B.C. Ale Trail lets beer lovers explore province's breweries

Road trips are usually reserved for summer months, but On The Coast beer columnist Rebecca Whyman is highlighting a special trip for beer lovers in B.C., beginning in October.

The B.C. Ale Trail is a joint effort between several tourism marketing organizations, the B.C. Craft Brewers Guild and beer writer Joe Weibe.

Whyman says it will allow beer fans to explore places like the Comox Valley, the Kootenays, Nanaimo, Port Moody, the Sunshine Coast, Victoria and Whistler.

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"Their promotional video is out now, and the full program kicks off in October, just in time for B.C. Craft Beer Month," Whyman told On The Coast guest host Gloria Macarenko.

"Because this ale trail project is in conjunction with several tourism organizations, you can also discover many other attractions across B.C."

Just make sure you don't drink and drive.

Here are Whyman's picks for this week.

Stanley Park Sunsetter

"An unfiltered peach, wheat summer ale. While not technically a craft beer as the brewery is part of the AB-InBev megacorporation, this one is locally made, and it's delicious! At 4.8 per cent it's not going to knock you over either. The wheat and high carbonation give it a very light feel in your mouth."

Bomber Brewing Park Life Passion Fruit Ale

"Brewed with sevenper cent passionfruit juice, this is a fruit beer, not a radler, although it certainly drinks as easily as a radler. A sessionable 4.5 per cent alcohol, this is a tart little beer that is perfect for hot weather."

Fernie Brewing What the Huck Huckleberry Wheat Ale

"Just a little bit of pucker from those huckleberries, before you get to the sweetness. This wheat ale is thirst-quenching and as tasty as the summer day is long. I strongly suggest you pour this into a glass so you can fully appreciate the beautiful pink hue of the beer. Fiveper cent, 650ml bottles at B.C. Liquor Stores."

With files from CBC Radio One's On The Coast