Our Beers

Spinnakers was a pioneer of the North American craft-brewing renaissance and is Canada’s oldest brewpub. Today, Spinnakers brewers craft benchmarks of classic styles of ales, lagers and seasonal specialty beers using only the finest ingredients, pure aquifer water and time-honoured old-world brewing techniques. Spinnakers is the choice for local and visiting beer aficionados and occasional tipplers with a taste for the finer sips in life. About the Brewery >>

Spinnakers' brews range from pale to dark, light to full bodied. The ales are served by traditional beer engines that have been imported from England. These are the tall porcelain and brass handles seen on the bar top. They operate small piston pumps which draw the ale directly from the storage vessels in the pub cellar.

Traditional ales are served at cellar temperature of 53 degrees F, to allow them to exhibit their full aroma and flavours. Ales are brewed to an original gravity ranging from 1.035 for Publicans Ales, to 1.090 for Christmas Ale. The alcohol content ranges from approximately 3.5% to 9.5% by volume.

European or American lager style beers and ales such as the Honey Blonde Ale and Hefeweizen are served colder at 38 degrees F, offering a smooth, more carbonated mouth-feel. These beers are brewed to an original gravity ranging between 1.042 to 1.063 original gravity. The alcohol content is typically around 5% but can sit beneath or above that dependant on the beer style. India Pale Ale is 6.9%, whereas Spinnakers Ale is 4.2% by volume.

The following list of beers are brewed at Spinnakers Brewpub and are available, some on a year round basis, others seasonally, as space permits. The selection of beers available at any one time is dependent upon the production demands and brewing capacity of the brewery.

Check our menu for a list of our current selections.

View our past beers.

Cold Brew

Blue Bridge Double Pale

An emerging new world style, this double pale blends north-west and noble bittering hops and finishes with old world noble aromatic hops to create a complex and floral hop profile. This beer is superbly balanced, masking its strong body and making the beer very drinkable. Beware!  

India Pale Ale

Based on the Northern English version of the style as originally brewed and exported to the troops in India, Spinnakers IPA is strong, full flavoured, with a very well balanced yet assertive hop character. This beer is a favourite of our regular patrons and beer aficionados alike.

Nut Brown Ale

Our version of this old english style is a mild deep amber coloured ale with a pleasant "nutty" light biscuit and roasted malt flavour and a light flowery hop aroma with a non bitter finish from the use of saaz hops. This is a light bodied beer that appeals to both dark and light beer drinkers alike.  

Spinnakers Ale

This is a light bodied, lightly hopped, straw coloured effervescent Pale Ale with a delicate hop aroma and a balanced, slightly sweet finish. Digging back in the brewers log has been alot of fun and a great way to celebrate 25 years of brewing here at Spinnakers and we hope that everyone is as please with these beers as we are. 

Hefeweizen

 This traditional German wheat beer uses true weizen yeast to give this light and refreshing beer a slight vanilla and banana flavouring.  Some enjoy it with a slice of lemon.

Roundhouse Red Ale

 Characterized by it's deep reddish amber colour, this remarkably smooth version of the Irish Red style has a soft malty sweetness balanced with a pleasant goldings aromatic hop finish.

Hand Pumped

Oatmeal Stout

A sweet, rich stout with a thick creamy head. Oatmeal is used to give a smooth mouth feel. malt profile is well balanced by the oatmeal notes. A great beer to savour as these winter days give way to spring.

Abbot Ale

Comprised of English pale and a touch of crystal malts, classically balanced with Kent Goldings and Fuggle hops to produce a light, but oh so flavourful ale, charachterized by its spicy, fruity tones and its light copper colour... best mates: fish & chips, moules frites

Mitchell's Extra Special Bitter

Recently named "one of Canada's top beers" by Maclean's magazine! A reddish copper coloured ale brewed from pale and crystal malts, as well as horizon & east kent golding hops. A complex malty body, subdued bitterness and a flowery hop aroma. A favorite with the regulars!  

Jameson's Scottish Ale

Brewed in honour of the Jameson clan of tea, coffee & spice merhants, who settled in Victoria in 1889, this beer is a classic scottish ale, demonstrating a complex malty body, lightly hopped with a touch of peat on the finsh. This beer is the basis of our scottish ale malt vinegar. 6.4% alc/vol