Excitement abounds as around 50 breweries will be descending on the town for the third annual Squamish Beer Festival. The event runs from 2 to 8 p.m. at the O’Siyam Pavillion in downtown Squamish on July 8.
The promise of sunshine has the organizers excited for this year’s edition of a fast-growing event. The festivities are expected to draw around 1,500 attendees as well as about 50 microbreweries. The scope of this year is far removed from the first festival, over three years ago.
“Like all good ideas, it was formed over a few beers,” co-founder Scott McQuade said via email. “Trevor Magee from Howe Sound Brewing and I had talked about the idea with the Fenn Family (owners of HSB) for a while and we met JP Trondeau (owner of Evolution Events) at a conference, who had the event management experience… The rest is history,” McQuade said.
Sam White, organizer of marketing and promotions, betrayed no small amount of pride when showcasing the brewery line up for this year.
“We think all the breweries we’ve got coming will make the festival diverse, and all have great quality and unique brews. We have of course all our Sea to Sky breweries… But some of the highlights would be Mount Begbie from Penticton, which just won brewery of the year… And we are also excited to have cideries at the festival this year… there’s something for everyone,” White said via email.
White also seemed optimistic about the future of Squamish as a centre of brewing culture.
“Squamish is a unique and amazing town. Nestled here in the Sea to Sky Corridor, it is the adventure playground. It is the perfect backdrop for craft beer lovers… We’re excited to be a part of this growing industry and take a lot of pride in showcasing our own hometown breweries. Our sponsor, Howe Sound Brewing, started their craft brewery 21 years ago, as one of the first pioneers in B.C... and it’s incredible to see where craft brewing has gone.”
Aside from breweries, the festival will also host many activities over the weekend, including axe throwing, live music, a barbeque and a chance to meet the brewers; all occurring at the Friday Night Brewers Party, to be held on top of the Sea to Sky Gondola. Additionally, there will be onsite food trucks and virtual rafting from REO Rafting.
Most importantly, White emphasized, there will be two-way shuttles, sponsored by Canadian Craft Tours, running from Vancouver, Squamish and Whistler to the event.
“[It’s] a great way to relax and enjoy the festival knowing you don’t have to drive,” White said.
