Fraser
Valley
Tucked between the Coast and Cascade mountain ranges, the Fraser Valley Ale Trail offers a mix of relaxing countryside, urban culture, and rugged backcountry beauty.
Located less than an hour’s drive east of Vancouver, the Fraser Valley is the largest agricultural region in British Columbia, making it the ideal place to experience authentic farm-fresh experiences. Get lost in berry patches and apple orchards, hike along scenic trails, visit a local farmer’s market or fill your belly with a farm-to-plate meal. You’ll also discover trendy restaurants and lounges, exciting sports venues, and unique shopping opportunities. Along the way, sample a wide variety of delicious, locally brewed craft beers.
Hops, which are a key ingredient in beer that provide bitterness, flavour, and aroma, have been grown in the Fraser Valley for more than a century. In the 1940s and 1950s, nearly 2,000 acres of hops were under cultivation there, drawing thousands of hop pickers during harvest time at the end of each summer. Gradually, the industry dwindled away, but recently, hop farming has returned to this fertile agricultural region — largely thanks to the growth of craft brewing there.
This tradition of farming is celebrated perfectly at Farmhouse Brewing in Chilliwack. Here you truly taste the terroir of the beer since the farm uses barley and hops they grow and harvest themselves. Old Yale Brewing‘s popular location is tucked away in the verdant and fertile farmland of the Chilliwack River valley, while those seeking more of an urban experience can check out Bricklayer Brewing and Field House CHWK, which recently joined Flashback Brewing in downtown Chilliwack. The newest brewery on the scene is Sidekick Brewing, a riverfront brewery nestled below the beautiful Cheam Mountains in Chilliwack.
Abbotsford, the largest city in the Valley, is home to Ravens Brewing, an award-winning Indigenous-owned brewery, as well as the original Field House Brewing, which also celebrates the local agricultural bounty both through its beers and its popular Canteen Kitchen. And more recently, a nanobrewery called Canuck Empire Brewing has opened in Abbotsford’s U-District.
Check out Mountainview Brewing in Hope, which was founded by a local couple who moved away for work but decided to return home and open a brewery of their own. Lying at the eastern edge of the Fraser Valley, Hope is a hub of highways that come and go from everywhere.
Exploring the Fraser Valley is all about following your thirst and making new discoveries.
Sumas Mountain in Abbotsford, BC
Farmhouse Brewing Co in Chilliwack, BC
Old Yale Brewing Co in Chilliwack, BC
Mountainview Brewing in Hope, BC (Photo: Mountainview Brewing)
Chadsey Lake in Abbotsford, BC
Farmhouse Brewing Co in Chilliwack, BC
Trading Post Eatery in Abbotsford, BC
Ravens Brewing Co in Abbotsford, BC
Bricklayer Brewing in Chilliwack, BC
Downtown Abbotsford, BC
Old Abbey Ales in Abbotsford, BC
Mount Thom, Chilliwack, BC
Farmhouse Brewing Co in Chilliwack, BC
Flashback Brewing in Chilliwack, BC
Fraser River in Hope, BC
BRGR BRGR in Chilliwack, BC
Lake Bottom Cider in Chilliwack, BC
Field House CHWK in Chilliwack, BC
Downtown Art Walk in Hope, BC
Old Yale Brewing Abbotsford (photo: Old Yale Brewing)
Canuck Empire Brewing Co in Abbotsford, BC
Bricklayer Brewing in Chilliwack, BC
Old Yale Brewing in Chilliwack, BC
Field House Brewing Co in Abbotsford, BC
Mountainview Brewing in Hope, BC
Ravens Brewing Co in Abbotsford, BC
Downtown Art Walk in Hope, BC
Field House Brewing in Abbotsford, BC
Canuck Empire Brewing Co in Abbotsford, BC
Sidekick Brewing in Chilliwack, BC
Old Yale Brewing Abbotsford (photo: Old Yale Brewing)
Old Abbey Ales, Abbbotsford
Day 1
Travel Info
Drive to Hope, an approximately 2.5 hour drive from Vancouver International Airport (YVR), or a 1 hour drive from Abbotsford International Airport (YXX), or 1 hour, 45 minutes from Bellingham, WA.
Start your day with specialty coffees and breakfast sandwiches, or try one of their creative breakfast poutines. Dine in and take advantage of their outdoor patio and enjoy the view.
Pick up a self-guided tour map of Hope’s chainsaw carvings at the Hope Visitor Centre and explore the Chainsaw Carving Capital at your own pace.
Fuel up at this cozy cafe with espresso drinks, baked goods, and classic cafe fare such as sandwiches, flatbreads, and salads.
What better way to enjoy the beautiful Kawakawa Lake than getting out on the water with a kayak or SUP rental. You can also rent a bike for the day and head to the Hope Bike Park, just a 5 minute ride away.
Fantastic beers brewed with fresh mountain water. Enjoy sandwiches and flatbreads from their kitchen, or grab something from Reimer’s Food Truck if it’s on the lot.
Catch an evening movie at the historic Hope Cinema. Built in 1945, it’s one of the very few single-screen cinemas in operation today.
Stop in at this local pub with a friendly atmosphere for a nightcap after a full day exploring Hope.
Whether you’re planning to stay for a night or for the week, the area of Hope Cascades & Canyons has accommodations to fit every need! Cabins, vacation rentals, hotels, and campgrounds are available.
Day 2
Travel Info
Drive to Chilliwack, approximately 30 minutes.
From breakfast sandwiches to fresh baked goodies, Chestnut Springs Organic Bakery has everything you need to fuel your morning or provide that mid-day pick me up!
The most popular hike in Cultus Lake Park boasting stunning views of the lake and surrounding valley. Some very steep sections, so make sure you wear suitable footwear!
A family friendly restaurant located in Cultus Lake, BC that emphasizes great food and drinks in a relaxed, beach atmosphere.
Sidekick is a riverfront brewery nestled below the Cheam Mountains in Chilliwack.
Old Yale has been blazing trails and brewing beer in Chilliwack since 1999.
Serving farm-based BRGRs + local craft beers. Vegan and Gluten Free options are available.
Enjoy craft beer and food on this working farm in rural Chilliwack. Their food menu is sourced from local farmers and suppliers.
A great place to go for a drink with friends or family. Offering cider, beer, kombucha, and craft sodas, a food truck on-site with a picnic style outdoor seating area.
Explore the many trails and observation tower in this reserve - one of the largest heron nesting colonies on the lower mainland. You can pair your visit with a walk along the Vedder River Rotary Trail.
This exciting expansion brings the Field House Brewing brand to downtown Chilliwack.
Equal parts good, old-fashioned belonging and fresh, forward-thinking beer.
A walkable, heritage, cultural hub where locals and visitors come together. Eat, shop, work, relax, and celebrate with so many local businesses ready to welcome you.
Fresh beer, old school values in a beautifully renovated downtown building.
Chilliwack has a wide variety of creative and inspiring public art to discover, with new pieces being added all the time. It’s the perfect family friendly activity!
A charming heritage hotel located at the heart of Chilliwack. A window into the past while providing the modern traveler with all the comforts of home.
Explore More
Downtown Chilliwack is undergoing a revitalization, now District 1881, featuring The Local Space, Spruce Collective, and Bow & Stern alongside the Bricklayer Brewing and Field House CHWK. You could say it’s a hop-ening place!
For more outdoor adventures, try sturgeon fishing or visiting Bridal Falls. If stunning views are what you’re after, take in the scenery at Cheam Wetlands Regional Park — a 107-hectare park comprised of lake, marsh and forest.
Ready for a hot beverage? Be warmly greeted at a local cafe: try Harvest Café or Cedar and Moss Coffee.
Day 3
Travel Info
Drive to Abbotsford, approximately 30 minutes.
Ann Marie’s Cafe will take you back to simpler times with its 1950's diner style menu, décor, and service. Specializing in hamburgers, milkshakes, and their famous all day breakfast!
After lunch spend some time wandering through the historic Downtown Abbotsford neighbourhood. You’ll find locally owned boutiques, fun restaurants, and amazing cafes and bakeries. Spend time browsing the expansive shelves at Hemingway’s Books & Records or sit down for a board game with friends at Boardwalk Café & Games.
Field House brews a variety of their own unique beers as well as limited edition collaboration products with other breweries and wineries. Kids are welcome in their tasting room and a dog friendly patio make this a great stop for the whole family.
In Historic Downtown, BRGR BRGR has become the place for grabbing a mouth-watering burger, great beer, and more in a relaxed space with plentiful dietary options. Don’t forget to try the onion rings!
One of the most well-known mountains in the region.The hiking trail passes Chadsey Lake before reaching the top with an expansive view of the Fraser Valley.
*MOVED TO NEW LOCATION- ONLY BEER TO GO AVAILABLE*
Focusing on European and West Coast style beers and respecting the ingredients traditionally found in these great brews, Ravens works with local growers and suppliers to craft great beers full of character and style.
Opened in 2022, a nano brewery with 10 taps and some great grilled cheese sandwiches! Limited hours but worth checking out!
Established in 2013 and reopened in 2018, Old Abbey Ales uses locally sourced ingredients to brew their award-winning small batches.
Located in beautiful and historic Downtown Abbotsford, Old Yale Brewing’s second home in the heart of the Fraser Valley is a craft brewery and kitchen with a spacious tasting room and patio. With 15 beers on tap along with a selection of wine, cider and craft cocktails plus a full menu featuring many of the Chilliwack brewery food truck favourites along with some new options, it's a great stop for dinner.
Newly renovated and rebranded, the Clarion offers an excellent home base for all of your Fraser Valley adventures. Easily accessible from Highway 1, pool and fitness facilities, on site restaurant, and ample meeting space are just a few of the features.
Explore More
Looking for more suggestions? Explore Fraser Valley’s Circle Farm Tour – a road map that directs you to a variety of specialty farm-gate vendors, open air markets, charming eateries, heritage sites, fairs, and other special events. For events the rest of the year, try to catch a concert at the Abbotsford Centre.
If you are tempted to add one more stop to your itinerary, Langley’s Trading Post Brewing also has an Abbotsford Eatery location.
Abbotsford has an extensive selection of accommodation providers from hotels and inns to cozy bed and breakfasts. Find additional options for overnight stays at tourismabbotsford.ca.
Produced In Collaboration With
Abbotsford is located 60 minutes east of Vancouver, situated between the Fraser River and the US border. Nestled in the Fraser Valley with the Cascade Mountains as its backyard, Abbotsford offers diverse activities and attractions against a backdrop of mountains and farmland. Tour our craft breweries and wineries or explore the countryside on the Circle Farm Tour. Let the kids loose at Castle Fun Park or take enjoy time in the rugged backcountry on Sumas Mountain. Discover our shopping and dining scene, or explore Historic Downtown.
Chilliwack is a vibrant community; rich in history, outdoor adventures and farm experiences. Come wander the great outside on one of our numerous hikes, spend an afternoon golfing with friends, or fish along the mighty Fraser River. Immerse yourself by learning about the food we grow, the artists we cultivate, the surrounding agriculture, boutique shops, farm stands and festivals all within a breathtaking backdrop, and only a couple hours from Vancouver. Discover independent retailers and farmers who genuinely care and immerse yourself in history and respect of the land with the Sto:lo First Nation. Sample our local breweries, challenge yourself with our outdoor adventures and experience the great outside.
Between the Coast Mountain Range and the Cascade Mountain Range, this hub of southern BC highways makes Hope a readily accessible destination from which to explore some of the most beautiful and dramatic BC wilderness. Within a half hour drive, there are awe-inspiring desert canyons, vast stands of coastal rainforest, rugged snow capped mountains, expansive alpine meadows and fast-flowing rivers