There are plenty of reasons to visit Whistler, British Columbia and beer may not be at the top of your mind when you think about a place so commonly associated with outdoor adventure. But few things pair so well with activities like skiing, mountain biking, and hiking as beer.
When dining and drinking in Whistler Village and the surrounding area, you will discover many restaurants and bars from which to choose. There is good beer to be had, but not much variety once you’ve found it. You’ll need some assistance. So, if you’re headed to Whistler and like beer, I have some advice.
The Lay of the Land. This is Gibbons Country.
One company, Gibbons, owns several restaurants and bars in the village. The collection includes some of the most popular places, like Tapley’s Pub, Black’s Pub, The Longhorn Saloon, and several others. They’re all well-run, sizeable establishments capable of handling large crowds. At each of these, you’ll find a decent selection of craft beers but not a lot of variation from one menu to the next. You will soon recognize that the same draft beers from the same three or four regional breweries populate the menus. This is probably necessary because of the volume.
Of all the Gibbons properties, perhaps my favorite place to enjoy a beer is the patio at The Longhorn Saloon. It sits right at the base of Whistler Mountain, near the gondola terminal. In the winter, watch skiers end their day with one final run to the very bottom of the hill. In the summer, watch mountain bikers bounce over the last few bumps before rejoining the lift line to do it all again. Sip your beer leisurely and appreciate their exertions.
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As I said, while there is good beer, the selection around Whistler Village is quite predictable. There is an exception to this rule, and it is just a few steps away. Discerning beer lovers around Whistler know that the Fitzsimmons Pub always pours an excellent, rotating selection of craft beers from across the region. Located in the heart of Blackcomb Village, a short walk from the main village, “The Fitz” will impress any beer geek. It feels different than other bars around the village because it’s small in comparison. It feels like a place where the locals hang out, not just the tourists.
Handlebar Pizza is a great option if you’re looking for a bite. This fast-casual, small, cozy pizza joint is also in Blackcomb Village, just a few doors from the Fitzsimmons Pub. If it’s busy, recognize that there are a lot of one-and-done customers here. The draft beer selection is good and features 10 handles pouring mostly craft beer. The pizza is good too and They sell it by the slice. Whole pies too. If you’re looking for an affordable option for food and beer, this is it.
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The Beer Festival
Each year in September, Whistler Village hosts a beer festival that highlights a lot of great beers from breweries across British Columbia. The Whistler Village Beer Festival features over 40 beverage producers and over 80 varieties of craft beverages, including beer, cider, and seltzers. Lots of beer.
The event takes place at the Olympic Plaza in the lower village. The location is beautiful. Beyond that, it’s a lot like other big beer festivals. Also, there’s a significant prize to be won. The winners of the People’s Choice Awards are contracted by Gibbons to provide beer for the coming year. I’ve heard it described in a few different ways, but even if it’s just one permanent handle at one bar in Whistler Village it’s a lot of guaranteed keg sales for the coming year.
The Breweries
There is one brewery in Whistler Village, two in nearby Function Junction, and one down the highway in Squamish. Here’s a bit of info about each.
Coast Mountain Brewing – Located in the nearby community of Function Junction, just a few miles down the road from Whistler. It’s not a restaurant, just a taproom separated from the brewery by a glass wall. Probably my favorite beer and my favorite spot for beers when visiting Whistler. The taproom crowd, often made up primarily of locals, reminds you that not everyone is a tourist. Indoor and outdoor seating.
High Mountain Brewing – AKA, The BrewHouse. Located very near Olympic Plaza in the heart of Whistler Village, The High Mountain BrewHouse is part of the Mark James Group of brewpubs (Yaletown Brewing in Vancouver and Big Ridge Brewing in Surrey). The BrewHouse is a large, full-service restaurant and brewpub with a ski lodge vibe that is very appropriate for the location. You will stroll the village at some point during your visit, so stop in for a beer and maybe a bite. The beers will not disappoint you, nor will they overwhelm you. Indoor and outdoor seating.
Howe Sound Brewing – Whether heading to or from Whistler you’ll likely drive through Squamish so… Howe Sound Brewing is in the bayside town of Squamish about 45 minutes downstream from Whistler. It’s a brewery, pub, and a hotel. So, if you want to get a room for the night, that’s possible. It’s a great lunch stop on your way to or from Whistler. The beers are good and so is the food, and they offer a lot of options for each. Indoor and outdoor seating.
Whistler Brewing – I did not visit the taproom in Function Junction on my most recent trip. To be honest, I’ve had plenty of beer from Whistler Brewing over the years, so I opted to skip it this time around. I am not suggesting you should miss it; I’m just noting that I did. The taproom offers a pizza-focused menu along with a selection of Whistler Brewing’s beers. Indoor seating with limited space outside.
Unless you are headed there for the beer festival, beer is very likely not the primary focus of your visit to Whistler. Still, there is good beer to be found.
