Dry January has come and gone for those that chose to do it, and to those that opted to do Try January, hopefully you got to enjoy a few new beers, whether they were from the comfort of home or the warmth of our stellar local pubs, restaurants and taprooms.
At the time this is written, restrictions do continue, but with a hopeful light at the end of the tunnel. Hopefully, that will allow for the return of a premier event, and one affected by the pandemic at its very start: Victoria Beer Week was the first event directly impacted when things shut down in March of 2020. However, now, two years later, the plans are in place, tickets are on sale and there are many fingers crossed that we’ll be able to gather to a certain extent by the time a new date in April rolls around again.
Postponed from it’s March date, and now set to run April 1 to 9, events will be taking place at 10 different venues around downtown (so far), with several returning favourites joined by some new and unique additions. Beer School is also making a return this year, so expect more news to come out regarding those events as the time draws nearer and we all get a better idea of what we can expect.
The Powerhouse, constructed in 1892 as The National Electric Tramway and Light Company Powerhouse in Old Town, at the north end of Store Street, joins in as a new venue. The heritage space will be home to the returning Lift Off! and Taco the Town, along with the new wrap-up party for the week, Touchdown!, combining live music, food trucks and other activities.
Two of the true beer geek events, Saturday Night Casks and Barrels & Beer (formerly All About the Wood) take place at the familiar Victoria Public Market, but if you want to prove yourself as much a geek as possible, Fernwood Inn will be hosting the always popular Ultimate Craft Beer Quiz, hosted by the hilariously talented Benji Duke.
Other new events include the Barrel Room Brunch at the Spinnakers Barrel Room, Brewmaster’s Dinner at Driftwood Brewery, and Pint Sized Stories, a craft beer-inspired improv comedy night located at the Victoria Event Centre.
Finally, rounding out the week and returning from previous years is the Craft Beer Cocktail Competition being held at Lure, Beer & Pizza now happening at Herald Street Brew Works, and the sour-loving Pucker Up!, happening at Garrick’s Head and The Churchill.
Based on the list at hand, it’s hard to pick between them, but you can be sure you’ll have fun and get to enjoy some tasty beers in great company with whatever choices you make. More details are available at victoriabeersociety.com.