Beer is something Victoria has always been known for, and for good reason.
Victoria is home to some of the oldest breweries and most celebrated throughout Canada as a whole.
Here, the hops are fresh, the ingredients are often grown locally and people come from all over the world to work in a BC brewery.
However, given the current rising costs businesses are facing and the ever-increasing costs British Columbians are facing, some breweries are having an increasingly difficult time keeping their doors and taps open.
This is one of many industries that are struggling in this economy and they need the support of their community in order to keep brewing and serving renowned BC beers to tourists and locals alike.
In total, there are 21 breweries in and around Victoria. Check out the full list below:
Whistle Buoy Brewing
Small, but mighty, this brewery has one of the best patios in the game.
Whistle Buoy is nestled in Victoria’s historic Market Square and is always a great spot to meet dogs on the patio, or have a cozy, vibey beer in the taproom.
They have a basic snack menu, however also welcomes patrons to bring their own food, or bring a bite to eat to their space from one of the many restaurants around the taproom.
This summer they are hosting several ‘Big Patio Days’ in which they are expanding their patio, bringing out bands and DJs and hosting some of the most fun parties of the season.
- Where: Unit 63 – 560 Johnson Street., Victoria
Herald Street Brew Works
Herald Street features an open concept brewery, with all tanks out in the open, patrons looking for an afternoon beer will have the benefit of seeing the brewing process in the works.
They are in-part owned by the minds behind the Drake Eatery and are constantly rotating their menu of small batch beers for the seasons.
Food-wise, patrons can grab a slice of rotating focaccia pizzas.
- Where: 506 Herald Street, Victoria
Driftwood Brewery
Driftwood is no doubt one of the mainstays of the beer scene and one of just two breweries in Esquimalt. They have over 16 taps of fresh beer, as well as locally made wine, cider and cocktails.
As an added bonus Dumpling Drop runs their kitchen, serving up some of the best dumplings in town for lunch, dinner or a quick snack and a pint.
- Where: 836 Viewfield Road, Esquimalt
Lighthouse Brewing
Esquimalt’s little brewery that could, and often an underappreciated contributor to the beer scene in Greater Victoria.
They have a cute and cozy tasting room along with a picnic area for when the sun is out. Anyone who finds themselves at Driftwood should make the effort to swing by Lighthouse as well.
- Where: 836 Devonshire Road, Esquimalt
Spinnakers Brewpub
Spinnakers, or ‘Spinnies’ as some locals call it, is Canada’s original brewpub and is still at it, four decades later.
It opened in 1984, and even today acts as somewhat of a pilgrimage for beer lovers.
Spinnies features a top-notch restaurant and even a few rooms for accommodations.
They serve a proper English pint and have an affinity for making fruited, barrel-aged sours that are unlike anything in the city.
- Where: 308 Catherine Street, Victoria
île Sauvage Brewing
The brewery Île Sauvage says their name translates to “wild island”. They decided on this name so as to give a nod to their home on Vancouver Island, as well as their beer lineup.
Patrons can expect a range of sours, saisons and hazy ales, as well as their Lunar Lager
Located just outside the taproom is a food truck, serving up a range of hand-helds, bowls and shareable snacks.
- Where: 2960 Bridge Street, Victoria
Hoyne Brewing
Another mainstay of Victoria’s beer scene is Hoyne Brewing.
They source their malts from traditional regions, including the United Kingdom, Germany and the Czech Republic, depending on the beer to give them an authentic taste.
Their tasting room is small and they are only licensed to serve small samples when space is available.
Currently they operate mostly by selling to-go beer, but their Dark Matter and Hoyne Pilsner can be found at several bars in the region.
- Where: 2740 Bridge Street, Victoria
Vancouver Island Brewing
Vancouver Island Brewing (VIB) is one of three breweries that have been brewing since 1984, and they are still going strong today.
A fun activity to take advantage of at VIB is taking a tour of their brewing facility.
- Where: 2330 Government Street, Victoria
Swift Brewing
The new kids on the block in Victoria, as they just opened up in 2023.
Swift Brewing used to be the home of Canoe Brewpub and was taken over by CRAFT shortly after they moved in next door to the defunct brewpub.
The owners of CRAFT wanted this to be their passion project and it is currently the only one of its kind.
Their space makes patrons feel like they are in their grandma’s basement, in a good way. All decor was thrifted and is on-par with the space’s retro, 70s theme.
- Where: 450 Swift Street, Victoria
Phillips Brewing & Malting
Phillips began as a small, passion project by Matt Phillips and is now BC’s biggest craft brewery.
They host a myriad of events and consistently have rotating seasonal taps in amongst their mainstays.
They also have gotten into distilling in recent years and have a whiskey as well as a gin, along with sodas and pops that are made in house.
Snacks in the taproom include giant, fresh pretzels, pizza and chips with beer cheese.
Every summer, Phillips also hosts their backyarder music series, which brings in some of the biggest Canadian and international artists.
- Where: 2010 Government Street, Victoria
Bad Dog Brewing
Follow the signs from the highway and rest assured, there is beer at the end of the journey.
This brewery has a unique rural charm amongst the rest of this list as their sitting area is in a treed picnic area, while they also have a small heated patio and tasting room.
They have 12 beers on tap and serve up their own hot food from a food trailer located on site.
Another unique aspect of this brewery is there are always dogs (good dogs only) running around to greet and play with the customers.
- Where: 7861 Tugwell Road, Sooke
Sooke Oceanside Brewery
Another one that started as a passion project, Sooke Oceanside Brewery’s humble beginnings came from a chef who enjoyed making beer in his garage.
They have built a strong following in the community through the quality of their beers and garnered a reputation that brings folks out from all surrounding areas.
Lactose intolerant beware, the esteemed Grilled to the Mac food truck is just steps from the door and their food is delicious. Patrons are encouraged to bring their dairy pills if they need to.
- Where: 5871 – A Sooke Road, Sooke
Sooke Brewing Company
A group of locals founded Sooke Brewing Company with the goal of brewing beers for those new to craft brewing, as well as the connoisseurs of the trade.
Located in downtown Sooke, their brewery was custom-built and has become a popular spot for locals and tourists alike.
For food, there is always a resident food truck parked on site.
- Where: 2057 Otter Point Road, Sooke
Mile Zero Brewing
Another newer brewery in the area, Mile Zero opened in 2022.
They brew in small batches with their brews only available in-house or for take-away in growlers.
Mile Zero also has a “small but mighty” food menu for those looking for a bite and a pint.
Definitely worth the trip.
- Where: 4495 Happy Valley Road, Metchosin
Four Mile Brewing
This roadhouse was originally constructed in 1858, to host stagecoaches traveling through, while also being infamous for the brothel they hosted upstairs.
In the present day, the stagecoaches are gone, as is the brothel, but a brewpub now occupies the space.
Four Mile hosts a wide selection of house-made beer as well as a full menu to grab lunch or dinner.
- Where: 199 Island Highway, View Royal
Twa Dogs Brewery at Macaloney’s Island Distillery
Known mostly for their award-winning whiskeys, Twa Dogs can also make a quality beer.
Located in Saanich, the owners and operators embrace their Scottish background with all their might.
Both whiskey and flights are available in their spacious taproom and bottles or cans of everything are available for purchase afterwards.
They also offer tours for those who are curious about their brewing and distilling process.
- Where: 761 Enterprise Crescent, Saanich
Category 12 Brewing
Category 12 focuses on beer science in order to create the best products they can.
They host a lineup of constantly changing beers that Head Brewer and Founder, Michael Kuzyk is always looking to improve upon using his doctorate in microbiology and biochemistry he received from UVic.
- Where: 2200 Unit C Keating Cross Road, Central Saanich
Small Gods Brewing
Just off Sidney’s Beacon Avenue, Small Gods is one of the region’s newest spots and comes equipped with a delicious menu of sandwiches, salads and snacks.
Their community-minded, family-friendly space also features a sunny patio seating area and events such as literary nights for writers to come work on their latest projects.
They serve a myriad of beer styles, but one standout is the slow-poured German pilsner. Currently, they are the only brewery in Greater Victoria to do a proper slow-poured house-made pilsner.
- Where: 9835 Third Street, Sidney
Beacon Brewing
Just a hop, skip and a jump away (literally next door) to Small Gods, Beacon Brewing is certainly worth a visit when in Sidney.
This family business brews beers in small batches and serves a mean slice of pizza to pair with their creations.
- Where: 9829 Third Street, Sidney
Salt Spring Brewing Co.
Salt Spring Brewing is the only brewery on the island.
They brew out of a converted barn nestled in a wooded area at the base of Mount Bruce, and source their water used in the brewing process from a spring just up the mountainside from their taproom.
Their makeshift patio is rustic and beautiful, located in a sloped, wooded grove.
- Where: 270 Furness Road, Salt Spring Island
Mayne Island Brewing Company
A family-run business, this is the only spot to get a house-made beer on Mayne Island.
Similar to Salt Spring Island Brewing Co., Mayne Island Brewing is also nestled in the forested area and is perfect for a picnic destination under the giant cedars.
They can their beers themselves so while at the taproom, patrons can take some of their favourites home with them.
- Where: 490 Fernhill Road, Mayne Island
Which of these is your favourite? Are there any that you’ve never checked out or heard of?
Let us know in the comments section below!
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