Saanich Peninsula Brewery and Distillery Tour from Victoria

Prep your palate for a half-day guided tour featuring some of the best libations just outside Victoria. With an informative guide, take an afternoon journey to the scenic Saanich Peninsula to visit three drink-making venues: a cidery, a brewery and a distillery. You’ll taste the products at each place, from crisp apple cider to craft beer to small-batch gin. This small-group tour is limited to 14 people and provides a carefree way to learn about Canada’s drinking culture and see a different side of Victoria.

Your tour begins in Victoria, where you'll board your chartered vehicle and get to know your guide as you wind through the Saanich Peninsula, a network of backcountry roads approximately 13 miles (21 km) north of the city that boasts picturesque seaside views. Your three destinations — a cidery, a brewery and a distillery — are located in this region.

Upon arrival at your first stop, Sea Cider Farm & Ciderhouse, explore the grounds and admire ocean waves rolling in toward the apple orchards. Learn how more than 50 varieties of heritage apples growing from 1,300 trees are turned into different kinds of crisp, bubbly cider, and enjoy a tasting. You may also eat lunch here at the restaurant, if you wish (own expense).

Save room for your next stop, Category 12 Brewing, where specialty beers flow from a few humble taps. Learn to taste the difference between homemade beers like the Belgian Specialty Ale and the refreshing Unsanctioned Saison. If you’re lucky, you might snag a peek behind the scenes at the brew lab, where brewmasters create craft beers in just 30 kegs at a time.

Then it’s on to the final stop, a craft distillery known for its premium small-batch gin and environmentally friendly spirit-making practices. Learn about the history of gin and how it’s processed from the master distillers, and find out what makes this gin particularly memorable during your tasting.

Your tour ends with the drive back to Victoria.