The Beer Brief is a new round-up of all the local beer-related news and events we think you should know about. Got news brewing? Send it to thalia [at] scoutmagazine.ca and we’ll do our best to include it!

GET BEESTY | You should definitely dare to go into the Underbelly this Wednesday, when Wildebeest hosts Brasserie Dunham for a night of hobnobbing with fellow beer lovers and Brewmaster Eloi Deit, while sipping on unusual, European-inspired brews. All kinds of deliciousness will be flowing from three kegs and two bottle-conditioned beers for the night, and the price of a ticket include a taste of each, plus snacks. Get yours here.

ART + BEER | If you value the aesthetic qualities of your beer as much (or almost as much) as the actual beer, then you shouldn’t miss the Art + Brewing art show at Darby’s Gastown on Thursday, hosted by Collective Arts. Local breweries Twin Sails Brewing, Dageraad Brewing, and Four Winds Brewing Co. will also be there to show their love and support for local arts, along with a bunch of local artists and musicians. Collective Arts Brewing is definitely at the forefront of beer cross-over culture, having recently wound up their first annual Liquid Art Festival of beer, music and art in June in Hamilton, Ontario, so we can surely expect great things from this event.

A TASTE OF T.O. | Toronto’s Bellwoods Brewery is unleashing a bunch of its East Coast influence on Vancouver this month. The visitors arrive July 5th to collaborate on a new brew with Four Winds Brewing in Delta, while Firefly Wines and Ales will host their latest line-up of bottle releases the following afternoon. Then, on Saturday night, Bellwoods’ beer will be flowing from a whopping 15 taps and three bottles at Darby’s in Gastown, with Head Brewer / Co-Owner Luke Pestl in attendance. Then, welcome fellow Torontonians Blood Brothers Brewing to the province by taking a trip to Twin Sails on Friday for their bi-coastal collaboration release. The brand officially launches in BC on Saturday at the Farmhouse Fest afterparty. There’s little doubt that the shindig will be packed with spill-over from the Fest and those who missed out on the main event, so you’ll definitely want to show up early to grab a seat.

TAKEOVERS | Start your weekend early this Thursday at St. Aug’s. The 3rd Annual Storm Brewing tap takeover is going to be aptly epic, featuring a whopping 25 beers on tap. If you know Storm, then you know to expect the unexpected, and to be strategic. Especially considering the plethora of takeovers happening the following weekend…Darby’s Pub in Kits is getting a visit from Bend, Oregon’s Ale Apothecary. Brewmaster (Beer Doctor?) Paul Arney will be accompanying three bottle releases from the specialty brewery, plus an exclusive cask of Firkin: El Quatro with Sour Cherries. If only all doctor’s visits were this delicious! Also on Friday, the Modern Times Beer crew from Portland’s The Belmont Fermentorium is coming to Craft Beer Market, and they’re bringing a slew of exceptional beers with them. This is your chance to try exclusive tasting room brews — like Mountain Voice, Elf Quarters, Galactic Filaments and Devil’s Teeth — without having to cross the border! Even if you didn’t snag a ticket to the now sold out Farmhouse Fest, there’s still a good reason to head out to UBC this Saturday: Aslan Brewing Company (Bellingham, Washington) is taking over Biercraft’s Wesbrook location for an unofficial afterparty bash.

We’re getting closer to releasing our collaboration with @virtuous_pie. Until then, here’s a little taste of the label. . . . #whatvegansdrink #phantombeer #comingsoon

A post shared by Phantom Beer Co. (@phantombeer) on Jun 20, 2018 at 3:37pm PDT

RESTO COLLABO | Continuing the trend of restaurant and brewery collaborations, The Keefer Bar and Twin Sails recently released their Master PoMo American wheat ale, brewed with ginger and lemon zest. Also, Phantom Beer Co. has finally revealed the colla-brew-ation with their yeasty buddies at Virtuous Pie that they’ve been teasing…Yup, it’s a pizza beer! The “Virtuous Pineapple IPA” has the addition of pizza flour and El Dorado hops but, bizarrely, no actual pineapple. We’ll definitely be looking forward to tasting this unusual beer in the coming weeks. Another notable collaboration: the imminent Granville Island restaurant, Popina, has collaborated with Powell Street on an exclusive brew. Impatient and curious beer lovers should head to Campagnolo Roma for Sunday’s pop up Southern BBQ and a rare chance to try this beer beforehand!

SQUAMISH | If you’re looking for a good excuse to get out of the city this weekend, then you’ll be interested in knowing that the Squamish Beer Festival is happening. Besides the Saturday main event, which features 55 breweries and cideries, and all of the usual entertainment and accompaniments, there’s also a cool-sounding Sea to Sky Gondola Dinner happening the night before the fest. It features a multi-course seafood menu and four beer pairings from breweries in the region, plus a trip on the gondola. What better way to to take in the best of the Sea to Sky region is there? Get your tickets to ride, revel and imbibe here.

B-DAY BEER | Get out to New West this weekend to wish Steel & Oak a hoppy beer-day! It’s their fourth anniversary on Sunday, and they’re celebrating it properly with a family friendly barbecue and all of the fixings, including an all-star line up of beer.

THE LAST REAL CASK | Need a good cry? Head over to Callister Brewing on Sunday for a final pint of Real Cask, who are ending their three year stint at the collective brewery. Rumour is there will also be a piñata on-hand — stick provided.

…AND CURRY | There’s a new monthly “Beer and a Curry” pop-up supper club starting this month, inspired by a UK tradition of sorts where friends fill up on good food and conversation on Sunday night, as preparation for the drudgery of the work week ahead. Sounds like a tasty social bandwagon to jump on! The first iteration pairs Main Street Brewing beer with a family-style spread of home cooking by Raj Thandi (of Pink Chai). The ticket price includes appetizers, all you can eat meat and veggie curries and roti/naan, plus a pint. Tickets are available here now.

CRAWL | Brush up on your ABCs by joining in on the Eastside Culture Crawl’s Art, Bike, Beer, Crawl Brewery Tour on July 14th. The event includes flights at three East Van breweries, followed by a wrap up party and raffle at Strange Fellows, who is also hosting Deborah Bakos’ art exhibition (other art-loving breweries with art exhibitions are Luppolo, Callister and Off the Rail). What better way to make the most of the ESCC? Tickets for the full deal are $55, available here.

ABBOTSFORD | Tap into your creative side with the assistance of some yummy beer-inspiration by taking a field trip out to Abbotsford’s Ravens Brewing on July 22nd. The brewery’s artist, Dreya, will be passing on her artistic knowledge during their Paint & Sip event. Attendance includes a flight of inspiration (aka beer) and the painting it inspires. Secure your spot here.