Welcome to Day 2 of The Drink Guy’s Advent Calendar!
After kicking things off with the festive delight of Danish Juløl, we’re diving into a local treasure trove: the vibrant craft breweries of East Vancouver—or, as the locals lovingly call it, Yeast Van.
This area is a haven for beer enthusiasts, offering an eclectic mix of breweries brimming with character, flavour, and a warm holiday buzz. These spots are as fun and lively as the people who frequent them. Whether it’s a quick pint or a full evening of exploration, the East Van brewery scene is a must for this time of year—or any time, really.
A Cornucopia of Brews
East Van is home to an impressive number of breweries, each with its unique personality and offerings. While their proximity might suggest similarities, the range of beers they produce couldn’t be more diverse. From hoppy IPAs to dark, roasty stouts and quirky seasonal releases, there’s something for everyone.
But fair warning: the sheer variety can feel a bit overwhelming—even for a seasoned drink enthusiast like me! That’s where the Yeast Van Brewery Passport comes in. Available for purchase at participating breweries, valid until March 31/2025, this little gem not only guides you to some of the best stops but also lets you jot down notes on what you’ve tried. You can rate beers, dream up food pairings, and even muse on how you’d tweak a recipe (if only you were the brewmaster). Superflux is sadly not a part of the passport.
Breweries Worth the Stop
Here’s a curated list of some of the fantastic places we visited on our first tour:
Strange Fellows Brewing
Krampus from the Brewer’s notes “is a Belgian-Style Abbey Dubbel brewed with Belgian candy sugar and dark malts. It is rich with the flavour of dried stone fruits subtle toffy and spice. This deceptively alcoholic beer has a long and warming effect on the constitution. Merry Krampusnacht!” We agree
Boris from the Brewer’s notes “First brewed by the British for Catherine the Great, Empress of Russia this beer style is as rich in history as it in in character. Aged a year in Basil Hayden bourbon barrels and brewed with a recipe heavy in roast and dark malts this 10.3% stout has an assertive backbone. Suggestions of dark dried fruits add complexity and peat smoked barley lends a scotch like nose.” Spot on!
East Van Brewing Company
East Van Porter, from the Brewer’s notes “Hints of chocolate, vanilla and roasted malts, our smooth drinking porter is perfect for those rainy days in Vancouver.”
Blackberry Sour, is exactly that, a dark fruity sour that’s crisp across the tongue.
Bomber Brewing
A Pocket Full of Rye “A 10th anniversary collaboration, a bold dark brew with a limited run, we hope will make a regular appearance”
Russian Doll Imperial Stout “Bold and rich, an imperial stout with roasted chocolate and coffee notes boasting a complex malt on malt on malt profile”
Choqlet Oatmeal Stout “Light roastiness and a smooth body balanced by a kiss of chocolate.”
Black Track Pony “Hints of elements similar to Dark Horse Lager blending the crsipness of pilsner malt with the deep richness of roasted barley and chocolate malts. An easy drinking lager that finishes clean but delivers the stampede of flavour.
Off the Rail Brewing Co
Adanac Pumpkin Jack “This delicious brew combines Pilsner, Munich, and aromatic malts with warming pumpkin pie spices, vanilla, and a touch of brown sugar for a rich, irresistible flavour. Your taste buds will be craving this seasonal favourite with every sip!” At the time of tasting we were warned that it may not last till these holidays, I hope it does, you’ll love it!
Crazy Train IPA “Going to Off The Rail for a Crazy Train…English style IPA with substantial amounts of West Coast hops.” A great full bodied beer just ripe for the holidays!
Superflux Beer Company
Drip Tiramisu Coffee Stout “we did use ladyfingers, some tasty Peruvian beans from our pals at @agroroasters plus cacao, and brown sugar, and a nice malt base to give you that dessert fix.” Did they ever!
Candyland “A Pink Cream Soda in beer form. We used huge sums of raspberries and top-quality vanilla in this beer.” Super fun and tasty!
Double Cow Now “a tropical milky dream with notes of lime, passionfruit, tangerine, and a bold resinous finish.”
Luppolo Brewing
Bat to Black IPA “Hopped heavily with some of the most classic C hops to give this beer a resinous piney character that balances harmoniously with the chocolate wheat malt. Expect notes of evergreen trees, subtle citrus, dark fruit and roasty chocolate.”
Sour Weisse “Fermented with our house culture of Brettanomyces and Lactobacillus and conditioned with the peel and juice from a large quantity of fresh lemons. Aromas of freshly-squeezed lemons and subtle spice, lead to flavours of citrus and tropical fruit with a subtle brett character and bright acidity.”
Tart Wild Ale with Lillooet Plums “Fermented with our house culture and re-fermented on fresh Lillooet Valley plums. Aromas of ripe plum, red berry and subtle funk leading to flavours of cherry, plum and lemon with a moderate acidity.”
Each stop brought something new to the table—distinct vibes, incredible beers, and plenty of inspiration for the season.
A Perfect Finale at Luppolo
Our day wrapped up at Luppolo Brewing, where we indulged in some truly gourmet pizza alongside their bold and inventive brews. The combination was absolutely perfect—a balance of comforting food and exciting flavours that left us smiling.
And here’s a little insider tip: Luppolo is also hosting a special event, Dark Enough to See the Stars: Dark Beer Fest, from December 6–8. If you’re a fan of rich, dark beers (or just love festive gatherings), this is an event you won’t want to miss.
Why We Love Yeast Van
At its core, Yeast Van embodies everything great about craft brewing: creativity, community, and a whole lot of passion. It’s the perfect place to find your new favourite holiday brew while soaking in the festive cheer.
So grab your passport, head out to East Van, and let the holiday adventures begin!
*editor’s note* non-linked items did not have an address at time of publishing
