I’m happy to live in the Penticton area. After all, it is home to a dynamic beer scene featuring some of BC’s oldest and newest craft breweries. Penticton is known for the Okanagan Fest of Ale – held annually in April and one of the province’s premier and long-standing craft beer festivals. Run by the Okanagan Fest of Ale Society, I see it as kind of an Easter egg hunt for adults and look forward each year to the new brews I’ll find.
Penticton Oktoberfest is also a well-established annual tradition and the annual Penticton Beer Run was on track for success out of the starting blocks. In support of all the Penticton brewers working together to highlight the Penticton Ale Trail with its vibrant and growing craft beer scene, the City officially proclaiming October 19 to 26, 2019 as Penticton Beer Week makes sense. Prost to that!
The Okanagan wineries have found autumn to be a wonderful time to profile the wine industry so why not celebrate craft beer, too? After all, the saying goes it takes a lot of great beer to make fine wine. It’s a natural fit.
What to expect during Penticton Beer Week
In this small city recently named by expedia.ca as Canada’s second-best beer town and by askmen.com as the only Canadian city to make the list of 10 best destinations for beer enthusiasts, there’s a lot planned for its first official Penticton Beer Week presented by Super Deluxe Creative.
Kim Lawton, who is one of the organizers of Penticton Beer Week explained, “Penticton Beer Week will kick off on Saturday, October 19 with the annual Penticton Oktoberfest. There will be a number of craft beer related events at breweries and local restaurants around Penticton throughout the remainder of the week.”
Collab beer by seven breweries
All seven Penticton breweries came together to make a special collaboration beer to be released during Penticton Beer Week. At Bad Tattoo Brewing, Barley Mill Brew Pub, Cannery Brewing, Highway 97 Brewery, Neighbourhood Brewing, Slackwater Brewing, and Tin Whistle Brewing representatives brewed the Community Common. This limited release beer celebrating 2019 Penticton Beer Week is a fundraiser, where a portion of the proceeds will be donated to a local non-profit/charity. Each year, the beneficiary will change. This year’s recipient is the Penticton and Area Cycling Association (PACA) that does an amazing job of developing and enhancing trails and local cycling infrastructure for locals and tourists alike.
Find Community Common – a traditional, easy-drinking and sessionable limited release beer – in draft format at the breweries and local area restaurants during Penticton Beer Week. Some will be packaged into 4-packs of 473 ml cans to be sold at private liquor stores in Penticton and beyond.
Terry McWhirter, PACA President, noted, “PACA is both excited and honoured to be the first recipient of the Penticton Beer Week collaboration ale fundraiser. Our mission is to advocate, build and support a better cycling experience for locals and visitors alike. This donation will be used to support our non-profit, volunteer-based association to help develop and enhance our trails and local cycling infrastructure. Trails in the Penticton area are used by cyclists, hikers, dog-walkers, bird watchers, photographers, nature lovers and more, so this donation will help us to improve the trail experience for all users. And since so many cyclists love to drink beer, we see this as a perfect match! Cheers and thank you to Penticton Beer Week for your generous donation to PACA from all cyclists and trail users in our area.”
Penticton Beer Week events at a glance
Saturday, October 19, 6 pm to 12:30 am, 10th Annual Penticton Oktoberfest:
Dirndl and Lederhosen costumes lead the way as the 10th Annual Penticton Oktoberfest at the Penticton Lakeside Resort kicks off the week. Oktoberfest is an evening of music with The Beer Barrels & Uncorked, German beer and authentic German cuisine. Sing “eins, zwei, g’sufa!” or dance the night away in the East Ballroom with a view of stunning Okanagan Lake. For tickets ($37.50 regular or $42.50 at door, plus fees and taxes) and more information, see the Penticton Lakeside Resort event page.
Sunday, October 20, Industry Penticton Beer Week kick-off at Nest & Nectar:
It’s always a pleasure to see industry support each other’s initiatives and this is no exception with Penticton Beer Week kicking off at Nest & Nectar.
Tuesday, October 22, 5:30 pm, Highway 97 – Tap takeover and BBQ at The Barking Parrot:
It’s great to see Highway 97 Brewing Company taking over the tap at The Barking Parrot in honour of Penticton Beer Week. There’s no cover charge to encourage you to help empty the kegs and enjoy the 97 Salted Porter Beer Barbecue and live music by Trilojay from 6:30 pm.
Wednesday, October. 23, 6 to 9 pm, Cannery Brewing – Brewers’ Showdown:
Join the Brewers’ Showdown at Cannery Brewing for the opportunity to try eight different experimental beers from members of the Cannery team. Vote for your favourite, and the winning brewer gets bragging rights. Enjoy a great evening of delicious snacks on a stick and raise a glass to celebrate Penticton Beer Week. For tickets ($25 or for growler members $20), go to Eventbrite.
Thursday, October 24, 3 to 6 pm, Barley Mill Happy Hour – Work boots, beer, and bacon:
Entry is free at “The Ultimate Bacon Experience!” in the Barley Mill Brew Pub, although reservations are highly recommended and can be made via Evenbrite or calling 250-493-8000 to reserve. Every sleeve of Barley Mill Beer includes a serving of bacon. Plus, enjoy an All-Out Bacon Menu with all Weekly Drink Features on special.
Thursday, October 24, pm, Neighbourhood beer-paired dinner at Brodo:
To welcome Neighbourhood Brewing to Penticton, Brodo Kitchen invites you to partake in a brewers dinner with four tasty courses served family style. Welcome appies gets the evening off to a delicious start. To purchase tickets ($65 per person including taxes and gratuity), call 778-476-1275.
Friday, October 25, Slackwater Bustin’ the Barrel:
Drop into Slackwater Brewing to enjoy its first three barrel-aged beer expressions, plus a couple of rare beer from friends:
– Saison aged in Odd Society Spirits Gin Barrels
– Brett Farmhouse Ale, aged in Bench 1775 Merlot Barrels
– 100% Oak Fermented ‘Jovaru’ Tart Lithuanian Farmhouse Ale
– Plus a few rare beers from friends!
Flight of four for $10, Slackwater Beer Club members get a bonus 4-oz taster of choice. Check out the fantastic new menu and table service along with these rare and beautiful beers.
Saturday, October. 26, 5 pm, Laughs and Drafts with Tin Whistle at Craft Corner Kitchen:
Tin Whistle Brewery presents Showtime Comedy on the Verge at Craft Corner Kitchen. with Andrew Verge and guests. A tap takeover by Tin Whistle Brewery is featured as well as Community Common, the special Collaborative Brew. To reserve tickets ($15 each), call 250-488-4861.
Make a vacation of it!
The harvest season in the Okanagan is a perfect time for a ‘craft beer-centric’ getaway. Brad Morgan, Marketing Manager at Travel Penticton suggests, “Check out the Penticton Beer Week page at VisitPenticton.com for more information, a list of Penticton Beer Week hotel packages, and detailed events listings. While in Penticton, be sure to soak up the beautiful fall colours as you walk or cycle our trails, explore our vibrant downtown, and check out the Penticton Farmers’ Market to savour the bounty of the fall harvest.”
There’s a great selection of activities for the inaugural Penticton Beer Week. For additional information, follow on Facebook and Instagram.
