[Vancouver] Summer 2016

There's a liquor store not too far down Bridgeport road that has a pretty decent selection. But ya the airport itself sucks. I think you might be able to find Four Winds at one of the wine bars depending on the terminal.

 

Ah yes totally forgot about that, just down the ramp/escalator from local baggage claim. You'd have to go out and back into security again, which means you'd have to check any alcohol, or skull it in the parking lot

 

Tonnes of new breweries have hit the shelves or are soon about to: Modern Times, Le Castor (along with Dunham having a bigger presence), Almanac, Trinity, Bear Republic back again, Jolly Pumpkin back, Funkwerks, Mikkeller coming back through new channels, Sixpoint, Boneyard. To name a few

 

There should be lots of fresh hops beers around in the coming month. You might miss out getting anything packaged but try hitting some beer bars that might have on tap. Yellow Dog was the crowd fav last year. Driftwood is slipping. Four Winds might challenge that title this year as well.

Tasting Rooms - Do the East Van circuit, gotta be at least 10 to hit. Brassneck, Main, 33 Acres, Steel Toad, Strange Fellows, Callister, Powell St, Doans, P49, plus a bunch of lesser knowns that have opened recently. Hit and miss but that's the fun and the taps always change. Check this out for a guide map at least: http://www.whatsbrewing.ca/event/hop-circuit-open-house-east-van-breweries/ (note: does not include anything near Main Street)

Bars - Alibi Room, Darby's Gastown, St Augustines, CRAFT or Tap&Barrel in the Oly village for a wide local selection. Lots of smaller spots along Main St and/or Cambie. Of course there's Biercraft for Belgians but they just added a tonne of taps at the Cambie location. Blind Sparrow in the West End is great if you're near Stanley Park and want a beer after. That said, depending where you're staying the suburbs have actually really picked up on their beer bar game cause nobody can afford to live downtown anymore Kitsilano has some great bars too, but tend to focus more on food. Darby's has a location there as well. We're pretty spoiled for bars here. Not that many with 50+ taps or anything, but plenty of awesome joints that have a small selection of taps and awesome cocktails.

Side Note - hey you're from Manitoba, used to live there myself. You'll be happy with most spots here

Bottle Shops - Tough call these days. Anywhere close to downtown you'll pay a bit extra for the convenience, but Denman LRS in the West End is great for selection and price. High Point on Hastings close to the #1 highway is my new fav shop, best place to get good pricing and a nice selection from all around the lower mainland not just Vancouver breweries. Also good selection of other booze.

Other Areas - We have plenty of neighbourhoods, but east go to Port Moody! 4 breweries all in a row and some fantastic scenery too. Yellow Dog, Twin Sails, Parkside, and Moody Brewing. If you like tacos and Four Winds, go to Four Winds. Go to Four Winds.

Food - you didn't mention it, but there's obviously plenty of places to eat. Although not all have the best beer selection. imo it's best to chose a place to eat based on the type of food you want, and then a place to drink after. You'll find a few spots with a great local selection and occasionally some bottles on top of the food, but not guaranteed. If anyone in your crew is a cider fan you must MUST MUST check out Orchard & The Sea, it's a pop up cider bar open on thursday>weekends? only.

p.s. - if you're driving into the city, stop at FIeld House brewing in Abbotsford, and Trading Post in Langley. Both do growler fills as well. The FH gose is awesome.

 

haha...no not really sorry. The closest thing would be 120 Pub up the hill on the border with Surrey. You could hit Fuggles & Warlock in Richmond/Steveston on the way back to Vancouver, just off the 99.

O'hares is further into Steveston, they have a bar and bottleshop that's pretty decent.