2020

Made in Vancouver Awards: Introducing Our Head Beer Judge

Rebecca Whyman shares her Vancouver favourites in advance of our second annual Made in Vancouver awards.

By Nathan Caddell /

A craft beer evangelist for over 10 years, Rebecca has been a guest beer judge for competitions such as the BC Beer Awards and Okanagan Fest of Ale. You may have heard her waxing poetic on CBC Radio One’s On the Coast during her five year stint as their beer columnist. You can also find Rebecca’s deep thoughts about craft beer in The Growler BC.

We caught up with her to ask a couple questions about Vancouver’s maker scene. 

Your go-to drink 

I love a gose, or a dry, hoppy cider.  But then I also love an IPA, a red ale, a margarita, bubbles, dry stouts, a Berlinner Weisse, a crisp lager, pinot grigio…

Perfect Vancouver spot

When you’re arriving back in Vancouver after being away and you crest the Knight Street hill around 35th Avenue and there’s Vancouver and the mountains, all spread out in front of you, welcoming you home.

Best place for a drink on a Tuesday night

Strange Fellows Brewing.

Best Neighbourhood in the city, and why 

East Van (Hastings Sunrise/Grandview Woodlands/Strathcona) for all of the art and indie businesses – not to mention all the breweries! The whole area is so very walkable, and bikeable; eclectic and vibrant.

What’s a perfect treat-yourself day?

A pedicure at Pure Nail Bar (Olympic Village), followed by boozy brunch on one of the many great people-watching patios around town.

Perfect hangover food?

Dim Sum at Cindy’s Palace.

Perfect big night out on the town?

I’m more of a ‘brewery crawl in the afternoon’ sort of person!

Where do you go to sweat it out?

I rely on being a pedestrian commuter for my sweat-inducement.

How has the maker scene shifted over time here?

Tasting rooms are the best thing that ever happened to the beer scene. Like neighbourhood pubs in the UK, they bring the community together. Brewers get the opportunity to directly engage with consumers, and benefit from a direct revenue stream.  Beer drinkers get to drink really fresh beer, and get to know the folks who make their beer. It’s like the Culture Crawl every day!