Coquitlam Craft Beer Festival

The Coquitlam Craft Beer Festival at the Westwood Plateau is one of Metro Vancouver’s premier events featuring BC craft breweries and tasty appetizers.

Beer Festival at Westwood Plateau

The Coquitlam Craft Beer Festival is a great event that typically features over 50 breweries, dozens of different craft beers, delicious appetizers and lots of people.

The festival had been running for about three years prior to 2019, in both the spring and the fall. In 2020 it was held at the Westwood Plateau Golf Club. The event is set to return at the same location in 2023.

Festival Dates and Prices

In 2023 the Coquitlam Craft Beer Festival takes place on Saturday, March 4th. The event runs from 7:00 to 10:00 pm at the Westwood Plateau Golf Club, located at 3251 Plateau Boulevard in Coquitlam.

As of early February, general admission to the festival costs about $85 per person including taxes and online service fees.

At the event people are able to enjoy a nearly unlimited selection of craft beers and food samples. No tokens or extra purchases are required, which makes this an especially appealing and enjoyable event.

Howe Sound Brewery at Beer Festival — Howe Sound Brewery

What Makes it Special?

A number of things make the Coquitlam Craft Beer Festival stand out as a “best place to be” for people who like craft beers and hanging out with their friends. Below is a list of the event’s features that stand out to us.

The admission price includes complimentary food and beverages. You don’t have to pay extra for each beer sample you try or every appetizer you want to taste. Unlike most Lower Mainland events of its kind, it’s all included!
The venue is completely indoors so it’s warm and not weather dependent!
The festival benefits a worthwhile charitable cause each time. In 2023 partial proceeds from ticket sales are donated to 93.7 JR Country’s Basics for Babies program.
The cost is reasonable. There aren’t many places where you can wander around and sample virtually unlimited beer, cider and food samples!
There is plenty of free parking.
Tickets also include a complimentary shuttle service both to and from the Lafarge Lake/Douglas Skytrain Station.

Craft Beer Festival at Westwood Plateau — Westwood Plateau Golf & Country Club

Festival Breweries

Over four dozen BC craft breweries participated in the Coquitlam Craft Beer Festival the last time it happened. Each brewery offered a selection of brews with over 120 different kinds in total to choose from. There were IPAs, cream ales, lagers, fruit-infused brews and all kinds of seasonal and award-winning ales last time.

BC breweries that participate most years include Stanley Park Brewery, Andina and Red Truck from Vancouver, Steel & Oak from New Westminster, Bridge Brewing from North Vancouver, and dozens more.

As of early February, the list of breweries participating at the 2023 event is to be confirmed.

Andina Beer at Coquitlam Festival — Andina Beer from Vancouver

Festival Food

The food at the festival is usually really good. When we went in the past there were chicken wings from Wings Restaurant, noodles and poached prawns from the Hard Rock Casino, and deli meat samples, nachos and chili, and upside-down cheesecake.

Tips and Advice

Below are some tips to help you make the most of your experience at the Coquitlam Craft Beer Festival.

TIP #1: Plan in advance how to get home. There is a complimentary shuttle service to and from the nearest SkyTrain station before and after the event, which is good to know.

TIP #2: We recommend going with a good appetite as the food is delicious and there is a fair bit of it. Don’t drink on an empty stomach! Pace yourself!

TIP #3: It’s good to go with a group of friends. The more the merrier!

TIP #4: Note your favourite beers so you can remember them for the future. Also, chat with the people around you to learn what they recommend. With typically over a hundred beers to choose from, make sure to sample and remember the best!

Red Truck Brewery Beers Display