You can sip on suds from several B.C. breweries at the next Coquitlam Craft Beer Festival.
On March 4, the Westwood Plateau Golf and Country Club will host its inaugural fest for guests to sample on current and new pours, as well as to raise money for 93.7 JR Country's Basics for Babies program.
Organizer Penny Hlookoff, the club's golf events manager, said the business held craft beer gatherings for other groups before the COVID-19 pandemic; however, it’s the first time the club has organized a fest of its own.
"We think it's important to be a community player and, with no other event like this in the Tri-Cities, we wanted to ensure it continued," she told the Tri-City News.
"We love the vibe of the craft beer community and being able to help showcase them while raising money for a worthwhile cause was a win-win."
Held between 7 and 10 p.m., the Coquitlam Craft Beer Festival will see the following brewers offer small drinks and education about their products:
- Yellow Dog Brewing Co.
- Twin Sails Brewing
- Mariner Brewing Company
- Taylight Brewing
- Patina Brewing Co.
- Tinhouse Brewing
- Monkey 9 Brewing
- Parallel 49 Brewing Company
- Steamworks Brewing
- Smugglers Trail Caskworks
- Five Roads Brewing Co.
- Backcountry Brewing
- Neighbourhood Brewing
- Workshop Hard Seltzer
The event, for those 19 years and older, is "a good chance to sample some of your favourites and hopefully find a new one," Hlookoff said.
And for guests not wanting to drink alcohol, Hlookoff said there will be a few non-beer options from the vendors "now that a lot of companies are diversifying into ciders and hard sodas."
As for food, the club’s chef will cater, with a menu that includes smokies, tacos, pretzels, chowder and sliders.
Meanwhile, the club is partnering with Tourism Coquitlam for safe rides home: A free shuttle service will run between the Lafarge Lake–Douglas SkyTrain station, next to Town Centre Park, and the clubhouse.
Andre Isakov, Coquitlam’s manager of economic development, which includes Tourism Coquitlam, told the Tri-City News the city is happy the Coquitlam Craft Beer Festival is back.
"Top-tier choices and a comfortable venue to sip a beverage will attract visitors and showcase local vibrancy, nicely balancing our city’s already jam-packed events and entertainment calendar," he said.
In addition to the tastings, the club will launch its updated logo that night and will have limited-edition swag available for purchase; proceeds from the merchandise sales and silent auction will go to the Babies drive.
Tickets, at $75 (plus tax), include all beverage and food samples, a complimentary shuttle service and a charitable donation.
For more information, you can visit the Coquitlam Craft Beer Festival's EventBrite page.
