Drinks At Swans, The Victoria Brewpub That Serves Beer Made On-Site In Its Victoria Brewery!
Above and beyond providing first-class accommodations, Swans, the Victoria BC hotel, also proudly houses Swans Buckerfields Brewery, the on-site Victoria brewery that has been crafting award winning beers since 1989. The Victoria brewery produces British-style ales as well as Canadian and German beers–all with “old world care.” Special attention is given to all aspects of the brewing process. For example, in Swans Victoria brewpub and Victoria restaurant, the beers are served at 45F to enhance the fullness of their flavours.
The Victoria brewery uses 100 percent grain mashes: only wheat and barley malts and oatmeal in one stout. The specialty malts and Swans unique strain of yeast are imported from Britain. Swans swears against using syrups, sugars, or “adjunct.” The naturally carbonated ales are left to settle at cool temperatures as opposed to filtering because filtering can also extract the awesomeness.
Buckerfields selection of beers include the following: the Pandora Pale Ale, Arctic Ale, Swans Oatmeal Stout, Appleton’s Brown Ale, Buckerfield’s Bitter, Extra IPA, an Old Towne Bavarian Lager, Riley’s Scotch Ale, and a Raspberry Ale. The Victoria Brewery has won multiple national-level awards for its beers; they’re that good! Interested individuals can also book tours of the brewery, and Swans unique, house-made libations are served in Swans Victoria restaurant and Victoria brewpub and sold in Swans Wine & Beer Shoppe. The distinctive 650 ml bottles of beer make great souvenirs of a stay at the Victoria Hotel or of a tour of the brewery.
As you would expect from the name “Swans Wine & Beer Shoppe,” the store sells a number of vintages in addition to its brews. With a selection of over 400 varieties of red and white wine, you can find bottles from all over the world; however, Swans specializes in British Columbian and Australian selections, as well as French, Italian, and Chilean. Sparkling wines and champagne (including Dom Perignon) are also available to help you celebrate special occasions.
The store additionally carries an array of spirits with 150 offerings. With 30 varieties, Vodka is a specialty of the shoppe, and it boasts a fine collection of single malt scotches. Lastly, if you are looking for something a little different, you could try the Green Tree Absinthe (also known as “Le Fee Verte” or “The Green Fairy”). Rest assured, it is legal in Canada–though not in the United States!
If you are planning to visit the west coast of Canada and looking for opportunities to imbibe locally, check out this article on a unique Victoria BC hotel, Swans, connected to an on-site Victoria Brewery.