No longer one of BC’s best-kept craft beer secrets, the Penticton Ale Trail is unveiled
No longer one of BC’s best-kept craft beer secrets, the Penticton Ale Trail is unveiled
The BC Ale Trail launches new trail in time for the start of a busy summer
June 14, 2017, Penticton, BC – A four-season playground located in the heart of the beautiful Okanagan, the Penticton region has a vibrant craft beer scene that’s about to get even more exciting with the launch of the new Penticton Ale Trail.
With five craft breweries and one of BC’s longest running craft beer festivals, the annual Okanagan Fest of Ale, Penticton offers a thrilling experience for those with a love of beer.
Along the Penticton Ale Trail, you can hop on a bike and tour from brewery to brewery on your own schedule, or book a local tour operator and get a guided tour of the breweries by bike or by shuttle. Tin Whistle Brewing and the Barley Mill Brewpub ignited the craft beer scene two decades ago, while a fresh breath of innovation and new energy were provided by Cannery Brewing, Bad Tattoo Brewing, and the latest addition, Highway 97 Brewing. The five breweries are close enough that you can visit them all and discover the unique experience each one offers.
“Penticton has been a leader of the Okanagan craft beer scene for more than 20 years and we are very proud of our breweries, which include some of BC’s oldest and newest craft breweries,” says Thom Tischik, executive director of Travel Penticton. “In addition to many active pursuits, many of our visitors love to soak up the sunshine on one of our fabulous beaches, while walking along the boardwalks, or during a leisurely afternoon float down the river channel. Regardless of the activity you choose, a delicious and refreshing craft beer from Penticton enhances the experience. We’re excited to be on the BC Ale Trail.”
Known for its diverse beer list, delicious rock oven pizza and a lovely patio, Bad Tattoo is located within walking distance of the iconic Peach at Okanagan Lake; the beer lineup features several different IPAs and some Mexican-inspired styles. A local favourite for more than 20 years, the two-floor Barley Mill has a Tudor-style brewpub with a sports theme; ask for a tour of the tiny brewhouse. One visit to Cannery Brewing’s popular taproom in downtown Penticton will reveal that this brewery is all about great beer and community; with its location near the Kettle Valley Rail Trail, Cannery Brewing is the perfect destination at the end of a hike or bike ride.
Highway 97 Brewery, Penticton’s newest brewery named for the scenic highway that runs along the Okanagan’s spine, is an open-concept brewery with a tasting room at the front and an ultra-local focus (down to the hops they use for brewing); it’s the ideal place to fill the cooler before heading out on a camping trip. The Okanagan’s original brewery, Tin Whistle Brewery is still going strong more than 20 years later; it focuses on using local ingredients such as fruits and berries in many of its beers, including the award-winning Stag Apple Scotch Ale and two different beers made with local peaches.
“There is a funny saying amongst winemakers that a gallon of beer is needed to produce a bottle of wine. So having an ale trail right in the heart of wine country makes a lot of sense,” says Paul Kamon, executive director, Sunshine Coast Tourism. “Seeing the BC Ale Trail growing and connecting our communities is very exciting to see. It offers a novel and authentic way to experience our region’s world-class breweries while exploring one of the planet’s most diverse and inspiring landscapes.“
There is a lot more to this scenic lakefront city in the heart of BC’s wine country than the craft beer scene. Stake your spot at one of the many beaches, splash in one of the cool lakes, or stroll down Main Street and take in the Penticton Farmers’ Market held Saturday mornings from late April to mid-October. One of only two cities in the world that is situated between two lakes (Lake Okanagan and Skaha Lake), Penticton offers heart-thumping activities for the adventurous souls, like mountain biking and hiking on the Kettle Valley Rail Trail, and rock climbing on the majestic Skaha Bluffs.
There are also easy-going activities, such as family bike rides, canoeing and kayaking jaunts, golfing, and leisurely afternoon floats down the river channel between the two lakes. Just a 20-minute drive to more than five breweries, 70 wineries and three distilleries and surrounded by vineyards, orchards, beaches, and gorgeous scenery, it is no wonder Penticton means, “a place to stay forever.”
For more information about the BC Ale Trail, visit https://bcaletrail.ca/. For more about Penticton, go to www.visitpenticton.com.
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