The BC Ale Trail is back and running from October 1 to 3, in partnership with Destination British Columbia and the BC Craft Brewers Guild. A BC Ale Trail is a series of self-guided itineraries highlighting local craft brewery destinations and the super, natural landscapes that surround them. Explore more than 210 breweries across 22 Ale Trails around the province.

This year, some new brews are being added to the mix, mainly from Vancouver Island. Mount Arrowsmith Brewing from Parksville and Rusted Rake Brewing from Nanoose Bay will be among the breweries participating in the Central Vancouver Island Tasting Passport.

The BC Ale Trail is a way for beer lovers to try local, while collecting stamps from each participating brewery to win great prizes, which include deluxe weekend getaways, BC Ale Trail swag packs, gift cards to your favourite breweries and several other prizes featuring merchandise or gift cards from participating business.

Passports are available in the following places:

In Parksville Qualicum Beach — Bespoke Spirits, Fern + Cedar Brewing, LoveShack Libations, Misguided Spirits, Mount Arrowsmith Brewing and Rusted Rake Brewing

In Nanaimo — Arbutus Distillery, Cliffside Brewing, Longwood Brewery, Longwood Brewpub, White Sails Brewing and Wolf Brewing

In the Cowichan Valley — Ampersand Distilling, Bayview Brewing, Craig Street Brewpub, Merridale Craft Spirits, Red Arrow Brewing, Riot Brewing, Sawmill Taphouse, Small Block Brewing and Stillhead Distillery