5 Must-See Breweries in British Columbia

BC's Sunshine Coast, a short ferry ride from West Vancouver, promises a bounty of farms, producers, and libations. Case in point? In Gibsons, Persephone Brewing Company’s signature big red barn is an ideal spot to sip award-winning craft beer made from hops grown on-site. In 2017, Persephone also became the first brewery in BC to be certified as a B-Corporation!

Persephone takes a “farmhouse” approach to their brewing operations by integrating farming, regenerative agriculture, and delicious beer. They don’t just grow hops and barley here, though; if you pop by, you’ll also see apple orchards, veggie gardens, greenhouses, and a flock of laying hens. Visit their tasting room and try their Pollinator Pilsner—the organic hops used in this brew promise hints of green tea and juicy pear, while the addition of BC honey adds a subtle floral note. Or spend an afternoon at a picnic table in the field with a flight of beers paired with pizza, made in Persephone’s outdoor wood-fire oven. 

Barkerville Brewing Co. in Quesnel has been producing liquid gold since 2014, and they've got plenty of Canadian Brewing and BC Beer Awards to prove it. This largely female-led operation (including the head brewer and general manager) takes its name from legendary gold prospector Billy Barker who hailed from nearby Barkerville Historic Town. As a bonus, the team has embraced more than just the moniker at this gold rush-themed establishment, where the decor, beer names, and even the local ingredients harken back to days gone by. 

Opened in 2022, Lillooet Brewing Company is a community hub that focuses on ingredient origins to create localized, organic beer—a process that empowers Canadian farmers, craftspeople, wild foragers, beekeepers, and others who source food from the land. Passionate about the local fauna, the co-founders nicknamed the brewery “Lillooet’s wildlife headquarters” in an effort to create a space for people to learn about the area’s unique wildlife; the brewery uses names and artwork of the beer to celebrate and educate visitors about Lillooet’s at-risk species and other keystone species that keep the area’s delicate ecosystems alive. 

When long-time friends Adin Bennett and Blaine Estby followed their dream and opened a brewery in their hometown of Smithers, the aptly named Smithers Brewing quickly made an impact in BC’s northern beer scene. 

Constructed from timber and backed by views of Hudson Bay Mountain, the purpose-built brewery boasts a regular rotation of 10 pours in the tap room, all showcasing the creativity of head brewer Cam McKeigan. Visitors could easily spend an afternoon in the spacious tasting room, sipping West Coast-style craft beers like the popular Flower Power Sour—a bright red, kettle-soured ale flavoured with hibiscus, rosehips, elderflower, and chamomile.

Four Winds joined the burgeoning BC craft beer scene and opened their doors to a public thirsty for new local offerings in 2013. Owned, operated and built from the ground up by the Mills family and friends, their vision was born out of passion for craft beer, community and entrepreneurial independence.

Today, their new Four Winds Beach House & Brewery in Tsawwassen offers a west coast take on the classic beer hall, celebrates both traditional and modern brewing methods, and pairs  exceptional hospitality with memorable dining experiences. Joining the Southlands development—a unique “agri-hood” with 530 acres of farmland, green spaces, a growing neighbourhood and a bustling market square, is a dream come true. Located just a short stroll from one of the Lower Mainland’s most beautiful beaches, Four Winds Beach House & Brewery is a destination worth exploring.