12 Best Craft Breweries in Victoria

“It was a very special visit, it was actually closed, but Tom came and made time for us whiskey friends from Germany. We knew Macaloney whiskey from a tasting and its Scottish-Canadian peculiarity. He showed us the visitor rooms and also the heart of the distillery, and there was also a small tasting. Great cinema, this employee lives the passion of whiskey making. The owners can be proud to have such a passionate employee!“

“Swift Brewing, a growing staple in Vic. I had the pleasure of meeting the local duo running the show here - Matt and Pat - and got insight into their story cultivating a vibe you’ve never seen in Victoria. This spot truly represents the local scene, with rustic elements, comfy seating and sense of home, you can find what you’re looking for here. A great beer selection brewed locally sells itself with tastes for every pallet - I sampled several and the Smooth Operator and Disco Juice were favorites. The music, decor, and ambiance really close the deal. Impressed to say the least.“

“Beer, oysters, and atmosphere“

“A HUGE thank you to Herald Street for welcoming our group tonight! The service was wonderful, the beer was excellent, and great times were had.“

“If you like sours, this is THE place! The raspberry is probably the best sour I’ve ever had. Awesome staff always, great atmosphere inside, and fantastic beer!

Parking is very limited, but it’s well worth the search or taking a ride.“

“Philips is a staple in Victoria Society. Locally owned and loved by the community. So many different kinds of beer to choose from makes for some hard decisions. Great flavor's of soda for the non beer drinkers. I like the shop is it is clean and does not smell of stale beer like some other brewery growler stations do. I give Phillips and Eleven out of Ten.“

“I recently visited Vancouver Island Brewing with my parents after hearing about it on television while staying at a nearby hotel. Since my parents love beer, we decided to check it out. Being our first time, we weren't familiar with their beers, so I asked the cashier for recommendations. She kindly suggested a couple of canned beers, which we decided to try.

However, we weren't aware that the canned beers were for takeout only, so we sat upstairs to enjoy them. Unfortunately, the cashier later came upstairs and asked us to leave, explaining that the canned beers couldn't be consumed on-site and that she could get in trouble with her managers.

While I understand the policy, I wish it had been communicated earlier. Her attitude during this interaction wasn't very friendly, and it felt like there could have been a more considerate way to explain the situation. I would say It was an honest mistake on our part, but the way it was handled left us feeling a bit uncomfortable, slightly damaged our experience.

That said, the beers themselves were good, and I can see why the brewery is popular. Just a heads up for anyone visiting—be sure to ask about the rules if you're unsure to avoid any misunderstandings.“

“My wife and I ate here while on vacation. I wasn't impressed by the looks from the outside, but was pleasantly surprised by the excellent food and the service. I had halibut and my wife had a veggie burger. Both meals were very tasty and well presented. The beer selection was quite good. I would definitely go back.

Vegetarian options: Very good selection of vegetarian options.“

“One of the best breweries in Canada hands down. If you get a chance to get Amber with the red hair as your server consider yourself lucky, she is just awesome. Would recommend this place to anyone. Fat tug IPA is top 2 IPAs in Canada. Amber, keep being you, you are a rockstar.“

“⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I had the pleasure of being served by Thalia, and she was absolutely amazing! From the moment we sat down, she was attentive, friendly, and made us feel right at home. She anticipated our needs before we even had to ask and made sure everything was perfect throughout our meal. Her warm personality and genuine care for her guests truly made our dining experience memorable. Thalia is a standout server, and I can’t recommend her enough. Thank you for making our night so special!“

“I've been to a lot of tasting rooms, and was very impressed how this one was set up. When ordering a flight, you're given printed tasting notes for each of the beers, arranged in a suggested tasting order. Great selection to choose from (including products suitable for people with gluten issues, like my wife!)“

“Tried a pilot mango wheat here, and it was delicious and refreshing, and very smooth with a strong mango flavor. Definitely needs to become part of the permanent summer lineup. I have had other mango wheat beers from different breweries and this was by far the best one. Clearly the brewer knew what they were doing with this one. The rest of the beer is very good too!“