These Kelowna Breweries Are Food Focused

You might be more used to hearing about wineries but Kelowna breweries are catching up in popularity and quality. In the last decade Kelowna has emerged as a leading brewery town and craft beer has gone mainstream. Kelowna is no longer only for wine drinkers seeking vineyard tours, it is for foodies and beer nerds too! You might know me as the former, a wine drinker seeking solace in the vines, and yes that is me through and through. But ever since my first introduction to craft beer in 2013 with a San Francisco based tour called Vantigo, as well as a trip to Ireland in the same month, I have happily added beer to my roster.

And it was just in time. Kelowna has some really interesting breweries serving up experimental and delicious craft beer paired with some of the best food the city has to offer. When you do your research on where to eat and drink in Kelowna you may not immediately come across these quality establishments. Mostly because they are in the budding culinary neighbourhoods of the North End, Landmark and airport areas. These areas are more affordable than say Bernard where a lease could cost you $3500 per month. For new businesses looking to get their foot in the door these prices just aren’t realistic.

But just because you won’t find some of these breweries conveniently located next to chains like Earls and Cactus Club doesn’t mean you shouldn’t seek them out. In fact these new foodie neighbourhoods are packed with places to visit and filled with locals in the know. Here are Kelowna breweries with a food focus!

 

North End Breweries

An easy 15 minute walk from the Delta Grand Hotel (a popular yet pricey resort) sits the North End. This area, just a short 2 years ago, was strictly industrial with the exception of Sandhill Winery and BC Tree Fruits Cider (will be closing down their North End location). Today it is the best area to go for beer and food.

Rustic Reel


Elevated campfire inspired food served in cast iron or delicate floral plates, an onsite bakery and beers that pair perfectly with anything on the menu. I love spending a little time here with family on the weekend. The spacious brewery has plenty of seating and is very kid and dog friendly!

Kettle River Brewing & Provisions


Provisions is provided by the same chefs as the very popular CrAsian food truck & BoxcAr Kitchen in BNA. This includes sister team Meiko and Courtney Koga and Brock Bowles who won season two of Chopped Canada. Their food is top notch and pairs with the beers by Kettle River Brewing. If you choose one place to eat with friends go here. I’d say it is the best beer and food combo in Kelowna.

Vice & Virtue Brewing


If you’re into experimental brews, like infusing local wines during the brewing process, then check Vice & Virtue out. My favourite beer is the Love Potion Raspberry Berliner with the smoked beef brisket sandwich. Frankly, this is the most popular brewery in Kelowna because of their fun artistic labels, delicious brews made in collaboration with wineries like Kitsch and Tantalus, and how seriously they take their food and brunch on Sundays.

JackKnife Brewing

 
 
 
 
 
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Stoked to have our new patio doors go in today from our friends around the corner at @foldingslidingdoorscanada Thanks guys, this setup rips! #northendbeer #northendneighbours #kelowna #northendpizza

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JackKnife brewing is coming soon and by the looks of their Instagram they’ll be including pizza after much research is complete. I am really looking forward to the opening of this new brewery from a previous owner of Kettle River next door.

Red Bird Brewing + Perseval & Young Cheesemongers


Known for good beer not necessarily their food, this one is more of a hot tip. If you’re a cheese fan and feeling peckish check out Perseval & Young Cheesemongers for their to go boxes and bring it to Red Bird to enjoy. After a recent discussion with the owners of P & Y their cheeses are easier pairings with beer more so than wines. This neighbourhood is seriously for foodies and these are just a few suggestions.

The Office Brewery

Next to Unleashed Brewering and just a couple doors down from The Welton Arms is The Office Brewery. Kelowna received this new cluster of breweries in the North End when a new development along Clement was opened. The Office is one my personal favourites to go and enjoy a smaller crowd while partaking in delicious eats. The wings, tacos and jalapeno poppers are all oh so good for a meet up with friends or pre-date night drinks and nibbles.

BNA & BoxcAr


BNA has a stellar kitchen upstairs but they just recently did a huge expansion to what was a tiny tasting room. Now you can pop in and taste one of their many beers and pair them with a bahn mi, a root beer pork steamed bun and other delicious creations by the same people who bring you the CrAsian food truck and Provisions.

Tree Brewing Beer Institute – By Waterfront

 
 
 
 
 
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How long would you last in this competition? #oktobeerfest #kelowna #treebrewing #beerinstitute

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You’ll probably run into this brewery located within the Delta Grand resort retail buildings. Beers and delicious bites by Hop Daddy’s Pizza & Sandwiches. This brewery is the nearest one to the lake and thus can get busy!

Further Afield – Landmark & Airport Areas

Copper Brewing


While Copper Brewing doesn’t have their own kitchen you can order MTL sandwiches and other delicious bites made by MontREAL Food located next door in the Landmark District. The croquettes are a nibble that’s just the ticket to soak up the booze from your beers or the beer infused cocktail menu newly released in January 2020. The cocktail menu was curated and provided by Born to Shake.

West Kelowna

The Hatching Post

The Hatching Post is from the mind of Jason Parkes, a beloved local wine maker who doesn’t take things so seriously. The community is in love with his new venture, The Hatching Post. Once again, Parkes offers a unique dining and tasting experience in a building that looks like an old saloon from Tombstone circa 1880. Inside you’ll find an opulent chandelier hanging over head as customers sip unique brews and ciders and dine on the best BBQ the valley has to offer…perhaps even BC!
 

 

 
 

While there are so many more breweries that I would like to mention they do not provide food so I will reserve them for another post entirely!

Let me know in the comments, which is your favourite brew and food pairing?

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