Also found in Monday Magazine
May is here, which means we’re almost at the unofficial start of summer. For the beer lover, that usually means a couple of things: Lighter, easier to drink beers and time spent on patios. Victoria has no shortage of great patios, but there are some that are synonymous with craft beer.
Named as one of the best patios in Victoria for six years running, this list just had to include Canoe Brewpub’s fantastic open space overlooking the water at the bottom of Swift Street. It’s a great spot to have a quick lunch, spend a relaxed afternoon or enjoy a nice evening.
Within walking distance downtown are a few more great patios, including Swans’ enclosed space, Spinnakers’ recently renovated taproom patio, and, around the hub that is Bastion Square, The Local Kitchen, Darcy’s Pub, and Lido Bistro.
All of the above locations have great patios and a nice range of local beers, as well as a few selections from afar that might intrigue you, but nothing quite compares to the tap list at The Drake Eatery. Having recently opened up a patio overlooking the now roofless Market Square, this is bound to become a summer destination for quite a few craft beer fans.
If going downtown isn’t quite in the cards, the Westshore also has some great craft beer patios. Both the 6 Mile and 4 Mile Pubs offer great spaces, and 4 Mile Pub has a great selection of beers brewed on site. In addition, a relative newcomer, 328 Taphouse and Grill has a heated patio where you can enjoy any of the 28 BC beers they have on tap.
Finally, as a nice surprise, Smiths Pub is working to have a patio installed in front of their Courtney Street location in the not too distant future that will be a great addition to their space.
There’s no shortage of great patios, so soak in the sun, relax, and enjoy a nice and refreshing craft beer.
Beer Tip of the Month:
If you know someone who says they aren’t a fan of beer, make sure they’re introduced properly. As the weather warms up a Radler is a perfect option blending citrus juice (grapefruit, lemon, etc.) with a lighter beer, and is a great introduction to some of the base flavour profiles in beer. Another great option for wine lovers is starting off with sour beers. A lot of the same flavours found in wine come through with sour beers, and can be a great and unexpected introduction.
Matter of Beer 