If the hype surrounding the opening of Vancouver’s massive CRAFT Beer Market sometime next week serves as an indicator of how passionate west coasters are about their brew, well then, we’re not sure what gives, ‘cuz there’s a lot of buzz.
It was well over a year ago that the Calgary-based team behind the CRAFT Beer Market team first granted media a ‘sneak peek’ of the sprawling 14,000 square-feet of space that is the historic Salt Building in False Creek’s Olympic Village neighbourhood.
There’s been a lot of development post-2010 to build this condo community into something beyond a line up of sterile looking structures, with a community centre and a series of parks now acting as anchor. Recent trips have revealed a number of new services having popped up (banks, cafes, grocery stores, restaurants, dry cleaners, drug stores and plenty more). Not to mention the fact that Olympic village has also consistently become a mid-way stopping point for those pining for a pint while cruising the Seawall (thank you, Tap & Barrel).
ADVERTISEMENT |
Which brings us back to the conversion of the Salt Building into one massive beer emporium (with seating for 350) set to serve up the largest selection of beer on tap – in Canada. That’s right, more than 140 will be up for grabs with about a dozen different wines on tap to satisfy other preferences, not to mention house specialty drinks and plenty of ciders, too.
CRAFT Beer Market has already established itself as a go-to spot in Cow Town, having also expanded to Edmonton. Vancouver marks the company’s coastal foray – and with BC’s craft brew scene more than alive and kicking with a record number of microbreweries popping up around town, they’ve arguably tapped into the right place at the right time.
Beyond the brew, CRAFT Beer Market also boasts a unique LEED Gold-certified design, is the largest LEAF Certified Restaurant in Canada, and has embraced the original 1930’s wood structure. Massive vaulted ceilings provide a vintage feel throughout as does an open concept kitchen, wraparound bar and upper-deck mezzanine area perfect for private parties and a killer vantage point.
If you’ve got a hankering for casual pub-style comfort food, this will be your honey spot. CRAFT Beer Market’s culinary team (led by Executive Chef Paul McGreery) is all about creating classic go-to dishes to be savoured alongside a pint. We’re talking burgers aplenty, flatbreads, Bier-A-Misu, ‘fast-food sushi’ (check out their menu for details), beer-can chicken and more. Emphasis is placed on featuring Ocean Wise and locally sourced ingredients wherever possible. This ‘fresh is always best’ mentality is something they’ve clearly committed themselves to and will be served up daily (including weekend brunch).
ADVERTISEMENT |
CRAFT Beer Market officially opens November 7th and is located at 85 Athletes Way (you can’t miss it) and plenty of street parking and parkade parking is available (or there’s always the Aquabus).
