Great Canadian Beer Fest 2011
Friday ushered in the 19th annual Great Canadian Beer Festival, hosted in Victoria's Royal Athletic Park and featuring over 180 different microbrews from 58 different breweries. This year, 22 of those breweries were from the US and 5 of those 22 were Seattle based. The representatives from Pike's, Elysian, Pyramid, Big Time and Three Skulls were all present, serving some of their classic and tastiest brews for thousands of Canadians to enjoy. As liquor exporting and distribution is a rather complicated beast, this brew fest is one of the few opportunities BC beer advocates have to drink some of our fine Seattle swills.
Just like last weekend's Tacoma Craft Beer Festival turned into a great day of drinking and getting heat stroke, yesterday my adventure at the GCBF followed a similar path. Nearly 8,000 beer enthusiasts come out for this event, which is spread over two days, but was highly attended Saturday afternoon. I was able walk around the festival grounds for a few minutes and appreciated a moment of beer zen, just gazing at all the lovely mircobrewery tents with their pristine tap handles and freshly washed down booth tables. Then the hordes of sunscreen slathered Canadians came pouring in towards the token book.
John Rowling, one of the founders of GCBF and active member of the BC brewing community, reminded me that the theme of this years' beer fest was "passion." That quality was in plenty supply as every brewer, staff member, and attendee was so passionate about the beers they make, drink, and promote here in Canada -- people passionate about beer is something I am accustomed to in the Pacific Northwest, but it was still amazing to see that microbrew passion is so alive and well up here in Canada.
The passion around 4 p.m. at the Royal Athletic Park was really starting to manifest in some interesting ways -- damn, those Canadians can really drink and have a good time!
By far, the highlights of the event were some of the cosplaying I got to see. There was a team of dudes dressed as Devo, tons of buxom Bavarian beer wench outfits, and hop-heads! On the beer side, some really fantastic micros from very young BC breweries ranging from only just over a year old brewing and just a couple months.
Coal Harbour, BC's newest up-and-coming brewery brought in 3 casks that were made on homebrew sets! Probably some of the best stuff I've tried yet. As I got to the front of the dauntingly large line, all they had left was the Rye Double IPA and the dregs (serious yeasty goodness) of their Pandora's Box Fig Saison. Took one for the team, and had the IPA, which isn't my favorite style, but as this beer was about 60% rye flavor, it went down quite nicely -- a well balanced and fruity beer with a kick. Kudos to Coal Harbour, can't wait to see what the year brings you! 
Other beers of note: Tin Whistle Brewing's Peach Cream Ale, a light crisp wheat beer with the refreshing hint of peach (not too sweet at all); Noble Pig Brewery's Mocha Porter, rich and smooth, velvety on the tongue with a subtle mocha flavor; and lastly Spinnaker's Imperial Chocolate Stout, a seriously rich imperial stout, heavy and chewy. Will definitely knock your socks...er, sandals off!
All in all, one of the most unique festivals I've been to yet, and one I recommend to anyone in the BC area or the Pacific Northwest to get to sometime in their lifetime. A great time with great brewers, volunteers, and beer goers. See you next year, and special thanks to John Rowling for being such a gracious host and keeping this festival going strong!
