Along with hockey and maple syrup, Canada is famous for artisanal beer crafted by brew masters with an eye for creativity and perfection. While the Great White North is home to many fine brewhouses, Metro Vancouver is especially dense with successful microbreweries. This metropolitan area in British Columbia is home to 77 breweries, more than any other city in Canada. This is possible thanks to its favorable climate, which provides ideal conditions for the growing of hops, one of the most important ingredients in beer.

Let’s take a closer look at some cool microbreweries in Vancouver to learn what makes them such a treat for craft beer connoisseurs!

Parallel 49 Brewing — East Vancouver

Brew masters at the cool and unconventional Parallel 49 Brewing create beers that attract beer aficionados from all over the region. Priding itself on making great tasting beer with character, this venue boasts more than 40 beers on tap. Among the favorite offerings you’ll find the Trash Panda — a New England IPA — and the Jerkface 9000, an American wheat ale that is one of the brewery’s signature drinks.

Creative microbrews aside, visitors to Parallel 49 will also notice the graffiti-tagged food truck sitting in the middle of the brewery’s tasting room. A former working food truck, the vehicle is now the centerpiece of Parallel 49’s restaurant, the Street Kitchen. Specializing in comfort food, the Street Kitchen is the preferred spot for visitors looking to pair the brewery’s creative concoctions with a burger and waffle fries.

Brassneck Brewery — Mount Pleasant

View of downtown Vancouver from Mount Pleasant

The team at Brassneck Brewery prioritize crafting the perfect beer above else. Unlike most microbreweries in Vancouver, Brassneck has a brewery lounge liquor license, which allows patrons to walk around with beer in hand. Its brewers take pride in this status, feeling that it enables them to foster a greater sense of community and encourages customers to mingle and get to know one another.

Upon its grand opening in 2013, Brassneck immediately made a name for itself by offering creative takes on traditional beers. Visitors give rave reviews for the Passive Aggressive, an American pale ale with a hoppy foundation and hints of sweetness. They have also come to savor the masterful Inertia III, an imperial stout aged in bourbon barrels. Brassneck only offers a few snacks on the menu, but those looking to chow down can enjoy a tasty meal from the many food trucks that frequent the area outside of the brewery.

Granville Island Brewing — Granville Island

Granville Island Brewing is the first microbrewery in Canada and has been welcoming visitors since 1984, and it’s still one of the best. A true pioneer in the industry, Granville Island has a strong reputation for making flavorful brews that delight beer lovers lucky enough to pass through its doors.

Along with tours of the facility and an extensive food menu, the place distinguishes itself with its famous Tap Room Series, a selection of flavorful beers that are only available at the brewery. With so many beers to choose from, many patrons opt for the taster set to experience the wide range of drinks made by the company. The West Coast IPA with its tones of grapefruit and melon and the crisp German-style Pilsner remain some of the biggest crowd-pleasers at Granville Island, especially when paired with a burger or plate of chicken wings.

33 Acres Brewing Company — Mount Pleasant

From its posh décor to indulgent tasting menu, everything about 33 Acres Brewing Company exudes the refined sophistication of one of the most remarkable breweries in Canada. Upon entering 33 Acres, you’ll immediately be drawn to its sleek interior design that features a minimalist, monochromatic finish. The brewery’s modern design scheme is evocative of the company’s commitment to crafting some of the most creative microbrews you will find during your stay in Vancouver.

The brewery features a beer menu of 8 of their top brews with a smaller rotating selection of seasonal favorites. Some of the most popular items on the menu are the 33 Acres of Sunshine, a fruity French Blanchè with a sweet aftertaste, and the Belgian Tripel 33 Acres of Euphoria, two-time winner of the World Beer Cup Silver Award.

A particularly popular hotspot for brunch, 33 Acres often pairs its drinks with plates of waffles or avocado toast. As guests settle in and sip on their favorite craft ale, they can also enjoy a behind-the-scenes peek at the brewing process through large windows that look in on the brewery floor.

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Steamworks Brewing Company — Gastown

Night view of Gastown, Vancouver

Steamworks Brewing Company delights customers by putting a fine point on expertly crafted artisanal beer. The brewery’s restaurant, known as the Brewpub, first opened its doors in 1995 and has become a highlight of many of Vancouver’s tours. As its name suggests, Steamworks brews beer using steam; in fact, it’s the only brewery in Canada to use steam power in the fermentation process.

Visitors are treated to a rotating selection of Steamworks’ top 20 beers. Among the most famous crafted by the brewery are the malty Empress Northwest Double IPA and the Colorado Kölsch, a fruity light ale. Along with Steamworks’ tasty craft beer, the Brewpub also offers some of the best cuisine in the city. The food mostly leans toward traditional pub fare: pizza and burgers are among the most popular items on the menu. If you can’t get enough of Steamworks’ signature lagers, head to their Brewery and Tap Room in nearby Burnaby for beer right from the source.

Did we leave off your favorite Vancouver microbrewery? Tell us about it in the comments below!