Breweries, Cideries & Distilleries

The Sunshine Coast’s burgeoning craft beverage scene is an experience unto its own. Sipping your way along the coast is a must, and there are plenty of breweries, cideries, and distilleries to discover.

Remember to drink responsibly—bring a designated driver, take public transit, or schedule a ride with Coastal Rides
 

Breweries

Did you know that there’s a Sunshine Coast Ale Trail? You can follow it all the way from the south coast to the north coast (or vice versa). Download the BC Ale Trail app for a chance to earn points and redeem rewards along the way.

Stop by Townsite Brewing, located in a recognized National Historic District in Powell River. Townsite’s beers have a Belgian flair, and the names incorporate a nod to all things local: Tin Hat IPA, Blackberry Sour, and the Suncoast Pale Ale, to name a few.

In Sechelt you’ll find Batch 44 Brewery & Kitchen, where you can enjoy a menu of pub food and classic dishes along with plenty of craft beer. Consider visiting on an event night—trivia night and rock n’ roll bingo are local favourites, and you can kick back with a Lonely Giant IPA or the Halfmoon Pale Ale.

Gibsons is home to three breweries. Once home to an auto repair shop, The 101 Brewhouse + Distillery  is where you’ll find casual food fare like tacos and burgers along with fun events. What’s on tap can include everything from Bob’s Auto Lager and Czech Pils to Passionfruit Ale and Outboard Motor Oatmeal Stout. Just a few minutes away you’ll find Tapworks Brewing Company, where the rooftop patio can’t be beat. The Tapworks Burger Shack serves up delicious eats that pair well with the beer selection, including the One Sailing Wait IPA, Backwoods Hazy Pale Ale, and the Crispy Buoy Craft Lager. And then there’s Persephone Brewing Company, an 11-acre farm-based brewery where hops are grown on-site. Enjoy the Pollinator Pilsner, Goddess Golden Ale, Coast Life Lager, and more in the cozy lounge or in the picnic areas.
 

Cideries

If you’re into cider, local producers have you covered. Sechelt’s The Bricker Cider Company is serving up mainstays like the Brickers Original and the Brickers Frambo (made with BC raspberries), along with seasonal ciders like Earl Grey and Cranberry & Hops. Visitors can stop by the tap room and enjoy some time inside by the fire or outside in the lounge area.

Over in Gibsons, you’ll find two cideries. Banditry Cider is named after the chickadee—a flock of these little masked birds is known as a “banditry.” Stop by their cider shop to enjoy a glass of the semi-dry apple or Bramble & Bine (hopped blackberry), or get a growler filled. Bring a picnic and spend some time exploring the property which includes an orchard, wetland, and forest. Meanwhile, over at Sunday Cider you’ll find an outdoor cider bar and picnic area where you can enjoy a drink. Try their flagship Sunday Sesh cider—it’s slowly fermented with a Champagne yeast and a touch of Citra hops—or the Sunday Rosé, made with Okanagan apples, Saskatoon berries, hibiscus, and elderflowers.
 

Distilleries

Looking for craft spirits? The Sunshine Coast is now home to four distilleries!

Bruinwood Estate Distillery in Roberts Creek produces classic, seasonal, and limited release spirits that are inspired by flavours from the Sunshine Coast and around the world. Stop by the tasting room to pick up some Advocaat, Chocolate Vodka, Bruinwood Gin, Quince Liqueur, or one of the many other options available for purchase.

And along with craft beer, The 101 Brewhouse + Distillery  in Gibsons is now serving up small batch spirits. The 101 Gin features a blend of BC-grown botanicals, while The 101 Vodka is crafted with BC-grown malted barley. Mix them into your favourite cocktail or simply enjoy them on their own. You’ll also find One Foot Crow Craft Distillery just a few minutes away—stop by the tasting room to pick up a bottle of their Mineral Infused 100 Proof Vodka or Lavonne’s Lavender Gin.

Powell River is home to Salish Sea Spirits, a craft distillery that offers vodka and gin. You can find their spirits at select Sunshine Coast liquor stores and restaurants, including Powell River’s Beach Gardens Beer & Wine Store.
 

Non-Alcoholic Options

You'll find an array of non-alcoholic drink options at local breweries and cideries, including sodas, water kefir, and kombucha. Sunday Cider features options made by Vancouver's 33 Acres Brewing, including a Citrus & Blossom Sparkling Water and a Juniper & Bitter Orange Sparkling Water. Over at Banditry Cider they are crafting small batch sodas including a Botanical Shrub with notes of orange peel, elderflower, hibiscus, and lemon balm, and a Lime & Bitters soda that's reminiscent of chinotto, an Italian citrus soda. And Persephone Brewing Company owns and produces Coastal Cultures Water Kefir, while Townsite Brewing stocks their very own Raincoast Kombucha.

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