April is typically a quiet month for craft beer. Everyone has hopefully recovered from Victoria Beer Week, brewers are going into planning mode for the summer and the lack of spring and summer heat hasn’t put too many people in the outdoor festival mindset, at least not yet.
That being said, there are a few events happening this month that can’t be missed.
The Drake Eatery’s third annual Oregon Brewer’s Day on April 8 is a great opportunity to see what a crucible for amazing beer our friends to the south have. One of Victoria’s go-to beer bars hosting some of the best breweries out of the Beaver State is just the thing on a early spring afternoon. Last year’s hosted breweries included Breakside, Cascades, Rogue, Upright, Ninkasi, and more, so you know it’s going to be good. This is typically a non-ticketed event, so get there early to ensure you get a seat before the rare beers are gone.
In the middle of the month, Thirsty Writer Joe Wiebe offers his monthly class at Vessel Liquor, this time looking at the humble, everyday lager, which is a great opportunity to find a new thirst quenching summer beer. The class takes place on April 19, at 6:30 p.m., and tickets are $20 through Eventbrite and Vessel Liquor.
At the tail end of the month, for BC Cider Week celebrations, Tod Creek Cider is once again hosting an event that bridges beer and cider with their Snake Bite Festival.
Last year’s event mixed as many different forms of weather as you can imagine, with stunning rainbows transitioning between a light rain and sun. It also mixed as many flavours as you could think of, with amazing combinations like Hoyne Brewing’s Dark Matter mixed with Sea Cider’s Bramble Bubbly, Sooke Oceanside Brewing paired up with Merridale Cider, and so much more.
The 2018 Snake Bite Festival is looking just as good, and the intimate venue on Prospect Lake Road is perfect for a hopefully sunny afternoon with some great local craft beverages. Tickets are $21, include four tasters and are available through local ticket merchant Ticket Rocket.
Find Matt online at matterofbeer.com