Beer

The Most Popular Pandemic Beers in the City

We asked some of Vancouver’s beer industry folk to chime in on what’s been popular at their shops during a period like no other.

By Nathan Caddell /

“Our most popular beers since opening have been Colour and Shape, which is one of our two flagship beers, and our Coconuts IPA, which we first introduced at the beginning of the pandemic. It’s been a huge hit, as it’s something different and familiar at the same time.”—Adam Henderson, co-founder, Superflux Beer Company

“When the pandemic first hit, our Naked Fox IPA, Barrel-Aged Stag and Pheasant Stout and Barley Wine were going like crazy. We had decided last year not to brew our barrel-aged beers—we had cellared quite afew cases from previous years that we were going to slowly release. But we quickly realized that there was a huge demand for those 10-percent-plus ABV beers, and we sold out of them months ago. Apparently the more alcohol the better.”—Cameron Forsyth, co-owner, Main Street Brewing Co.

“We recently collaborated with the Hatch winery in the Okanagan and made a Belgian Blond Rosé with their pinot noir skins. It’s been a big hit since release.”—Samantha Lindeman, founder, Wildeye Brewing

“Our Amethyst Purple Sour with Guava. It’s stunningly purple in colour thanks to the butterfly pea flower and it sold out almost immediately. We have plans in place to relaunch it in early 2021!”—Marissa Mills, brand manager, Granville Island Brewing

“Our Fatalis Ginger and Turmeric Sour. We’ve had this beer on tap for the past few months and it’s turned out to be a perfect sour option for this time of year. Red-orange in colour, bright acidity complemented by the spice of ginger and turmeric—it’s a warming winter sour.”—Darren Hollett, co-founder, House of Funk Brewing Co.