The designated driver plays an important part in a local brewery visit: they get everyone home safely. But having a pint or a flight is a no-no. Luckily, being the DD on the BC Ale Trail doesn’t mean you’re relegated to just water. There are refreshing non-alcoholic craft beverages available for you to enjoy.
If you’re the designated driver for a brewery tasting room visit, you might have this role for one of a few reasons:
- You drew the short straw
- You’re pregnant
- It’s your turn
- Maybe you’re doing a ‘dry’ month
Whatever the reason, being DD can seem “no fun” as you don’t get to sip and savour what everyone else is. Because… no drinking and driving, folks — BIG no-no. But it doesn’t mean you’re stuck with just still or sparkling water. Not on the BC Ale Trail. Here are some refreshing non-alcoholic beverages available at BC craft breweries:
Kombucha
First, let’s cover off what kombucha is. This fizzy delight is a carbonated tea that has been fermented and brewed using tea, bacteria and yeast. Kombucha has healthy probiotics and antioxidant properties, and can help with immune system function, and brain and digestion health. It also provides a natural energy boost. Essentially, it’s good to sip on after a big meal, or perhaps after a tasting room visit where you weren’t the DD. At a family-friendly tasting room, your kids might even like it!
And for those who take pictures of their beverages — like me — it often comes in pretty colours and looks nice in a photo.
Here’s are some breweries where you can find house-made kombucha on tap:
Faculty Brewing (Vancouver)
Makers of the popular Oddity Kombucha, Faculty Brewing Co. have their fermented tea on tap and bottled. Vancouver residents can also find Oddity Kombucha around the city and order it through BeerVan. A favourite flavour of mine is the Hibiscus Mint.
Marten BrewinG (Vernon)
Stefan and Pearl Marten not only have kombucha on tap at Marten Brewing Company in Vernon, they own the label they pour: UnderGround Kombucha. The bubbly lineup includes Hip Hops, a delicious and unqiue blend of rose hips and beer hops. Our own Joe Wiebe says his favourite is the gingery Ninja Ginja. Also available under this brand is a nitro coffee.Vernon locals can also buy cans to go or get a growler fill. If you’re not local to Vernon, the colourful cans and flavours can be found in grocery stores across BC.
Geen Leaf Brewing (North Vancouver)
Located at Lonsdale Quay on Vancouver’s North Shore, Green Leaf Brewing makes their kombucha in-house, with 2-3 flavours rotating at all times. Growler fills are available and Green Leaf also makes a ginger ale.
Breweries serving locally-made kombuchas include Townsite Brewing in Powell River and Parkside Brewery in Port Moody, and Bridge Brewing offers their house-made kombucha at their Lonsdale BridgeDeck location.
Craft Soda
DDs, this is your Pepsi or Coke elevated several notches. With creative flavours and healthier takes on favourites like cola and root beer, BC craft breweries have got your back with their craft sodas. If you have kids with you, they’ll probably love the fun names and flavours. I know I wish Callister Soda Co‘s Raspberry Early Grey soda had existed when I was a kid.
Here are breweries making craft sodas:
Callister Brewing (Vancouver)
Vancouver’s Callister Brewing makes small-batch craft sodas under their Callister Soda Co. brand. The flavours are fun and give a unique twist on your traditional soda. These sodas are a popular choice in the Callister tasting room and are available at other breweries around the Lower Mainland. Ginger Mint is next on my list to try.
Torchlight Brewing (Nelson)
In Nelson, Torchlight Brewing is crafting “happy little sodas” for their West Kootenay city locals to enjoy. Additionally, they have a line of Italian soda syrups so you can feel like you’re enjoying your beverage on a trattoria in Italy. Looking at the menu, may I suggest a cremosa? (Italian soda topped with whipped cream!)
Phillips Brewing & Malting (Victoria)
Phillips Brewing in Victoria has been making craft sodas under their Phillips Soda Works brand for as long as I can remember. Available in their tasting room and at other breweries, their packaging and flavours bring a bit of ’50s diner-era nostalgia to your beverage experience. And you may have also seen their bottles in your local grocery store and not known that the sodas are cousins to the Phillips beers.
Psst! The Phillips Intergalactic Root Beer makes for an excellent ice cream float — check out that recipe here.
Other breweries making their own sodas include Green Leaf Brewing in North Vancouver and Port Moody’s Fraser Mills Fermentation.
The non-alcoholic beverage offerings for designated drivers at BC craft breweries are not lacking in flavour or fun. If you’re unsure if your local has similar options on tap, pop them a note on social or give them a call. (And remember to get a growler fill or buy a four-pack to enjoy when you get home!)
Let us know which ones you try by tagging us @bcaletrail on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter!
Yasmine Hardcastle is the Social Media Manager for the BC Ale Trail. Originally from Vancouver, she’s a yogini and passionate local tourist who enjoys keeping well and enjoying life. She chronicles her adventures on her blog, westcoastcitygirl.com through which she has worked with both local and international companies and attractions. Yasmine can often be found enjoying a #pintandaflight at a craft tasting room with her Englishman, The Brit. Connect with her on Instagram or on LinkedIn.
