As December arrives, many craft breweries in British Columbia are releasing special beers they have created to celebrate the holiday season.
These wintry beers are often a little darker and stronger, making them well-suited for colder, darker days, and some of the recipes even include spices, cranberries, or chocolate. Here are more than 100 suggestions for holiday-themed beers — and even one special cider — that can be found on the BC Ale Trail.
Let’s start off with the cider…
First Frost Spiced Cider (8% ABV) by Persephone Brewing
Water restrictions forced Persephone to stop brewing for a few weeks this fall — but instead of shutting down entirely, they pivoted and decided to make a cider. After all, the liquid used for fermentation was all apple juice! A strong brew made with 100% BC apples and a unique blend of winter spices, this cider is the perfect pairing for the holiday season.
Persephone Brewing can be found on the Sunshine Coast Ale Trail.
And now the beer!
BC Cranberry Sour by 33 Acres Brewing (5.7% ABV)
Brewed with barley, wheat and spelt, and fermented with a special mixed culture in an oak foeder, then refermented on BC cranberries for a delicate berry character and complex acidity.
33 Acres Brewing and 33B Experiment can be found on the Vancouver-Brewery Creek Ale Trail.
Two Seasonal Beers from Abandoned Rail Brewing:
- Bellhop Porter (5.8% ABV | 60 IBU) A Bronze Medal winner in the Canadian portion of the World Beer Awards, this porter has classic cocoa and coffee notes but is hopped a little heavier than normal, adding just a kiss of orange.
- Fernbeziehung (Long Distance Relationship) IPL (6.5% | 65 IBU) – This is a collaboration between Abandoned Rail’s brewmaster Pete and his German brewmaster friend, Bene of Blech Brut.
Abandoned Rail Brewing can be found on the Penticton Ale Trail.
Two Winter Beers from Ace Brewing:
- Pilot Project – Chocolate Vanilla Stout (5% ABV | 30 IBU) A milk stout brewed with oats, chocolate malt and crystal malt, to give a rich base character and velvety texture that’s complemented with cocoa nibs, vanilla, and lactose sugar. This is chocolate cake in a glass.
- Rocket Fuel Double IPA (9% | 90 IBU) Once a year, when the planets align we aim for the stars and boost our Rocket Fuel IPA with an astronomical amount of hops. Buckle up, because this interstellar IPA will launch you into orbit.
Ace Brewing can be found on the Vancouver Island Part II Ale Trail.
Three Dark Beers from Angry Hen Brewing:
- Steal Yer Soul Black Lager (5.1% ABV | 33 IBU) Give in to the dark side.
- Somewhere In Time Imperial Rye Stout (8.8% ABV | 88 IBU) Honestly, just let yourself go…
- Up The Kriek in a Barrel (5.9% | 25 IBU) Celebrating Angry Hen’s 5th Anniversary with the traditional gift of wood: this sour cherry Kriek was aged for four months in an Odd Society ex-gin/bourbon barrel.
Angry Hen Brewing can be found on the Kootenay Rockies West Ale Trail.
Winter Rations Belgian Quad by Barkerville Brewing (9.0% ABV)
Strong, bold, and surprisingly smooth, this Belgian Quad pours a reddish-brown hue, with notes of caramel, raisins, and dried fruit.
Barkerville Brewing can be found on the Northeast BC Ale Trail.
Strawberry Rhubarb Ale by Bad Tattoo Brewing (5.4% ABV | 9 IBU )
Cozy up with this seasonal wheat ale that blends the fresh juiciness of strawberries with the satisfyingly tart flavours of rhubarb. This beer will take you back to those memories of grandma’s famous strawberry rhubarb pie, as you sit back, relax, and enjoy this dessert-style ale with those closest to you.
Bad Tattoo Brewing can be found on the Penticton Ale Trail.
A Trio of Imperial Stouts from Barnside Brewing:
- Peaches & Cream Imperial Brandy Milk Stout (11.2% ABV) Brewed as an imperial milk stout and aged in peach brandy ex-bourbon barrels for 12 months.
- Spiced Apple Brandy Imperial Milk Stout (11.2% ABV) Imperial milk stout as the base, then aged for 12 months in apple brandy ex-bourbon barrels.
- Bourbon Imperial Oatmeal Stout (11.2% ABV) This stout was aged in Union Horse bourbon barrels for 12 months and left unblended.
Barnside Brewing can be found on the South of the Fraser Trail.
Tennessee Bourbon Barrel Aged Imperial Milk Stout by BNA Brewing Co (8.25% ABV)
Think Tennessee in a bottle: deep dark chocolate colours with fruity aromas and just a hint of vanilla. A rich beer packed with flavours of chocolate and coconut, with a sweet creamy finish.
BNA Brewing can be found on the Kelowna and West Kelowna Ale Trail.
Two Winter Beers from Boardwalk Brewing:
- Black Forest Schwarzbier (4.5% ABV) A warm winter beer where delicate aromas of dark chocolate and s’mores converge with light roasted flavours and a dry crisp finish.
- Tart of Funk Sour Brett Raspberry Ale (7.2% ABV) Fermented in tequila barrels and conditioned for eight months with a whole load of raspberries, then blended with a sour lactobacillus ale. A beer designed to evolve with time.
Boardwalk Brewing can be found on the North of the Fraser Ale Trail.
Hedgehog Hazelnut Milk Porter by Bomber Brewing (5% ABV)
Brewed with barley, wheat, and chocolate rye, this hazelnut porter is lightened with a touch of lactose for a sweet and creamy finish.
Bomber Brewing can be found on the Vancouver-Yeast Vancouver Ale Trail.
Two Winter Beers from BREWHALL Beer Co:
- 7109 Whiskey Barrel Aged Imperial Stout (9% ABV | 61 IBU) A collaboration with Egan’s Whiskey and a BCBA gold medal winner for wood-aged beer.
- Lambrusco Hybrid Ale (10% ABV | 27 IBU) This hybrid ale was brewed with a light malt base to let Lambrusco grapes shine through, then cold-cellared for a year, providing a vibrant ruby tone for this delicious and fruit-forward beer.
BREWHALL Beer Co. can be found on the Vancouver-Brewery Creek Ale Trail.
Two Christmasy Beers from Bridge Brewing:
- The Grinch (6.5% ABV | 20 IBU) This famous winter ale is a robust porter, spiced delicately with cinnamon, vanilla, and oak. It’s brewed with an emphasis on chocolate and roasted malts, hopped lightly with Willamette, and fermented with our house yeast strain. The Grinch is a rich, complex, and warming winter beer.
- Santa’s Sac (10.5% | 30 IBU) Clocking up a hefty 10.5%, this Belgian golden strong is about as warming a beer can get. Brewed with a simple malt bill and lightly hopped, Santa’s Sac was fermented warm with a classic Belgian yeast strain. The yeast profile dominates in Santa’s Sac, with notes of clove, banana, and peppercorn.
Bridge Brewing can be found on Vancouver’s North Shore Ale Trail.
Everything’s Vine by Bright Eye Brewing (6% ABV)
This hybrid ale is a Saison that underwent secondary fermentation on 100 lbs of Cabernet Franc grape skins from Harper’s Trail Winery, resulting in a delicious beer that finishes dry with a fantastic perceived sweetness from the Saison yeast blend.
Bright Eye Brewing can be found on the Southern Interior Ale Trail.
Three Winter Beers from CAMP Beer Co.:
- Winter Camp (6% ABV | 23 IBU) A gingersnap ale that carries a sting of ginger that tingles across the palate accompanied by a malty sweetness, and balanced with unique spice notes.
- Voyager (4.7% ABV | 31 IBU) A farmhouse ale that’s subtly tropical made with ripe pear juice and finished with a collection of spices.
- Flannel Pyjamas ‘23 (10% ABV | 35 IBU) This winter warmer is a strong, dark, and malty Scottish-style Ale with complex flavours of toffee, caramel and smoke.
CAMP Beer Co. can be found on the Langley Ale Trail.
Three Winter Beers from Cannery Brewing:
- Thornless Blackberry Porter (6% ABV) This classic porter combines roasted dark black malts with natural blackberries. Gold medal winner at the 2022 BC Beer Awards.
- Kindling Imperial Stout (9% ABV) The 2021 version of this beer won gold at the 2022 Canadian Brewing Awards. This year’s version was brewed with coffee from Seis Cielo Coffee, chocolate, oats, coconut and lactose.
- Barrel-Aged Kindling Imperial Stout (10% ABV) This very limited release was aged in Laird of Fintry Whisky barrels from Okanagan Spirits.
Cannery Brewing can be found on the Penticton Ale Trail.
Two Gorgeous Vintage Packs from Category 12 Brewing:
- 8th Anniversary Barleywine (11.5% ABV) The 2022 vintage barleywines were brewed in Fall 2021 with 100% barley malt grown and malted by Field Five Farms on the Saanich Peninsula. This pack includes two versions: one aged in freshly emptied Barbados rum barrels and the other in medium-toasted American white oak barrels.
- 2022 Quantum Imperial Stout (10.5% ABV) This big stout was allowed to mellow in toasted American white oak and Barbados Rum barrels for twelve months.
Category 12 Brewing can be found on the Victoria Ale Trail.
Seawise Giant Vertical Pack by Container Brewing (11.2% ABV)
This amazing four-pack features a vertical run of all four vintages of Container’s epic Imperial Stout — the ideal way to taste and compare how a big beer like this mellows with age.
Container Brewing can be found on the Vancouver – Yeast Vancouver Ale Trail.
Common Denominator Doppelbock by CrossRoads Brewing & Distillery (8.6% ABV)
The perfect fire-side sipping beer, this traditional Doppelbock displays malt notes of toasted bread, chocolate and a hint of roast, with yeast notes of dark fruit such as date or fig. Full-bodied, sweet, and displaying a beautiful ruby colour, it’s definitely worth the calories.
CrossRoads Brewing & Distillery can be found on the Northwest BC Ale Trail.
An Annual Favourite from Dageraad Brewing plus 3 New Entropy Releases:
- Anno 2022 (8.5% ABV) A strong, golden ale brewed with Okanagan pears and Indian coriander, then bottle-conditioned with brettanomyces claussenii, a strain of wild yeast that adds funky, fruity flavours and slowly develops over time in the bottle, preserving freshness and adding layers of complexity as the beer ages.
- Entropy No. 24 – Take Manhattan (10.5% ABV) This cocktail-inspired beer is a blonde ale aged in rye and port-finished bourbon barrels, then blended with cherry juice and merlot grape must.
- Entropy No. 26 – Pirate Quad (13% ABV) A special batch of ‘21 vintage 10° aged 14 months in South American rum barrels making it absurdly dark and luxurious.
- Entropy No. 27 – 12° (11.8% ABV) This began as a special, extra-strong quad that aged seven months in oak barrels with a blend of saccharomyces, brettanomyces, and lactic acid bacteria.
Dageraad Brewing can be found on the North of the Fraser Ale Trail.
Coffee Shop Mixer Box by Dead Frog Brewery
Get your coffee fix with this eight-pack featuring two tall cans each of four different java-rated beers: Vanilla Coffee Porter, Mocha Fudge Frappe Coffee Stout, Cold Brew Coffee Lager, and Caramel Macchiato Espresso Ale.
Dead Frog Brewery can be found on the Langley Ale Trail.
Four Seasonal Beers from Deep Cove Brewing & Distilling in North Vancouver:
- Frostbite Winter Ale (5.0% ABV | 18 IBU) A creamy, medium-bodied winter ale with caramel and nut flavours that finishes smooth with a subtle hint of vanilla.
- Night Watch ESB (5.0% ABV | 37 IBU) A classic take on this British style beer, brewed using Golding hops and fermented with English Ale yeast, providing a great balance of malt sweetness and hop bitterness.
- Luminescent Chocolate Coconut Porter (5.0% ABV | 32 IBU) The jellyfish of Deep Cove are well known for unexpectedly lighting up the dark waters with their bioluminescent glow.
- Raspberry Plum Sour (ABV 5.0% | 15 IBU) This fruit-forward kettle sour pours with a rich red hue and is exploding with flavours and aromas of berry jam and fresh baked plum cake.
Deep Cove Brewing & Distilling can be found on Vancouver’s North Shore Ale Trail.
Sleigh Hello To My Little Friend by Dog Mountain Brewing (6.4% ABV)
Have you ever had a strange turkey dinner-induced dream, where you turn a Christmas pudding into a beer? Maybe not, but that sounds pretty darn good, right? This Christmas fruitcake ale is exactly that: plum, cherry, dates, and raisins, a hint of vanilla, and a dash of orange zest. The flavours of Christmas poured into a glass.
Dog Mountain Brewing can be found on the Vancouver Island Part II Ale Trail.
Impression Quadrupel by Driftwood Brewery (11.5% ABV)
Quadrupels are the strongest beers in the Belgian monastic tradition, though this is brewed by beer nerds, not monks. A strong, warming, intense, caramel and plum profile lead to a dry and effervescent finish. This is definitely a cellarable beer!
Driftwood Brewery can be found on the Victoria Ale Trail.
Holiday Jam by Electric Bicycle Brewing (5.0% ABV)
Celebrate the good times. BC’s favourite sour now has a seasonal twist, with the classic tang being complemented by fresh and bright cranberries.
Electric Bicycle Brewing can be found on the Vancouver – Brewery Creek Ale Trail.
241 Minzeweizen by Faculty Brewing (5.2% ABV | 9 IBU)
This classic Faculty recipe is not your average winter ale. This hazy wheat beer is infused with peppermint tea for a pleasantly refreshing and unique twist on a beloved beer style.
Faculty Brewing can be found on the Vancouver – Brewery Creek Ale Trail.
Two Winter Beers from Fernie Brewing Co.:
- Black Mammoth Winter Ale (8% ABV | 25 IBU) Rich, strong and decadent, this beer is aged on oak with rich notes of cocoa.
- Belgian Quad Aged in Rum Barrels (11.5% ABV) This barrel-aged beer is complex, rich, and smooth with dark fruit flavours and spiciness complemented by notes of vanilla, molasses, and oak from the rum barrels.
Fernie Brewing can be found on the Kootenay Rockies East Ale Trail.
Belgian Dip Dark Ale by Five Roads Brewing (5.5% ABV | 15 IBU)
Expect notes of sticky plum, raisin, bread and stone fruit.
Five Roads Brewing can be found on the Langley Ale Trail.
Two Winter Beers and a Mix Pack from Four Winds Brewing:
- DBL JUX (8.0% ABV | 60 IBU) When a regular Juxtapose just doesn’t quite cut it, double down on a DBL JUX. All of the glory from their standard Wild IPA with a hoppier wallop.
- BOREAS (11% ABV) Aged in an eclectic variety of fresh Kentucky bourbon barrels and named after the God of the North wind, this is a blend of 18-month and 6-month-old imperial stouts.
Four Winds also has released a special IPA Mix Pack featuring two of each of the following beers: Vexillum Imperial IPA, Extralux Hazy IPA, Juxtapose IPA, and the brand new, never released Icebox Cold IPA. Hoppy Holidays!
Four Winds Brewing can be found on the South of the Fraser Ale Trail.
Two Beers from Freddy’s Brewpub in Kelowna:
- Heart of Darkness Oatmeal Stout (5% ABV | 35 IBU) A very dark and full-bodied oatmeal stout with coffee and chocolate aroma and taste.
- Monkey Wrench Hefeweizen (5% | 15 IBU) Inspired by Freddy’s bowling mechanics (yes… they have 30 lanes of bowling), this hef gives off the traditional flavours of banana and clove with a hint of cocoa that was added during the boiling process.
Freddy’s Brewpub can be found on the Kelowna & West Kelowna Ale Trail.
Two Beers from Fuggles Beer in Richmond:
- Heart of Darkness Oatmeal Stout (5% ABV | 35 IBU) A very dark and full-bodied oatmeal stout with coffee and chocolate aroma and taste.
- Monkey Wrench Hefeweizen (5% | 15 IBU) Inspired by Freddy’s bowling mechanics (yes… they have 30 lanes of bowling), this hef gives off the traditional flavours of banana and clove with a hint of cocoa that was added during the boiling process.
Fuggles Brewery can be found on the South of the Fraser Ale Trail.
Legendary Stout from Giant’s Head Brewing (5.6% ABV | 25 IBU)
This stout is dark with notes of chocolate and roasted coffee, a perfect beer for those holiday nights spent around the fire.
Giant’s Head Brewing is located in Summerland.
Howe Sound Brewing Brings Back a Classic Winter Ale along with a Vintage Pack of Woolly Bugger Barleywines:
- Father John’s Winter Ale (5.5% ABV) A rich, malty seasonal ale for the winter months with a blend of fresh ginger and nutmeg.
Howe Sound is also releasing a Special Reserve Pack of Woolly Bugger Barley Wine featuring:
- 2018 Reserve (11% ABV) Rhubarb and brown sugar dominate the nose on the 2018 vintage. It presents additional aromas of baked gala apples, fig and raisin, with notes of cinnamon and nutmeg giving a lingering spiciness.
- 2019 Reserve (12.1% ABV) The grain dominates the nose, with rich butterscotch and toffee notes. A subtle spiciness runs through, with notes of black pepper and cinnamon. Beneath this runs a surprising, juicy note of honeydew melon and celery.
- 2020 Reserve (12.4% ABV) Aromas of toffee, treacle, and a distinct smokiness. Additional notes of fig and Medjool date lend a fruity character that grows as it warms, while a complex array of spicy aromas are reminiscent of paprika, rosemary, and black pepper.
Howe Sound Brewing can be found on the Sea to Sky Ale Trail.
Two Historic Styles from Howl Brewing:
- Juleøl (6% ABV | 0 IBU) This style dates back to the Viking era when farmers were required by law to brew this beer for their farmstead each Christmas. Similar to Sahti and other Scandinavian brews of yore, this full-bodied dark ale was filtered through juniper branches with additions of yarrow.
- Belgian Dubbel (6% ABV | 20 IBU) – Strong dark Trappist ales have a long tradition— they were usually consumed by the monks who brewed them during the cooler months and times of fasting. The yeast creates a fruity tone that balances with the rich malt character and low hop bitterness.
Howl Brewing can be found on the Victoria Ale Trail.
Gratitude Winter Ale by Hoyne Brewing (11.5% ABV)
A style of beer that reaches back to the 15th century, this winter warmer is best in a snifter by a fire with someone you love by your side. We gather a group of friends every year to hand-wrap each bottle. In honour of all those who make up our community, who add colour and meaning and spice to the lives of those around them.
Hoyne Brewing can be found on the Victoria Ale Trail.
Three Winter Releases from Lighthouse Brewing:
- Keepers Dry Irish Stout (5.1% ABV | 8 IBU) An award-winning beer Lighthouse has brewed since 2001. Roasty chocolate and coffee flavours combine in the nearly black brew with a creamy, mahogany-coloured head.
- Golden Rye IPA (7% ABV) This limited release is charged with generous additions of rye malt and mosaic hops, resulting in tropical fruit aromas and notes of spicy orange.
- Depth Charge (2022) Oak-Aged Imperial Red Rum Ale (10.3% ABV | 40 IBU) In this year’s Depth Charge, you will find strong caramel notes alongside dark fruit, vanilla, and biscuit flavours— all met with the sailor’s staple of oak and rum.
Lighthouse Brewing can be found on the Victoria Ale Trail.
Six Winter Beers from Locality Brewing:
- Haywire Valley Cherry Sour (5% ABV | 15 IBU) This brewery believes in showcasing the locality of ingredients, the regionality of beer, and the farmer’s role in making great beer. This is 100% Fraser Valley Farm beer.
- Back to our Roots Ginger Saison (7% ABV | 12 IBU) Spicy, gingery and dry, the Belgian yeast strain produces clove and pepper flavours that complement the ginger root added to this beer.
- Owl Train Vanilla Porter (5% ABV | 16 IBU) Dark English-style malts provide a roasty malt character, along with a pleasant hint of vanilla.
- Honeyshine Barrel-Aged Owl Train Vanilla Porter (8% ABV | 16 IBU) The barrel-aged version of Locality’s Vanilla Porter has a delicious rum character.
- Into the Woods Black Forest Imperial Stout (8% ABV | 30 IBU) Like the cake that inspired it, this beer has bold chocolate notes balanced with a hint of cherry. Cocoa nibs lend to the rich body of this beer and lactose allows for a smooth mouthfeel to finish off every sip.
- Into the Woods Black Forest Imperial Stout Aged in Wine Barrels (9% ABV | 30 IBU) The barrel-aged version has bold chocolate notes that are balanced with a hint of cherry and a creamy, smooth finish. Aged in Valley Commons Cabernet Sauvignon French oak barrels.
Locality Brewing can be found on the Langley Ale Trail.
Chocolate & Vanilla Swirl Ice Cream Stout (6.5% ABV | 8 IBU) by Longwood Brewery in Nanaimo
This is a decadent winter delicacy with gobs of sweet chocolate, dollops of vanilla, and so much creamy lactose. South American cacao nibs and pure vanilla extract were added to enhance the rich flavours, from the first sip to the long rich finish.
Longwood Brewery can be found on the Vancouver Island Part II Ale Trail.
A Winter Beer and a Special 12 Pack from LoveShack Libations
- Winter Wonder Ale (6.2% ABV) Smells like Christmas — tastes like beer.
LoveShack also has a special mixed pack called the 12 Beers of Christmas, which includes the Winter Wonder Ale along with 12 other different beers. Perfect for the beer lover in your life — or for yourself!
LoveShack Libations can be found on the Vancouver Island Part II Ale Trail.
Marshmallow Stout (5.5% ABV | 23 IBU) by Mariner Brewing
A decadent and full-bodied vegan milk stout, this special beer uses a variety of specialty malts to create nostalgic aromas and flavours of caramel, marshmallow and vanilla.
Mariner Brewing can be found on the North of the Fraser Ale Trail.
Greatest Hits from Mayne Island Brewing
Inspired by the brewer’s love of vinyl, this creative collection of beers features 12 different 500ml bottles of specially aged beers set aside throughout the year (or maybe even longer).
Mayne Island Brewing is located on beautiful Mayne Island, halfway between Vancouver and Victoria.
Eggnog Cream Ale (8% ABV) by Moody Ales & Co.
Definitely not your grandma’s nog. Wheat and oat malts create a mouthfeel as pillowy as freshly fallen snow. Sweetened with lactose and vanilla, and warmed with nutmeg, sophisticated notes of dark rum tie up all the flavours in a boozy bow.
Moody Ales & Co. can be found on the Port Moody Ale Trail.
Black Forest (8.2% ABV | 25 IBU) by Mountainview Brewing in Hope
Mountainview brewed up this “cake” to celebrate their 2nd anniversary. Dark cherries, cocoa nibs, vanilla and lactose mix together to create this untraditional Black Forest treat.
Mountainview Brewing can be found on the Fraser Valley Ale Trail.
Cold Front Winter Ale (5.5% ABV | 12 IBU) by Mount Arrowsmith Brewing in Parksville
This cozy winter ale blends three specialty roasted malts with gentle earthy hops and holiday spices for smooth and warming festive sips.
Mount Arrowsmith Brewing can be found on the Vancouver Island Part II Ale Trail.
A Special Winter Beer and a Mix Pack from Mt. Begbie Brewing:
- Night In The Monashees (9% ABV) Brewed in collaboration with Monashee Spirits in Revelstoke, this imperial stout was aged several months on Monashee Spirit’s whiskey barrel oak.
Mt Begbie also has released a special Campfire Bundle Pack featuring two classics, Begbie Cream Ale and Brave Liver Scotch Ale, along with two new beers: Revelstoke Dark Lager and Fire Roasted Marshmallow Stout.
Mt Begbie Brewing can be found on the Kootenay Rockies East Ale Trail.
Two Holiday Infusions from the Noble Pig Brewhouse:
- Chocomint Mocha Porter infused with Peppermint (5.5% ABV | 22 IBU)
- Mulled Swine Belgian Pepper Ale infused with seasonal spices (5% ABV | 20 IBU)
The Noble Pig Brewhouse can be found on the Southern Interior Ale Trail.
Eggnog Spiced Cream Ale (5% ABV | 18 IBU) by Old Yale Brewing in Chilliwack
Light and smooth, the warmth of the nutmeg and cinnamon spices shine through with just a touch of sweetness from vanilla offering a delicate mouthfeel and refreshing finish.
Old Yale Brewing can be found on the Fraser Valley Ale Trail.
Eclipse Black Velvet Stout by Phillips Brewing & Malting (4.5% ABV)
This dark roasty stout delivers a pleasant coffee aroma and a silky, bittersweet chocolate malt-forward profile that is deep and complex but sits lightly on the palate.
Phillips Brewing can be found on the Victoria Ale Trail.
Happy F***kin’ Holidays Hazelnut Vanilla Coffee Porter by Riot Brewing (6% ABV | 29 IBU)
Dark and complex, nutty, fragrant, and slightly sweet to balance the bitterness of the coffee, this porter will deliver every item on your wishlist this holiday season. Available in a 473 ml tall can; get yours before it Dashes and Dances away.
Riot Brewing can be found on the Vancouver Island Part I Ale Trail.
Mood Lighting Oatmeal Stout by Settlement Brewing (5.8% ABV)
Heaps of local oats and a mix of special malts give this ale a velvety mouthfeel and a delightful coffee-chocolate finish.
Settlement Brewing can be found on the Vancouver-Yeast Vancouver Ale Trail.
Holiday Spice Brown Ale by Shore Line Brewing (5.5% ABV | 20 IBU)
This taproom-only release is a brown ale handcrafted with specialty malts, cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla.
Shore Line Brewing can be found on the Kelowna and West Kelowna Ale Trail.
Barbara Brown Ale (5% ABV | 20 IBU) by Sidekick Brewing in Chilliwack
A beer that’s big and bold on flavour, while still approachable.
Sidekick Brewing can be found on the Fraser Valley Ale Trail.
Two Holiday Beers from Silver Valley Brewing:
- A Great Big Sled Gingerbread Scottish Ale (5.5% ABV | 20 IBU) This festive take on a Scottish Ale features caramel, toffee, and toasty biscuit flavours, along with a healthy dose of gingerbread spices.
- Don’t Shoot Me Santa Chai Milk Stout (5% ABV | 25 IBU) A milk stout infused with the signature chai mix from T’s Once Upon A Tea Leaf in Maple Ridge.
Silver Valley Brewing can be found on the Maple Ridge Ale Trail.
Illicit Cargo Imperial Stout (10% ABV | 48 IBU) by Smugglers’ Trail Caskworks
An Imperial Stout brewed with vanilla bean, toasted pecans, and a touch of dark chocolate, then aged on American oak, resulting in a toasted, nutty flavour with hints of toffee, cacao, biscuit and coffee.
Smugglers’ Trail Caskworks can be found on the Langley Ale Trail.
Salted Chocolate Porter (6% ABV | 16 IBU) by Steamworks Brewery
With generous additions of vanilla and local sea salt, the toast and intense chocolate of the dark malts makes this brew reminiscent of a salt-finished chocolate tart.
Steamworks Brewery can be found on the North of the Fraser Ale Trail.
Two Seasonal Beers from Strange Fellows Brewing:
- Krampus (8.5% ABV) A Belgian-style Abbey dubbel brewed with Belgian candi sugar and dark malts. Rich with the flavour of dried stone fruits, subtle toffy, and spice.
- Lord Barleycorn (6.5% ABV) This pre-prohibition lager was aged in Woodford Reserve barrels that previously held Russian Imperial Stout.
Strange Fellows Brewing can be found on the Vancouver-Yeast Vancouver Ale Trail.
Cookies & Cream Stout (11.8% ABV) by Superflux Brewing & Brassneck Brewery
Superflux invited their friends from Brassneck over again this year to brew Cookies and Cream a second time. They slightly adjusted the recipe but kept the same goal of making this beer taste like everyone’s favourite cookie. They added about 6000 Oreo Cookies (“maybe 5600 because we’re pretty sure Ben ate at least 400”), a load of cocoa powder, too much vanilla, some lactose and chocolate. It’s decadent and definitely over the top, but truly delicious.
Superflux Brewing can be found on the Vancouver – Yeast Vancouver Ale Trail, and Brassneck Brewery can be found on the Vancouver – Brewery Creek Ale Trail.
63 in Dog Years Imperial Czech Pilsner (8.7% ABV) by Three Ranges Brewing Company in Valemount
Cheers to nine years of brewing at this pioneer Northern BC brewery managed by Rundi Anderson and Michael Lewis. This tasty Bock-ish Imperial Pilsner is a great way to celebrate!
Three Ranges Brewing can be found on the Northeast BC Ale Trail.
Fall Away Bourbon Pear Sour (8% ABV) by Tinhouse Brewing
This winter seasonal is a fruited sour ale brewed with pear, with hints of vanilla, oak and bourbon.
Tinhouse Brewing can be found on the North of the Fraser Ale Trail.
Hazelnut Coffee Milk Stout by Tin Whistle Brewing (5.6% ABV )
This gloriously rich Hazelnut Coffee Milk Stout won a gold medal at the 2022 BC Beer Awards.
Tin Whistle Brewing can be found on the Penticton Ale Trail.
Beartooth Belgian Dubbel (7.2% ABV) by Townsite Brewing
This traditional Belgian Dubbel is made with European ingredients and dark candi sugar (made in-house!), resulting in a gorgeous beer with a deep brown colour with ruby highlights, complex dark caramel flavours with hints of burnt sugar, raisins and dark fruits (think cherries and plums).
Townsite Brewing can be found on the Sunshine Coast Ale Trail.
Tart Cranberry Ale (5.9% ABV | 7 IBU) by Trading Post Brewing
Made with real cranberry puree, this bold, tangy, fruity wheat ale features a medium malt body with a bold tart cranberry flavour.
Trading Post Brewing can be found on the Langley Ale Trail.
Double Black Diamond Double Dry-Hopped IPA (6% ABV) by Trench Brewing
This brew is bone dry with low bitterness, and high carbonation that creates a champagne-like finish on the palate. Dry-hopped with two rounds of Sabro and Idaho Gem hops for a tropical nose with strong notes of lychee and tangerine.
Trench Brewing can be found on the Northwest BC Ale Trail.
Nocturne by Twin City Brewing (10.3% ABV)
This Belgian-style quadrupel features dark caramelized sugars and Belgian spice mingling over a warming, rich body. The recipe uses traditional ingredients including Belgian candi syrup, European Pilsner malt, and a host of other ingredients.
Twin City Brewing can be found on the Vancouver Island Part II Ale Trail.
Misery Slippers Winter Ale (7% ABV) by Ursa Minor Brewing
Prior to opening the brewery (and even occasionally since), owner-brewer Nathan Nicholas spent many a winter working as a timber cruiser — walking through some very rugged terrain on snowshoes or “Misery Slippers.” This beer is a complex mix of chocolatey dark malts and orangey Amarillo hops, with some plum and raisin flavours over a rich malt base.
Ursa Minor Brewing can be found on the Northwest BC Ale Trail.
Nanaimo Bar Imperial Porter (8.2% ABV | 30 IBU) by Vancouver Island Brewing
This dessert-style porter combines the many layers of the classic Nanaimo bar — starting with chocolate on top, vanilla in the middle, and finally a base note of coconut with a decadent sweetness throughout. A venerable bake sale treat in a can.
Vancouver Island Brewing can be found on the Victoria Ale Trail.
Anniversary Winter Warmer (7% ABV) by Wheelhouse Brewing
During dark winter days on the northwest coast, you can get a chill that goes right to the bone. This anniversary winter ale was brewed with bready malts and English ale yeast, then conditioned on coffee and cocoa nibs for extra holiday spirit — and warmth!
Wheelhouse Brewing can be found on the Northwest BC Ale Trail.
Lump o’ Coal Dry Irish Stout (4.8% ABV) by Wildeye Brewing in North Vancouver
Wildeye used activated charcoal to add depth and complexity to this bone-dry Irish Stout. It opens up with a dry and traditional feel and then finishes with a malty chocolatey backbone for a fun twist on a true classic. (Note: many of the brewery staff seem to appear on the Naughty List on the back of the can…)
Wildeye Brewing can be found on the Vancouver’s North Shore Ale Trail.
