NORTH CENTRAL ISLAND
This central Vancouver Island region has it all: farms and farmer’s markets; wilderness hiking, camping and climbing; fantastic skiing and mountain biking; urban shopping and dining in Courtenay and Comox; history aplenty in Cumberland; and of course, delicious craft beer! This summer, many Vancouver Island residents are choosing to stay on the island and support local businesses by vacationing close to home. Why not turn your local adventure into an exploration of the Vancouver Island Ale Trail? More than 40 craft breweries are located throughout the lower half of the Island. Most of the breweries on the island have tasting rooms where you can sample their brews and perhaps enjoy a snack or even a full meal. Under pandemic rules, most have expanded outdoor patios. Some are brewpubs with full restaurants offering extensive menu options. Many are family friendly places where you can bring the kids along. You can purchase bottles or cans to take away with you or fill a growler to take back to your campsite, RV, motel or cabin. And everywhere you go on the island, there are lots of fun activities to experience, landmarks to visit, and other small businesses to discover.
The Comox Valley has it all: farms and farmer’s markets; wilderness hiking, camping and climbing; fantastic mountain biking; urban shopping and dining in Courtenay and Comox; history aplenty in Cumberland; and of course, delicious beer! Although the craft beer revolution didn’t arrive there until 2014 when Cumberland Brewing opened, today this region has a flourishing, dynamic beer scene with a wide variety of breweries to choose from.
Ace Brewing (Courtenay)
The newest microbrewery to open in Courtenay celebrates the history of the Canadian Air Force in the Comox Valley through a vintage aviation theme reflected in the tasting room decor. With a new parking lot patio, there is lots of space to socialize and 10 taps to choose from, as well as a Canteen kitchen that offers some tasty bites to go along with the beer.
Cumberland Brewing (Cumberland)
The small town of Cumberland is known for its coal mining history and its present-day status as a mecca for mountain bikers. Cumberland Brewing is an ultra-local spot that only sells its beer on site. Have a seat on the covered patio or order a pizza and a pint at Rider’s Pizza across the street.
Gladstone Brewing (Courtenay)
Based in a one-time car mechanic’s shop, Gladstone Brewing embraces that heritage with a tasting room that is decorated with automobile memorabilia. The brewery’s popular Burger Bar will keep your hunger pangs away as you sip and socialize on the patio, which is always busy with friendly locals ready to enjoy a conversation.
Land & Sea Brewing (Comox)
Celebrating the elements that define life on Vancouver Island — the land and the sea — this brewery has established itself as a community gathering place. Its bright, welcoming tasting room showcases the brewing equipment front and centre, and the on-site kitchen offers great food to go along with the delicious beer. Land & Sea recently added an outdoor patio space. New Tradition Brewing (Comox) The brewery’s name says it all: respecting the traditions of brewing without being afraid to experiment and take risks. Expect a solid range of classic beer styles mixed with some less traditional fresh takes. New Tradition has two outdoor spaces, its regular patio and the new Glacier Terrace it opened this summer with a view of the Beaufort Mountains.
Campbell River represents the upper reach of the Vancouver Island Ale Trail (although it will expand to Port McNeill when Devil’s Bath Brewing opens there). Famous for fishing and boating, Campbell River is a great place to visit for the entire family. I spent a few days there with my family around Canada Day — we enjoyed a beach day at Miracle Beach Provincial Park, walked around the quaint downtown where we visited a bookstore, and ordered food from local restaurants.
Beach Fire Brewing (Campbell River)
My wife and I enjoyed the range of beers on offer at Beach Fire Brewing, which has a comfortable and stylish tasting room and a recently expanded back patio. The brewery takes great pride in its kitchen, too: the menu changes every day with the chef incorporating local ingredients wherever possible.
New experiences are brewing nearby. Let the BC Ale Trail be your guide.
For more information, visit the BC Ale Trail website, which has a series of self-guided itineraries highlighting destinations and detailed information about every craft brewery on the Island. Or download the free BC Ale Trail app to collect points each time you visit breweries and then redeem for a reward at participating locations. It will also help you find local liquor stores that offer good craft beer selections. Next week: Port Alberni, Ucluelet & Tofino.