5 can’t-miss events at Vancouver Craft Beer Week 2015
Photo credit: Two Peas Photography | Vancouver Craft Beer Week on Facebook
The countdown is on to Vancouver Craft Beer Week, and there’s still time to get your ducks—er, bottle caps–in a row.
The biggest craft-beer festival in Canada starts at the end of this month and runs from May 29 to June 7 with beer-pairing dinners, festival tastings, and party upon party.
Tickets to some of the signature events (such as the Rare Brews BBQ) have already sold out but, but there are plenty of others to choose from.
Here are five to whet your whistle.
GIGANTABIROOMCOBALTAPALOOZA!
What: While the name of this event is difficult to pronounce (try it three times after a beer), it boils down to this: a bigger Hoppapalooza with a tap takeover from Portland’s Gigantic Brewing.
It takes place at the Cobalt (917 Main Street) and features live music by Dada Plan, Slow Learners, and Spoon River.
When: Sunday May 31, 2 to 6 p.m., $65 (plus taxes and fees)
Central City Brewing Company | Photo credit: Carolyn Ali
Cicerone vs Sommelier
What: This event at Legacy Liquor Store (1633 Manitoba Street) involves a four course tasting menu paired with both wine and beer.
Sommelier Emily Walker, who is the wine director at the Four Seasons Hotel Vancouver, will compete against Don Farion, a cicerone who owns BierCraft restaurant. (A cicerone, by the way, is the beer equivalent of a sommelier.) Guests vote for who makes the best pairings.
When: Tuesday, June 2, 6:30 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Forbidden Fruit
What: A homage to the Portland Fruit Beer Festival, this tasting event features everything fruity, including fruit beers, Belgians, and sours.
Fifteen craft breweries will be pouring at the Devil’s Elbow Ale and Smokehouse (562 Beatty Street) The $30 ticket includes 8 five-ounce tasters and tapas.
When: Thursday, June 4, 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Photo sourced from Devil’s Elbow Ale Smoke House website
Rookies and Legends
What: This event brings together the real movers and shakers of the B.C. beer industry: both the up-and-comers and the established veterans who paved the way.
A fundraiser for the BC Craft Brewers Guild, it takes place at the 12 Kings Pub (395 Kingsway) and is billed as a social evening. The $49 ticket includes beer samples from around B.C. and food samples.
When: Friday, June 5, 6 p.m to 10 p.m.
Photo sourced from Vancouver Craft Beer Week website
Vancouver Craft Beer Week Festival
What: This is the flagship event: two days of tastings at the Fair Grounds at the Pacific National Exhibition (2901 East Hastings). Over 100 breweries will be pouring up to 400 beers–that adds up to a whole lot of sampling.
In the midst of it all, the Stihl Timbersports Western Canada Finals will be happening on both days. Tickets are $34.99 per person (or $39.99 for early access) and include admission and entertainment but not beer; tasting tokens are $1.25 each.
When: Saturday June 6 and Sunday June 7, 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. (with gate-crasher admission at 1 p.m.)
For all tickets and more info, see Vancouver Craft Beer Week‘s website.
You can follow Carolyn Ali on Twitter @carolynali
Article source: http://www.insidevancouver.ca/2015/05/01/5-cant-miss-events-at-vancouver-craft-beer-week-2015/
