Nestled in the heart of North Vancouver Island, Port McNeill is a resource town with stunning scenery and endless outdoor adventure potential. It has one grocery store, one pub, one general store, and one craft brewery: Devil’s Bath Brewing. Head brewer Aaron Battaglio and his family, long-time locals of Port McNeill, are the brains behind … Continued
Greater Victoria is blessed with an amazing network of bike trails. The Galloping Goose Trail extends 45 km to the nearby community of Sooke, home to three breweries, a meadery and a distillery, which makes it an ideal destination on a weekend bike excursion. Riding out to Sooke from Victoria is a great adventure. I … Continued
In this episode, Aaron visits Ace Brewing in Courtenay, BC. Breweries can be a strong focal point for any community. Many of them align their name with the characteristics or features of their surroundings. Ace Brewing opened its doors in 2019, and is proud of its vintage aviation theme, reflecting the history of the Comox … Continued
Pushing your limits in the great outdoors, then settling in for a sweaty post-effort pint with friends is a feeling like no other. Among the trails in the Comox Valley, it’s a way of life. The Comox Valley is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. A burgeoning food and craft beer scene, easy access to Strathcona’s … Continued
In this episode, Aaron visits Alberni Brewing in Port Alberni, BC. As soon as travel restrictions opened up, Aaron hit the road and took a ferry to Vancouver Island! “It’s always a great feeling escaping the city and visiting communities around the province!” – Aaron Johnson. Aaron visited Alberni Brewing Company, a new brewery that … Continued
Don’t let the cold, wet weather keep you from enjoying craft beer at your local brewery. One of the ways that many craft breweries have adapted to the COVID-19 pandemic is by expanding their outdoor patios to allow more patrons to visit the brewery and sample beers in person. This has helped to mitigate the … Continued
Helicopter and floatplane tours offer spectacular views and delicious craft beer. Travelling to visit breweries is always fun, whether it’s by car (with a designated driver of course), by bicycle, or even just walking between tasting rooms in the same neighbourhood. But what about flying in a helicopter or floatplane?! That definitely takes brewery touring … Continued
In this episode of the Cascadian Beer Podcast, Aaron visits Nanaimo, BC. Earlier this year, Aaron travelled to Nanaimo on Vancouver Island, visiting the Longwood Brewery, which has been around since 2013. The brewery grew out of a popular local brewpub of the same name, the Longwood Brewpub, but is a separate and unique operation. … Continued
This long ride through gorgeous scenery on the Saanich Peninsula will give you a good workout — along with three ideal “hydration stops” at local breweries. I’ve always enjoyed cycling, but I’ve definitely taken it up a notch in recent years, both because of the exercise and stress relief the activity provides for me and … Continued
The drive to the west coast of Vancouver Island is one of BC’s most celebrated road trips—and for good reason. In the space of a couple of hours, you exchange the sunlit hills and gentle shores of eastern Vancouver Island for the rainswept, brooding austerity of the Pacific on the island’s west coast. It’s a … Continued