Drinking craft beer is already enjoyable, but drinking it in one of the most majestic places on earth – The Canadian Rockies – is even better.
Dubbed “the world’s most beautiful beer festival,” The Banff Craft Beer Festival is taking place in Banff on November 25 and 26.
Set within Canada’s first national park, the Cave and Basin National Historic Site, festival-goers can enjoy beer from 30 of the best breweries and distilleries all while balancing it out with delicious eats from six local restaurants.
Photo: jessflickr
And in case you haven’t heard, Alberta’s craft beer scene is booming! Five years ago, there were only 13 breweries in Alberta; now, there are 48; in a few years, there will be 10 to 15 more.
As Bill Robinson, one of the co-founders of Alberta Beer Festivals points out, the province is quickly becoming a craft beer hub. “Alberta has always had an amazing selection of beer, but now we have a burgeoning, local craft beer scene to match that, which really makes Alberta a unique place in the world,” he says.
This festival is a huge upgrade from your average pub night. The festival’s site, The Cave and Basin Natural Historic Site, is the birthplace of Canada’s national parks system and was founded back in 1885.
Throughout the event, participants can wander through three main areas: Rundle Hall, Cascade Hall and the new Banff Ave. Brewing Co. Mountain View Lounge.
The cozy Rundle Hall will host beer samples from Alberta’s up and coming breweries like Bench Creek and Ribstone Creek, as well as delicious food from Banff’s own 1888 Chop House.
Head down to the heated tent in Cascade Hall and you’ll sip beer from other local breweries such as Blindman, Dandy, Fat Unicorn and Tool Shed.
And once you’re ready for some fresh air, head out to the brand new Banff Ave. Brewing Co. Mountain Lounge where you can sample beer from Bear Hill’s brewery family of Banff Ave, Wood Buffalo, Jasper Brewing and Last Best Brewing along with food from Rocky Mountain Flatbread and Kuma Yama Sushi. All of this with live music and DJs to round out a surely memorable weekend!
Image: Alberta Beer Festivals
Now that you’re practically salivating at the sound of all this deliciousness, we’ll help you out. You can grab advance tickets online or at any of the following locations:
– At Banff Ave Brewing Co 110 Banff Ave, 2nd Floor Clocktower Village Mall
– At Grizzly Paw Brewery in Canmore 310 Old Canmore Road
Free Discover Banff Tours shuttle buses will be running from downtown Banff to the event, or you can take advantage of one of the outstanding accommodation packages offered exclusively for this festival.
Head over to The Banff Craft Beer Festival’s official website to learn more and check out the list of all the participating breweries and restaurants.
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