Three Stops for Vancouver Craft Beer Week 2013

With Vancouver’s brotherhood of breweries seeming to multiply by the day, this fourth annual “celebration of fermentation” has more going on than ever. Even so, nearly half of the big events (Opening Night Gala, Hoppapalooza IV) are already sold out. For the more spontaneous beer-loving crowd, our top three picks:

Brothers in Hops

Four big names in West Coast brewing come together at The Butcher & Bullock (June 6) to gush about our region’s emerging signature hop-happy ales. Use this chance to pick the brain of Central City’s Gary Lohin, the godfather of Lower Mainland craft brewing, or learn what all the fuss over Parallel 49 is about from Head Brewer Graham With.

VCBW Beer Festival

This one’s just too big to miss. Fifty local and international craft breweries converge on The River Rock at VCBW’s final bash (June 7-8). They’re actually building a patio for it. Be among the first to sample local newcomers Bomber Brewing, Deep Cove Brewers, and Four Winds Brewing, but save room for the VCBW official collaboration beer, a recreation of Storm Brewing’s cherished Red Sky Alt.

Join the Revolution!

Raise a glass with blogger, Vanmag contributor, and craft beer expert Joe Wiebe at Yaletown Brewing (June 3) as he launches his new book Craft Beer Revolution: The Insider’s Guide to B.C. Breweries. Buy the book, get a free beer ticket, and use it to try the special “revolutionary” cask prepared by brewmaster Iain Hill just for the occasion.