Victoria's longest list of handcrafted beers is just one reason to trek over the Johnson Street Bridge or hop a Harbour Ferry to this Vic West waterfront pub. Canada's oldest licensed brewpub, and a popular hangout, Spinnakers relies almost exclusively on locally sourced ingredients for its top-notch casual fare. Opt for the pubby adults-only taproom, with its covered waterfront deck, double-sided fireplace, and wood-beamed ceilings, or dine in the all-ages waterfront restaurant.

Since 1984, Spinnakers Gastro Brewpub has been a top-tier destination for both craft beer and fine dining. Located in a picturesque ocean-front setting, this brewpub - the oldest one in Canada - is renowned for its diverse range of house-brewed beers, including innovative ales and classic styles such as Lion's Head Cascadia Dark Ale, Mitchell's Extra Special Bitter and Ortega Blonde Ale. The gastro pub concept shines through with a menu that pairs perfectly with their brews, offering delicious dishes made from locally sourced ingredients.

Spinnakers is Canada’s oldest brewpub, kicking off the craft beer revolution and still brewing some original recipes that are more than 30 years old!. With an impressive beer list, they’ve got something for everyone’s palate; from traditional ales, barrel aged sour beers, cider, and wild blends brewed with fresh ingredients. Have a pint on their heated waterfront patio overlooking the inner harbour, grab a bite to eat from their local food menu made with fresh, local ingredients, and even stay the night in their spacious guest houses.

Hop on a cheerful yellow Harbour Taxi to cruise over to Spinnakers and enjoy a unique view of the city’s waterfront along the way. With patio seating overlooking Victoria’s Inner Harbor and a beautifully appointed indoor space (complete with a pool table!), this local haunt is a worthy destination, rain or shine. Sip on a crisp Blue Bridge Double Pale Ale, (Inside tip: be sure to keep your eye out for the ale’s namesake bridge during your cruise over), or try out their clean, fresh Departure Pilsner, a perfect summer sipper.

Popular with tourists and residents alike, Spinnakers Gastro Brewpub & Restaurant offers locally sourced pub grub in a scenic spot on the West Victoria waterfront. Choose from brick oven pizzas made with amber ale cheese, house-smoked pulled pork sandwiches, beer-battered halibut and chips, charcuterie tasting plates and wild Pacific fish cakes. More than two dozen beer taps showcase other regional ingredients; beers brewed on-site incorporate cold brew coffee, chocolate, sea salt and tea from Vancouver Island purveyors.

Spinnakers is Canada’s oldest brewpub, having opened in 1984 at a time when there were only about a dozen craft breweries in all of North America. The Victoria brewery was founded by 3 partners: John Mitchell, who opened the first brewpub in June 1982 at the Troller Pub in Horseshoe Bay, West Vancouver, Ray Ginnever, an accountant from Victoria and Paul Hadfield, an architect who managed the development process. Spinnakers Brewpub was inspired by John’s original work at the Troller Pub.

Victoria’s reputation for oceanfront brewpubs began with Spinnakers Gastro Brewpub, the city’s first brewpub when it opened in 1984. A pilgrimage of sorts for beer lovers, Spinnakers offers over 26 taps including some original recipes that date back 30 years. Working closely with local food producers and farmers, their chef has crafted a menu that also highlights local cuisine and flavours, which can all be enjoyed waterfront on their covered, heated patio.

You can bring a bicycle on the Victoria Clipper (there’s a $20 added fee each way), but it’s just as easy (and, depending on the rental period, less expensive) to rent bicycles in Victoria. We stopped in at Cycle B.C., which also rents scooters and motorcycles, at 685 Humboldt St. Bike-rental places are good starting points for advice on where to go. Be sure to bring a good map, especially if your phone doesn’t have a Canadian data plan.

Cross the Johnson Street Bridge into the community of West Victoria. Take the seaside path that hugs the Inner Harbour, and keep going until you reach what looks like a big, shambling old house but is actually Spinnaker’s Gastro Brewpub. Spinnaker’s is Canada’s oldest brewpub and is renowned not just for craft beers like the Northwest Ale and Hoptoria, but for a menu that celebrates the best of what’s local.

Traditional West Coast flare is Spinnakers trademark stamp when it comes to their food, and they carry that forward even when it comes to their nachos. Topped with ale braised pulled pork, in-house malt vinegar pickled cabbage, cheddar and monterey cheese, they’re packed. In keeping with Spinnakers local and sustainable food values, you won’t find red tomatoes on these nachos if they’re not in season.

As the day ends, stop off for dinner at one of the many local breweries, such as Spinnakers Gastro Brewpub or Vancouver Island Brewing. Both venues offer a unique dining experience with menus that highlight fresh, local ingredients. Whether you're a craft beer enthusiast or just looking to unwind, these breweries provide the perfect setting to end your day with great food and drink.

A hop, skip, and a jump over the Blue Bridge and you'll find Spinnaker's- Canada's oldest gastropub!. With 4 separate patios Spinnakers is a must-visit spot on your next patio hopping adventure!. The food menu is focused on local, sustainable farming and there are over 26 taps for beer lovers to choose from- including original recipes that date back over 30 years.

I am gluten intolerant and the staff were not prepared at all to accommodate for my dietary needs. I requested the salmon burger be lettuce wrapped with a salad on the side. The salmon came out with nothing but lettuce, the lettuce was not washed (I ran my finger over it and tangible dirt came off onto my finger), and the salad also had no dressing.

As one of Canada’s oldest brewpubs, Spinnakers Gastro Brewpub is a true gem in Victoria. Their happy hour features a diverse range of house-brewed beers and ciders, each thoughtfully crafted to perfection. With a focus on using local and organic ingredients, Spinnakers also offers an excellent menu of elevated pub food to complement your drinks.

Spinnakers is the grandad of beer, not just for Victoria but for Canada. Spinnakers was Canada’s first brewpub when it opened in 1984, and many of the recipes have remained the same in 30 years. That’s not to say they aren’t innovating, they have cutting-edge styles such as sours and barrel-aged beers, daily casks and ciders made on-site.

$$$ |Location: 308 Catherine St. | Hours: 9 am – 11 pm Daily | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️. Nestled in picturesque West Victoria, Spinnakers Gastro Brewpub offers a quieter alternative to the Victoria patios mentioned above. The spot also offers a unique vantage point to enjoy the Inner Harbour, making it a favourite for both locals and visitors.

Happy hour: Monday-Friday, 2-5:30 PM Drink specials: $6 Spinnakers Draft Pints, $16 Jugs/16, $8 Long Island Ice Tea/ $7 Classic Shaft, $6 White Wine-House Choice, $6 Red Wine-House Choice Food specials: $6 Kennebec fries, $8 Truffle fries, $8 popcorn chicken, $13 smoked chicken wings, $14 Wild Pacific fish cakes spinnakers.com

My downtown base is a 25-minute stroll along the waterfront to a Victoria institution: Spinnakers Gastro Brewpub, a bustling pub that seats 300 people. I leave the waterfront icons of the Fairmont Empress and the British Columbia Parliament building, the two most recognizable buildings on the skyline, and head to West Victoria.

Located just over the blue bridge in Victoria West, is the local favourite Spinnakers Gastro Brewpub. With 5 different patios to choose from, you are sure to find a spot outside to enjoy a meal with a view. If you’re coming from downtown Victoria, this pub makes for a good destination for a stroll along the Songhees Waterway.

We didn’t make it to all eight that evening, but managed to sample IPAs at Canoe, Swans, and Spinnakers. It’s easy to see why Vancouver Island has emerged as one of North America’s brewing hotspots. Golf Vancouver Island (888-465-3239; golfvancouverisland.ca) bundles a variety of hotel/golf/fishing packages along the trail.

Spinnakers can accommodate strollers and it has highchairs as well. The restaurant also has a kid's menu for those who have older children that includes a cheeseburger and a junior cheese flatbread pizza. The Vic West brewpub was recently featured in Tasting Victoria’s list of best patios across the city.

At Spinnakers, the nachos come with a twist of malt vinegar pickled cabbage and their famous house-made Cascadia Dark Ale BBQ pulled pork. If that doesn’t scream ‘unique’, I don’t know what does!. Served with a generous side of house-made salsa and sour cream, these nachos are a culinary journey.

The Nachos: Spinnakers Nachos are layered with cheddar cheese, malt vinegar pickled cabbage, TOPSOIL green onions and piled high with their house made Cascadia Dark Ale BBQ pulled pork!. Served with a generous side of house made salsa and sour cream.Address: 308 Catherine St, Victoria Website

Spinnakers is Canada’s first in-house brewpub and a pioneer of the craft beer industry. It produces 26 beers on tap, as well as sour beers, barrel-aged beers, blends, and ciders from a wide variety of apples sourced locally and from the Okanagan. It is located at 308 Catherine Street.

To hear that a chef in Victoria is sourcing 100% isn’t unusual until you discover her restaurant has over 300 seats. Over the years I’ve heard so many large restaurants profess they’ve love to source local but it’s not feasible. Chef Ali Ryan proves them wrong.

Finally, a visit to Victoria wouldn’t be complete without a stop at the world-renowned Butchart Gardens. A banal limestone mine turned National Historic Site, the gardens are a testament to one woman’s creative vision, hard work, and steadfast hospitality.

Some of the best include Spinnakers Gastro Brewpub, the Penny Farthing Public House in Oak Bay (tel. 250/370-9008; www.pennyfarthingpub.com), the Guild on Wharf Street and Swan’s Brewpub, a funky joint filled with First Nations art and live music.

Founded in 1984, the dog-friendly Spinnakers Brewpub in Victoria, BC is Canada's very first brewpub. Featuring handcrafted beer, cider and spirits, a farm fresh menu and guest houses. They serve options like flatbreads, burgers, salmon and more.

Spinnakers Gastro Brewpub & Guesthouses: Canada’s oldest licensed brewpub (founded in 1984) and Victoria's only "gastro-pub," the food is locally sourced and a must-stop for ale-lovers and those following the self-guided Ale Trail.

Founded in 1984 as Canada’s first brewpub, Spinnakers holds a special place in the hearts of beer-loving Victorians. With a big, homey, waterfront location in Vic West, it keeps patrons coming back with genuinely unique touches.

You can stop by Spinnakers for a drink if you’re thirsty while out walking or enjoy a coffee/ snack at Boom & Batten’s cafe, or better yet, make a reservation to come back for dinner!. This harbour is also beautiful at night.

Best pub: Irish Times Pub has a solid following in the heart of the downtown business district at 1200 Government St.; Spinnakers Gastro Brewpub, 308 Catherine St., also comes with a guesthouse.

If you decide to go to the Swans then you may as well carry on by cab to the Vancouver Island Brewing company at 2330 Government St. Then again by cab to Spinnakers at 308 Catherine St.

Canada’s original brewpub continues to be one of B.C.’s best places to drink a beer complemented by top-notch food featuring locally sourced ingredients.

Spinnakers and Whistle Buoy Brewing are also worth visiting. For a curated experience, guided tastings are available via A Taste of Victoria Food Tours.

Spinnakers, Canada’s oldest gastropub, makes a peach-flavoured German wheat beer as well as a spicy chai brown ale brewed with Silk Road Tea blends.

Or, walk over the Johnson St. Bridge and have dinner at Spinnakers Brewpub as the sun sets on your view of the inner harbour.