Canadian Beer Day, Wednesday, Oct. 6, is dedicated to celebrating beer and the thousands of Canadians involved in brewing, selling, delivering, serving – and enjoying – the beverage loved by millions across the country.
The celebration, which occurs every year on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, recognizes and celebrates beer and breweries in Canada and those throughout its supply chain – agriculture, manufacturing, warehousing, transportation, tourism and hospitality.
The breweries in Kelowna’s downtown brewery district are no exception! Once a purely industrial area has now transformed into a vibrant, young, and hip community. More and more people are regularly crossing Clement Ave. from downtown to explore the craft breweries in the area.
On Canadian Beer Day, take some time to visit these breweries and the many beers they have to offer.
Here’s some information and a few recommendations to help you on a self-guided brewery tour – sure to keep you quenched, entertained, and fed on this very special occasion. What’s even better, these breweries are so close in proximity, you can design your own route by car, scooter or self-propelled.
This list is in in no particular order – they are all great!
Red Bird Brewing
About: Red Bird Brewing is named after a photographed race boat from one of Kelowna’s first regatta’s in the early 1900’s. Driven by Kelowna’s community and history, Red Bird offers drinkable, delicious beer. Each can features a unique story on the back, so be sure to give it a read!
Recommended Beer: Lady of the Lake Lager. This traditional German style lager is light, crisp and easy drinking with a smooth finish. 5%.
Food Options: The Red Bird food truck is open Wednesday to Sunday and features incredible smokie options, sandwiches, vegan options, and house-made, ice cream sandwiches!
Happening Events: Currently, live music is Thursday nights starting at 6 p.m. and Saturday afternoons starting (typically) at 3:30pm.
Location: 1086 Richter Street, Kelowna, B.C.
Welton Arms Craft Beer and Restaurant
About: Paying homage to his British roots, this brewery delivers craft beer and traditional English fare. They offer a selection of signature dishes and unique flavors in an environment like nothing else in Kelowna.
Recommended Beer: Vicars Cross Stout. Smooth, silky, yet complex, strong and suave. The James Bond of beers. 6.5%
Food Options: Kelowna’s only British restaurant! Bragging the “best fish and chips in Kelowna” is reason enough to pay a visit. The menu is also complete with starters, entrees and plates for sharing.
Happening Events: Always on the big screens is English premiere league football, as well as special events for fight nights.
Location: 890 Clement Avenue, Kelowna, B.C.
Rustic Reel Brewing Co.
About: Reeling in good vibes with real craft beer. Taking the best of the Okanagan, nature, city, orchards, beaches and campfires and instilling that vibe into the beers, Rustic Reel calls to mind the memories of what it means to live here.
Recommended Beer: Raspberry Hibiscus Sour. This beer is slightly tart sour, with added raspberries and hibiscus to make this an ever-refreshing beer, popping with tart red fruit flavours. 5%.
Food Options: Offering a complete menu featuring nachos, grab & go pretzel sandwiches, plus all-day brunch on Sunday’s complete with a Caesar bar! You can also reserve a table for your Thanksgiving dinner (or pre-order to go) .
Happening Events: North-end craft breweries college night! Every Thursday students with ID get special deals on food and beer.
Location: 760 Vaughan Ave, Kelowna, B.C.
Kettle River Brewing Co.
About: Featuring small-batch beer, Kettle River is creative and brews what they like. Their small-batch pints are made on a 5bbl brewhouse in the back and served fresh in the tasting room up front.
Recommended Beer: Nuclear Splash Hazy NEIPA. A bomb of tropical hop fruit aroma and flavour straight into your glass. Mild bitterness with a full mouthfeel make for a rich, tasty, easy-drinking IPA. 5%.
Food Options: In partnership with the Craisan Foodtruck team, they an in-house space called Provisions Kitchen. Serving food inspired by the seasons, it’s now warm, slow, braised, and hearty!
Happening Events: The Core Beer series, where every Tuesday they will introduce you to one of their classic brews!
Location: 731 Baillie Ave., Kelowna, BC
BNA Brewing Co. & Eatery
About: This historic building, once used to dry tobacco leaves and roll cigars in the early 1900’s, is now home to a brewery. This iconic space features a tasting room, restaurant, bowling ally, and other fun features.
Recommended Beer: Rum Cake Porter. Rich malt and dark fruit flavours with a hint of rum. 7.2%.
Food Options: Great beer deserves great food! A full menu offers a variety of share plates, salads, large plates, and desserts.
Happening Events: Three Oktoberfest beers to transport you to Bavaria – festbier, märzen, and hefeweizen on tap. Enjoy these in the tasting room or on one of the two patios: roof-top or street-side.
Other not-to-miss events are Pop-Up Sundays and Whale Wednesdays!
Location: 1254 Ellis St. Kelowna, B.C.
Vice & Virtue Brewing Co.
About: Creativity is at the heart of everything they do. This team of craft-brew lovers takes their beer to the next level. They also work with local artists to create new eye-catching labels.
Recommended Beer: Fact Czecher – Czech Pilsner. A tradition Czech Pilsner using only the finest Bohemian floor malt, Czech Saaz hops, step mashing and decoction mashing. 5.3%
Food Options: Their menu offers tasty food to pair including smoked chicken wings, a variety of sandwiches, charcuterie platter, and now featuring sweet and savory Mexican Street Corn.
Happening Events: Sunday fundays and an updated menu.
Location: 1033 Richter St., Kelowna, BC
Kelowna Beer Institute
About: Take the unique craft beer brewed in the Okanagan and serve it in one place! Featuring small-batch and unfiltered craft beer, the Beer Institute shares their knowledge and love for craft beer.
Feature Beer: Fresh Hop Pale Ale. A collaboration with their buddies at Kettle River. Hops were picked from a few select back yards in our fine city to create this fresh, fruity and crushable pale ale. 5.5%.
Feature Food: Hand-crafted pizza and sandwiches inspired by the beer, available to enjoy on-site or to go!
Happening Events: Thursday Happy Hour – 4-8 p.m. – all craft beer on tap is $5 for 16oz sleeve.
Location: 1346 Water St., Kelowna, BC
Did you know?
- 85% of the beer consumed in Canada is made in Canada.
- The production and sale of beer supports approximately 149,000 Canadian jobs.
- Over 19,000 Canadians work in breweries across the country.
- Canada is home to over 1,200 breweries.
- Beer contributes $13.6 billion to Canada’s GDP annually.
