Looking for good beer and good vibes? Here are the best tap houses in the city
Illustration by Chloe Latour.
Did you miss the tenth annual Victoria Beer Week earlier this month? Well don’t worry, this city is full of great breweries that you can enjoy any time, and I narrowed down your search. Here are my five favourite spots to grab a local beer, so pull up a chair and enjoy a cold one.
Whistle Buoy Brewing
Located in Market Square, Whistle Buoy is a microbrewery (meaning a small brewery) that offers a great selection of beer made in-house. This brewery prides themselves on sourcing ingredients from right here in the Pacific Northwest and encourages brewers to be creative and experimental. For example, their Undersea Gose is made from the island’s kelp and blue algae to create its iconic colour. Whistle Buoy usually has a new funky beer that will surely impress, plus a ton of seating space.
Herald Street Brew Works
Created by the owners of Victoria’s The Drake and New Westminster’s Steel & Oak Brewing, Herald Street aims to “have a positive and meaningful impact in their communities” with an educational tasting room. It is an open concept brewery so you can see what goes on behind the scenes. They deliver unique spins on classic beers, and every beer is poured straight from the tanks, making every cup as fresh as possible.
Moon Under Water
Moon Under Water kills two birds with one stone as both a distillery and a brewery. This brewery was created by Clay Potter, who graduated from Heriot-Watt International Centre for Brewing and Distilling with a masters in brewing and distilling. While Moon Under Water has won awards for its distillery — their vodka won gold at the Artisan Distillers Canada Awards — the brewery is also great. The beer honours European brewing traditions while also bringing in a creative Canadian flair. Moon has also added barrel-aged sours to its menu, so if you’re a fan of a lighter beer they have options for everyone.
Hoyne Brewing Company
Founded in 2011, Hoyne Brewing Company has been a staple not just in Victoria, but across B.C. Similar to Moon Under Water, Hoyne looks at European breweries for inspiration and values traditions in its beers. This brewery offers seven permanent beers and a selection of up to 10 seasonal and limited edition brews on the menu each year. The brewery is located in Rock Bay but you can find Hoyne in liquor stores and pubs across the province.
Swift Brewing
If you’re wanting to transport back to the ‘70s while enjoying a great beer, Swift is the place for you. Having one of the most unique interiors, it’s a cozy place that feels like a living room from 50 years ago. This casual restaurant it’s a great place to hunker down for a while, and has a few games to play with some friends. Swift has a wide range of beers, suitable for every beer drinker, but if you like more of a hoppy beer or a hazy IPA this place is definitely for you.
