For craft beer fans looking to get a taste of the local brewing scene, Vancouver Brewery Tours offers a fun and informative behind-the-scenes look at some of the city’s best breweries.
Growing up in a house with a basement full of home brewing equipment, Vancouver Brewery Tours founder Ryan Mackey developed a passion for craft beer at an early age. “There really is something special about holding a fresh homemade beer in your hand,” he says. “It gives you a sense of pride when you know exactly what goes into it.”
When the Victoria native relocated to Vancouver, he happily began sampling his way through the city's local breweries. “I like to travel to local breweries and talk to staff; I always really enjoy going to the places where beers are made, whatever city I’m in,” he says. After taking himself on self-guided brewery crawl through the city one day, Ryan had a “light-bulb moment” and decided that perhaps other hop enthusiasts might enjoy a similar multi-brewery tour experience.
Ryan launched Vancouver Brewery Tours in June 2013, and what started out as a two-person operation has since grown to a team of 10. From home brewers to commercial brewers to a Certified Cicerone® (think a sommelier, but for beer), the tour guides at Vancouver Brewing Company come from the craft beer community and a variety of backgrounds, and all are incredibly knowledgeable and possess a strong enthusiasm for craft beer. “That’s one thing our tours are really known for,” says Ryan. “Our guides are very passionate, and that energy comes through.”
