November brings fresh beer releases, taco pairings and a tasting passport to Vancouver’s North Shore, with festival events through November 12 and a full month to explore participating breweries, distilleries and taprooms.
The Halloween launch party is behind us, but there is still plenty on the calendar for Vancouver’s North Shore Craft Beer Festival. A kitchen pop-up, a Mario Kart tournament and live music give us several reasons to cross the harbour this month. Meanwhile, the North Shore Ale Trail Tasting Passport continues through November 30, so there is time to spread those visits out.
A Tasting Passport for November
Pick up a free paper passport at a participating business or use the BC Ale Trail app. Ask for a stamp with a purchase, or scan the location’s QR code for a digital stamp. Six unique stamps complete a passport. Paper passports can be handed in at a participating location; completed digital passports enter the prize draw automatically.
The grand prize, valued at more than $1,200, includes a night at the Pinnacle Hotel at the Pier with breakfast for two, admission for two to Grouse Mountain and Capilano Suspension Bridge, two $25 brewery vouchers and North Shore craft beer swag. BC Ale Trail also advertises a complimentary glass when you hand in a completed passport, while supplies last.
Participating stops include Beere, Beva, Black Kettle, North Point, Shaketown, Strathcona North and Wildeye, alongside Copperpenny Distilling Co., The Woods Spirit Co. and three Bridge locations: Bridge Brewing Company, Bridge Brewing Pemberton and Lonsdale BridgeDeck Kitchen & Taps.
Several stops are clustered around Lower Lonsdale and the Shipyards, making the SeaBus a useful starting point. Choose a couple of places for one outing and save the rest for another day. With the passport running all month, there is no need to make it a race.
Festival Dates to Put on Your Calendar
November 2: La CervecerÃa Astilleros hosts its Day of the Dead night.
November 3 and 4: Le Café Brocante offers a wine night on November 3, followed by a kitchen pop-up at Beva on November 4.
November 5: North Point combines Mario Kart competition with Movember fundraising.
November 6 and 7: Bridge has music at Pemberton and trivia at Charlotte Road and Lonsdale BridgeDeck on November 6. Black Kettle follows on November 7 with a safari theme and Shaina & The Drews performing.
November 8: Wildeye pairs a specialty taco flight with a beer flight for $20.
November 9 and 10: Shaketown’s mystery night includes a Bockbier release and Farina a Legna snacks from 5 to 8 p.m. on November 9. Beere launches a West Coast IPA with happy hour pricing all day on November 10.
November 12: Strathcona North closes the festival with $5 tacos and $5 pints during regular operating hours.
There is no festival event on November 11, Remembrance Day. Check individual venues for start times, reservations and any admission requirements before heading over.
For a food-focused outing, Wildeye’s Sunday pairing and the Strathcona finale are two dates to circle. Prefer a new release? Put Shaketown or Beere on the list. Either way, the November passport gives you a reason to return after the festival finishes.
Festival schedule | Tasting passport details
Featured image: Black Kettle Brewing at a North Shore craft beer event, via Vancouver’s North Shore Tourism.
