All About Beer in B.C.

Your guide to beer in B.C. According to Brian Harris, CEO of Russell Breweries: "No one hates a guy in the beer business. It's a fun deal to be in." He built his business one customer and one glass at a time but there's obviously more to it. Let's learn some more about the  brewing process, what makes a lager, an ale or a pale ale, how to brew your own home made beer and what food to serve with it.

Your guide to beer in B.C.


According to Brian Harris, CEO of Russell Breweries: “No one hates a guy in the beer business. It’s a fun deal to be in.” He built his business one customer and one glass at a time but there’s obviously more to it.

Let’s learn some more about the  brewing process, what makes a lager, an ale or a pale ale, how to brew your own home made beer and what food to serve with it.

Some different beers

Lager

Lager

Character: Pale, crisp, dry, and refreshing, with a delicate flavour.
Examples: Heineken, Stella Artois, Molson Canadian, Kokanee

Ale

Ale

Character: Fruity, bitter, herbal or spicy, lots of flavours and personality.
Examples: Leffe, Hoegaarden, Keiths, Sleeman India pale Ale

Cream Ale

Cream Ale

Character: Slightly sweet, light-bodied ale, smooth.
Examples: Cameron’s Cream Ale, Kawartha Cream Ale, Kilkenny, True North

Stout

Stout

Character: Deep, dark, rich roasted malt flavour.
Examples: Guiness, Murphy’s

Canadian Ale

Canadian Ale

Character: bland, fizzy, very little bitterness.
Examples: Molson Canadian, Labatt’s Blue, Keith’s India Pale Ale, Moosehead

How Beer is Made


Steam Whistle Brewing in Toronto and Granville Island Brewing in Vancouver take us to a tour of the breweries and share their brewering “recipes.” It starts with the ‘mash’ and ends with the tasting.