This weekend, dads everywhere will rejoice with a renewed sense of freedom, thanks to Phase 2 of BC’s Restart Plan. Not to mention Sunday is Father’s Day. Wondering what to get the old man this year to celebrate? The answer is clear: beer. Read on for Father’s Day gift ideas for the craft beer-loving dad.
After almost a year and a half of housebound monotony, the days seem to run together, punctuated only by excruciating trips to Costco and the occasional take-out dinner.
Thankfully, that appears to be coming to an end. With the B.C. government easing social distancing guidelines this week in the face of falling Covid numbers, we are able to safely venture out into that big scary world and talk to our fellow humans for the first time in months, and even enjoy a beer in a pub or brewery without inadvertently killing grandma.
Since this Sunday is Father’s Day (surprise!), it makes for the perfect opportunity to reconnect with family and celebrate dear ol’ dad.
But where to go and what to do? And what to get the male genetic material donor in your life?
Firstly, as a working father myself, let me assure you that the dad in your life does not need, nor want, another tie, unusable handmade mug, or “World’s Most Whatever Dad” t-shirt that they will never wear outside the house—and even then, only if they have no clean laundry.
What dad wants/needs is beer.
Dadding is a tough gig at times. Both my kids are under five, which means they’re the exact height to repeatedly make direct, violent contact with my groin while running around the house at high speed. I spend at least a quarter of my day doubled over in pain. You might think an ice pack and a jockstrap would be ideal gifts this Father’s Day, but I’d really prefer to drink the pain away, instead.
So this Father’s Day, grab some beer, check out your local craft brewery and invite the whole family. Here are some ideas of where to go and what to get dad, even if that dad is you.
Father’s Day Crate from Container Brewing
Get dad a nice little package of goodies this Father’s Day, complete with gourmet pork rinds, chocolate cookies, and, of course, beer. Order online at Container’s webstore here for pickup on Friday, June 18.
The Dad Life by Field House Brewing
Those cheesy dad jokes aren’t going to tell themselves! Get your dad some fuel for his truly terrible puns with this box of fatherly goodness, including a six-pack of Dutch Pale Ale, a bomber of the Imperial Farmhouse Sour, a snapback dad hat and The Dad Life glassware. Order online here for pickup at Field House’s Abbotsford location. Better yet, come down to the brewery for a Father’s Day pizza and a beer for the old man, and he gets to keep the glass. Actually, do both.
Legendary Father’s Day Giveaway by Nelson Brewing Co.
Nelson Brewing has joined forces with Legendary Meats, the Nelson Liquor Store and New Grand Liquor for this Father’s Day giveaway, featuring a big ol’ tomahawk steak, a metric schwack of beer and tons of cool merch worth more than $400. But you’ve got to be in it to win it! How to enter: 1. Go to Nelson Brewing’s Instagram post here and tag a Dad or friend who would love to win a juicy steak and boat load of beer. More tags mean more entries. 2. Make sure you’re following @NelsonBrewingCompany and @LegendaryMeats on Instagram. 3. Bonus submission for your best dad joke. 4. You can also submit an entry at your local participating liquor store in Nelson. 5. The winner will be announced on Father’s Day.
Photo: Jon Adrian
Father’s Day Beer Pairing Dinner at Cannery Brewing
Beer, food, family, sunshine—what more do you need for Father’s Day? (Or life in general, really.) Cannery Brewing’s Backyard beer patio in Penticton is the setting for this multi-course dinner by Joy Road Catering, with each dish paired with a different Cannery beer, including an Imperial Lime Gose brewed especially for the event. The menu will also incorporate beer as an ingredient in each dish, along with a multitude of seasonal produce, all from local suppliers, farmers and foragers. Tickets are $99 each and can be bought online here, but hurry because they are going fast!
Father’s Day BBQ Kit from Faculty Brewing and Nuba
Hit the beach and fire up the barbie this weekend with this tasty collab from Vancouver’s Faculty Brewing and Nuba. The barbecue kit includes a skewer kit (with beef, prawns, red peppers, cherry tomatoes, zucchini, red onions, shatta sauce and toum), a watermelon salad kit (with watermelon, cucumber, greens, lemon and olive oil), pita, roasted potatoes, hummus, and a four-pack of tall cans of Faculty’s new Tumeric Ale. Order online for delivery or pickup on Saturday, June 19, here.
Father’s Day Bundle from Barnside Brewing
The folks at Barnside Brewing in Delta love doing everything themselves, from growing their own barley to hand-making and branding these sweet bomber bottle carriers that are part of their Father’s Day Bundle. Also includes a bomber of Paterson Park Rye IPA, an English Oat Porter, a Barnside t-shirt and a pint glass. Limited quantities, available at the brewery.
Whisky cups from Rustic Reel Brewing
The only thing dads love more than beer is whisky (and maybe their children), so check out these amazing whiskey cups made by local artist Selena Sced available at Rustic Reel Brewing’s Tackle Box Marketplace in Kelowna. They’re even decorated with a fly fishing design, for extra dad points.
Father’s Day Rib Kit from Foamers’ Folly Brewing
Foamers’ Folly has teamed up with chefs Jean Jacques Kabuya of Salt + Sear Catering to create this delicious Father’s Day special. The kit includes 36-Hour slow-cooked ribs with hot honey glaze, garlic mashed potatoes, chorizo baked beans and four-pack of Foamers’ Dad Beer West Coast Pilsner. Order online here for pickup at Foamers’ in Pitt Meadows on Sunday, June 20 from 9am-12pm.
Langley Fresh Father’s Day Gift Box from Tourism Langley
This gift box from Tourism Langley features lets you say thank-you to dad this year and support local businesses at the same time. Featuring an assortment of carefully curated products, all sourced from the Township of Langley, including a 32-ounce growler and gift card for a growler fill at any Township of Langley craft brewery. Order online here for pickup at Tourism Langley’s office.
Father’s Day Beer Crate from Smugglers Trail
Say cheers to your special dad with one of Smugglers Trail Beer Gift Crates. Includes a $15 Smugglers gift card, a $20 Sweeney’s Barbershop gift card, house-made beef jerky, Smugglers dad cap, t-shirt, bottle opener and a six-pack of Captain Stone Lager. And when you hook your dad up with this pack, you’re automatically entered into a raffle for a 20L keg of Captain Stone Lager (plus all the necessary draft service systems, delivery and set-up). Order online here for pickup at the brewery.
COVID-19 Travel Update
BC has now entered Step 2 of BC’s Restart Plan; travel throughout the province is now encouraged. It’s time to #exploreBCnow as #newexperiencesarebrewing. Book your summer getaway now (at exploreBC.com) and let the BC Ale Trail be your guide for your next Ale-venture. Travel safely and responsibly this summer. For those outside of British Columbia, we look forward to welcoming you soon.
