Great Canadian Beer Festival in Victoria on September 6th & 7th

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It is one of the region’s premier beer festivals. The Great Canadian Beer Festival (GCBF) is an annual event that was born in 1993. The festival takes place in Victoria, British Columbia. This year the event takes place on Friday, September 6th, and Saturday, September 7th at Topaz Park. This marks a new location for the GCBF. The event features beers from 60 breweries.

We share a love for craft beer with our neighbors to the north, but craft beer rarely crosses the border. If you want to taste Canadian craft beer you must go to Canada. The Great Canadian Beer Festival is a fabulous way to explore the Canadian beer scene because the beers come from all across the country–from the Yukon to Quebec, from Nova Scotia to Alberta, and all points in between.

Below, you’ll find all the details about the event. The Victoria Clipper is a great way to get there from Seattle, and they can even help you get a room.

Canada’s oldest beer festival will celebrate its 30th year on September 6 & 7, 2024 — First time at Topaz Park in Victoria, BC.

The Great Canadian Beer Festival (GCBF) was launched in 1993 and has been held annually since then except for 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic. The festival, which celebrates craft beer from across Canada, will take place on Friday, September 6 from 4-9 pm and Saturday, September 7 from 12-5 pm. Tickets are on sale now.

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This year, GCBF will have a new home at Topaz Park, moving from Royal Athletic Park where the festival has been held for the last two decades. “The move to Topaz Park gives us a blank slate to reimagine the festival not only for the 30th anniversary but many years to come,” said Ryan Malcolm, Executive Director of the Victoria Beer Society.

GCBF gives festival-goers the opportunity to taste beers they can’t find anywhere else in British Columbia. This premium tasting event will feature more than 180 different beverages (beers, ciders and non-alcoholic beers) from more than 60 breweries and cideries from coast to coast. It’s a rare opportunity to talk to these folks about what makes their beer special, and to try some new and classic brews from their lineups. The BC Ale Trail will also be in attendance showcasing hand-picked BC beers from breweries that otherwise could not be in attendance.

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Out-of-province breweries in attendance include: Banished Brewing from Newfoundland and Labrador; North Brewing and Big Spruce Brewing from Nova Scotia; Dieu du Ciel and Les Trois Mousquetaires from Québec; Blood Brothers, Bellwoods and Nickel Brook from Ontario; Low Life from Manitoba; Grizzly Paw and Eighty-Eight Brewing from Alberta; and Winterlong Brewing from Yukon. McClelland Premium Imports will also be on-site with some exceptional beers from Belgium, Germany, and Austria.

This year, GCBF is excited to offer a Premium Ticket option for the first time ever. Indulge in a masterfully crafted beer-and-food pairing provided by Chef Brian Tesolin of the Courtney Room restaurant. Featuring four collaboration brews between the Courtney Room and Victoria beer standouts, Île Sauvage Brewing, Herald Street Brew Works, Small Gods Brewing and Whistle Buoy Brewing, each beer will focus on a foraged ingredient to then be paired with gourmet snacks, curated just for Premium ticket holders. Add in perks like separate entry, six extra beer tokens and a Premium lounge, and it’s the ultimate way to elevate your GCBF adventure.

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The GCBF is also launching a special partnership with Vessel Liquor at the event. If attendees really love a beer they are tasting at the festival, they can use a QR code at the brewery booth that will link to that product at Vessel’s online store. Vessel will then fulfill orders for attendees to pick up in their store or arrange a delivery.

For out-of-town visitors, there are special hotel packages available on the website. Ticket Information (separate ticket for each day):

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$80 Premium Ticket includes:

16 drink tokens
Premium Lounge Tent with special food & beer pairings from the Courtney Room ● separate gate at Glasgow
VBS branded tasting cup + access to 200+ Canadian craft beers
free BC Transit bus ticket
live music, games & activities and a whole afternoon of fun!

$45 General Admission includes: