BEER IN THE OKANAGAN
Yes, you read that right …
Long a favourite getaway for Albertans seeking sunshine and wine, the Okanagan is also a great place to explore the burgeoning craft beer scene in the province next door.
From Vancouver Island to the Lower Mainland and over to the Interior, B.C.’s craft brewers are making some of the most adventurous — and tasty — beers in the country.
The Okanagan Fest-of-Ale, held in Penticton every April, provides a chance to try many of them in one place while enjoying the spectacular scenery and plentiful recreation options the area is known for.
“It’s a great opportunity for Albertans to get a sense of what B.C. beer is like,” said Joe Wiebe, a beer writer who authored Craft Beer Revolution, a guidebook that charts the industry’s growth and profiles 90 breweries around the province.
This year’s Fest-of-Ale, happening April 10 and 11 at the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre, features 41 beer exhibitors and five cider makers showing off their wares. With capacity capped at 5,000 people over the two days, the Fest-of-Ale has a more intimate feel than some bigger festivals, which lends itself to conversation and appreciation.
“The brewers can talk about the little things they do that are different than other brewers and people can leave feeling they’ve got some education,” said Martin Lewis, one of the festival directors.
It’s a community vibe that has been part of the Fest-of-Ale since the first was held in 1996, said Lewis, who was involved in organizing the inaugural event. Back then, local hoteliers and business owners were looking for an event that would help kick off the spring tourism season.
Craft beer back then was “a real unknown quantity,” Lewis said, but a local industry had started to take root with the Okanagan Spring Brewery in Vernon (now owned by international brewing conglomerate Sapporo), Tin Whistle Brewing in Penticton and Tree Brewing in Kelowna.
While beer is the drawing card, Fest-of-Ale organizers have always structured the event so visitors have plenty of time to enjoy local dining and attractions before or after the sessions: the festival runs from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday; noon to 6 p.m. on Saturday. On Sunday, anything goes.
“You can golf and ski on the same day,” said Lewis.
“The big appeal to coming to a festival here is the being in the Okanagan in April: we have the weather and you’re not going to see any snow on the ground.”
The big appeal to coming to a festival here is the being in the Okanagan in April.
FESTIVAL DIRECTOR MARTIN LEWIS