Looking forward to some quality summer sips? Not only is BC home to the craft beer capital of Canada, but the country’s first-ever craft beer festival, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary in Victoria this summer.

Starting in 1993, the Great Canadian Beer Festival (GCBF) has grown into a legendary, widely attended event showcasing the diverse range of breweries in BC and beyond.

In addition to local brews, the GCBF flies in beers from across the country that you can’t try anywhere else. Honestly, if that isn’t reason enough to visit – we don’t know what is!

This year, guests can expect to sample over 250 craft beers, ciders, mead, gluten-free brews, as well as non-alcoholic drinks like kombucha, soda, and juice.

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Plus, to make accessing the festival easier, organizers have teamed up with the nearby Parkside Hotel & Spa, Swans Hotel, and Sandman Hotel Victoria to offer hotel guests 15% off their stays (with the purchase of a GCBF Ticket).

Festival dates & info

The 30th annual Great Canadian Beer Festival will take place from 4 to 9 pm on Friday, September 6th and from noon to 5 pm on Saturday, September 7th at Royal Athletic Park. Guests can expect plenty of sips, eats, and live music to tie the experience together.

Tickets are separated into three categories this year: Entry Only, Token Inclusive, and The Weekend Pass. The former covers admission to the festival on either Friday or Saturday. With this ticket, guests will have to purchase their own drink tokens inside the festival.

As its name suggests, the Token Inclusive includes festival admission and 10 drink tokens on one of the days it runs. Guests will receive their tokens at the door alongside a beer program and tasting cup.

Finally, the Weekend Pass covers entry to both days of the festival and includes 10 drink tokens for each day.

So there you have it, BC! Stay tuned for more info as it comes, including an official food & drink lineup, as well as when tickets go on sale.

Great Canadian Beer Festival 2024

When: Friday, September 6th and Saturday, September 7th
Where: 1014 Caledonia Avenue, Victoria
Cost: TBA

Curiocity Staff

With a curated slate of what matters in your city, Curiocity presents you with the most relevant local food, experiences, news, deals, and adventures. We help you get the most out of your city and focus on the easy-to-miss details so that you’re always in the know.
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