styles, with Down Unda happening at the Gorge Park Pavilion on May 11.
Finally, there will also be a few classic events, with Sour Power happening at the Victoria Edelweiss Club on the 6th, Beer & Pizza moving over to Driftwood Brewery on the 10th, and Dubbel Down at the Victoria Public Market on the 12th.
Tickets for the general public went on sale on March 17, with all the details at VictoriaBeerSociety.com, and be sure to look at getting a membership to save on your tickets for this and future events, including Great Canadian Beer Festival.
Do you have a story tip? Email: editor@mondaymag.com.
Follow us on Twitter and Instagram, and like us on Facebook.