February is FŌM month at The Magnet! This month-long celebration of beer unites some of the best breweries in British Columbia, Washington, and Oregon, all pouring side-by-side under one roof. Because even if our respective country’s leaders can’t figure it the fuck out, we know what matters: dialogue and mutual respect – two things that naturally find their groove over a crisp, cold pint.

In Vancouver, you’ll find the FŌM spirit at The Magnet (309 West Pender), which will be stacked with specialty kegs, rare imports, and six one-off collaborations, with a rotating lineup that shifts from bright, clean lagers to darker, maltier styles as the month rolls on. Expect gravity pours, side pours, slow pours, and even a Beer Poking Day (if you’ve never had your beer caramelized with a red-hot poker, here’s your chance).

Don’t worry Vancouver Islanders, you haven’t been forgotten! The Magnet’s good friend across the Straight, The Drake, is also playing host to FŌM for the duration of the month. And, beginning next week on Monday, February 10th, the fest will be making its tour stop at the Barley Merchant in Langley.

So, what’s with the name “FŌM” (according to the event website, it’s pronounced just like “the sound of a good lager hitting the glass”) anyways? Basically, it’s a playful nod to both foam — i.e. that golden, frothy crown (or head) on a well-poured lager — but also an inadvertent nod to “FOMO”, because missing out on this would be a big mistake.

Check out who’s included on the roster, below:

PARTICIPATING BREWERIES:
Otherlands (Bellingham, WA)
Bizarre (Seattle, WA)
E9 (Tacoma, WA)
Fair Isle (Seattle, WA)
Mirage (Seattle, WA)
Upright (Portland, OR)
Brassneck (Vancouver, BC)
Back Country (Squamish, BC)
Beva (North Vancouver, BC)
Beere (North Vancouver, BC)
Changing Colours (Port Coquitlam, BC)
Dageraad (Burnaby, BC)
Four Winds Beach House (Southlands Tsawwassen, BC)
Gladstone (Courtney, BC)
Herald Street Brew Works (Victoria, BC)
Land & Sea (Comox, BC)
Luppolo (Vancouver, BC)
Slow Hand (Vancouver, BC)
Small Gods (Sidney, BC)
Superflux (Vancouver, BC)
Ile Sauvage (Victoria, BC)
Strange Fellows (Vancouver, BC)
Steel & Oak (New Westminster, BC)
Shaketown (North Vancouver, BC)
Temporal (Vancouver, BC)
Whistle Buoy (Victoria, BC)

This is more than just an excuse to drink great beer; it’s also a reminder that collaboration and community should always come before politics. Tariffs, trade wars, bureaucratic red tape — none of it pairs particularly well with a solid, well-poured lager. So, while governments bicker over numbers, FŌM is keeping things simple: good beer, good people, and a few experimental pours for those who like their pints with a side of curiosity.

Find a seat at the bar, raise a glass, and let the beer do the talking. And in the meantime, for more info (including a glossary of beer styles and explanations on the different types of pours – phew!) head on over to the FŌM website. And don’t forget to follow them on IG (@fom_worldwide) for future event announcements and other fun beer-related content.

Magnet, The

Neighbourhood: Gastown

309 West Pender St.

WEBSITE