Paul Hadfield has seen a lot of change over the past 30 years when it comes to craft beer.
The founder of VictoriaB次元官网网址檚 Spinnakers Brewpub, is one of five original brewers who poured their ales at the first in 1993. Back then, it was a much smaller affair, held in the Victoria Conference Centre in a carpeted room complete with chandeliers.
B次元官网网址淲e used to say back then a beer is a beer is a beer,B次元官网网址� Hadfield remembers. B次元官网网址淭oday craft beer is a very different experience. ItB次元官网网址檚 about flavours, ingredients, camaraderie, sharing with friends.B次元官网网址�
These days the festival is based at Royal Athletic Park, in a much more natural environment, Hadfield says. One of the first festivals of its kind, Beerfest was unique but now with festivals every weekend somewhere in the province, Hadfield thinks itB次元官网网址檚 taken the pressure off and become a bit more relaxed and more directed at beer enthusiasts.
And, there are plenty. The festival expects to welcome 10,000 beer and cider drinkers with 66 breweries pouring over 250 beers from Canadian brewers.
John Rowling, director of the festival says in the first few years they imported American beer, because it was the brewers to the south who were the forerunners of the craft beer movement. He wanted to challenge local brewers to produce interesting, challenging beers.
B次元官网网址淭hen it became such that it was not necessary because the Canadian breweries have risen to the challenge and in my opinion, surpassed them,B次元官网网址� he says.
While thereB次元官网网址檚 a wait list for breweries, tickets are for both Friday and Saturday. Rowling says while there are 40 different IPAB次元官网网址檚 on tap this year, thereB次元官网网址檚 a big focus on fruit beers B次元官网网址揻or those who donB次元官网网址檛 identify as B次元官网网址榟opheadsB次元官网网址� B次元官网网址� thanks to the popularity of sour and tart beers this season.
Ontario and B.C. are the two biggest centres right now for craft beer, Rowling says. B次元官网网址淚n Victoria, the beer culture is phenomenal. If you look at the brewing awards, Victoria is always very high in percentage of population to medals won. ItB次元官网网址檚 higher than anywhere else in the country.B次元官网网址�
Hadfield echoes that sentiment, saying while craft beer kicked off here, the growth in the U.S. has now spilled back into Victoria. B次元官网网址淲e all paid attention and we all got better as a result of it.B次元官网网址�
B次元官网网址淓very little town has a brewery or is about to get a brewery,B次元官网网址� Hadfield says. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a very exciting time to be a brewer.B次元官网网址�
Spinnakers will pour a barrel aged sour raspberry ale along with a spiced apple ale, their refreshing take on the tried and true pumpkin beers popular this time of year.
The carpets and chandeliers may have been replaced with green grass and blue skies but the loyal attendees who were lining up back in the mid-90s have kept some of the history alive.
B次元官网网址淥ur festival is different from most in that youB次元官网网址檒l notice a huge number of people in fancy dress,B次元官网网址� Rowling says. B次元官网网址淎nd they show up ready to party.B次元官网网址�
kristyn.anthony
