Kelowna is widely known for wineries, beaches, and great food. A truly hot spot for fun-time seekers.
There is nothing to deny all the excellence that you can find in all of these categories in Kelowna, but today we’re here to give you some ideas about another category that Kelowna is quickly topping the past few years – craft beer.
They have brought such a surge of quality craft breweries to the region, and Kelowna is nothing different but heaven to craft beer enthusiasts.
Let’s just jump right into these 10 best Kelowna breweries and experience all sorts of beers!
10. The Hatching Post
Drinking handcrafted beers while eating great BBQ, sounds so much like heaven, doesn’t it? May we introduce you to the best place where you can find your heaven in Kelowna – The Hatching Post! With the look of a wild west saloon that offers southern-style BBQ classics and super stunning beers, enjoy some of your best moments here at The Hatching Post.
Their BBQ menu is extensive, but you might want to start with the basic-but-classic Pulled Pork, Homemade Sausage, or Brisket Hoagie Sandwich. These flavourful, tasty dishes surely leave you craving for more!
It would taste even better when you pair it with Aussie XPA – a tropical, hoppy, light beer that can cleanse your palate, or Juicy IPA – a peachy, sweet one to cut down the fat from the BBQ. In case you want a more unique, bolder choice, search out for Smoked Amber with a smoky aroma, and blends with the sweet aftertaste of Caramel.
What to order: Smoked Amber, Aussie XPA, Juicy IPA, Smoked Chicken, Pulled Pork, Local Made Sausage, Brisket Hoagie Sandwich.
Address: 2850 Boucherie Rd, West Kelowna, BC V1Z 2G5
Website | Instagram | Facebook
9. The Office Brewery
The Office Brewery is the only office where meetings are gonna be hella fun! Finish your work, shut down your laptop and unwind with your friends at The Office Brewery – a modern, friendly, upbeat-ambiance spot in Kelowna’s bustling North End Brewery District!
There are a lot of choices to choose from, but if you’re just having a hard-working day, try Double Time, a true fruit bomb! Being hazy with lots of stone fruits and berries flavours, this ultimate crowd-pleaser can turn you on immediately, no lie.
Lizard Wizard and Group Project are no less interesting. While Lizard Wizard is a typical IPA with bitter hops, a dark pine aroma on the nose with hints of citrus leaving you wanting more; Group Project is a beautiful, light sour, dry-hopped that can be crushed on a patio or enjoyed anytime.
What to order: Double Time, Lizard Wizard, Group Project, Deep Fried Mac N’ Cheese Bites.
Address: 890 Clement Ave #301, Kelowna, BC V1Y 7E4
Website | Instagram | Facebook
8. Red Bird Brewing
Cold beer, warm food, electrifying live music, you’re about to get all of these amazing things at Red Bird Brewing! Thanks to the work of head brewer Blake Lawrie, the beers are classic, unique with unbelievable quality; and the added space in the patio has made Red Bird host the most regular live music events in North End.
Their beers are famous and the most outstanding ones include Antipsipation – a traditional west coast IPA with an aroma of citrus and grapefruit, a balanced male and hop-forward profile; and Lady Of The Lake – a German-style lager that is light, crisp, easy to drink with a smooth finish.
Those above are perfect for a hot, sunny day! But in case you want something to keep you warm, try The Tomb Stout. This typical dry, Irish stout with lots of roasted coffee and dark chocolate is sure to give you a heat!
What to order: Antipsipation IPA, Lady Of The Lake Lager, The Tomb Stout, Sawmill Saison.
Address: 1086 Richter St, Kelowna, BC V1Y 2K5
Website | Instagram | Facebook
Looking for a place to stay in Kelowna?
7. BNA Brewing Co.
Located in the heart of Kelowna’s cultural district, BNA Brewing is an artistic space enlivened by old wood and bricks, giant pillars, and an eclectic assortment of old and new furniture. Most of all, BNA Brewing serves delicious beer and gourmet food that can keep you revisiting. Of course don’t forget the bowling alley inside!
BNA Brewing has never failed to surprise us with its creative range of beer choices, try Super Soft, Purple Rain, or ACE to experience some of the most unique drinks ever! Start with ACE, an uber hazy one with aromas of tangerine and tropical fruits that can surprisingly lead to a smooth mouthfeel with a pleasant and slight bitterness.
Then keep going with Super Soft, from which you can feel more of the zest and bitter side of citrus; and end your journey with Purple Rain – a blackberry kettle sour with just the right amount of tart.
What to order: Super Soft, Purple Rain, ACE, Kenny’s Pale Ale, Big Mario.
Address: 1250 Ellis St, Kelowna, BC V1Y 1Z4
Website | Instagram | Facebook
6. Barn Owl Brewing
Housed in a lovingly restored heritage barn, Barn Owl Brewing is a rustic, unique spot with antique furniture and a cozy ambiance. Here, you can not only find such interesting award-winning and locally-made craft beers but you can also entertain with all sorts of board games! Plus, they have a patio that is just perfect to soak up in the sun while sipping beers.
You might not want to miss their Don’t Give A Hoot Pale Ale, which can immediately remind you of a tropical vacation with notes of passionfruit, orange, and guava. Impressed by the scent, seduced by the taste!
Keep going with Arlo’s Honey Brown Ale with a creamy smooth mouthfeel just like honey; or if you love Pina Colada, you can try the same thing with Escape, which embodies that unchanged sour, sweet, coconutty taste!
What to order: Don’t Give A Hoot Pale Ale, Arlo’s Honey Brown Ale, The Pina Colada Sour, Nutty Owl Vanilla Chestnut Ale.
Address: 4629 Lakeshore Rd #102, Kelowna, BC V1W 1X3
Website | Instagram | Facebook
5. Jackknife Brewing
If you’re searching for the weirdest beer ever in Kelowna, Jackknife Brewing is probably the place! By using obscure yeast strains and archaic brewing methods, their beer has such aroma and taste ain’t like any other thing you’ve tried before. Plus, their pizza choices are no less brilliant, which might very well be the best in the Okanagan. Stop by and spend some time enjoying Jackknife Brewing!
Grab some Wizard Sticks, an IPA full of peachy, stone fruit flavours with a smooth crisp mouthfeel without that melt-your-face-off bitterness. Or a glass of Arcane can treat you right with its deep, rich caramel tastes that are embodied by aromas of dark berries and finished with spicy notes.
Don’t leave without trying some of their signature pizzas, The Convincer – cheesy, light yet delightful; or The Persuader – hearty, meaty, and flavorful as ever!
What to order: Wizard Sticks, Arcane, Tribute, Hair Straight Back, The Convincer Pizza, The Persuader Pizza.
Address: 727 Baillie Ave, Kelowna, BC V1Y 7E9
Website | Instagram | Facebook
4. Kelowna Beer Institute
Located right in the heart of Kelowna’s Cultural District, Kelowna Beer Institute is an ideal place to not only drink but also learn about craft beer right at the source. Serving their beer unfiltered from tank to tap at its freshest state, together with freshly-made pizza, and a friendly, open-air atmosphere, it’s always a good idea to visit Kelowna Beer Institute!
They regularly experiment with new styles and recipes, so there is always something unique and interesting on tap. But Peachy Kween – a creamy malt body, backed up by a fruit-forward hop finish – is a must-try every time you’re here!
Don’t just stop there, keep going with Ciratooth and you’re about to get tons of citrus and fruity notes, ending on a crisp yet rounded bitterness. For pizza, we must say Perogy is 10 out of 10 with cheese sauce, smokey bacon, sour cream, and caramelized onion.
What to order: Peachy Kween, Tandem Porter, Ciratooth, Perogy Pizza, Ve-Gangster Pizza.
Address: 1346 Water St, Kelowna, BC V1Y 9P4
Website | Instagram | Facebook
3. Flip Flops & Hops
Flip Flops & Hops, in short, is the place where you can find a bit of something, from a casual bar, cafe, to a gelato eatery, games room, and more. So don’t try to nail it down to one thing, just remember to have fun and enjoy your trip at Flip Flops & Hops. You’re sure to find your favourite beer and snack here!
If you haven’t tried their Pesto Chicken Quesadilla, you haven’t been to Flip Flops & Hops! The quesadilla is fully stuffed with soft, perfectly-marinated chicken, mozzarella cheese, parmesan, dried cranberries, and cashews. The Cheddar Ale Dip is phenomenal as well with housemade beer cheese dip served along with garlic knot buns
It would never be completed without a glass of Strawberry Rhubard Dinosour to cleanse your palate, and Lemon Ginger Be Cool to light up your day!
What to order: Pesto Chicken Quesadilla, Cheddar Ale Dip, Ramen, Strawberry Rhubarb Dinosour, Lemon Ginger Be Cool, Lifelong Lager.
Address: 1974 Kane Rd #300, Kelowna, BC V1V 2E5
Website | Instagram | Facebook
2. Copper Brewing Company
Right in Kelowna’s Landmark District, Copper Brewing Company is an easy-going and welcoming brewery that will keep you coming back. With over 20 taps offering all sorts of options, you’ll wish you have enough room to try every bit of it! Along with the beer, Copper Brewing Company also has wine, cider, and beer-themed cocktails that might interest you (a lot).
Some of the highlights include Hazy Pale Ale, which embodies tropical fruits notes on the nose, followed by smooth citrus flavors. This is super easy to drink and always a good choice to start with! Find some more hints of herbs with Raspberry Ginger Saison, try it, and thank us later.
Have yourself some Crispy Chicken Bites coated in gochujang sauce, scallions, and sesame while sipping their stunning beers. Heavenly heaven!
What to order: Crispy Chicken Bites, Hazy Pale Ale, Raspberry Ginger Saison, Peanut Butter Chocolate Stout
Address: 1851 Kirschner Rd #102, Kelowna, BC V1Y 4N7
Website | Instagram | Facebook
1. Vice & Virtue Brewing Co.
Vice & Virtue is smack dab in the middle of the exploding North End craft beer district with an open-concept tasting room and minimalist aesthetic. Most of their beers are wine-inspired and some even collaborated with local artists to create more unique and innovative products. Everything about Vice & Virtue is simply outstanding, so don’t be surprised if you find a lineup snaking out the front door.
You would never want to miss out on their New Friends Fruit Nitro Ale that showcases the most out of passionfruit, and strawberry that is mouth-watering and smooth at the same time on the palate. This gem should always be your first choice for a hot, sunny day or when you’re up for some BBQ.
For a brighter, sharper, and sourer choice, try The Giver Pale Ale. If you’re more into a dark, bold one, Golden Ticket Chocolate Stout can surely satisfy you with its chocolate-y, caramel-y taste.
What to order: The Giver Pale Ale, New Friends Fruit Nitro Ale, Golden Ticket Chocolate Stout, Das Kalt IPA
Address: 1033 Richter St, Kelowna, BC V1Y 2K4
Website | Instagram | Facebook
From exotic sour, traditional taste to unique blends, we believe these 10 are the most worth-trying breweries in Kelowna for you. In case you want to fill up your tummy first, take a look at our best restaurants in Kelowna! This is sure to help!