Some more great North Van breweries to check out on your study break
Gwen Pemberton (she/her) // Features Editor
Angelica Blanch (she/her) // Art Director
There are so many breweries on the North Shore that it can be hard to decide which to visit on a night off. B.C.’s lower mainland is home to over 220 craft breweries, so decision paralysis is totally understandable. Last year, the Courier explored some of the North Vancouver brewery district, located just up the hill from Capilano University’s Lonsdale campus. There are many more craft breweries near both campuses to check out, so it’s time for part two.
Wildeye Brewing
1385 Main St
Located a short walk from Phibbs Exchange, many CapU students will have seen Wildeye’s patio and black brick facade from a bus window, but how many have ventured inside? Well, now they have more reason than ever, because in October 2024 Wildeye announced it would partner with CapU to offer a 15 per cent discount to all students, faculty and staff.
Wildeye is a great choice if you want a little more out of your visit than just a pint. It hosts a variety of events, including live music, music bingo and weekly trivia. A word of warning though, if you want to get in on that trivia night—every Wednesday from 8 p.m. to close—make sure you reserve a table ahead of time. It’s not uncommon for the taproom to fill up on Wednesday nights, and I’ve definitely seen people get turned away.
The warm wooden interior is cozy and inviting. It’s more of a sit-down establishment than some other places on this list, so if you are looking to grab some food and relax, this is a good spot. The bistro offers small bites like pretzels, plus mainstay faves like pizza, tacos and sandwiches. But the real main event, no surprise, is the beer. Their taps are rotating, so offerings may change from season to season, but expect to see some classics, some seasonal favourites like stout in the colder months, and brewery must-haves like sours and IPAs.
One of my absolute favourites is the Czech-style pilsner, a Wildeye mainstay. A pilsner is a clean and crisp kind of lager that tends to be a bit hoppier (that’s that slightly bitter flavour) than other lagers. They are also clearer in colour, which can help you differentiate them from their peers. Wildeye’s is crisp and light, while still maintaining that hoppy profile I love. Of course, tastes will vary, but this place has a beer for every palate. Trust me, I’ve taken a few people to visit.
Strathcona Beer Company
123 Carrie Cates Ct.
Strathcona Beer Company is a relatively new addition to Lower Lonsdale. In fact, until mid-January, right after I visited, they were still operating on a provisional liquor license. But have no fear, Strathcona is fully up and running now, taking over the spot in the Lonsdale Quay Market that, until recently, was occupied by Green Leaf Brewing Company. The brewery is literally steps from the CapU Lonsdale campus, and a nice place to go for a chill drink and a chat after class (at least that’s what I did).
The dark green walls and crisp white tabletops look like something off of a Pinterest board, especially with the floor-to-ceiling windows looking out at the water. Being so new, the place is still finding its footing, but the atmosphere was lovely. Strathcona North feels a bit fancier than your typical brewpub, though still casual. It’s up to you which vibe you want.
I liked the pilsner—you may notice a theme—but the menu was a bit IPA heavy for me. If that’s your jam, then fantastic! Strathcona is a must-visit for you. That’s the beauty of the craft beer scene here, there is a brewery that caters to everyone’s taste. Strathcona also has a stacked food menu featuring scallops, flatbreads, burgers and plenty of appetizers. If you want more of a restaurant experience and a great view to go with it, give this place a try.
Shaketown Brewing
288 Esplanade E
Shaketown brings us back to the tried and true North Vancouver brewery district. Just up the street from Lower Lonsdale, this place is one of many craft breweries lining E Esplanade. Keep an eye out for the patio string lights on the corner and you’ve found the spot. It’s relatively small, but worth a visit.
Shaketown is great for anyone, whether you’re just popping in for a quick drink, or want to settle in for a while. There are a plethora of card games and board games to choose from, and while I sipped my beer I was entertained by a couple playing an intense game of Connect Four a few tables over. It was a quiet Sunday night when I visited, but the staff were very helpful. I was trying to stray away from my faithful pilsner and they offered me a few samples to blind taste test. Guess which one was my favourite. Yep, I guess some habits die hard.
I sat for a while and watched the Commanders and Buccaneers run into each other on TV, and enjoyed people-watching out the windows. This is one of my favourite kinds of breweries, if I’m honest. No frills here. Just beers, good company and some munchie mix at the bar for snacking. As the game approached half-time I remembered that I’m not a huge football fan and headed to my fourth, and final, stop. Conveniently, it was only about 100 meters away.
North Point Brewing Co.
266 1st St. E
North Point was, quite literally, around the corner. It has an alpine cabin vibe, which was accentuated by the wood-burning fireplace and the timber-paneled accent wall. This was a great place to finish off my mini bar crawl, and as it turned out, to watch the rest of the football game. At the end of a Sunday night, North Point was also fairly quiet, which meant I had the downstairs—complete with its full-size projector—almost to myself.
Curling up on a bench with a fire going and a pint in hand, I watched the 10-10 score at halftime go back and forth, but I must admit, I left before it ended. I finally managed to drink something other than pilsner though. The Strawberry Blonde Ale was light, punchy and refreshing. I would highly recommend it if you like a fruitier flavour without straying into sour territory.
The optimal word for this place is cozy. If you’re looking for accompanying eats, they have house-made pizza and some light snacks, too. The tap menu is very diverse, so it might be a good place to try a flight if you are looking to expand your horizons. I feel much more confident making assertions about beer than football. Commanders won, by the way.
I really enjoyed getting to try out even more of the craft breweries the city has to offer, and I’ve been to quite a few. Over time, I have come to accept the label of ‘beer guy,’ if not with pride then at least a shrug and a smile. I can confidently say I liked everything that I tried. But when visiting a brewery, it’s about more than the beer. The atmosphere at each of these North Vancouver establishments was different, offering something unique to the people who step inside. Hopefully, there is something here to pique everyone’s interest. Hop-head or casual enjoyer, there is a place nearby to check out.
