In a city like Vancouver, craft beer is always on tap. So it is such a shame to see your one friend who insists on drinking their usual cheap beer. Let’s call this friend, Carl.

Carl is 26 and has been a steady Budweiser guy since high school house parties. You, Carl’s best friend, love experiencing the tastes and joy a good craft beer provides. It disappoints you that your friendship with Carl will not reach its full potential. Well, worry no more because your friends at VanCity Drinks are here to help. Here are our 3 tips on converting your friend to craft beer in Vancouver.

1. Take Your Friend on a Surprise Brewery Tour

There is no better way to acquire new tastes than by trying a mixture of IPAs, light and dark beers. If you start light with some lagers and summer ales your friend will surely be drinking bitter IPAs by the end of the tour. Vancouver has no shortage of breweries that offer tours to individuals or groups. You could do the standard brewery tour, such as the R&B Brewing Company, which is one of Vancouver’s original micro breweries. Or, if you feel more daring try taking them on a 3-hour brewery driving tour by Vancouver Brewery Tours.

2. Participate in Patio Madness 2017! #patiomadness

Thousands of beer loving Vancouverites have already posted to Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook showing their love for their favourite patios. Already over 10,000 votes have been cast in an attempt to claim Vancouver’s best patio! Your friend will be so distracted by the beautiful views and great vibes, he won’t even notice you’ve swapped his Coors Light for a craft pilsner!

https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/patiomadness/

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3. Download the VanCity Drinks Mobile App

Your friend will have no reason to not try new craft beers with the mobile app in hand. Custom curated lists make it easy for you to find what you’re looking for. With categories such as, “Craft Cocktails”, “Happy Hours”, “Craft Beer” and “Date Night”, the VanCity Drinks app guides you through our sometimes-confusing city. If your friend is lazy, use the “near me” function to give you the closest options. Your friend now has no more excuses!

If you find yourself suffering from seasonal affective disorder or you’re just plain sick of the rain, I urge you to fight back! Embrace your Canadian spirit, throw on a rain jacket and head to East Van for a craft beer crawl! A few friends and I recently travelled to the heart of East Van’s beer scene on Powell street. We were honoured to get to enjoy Vancouver’s newest craft brewery Andina Brewing Company!

Andina Brewing Company

Andina Brewing Company is a family owned brewery created by Nicolas and Andres Amaya. Andina permeates a Columbian inspired vibe with lively music and a contagious energy. The space has got a touch of the old world with a modern twist. The kind of place that feels familiar and puts you at ease.

We were lucky enough to grab a table and enjoy every beer that Andina offered! I always order a flight of tasters, it’s the best way to get a feel for the beer and the brewery. My favourite is the “Monita” which is a Blonde IPA. It’s balanced perfectly with a hoppy punch and a smooth finish. You have to try the Passionfruit IPA it’s unreal!

Andina also serves a South American inspired food menu with an amazing ceviche. Beats a pepperoni stick and cheese bread! All in all, I think Andina brings a new flare to Powell street and Vancouver’s craft beer scene. It is a must visit and is a great starting spot for a craft beer crawl. Up next Powell Brewery.

Powell Brewery

Keeping it all in the family, Powell Brewery is an independent microbrewery owned and operated by husband and wife team David (brewer) and Nicole (operator). Powell Brewery is East Van to the core with public seating onlooking their brewery. Shining stainless steel vats shimmering in the light make it look like you’ve died and gone to craft beer heaven! I love the laid-back Vancouver vibe and with a small space there’s no room for pretentious attitude. Just a group of locals who love enjoying craft beer with their friends.

Of course, we ordered a round of flights to get a feel for what Powell is currently offering. The Ode to Citra is a Powell classic and probably their most recognizable beer. If you’re a IPA lover you are in the right place. Powell brews aggressive yet delicious IPA’s as well as a fierce double IPA. Worth a visit and it’s literally a stone’s throw away from Andina which makes it an easy trek even despite the rain. Feeling hopped up on IPA’s we decided to cruise up Clark street to our last craft beer crawl destination in East Vancouver, Strange Fellows.

Strange Fellows Brewing

Strange Fellows’ beer embodies their name by being creative and innovative. I literally get excited every time I visit because they’re always brewing up tasty creations. Influenced by both old-world traditions and new age ingenuity, Strange Fellows manages to keep you guessing and satisfied. Boasting a massive tasting room overlooking their beautiful brewery, the space is attractive and lively. Public seating provokes an awesome social atmosphere as everyone is always having a good time at Strange Fellows. We sipped our flights down to the suds and reflected on our night of fun. By only visiting three breweries, you’ll have a great night and actually remember it! Watch out for those IPA’s, they’ll get you!

Vancouver’s craft beer scene is one of the best things to blossom in our beautiful city. Supporting locally crafted beer is not only good for our economy, it’s also a superior product. Put down that tall can of cheap American brew and experience our kick ass craft beer scene. I encourage everyone to head down to Powell street and go on a craft beer crawl journey that will educate, inspire, and of course intoxicate! Until next time…

For more information:

Andina Brewing Company
1507 Powell St.
Vancouver, BC

(604) 253-2400

andinabrewing.ca

Powell Brewery
1357 Powell St.
Vancouver, BC

(604) 558-2537

powellbeer.com

Strange Fellows Brewing Company
1345 Clark Dr.
Vancouver, BC

(604) 215-0092

strangefellowsbrewing.com