Let’s face it, Vancouver Island Brewery (2330 Government / 361-0007) looks like it’s located in a strip mall. Even worse, the inside of the brewery has all the charm of a suburban dentist office. However, the reason to take a tour of this brewery is not to inspect the décor nor to even find out the difference between a lager and an ale. Heck, it’s barely to learn how beer is made. No, the true reason to tour this brewery (or any brewery really) is to sample the product and at Vancouver Island Brewery, the product is good.
Public tours are offered at 3pm on Fridays and Saturdays (with more in the summer) and cost $6. The tour, itself, lasts a little longer than a half hour and is followed up with another half hour or so in the tasting room. You’ll be given a sample of four or five of the standard beers that they brew there and, if you’re there in winter, a taste of their popular seasonal ice bock. If you’re lucky, the brewmaster himself will stop in and share a beer and some knowledge with you. Be sure to try the Hermann’s Dark – one of my favorite local beers.
