It’s hard to argue with the readers of the Westender on this one. CRAFT Beer Market in Olympic Village not only has the best craft beer selection in the city, they have more taps then any other establishment in the entire country. One-hundred and fifty-two, to be exact.
Yes, you read that correctly: 152 frickin’ draft taps.
The beer menu at CRAFT spans the globe, covering everything from Belgian Trappist ales to gluten-free ginger beer. And the taps are always rotating, so you’re guaranteed to find something new there.
“We’re constantly testing out new products and seasonals,” says general manager Franny Roberts. “IPAs are still our most popular style, especially hazy IPAs and double IPAs.”
Thanks to the sheer number of taps, CRAFT not only offers classic beers from around the world, but also has close to 80 B.C. beers and ciders on draft.
“We try to support local as much as we can,” says Roberts. “Not just with our beer, but with our food, too – we source as much as we can from our community, whether it’s Earnest Ice Cream, Gelderman Farms, Bosa Foods, Golden Ears Cheeseworks.”
CRAFT also supports the community through its Community Brew program, which donates a dollar from every quarterly collaboration beer sold to a local charity. The recent Twin Sails Raspberry Milkshake IPA collaboration raised more than $3,000 for Dress For Success Vancouver, which helps provide support and training for women in the Downtown Eastside.
CRAFT’s location in the heart of Olympic Village makes it a perfect community hub. The iconic red building it calls home – the former home of the Vancouver Salt Co. – is a LEED certified “green building,” while CRAFT itself is LEAF certified as an environmentally sustainable restaurant, thanks to its composting and recycling efforts.
“Everything we do, we try to support our local community,” says Roberts. “For me, CRAFT is more than just a restaurant or bar, it’s like your best friend.”
• Check out CRAFT’s monthly brewmaster dinners, as well as their New Year’s Eve party. Tickets available at CraftBeerMarket.ca.
Craft Beer Market
Salt Building, 85 W. 1st Ave.
Gold – Best Craft Beer List
