A new initiative for beer-lovers has arrived in the Greater Victoria area in an effort to encourage residents to support local businesses while exploring some incredible Vancouver Island breweries.
Introducing the Victoria Ale Trail Passport, a new promotion from the BC Ale Trail that invites Victoria residents to collect stamps at various local breweries in order to be entered into a draw for a chance to win prizes.
Ale Trail chasers will need to get six stamps on their passport from a choice of 14 participating breweries during the month of May, with multiple passport entries per person being allowed.
“The Victoria Ale Trail Passport promotion is a fun way to explore the local craft beer scene,” reads a statement from BC Ale Trail.
“While current COVID restrictions require brewery tasting rooms to stay closed to the public, most of Victoria’s breweries have outdoor patios where you can soak up the sunshine, and all of them offer off sales if you just want to get some beer to go.”
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Prizes include an overnight Staycation for two at Spinnakers Guesthouses, involving both dinner and breakfast, two free passes for the Pedaler’s Hoppy Hour Bike Tour, and prize packs featuring BC Ale Trail swag, merchandise from the participating breweries, and gift cards to local liquor stores, among other things.
Prizes will be drawn and winners announced in the first week of June, according to the event page.
BC Ale Trail is encouraging participants to walk or bike between breweries, while checking out some of the newer locations in town including Herald Street Brew Works.
Like other Ale Trail’s throughout the province, the Victoria event is geared at supporting nearby local breweries amid the COVID-19 pandemic while tasting rooms remain closed and travel restrictions remain in effect.
“Now is the time to stay local and support local businesses with just your immediate household or core bubble,” disclaims the BC Ale Trail.
The 14 breweries below are participating in the event, which runs from May 1 to May 31. Passports can be picked up and dropped off once completed at any of these locations.
Participating Breweries:
Canoe Brewpub – 450 Swift St.
Category 12 Brewing – 2200 Keating X Rd.
Driftwood Brewery – 836 Viewfield Rd.
Herald Street Brew Works – 506 Herald St.
Howl Brewing – 1780 Mills Rd.
Hoyne Brewing – 2740 Bridge St.
Île Sauvage Brewing – 2960 Bridge St.
Lighthouse Brewing – 836 Devonshire Rd.
Moon Under Water Brewery, Pub & Distillery – 350 Bay St.
Phillips Brewing – 2010 Government St.
Spinnakers Brewpub – 308 Catherine St.
Twa Dogs Brewery – 761 Enterprise Cres.
Vancouver Island Brewing – 2330 Government St.
Whistle Buoy Brewing – 560 Johnson St.
Courtesy of BC Ale Trail
Graham Cox
