Festival Preview: Vancouver Craft Beer Week is returning, May 6th thru May 14th, 2011

Seems every great while man (and woman) must make painful decisions in regards to supporting their different fascinations. This past week it was brought to our attention that Vancouver Craft Beer Week is making its second year return starting May 6th and we couldn’t be happier.

This year will feature nine signature events, as well as countless satellite events and week-long specials. Ticket sales for signature events will be posted on www.vancouvercraftbeerweek.com on April 1st, 2011. To kick off the celebrations, a signature event ticket launch party will take place at 6:00pm on March 31st, 2011 at Dockside Brewing on Granville Island. This event will feature complimentary canapés supplied by Dockside Brewing, beer specials and over $500 in door prizes for our VCBW Super Fans. Satellite ticket sales and week-long special listings will be released on April 8th, 2011.

In 2010, the first-ever Vancouver Craft Beer Week drew over 2,500 people across a diverse array of venues including Chambar, Hapa Izakaya and The Irish Heather. Over 95% of these events sold out in quick succession – many in as little as two hours, as was the case with the kickoff party at the Alibi Room where Mayor Gregor Robertson was on hand to tap the first cask.

In celebration of VCBW’s return, 25 of British Columbia’s finest breweries have banded together to create a collaboration beer, with all profits being donated to the Japanese Red Cross Society Tsunami Relief Fund. This year’s collaboration beer style is Cascadian Dark Ale, a style that originated in the Pacific North West. Canada Malting has donated raw materials for the creation of this beer, and it will be brewed at R&B Brewing on April 1st, 2011.

Finally, judging for the 2nd Annual BC Beer awards will be taking place on April 25th, 2011. Last year’s BC Beer Awards saw over 30 breweries entering 200+ beers in 10 categories, with participation expected to grow substantially this year. The awards will be presented during VCBW on Saturday, May 14th at the Brewery Creek Beer Festival.

Look for updated calendar entries on our website as well as potentially some mentions regarding key locations throughout Vancouver. As someone who has visited the area a couple of times we have some knowledge regarding what it means to make a tasty BC brew.

Cheers