The British Columbia Beer Awards were founded by Gerry Erith and Chester Carey in 2010, launched as an event during the inaugural Vancouver Craft Beer Week. In 2012, the BCBA became a standalone celebration held during BC Craft Beer Month. Amanda Barry-Butchart joined the team that same year. She and Carey then purchased the awards from Erith in 2017.
Over the years, the event and judging expanded with the support of a dedicated team and the growing BC craft beer industry. In November of 2024, Carey and Barry-Butchart sold the BC Beer Awards to the BC Craft Brewers Guild. The Awards & Festival now follow on the Friday evening, right after the BC Craft Brewers Conference at the same venue.
A Timeline of BC Craft Beer Excellence
2010
BC’s First Open, Blind-Judged Beer Competition
Founded by Gerry Erith and Chester Carey, the inaugural BC Beer Awards were held on May 14 at Heritage Hall as part of Vancouver Craft Beer Week. It presented guests the chance to sample the top 11 beers of 187 submissions from 36 breweries.
2011
Bigger Stage for a Growing Scene
The success of VCBW in 2010 prompted a move to a larger venue at the Beatty Street Drill Hall. The BC Beer Awards were announced on the second day of the Brewery Creek Beer Festival on May 14.
2012
BCBA Moves to Craft Beer Month
This year, the BC Beer Awards became a standalone event, now hosted in October during BC Craft Beer Month, which first launched in 2011. The 3rd BCBA was held on October 13 at Chapel Arts.
2013
Bigger Venue, Deeper Experience
In its fourth year, the BC Beer Awards & Festival moved to a larger venue at the Croatian Cultural Centre. Over 300 entries in 17 categories were judged, including the memorial Dan Small Homebrew Award. Hosted by the CBC’s Stephen Quinn, the October 19 event also introduced a guided VIP tasting package and a hops masterclass. The CBC would provide the Awards with a host until 2022.
2014
Teaching Taste, Celebrating Style
Commemorating its wood anniversary, the BCBA set a theme for the first time by adding a Brewer’s Challenge category. This year it was Purl Cask, an ale brewed with wormwood. Three new education classes were also introduced, including the History of Beer taught by Craft Beer Revolution: The Insider’s Guide to BC Breweries author, Joe Wiebe.
2015
Expanding the Craft Experience
This year, BC surpassed 100 craft breweries. Reflecting that milestone, the BCBA took over the entire Croatian Cultural Centre to feature 60+ breweries and, for the first time, a handful of BC cideries. Also new was the Richards Buell Sutton Rookie of the Year Award, a Rookie BUZZ Tent, and artisans from the Craft Council of BC.
2016
A Year for Collaboration & Inclusion
The 7th Annual BC Beer Awards marked an important milestone in representation. Julia Hanlon of Steamworks became the first female brewer to win Best in Show. The BCBA also acknowledged the popularity of collaboration with a Brewers’ Collaboration booth. Attendees could also take home BCBA commemorative merchandise created by Smooth Edge Design.
2017
New Ownership Brings a New Format
As Chester Carey and Amanda Barry-Butchart assumed ownership of the Awards with the departure of Gerry Erith, a new format was introduced. Attendees could choose between the traditional beer festival experience or a VIP Awards Hour ticket to also watch the awards ceremony. New categories for 2017 included Brewery of the Year, Innovator of the Year, and Creative Industry Awards.
2018
Honouring Legacy & Inspiring the Future
The inaugural BC Beer Awards Collaboration Brew saw 2017’s Brewery of the Year and Rookie of the Year brew a fresh-hopped Kölsch at BREWHALL. Proceeds from the beer funded The BC Beer Awards Starter Kit — a grant for SFU Craft Beer and Brewing Essentials students. This year also recognized Lundy Dale for her contribution to BC’s craft beer industry with the first BCBA Legend Award.
2019
Aged 10 Years, Students Make the Honour Roll
Marking its first decade, the 10th Annual BC Beer Awards received a record 1,185 entries from 122 BC breweries. Kwantlen Polytechnic University’s brewing program garnered Brewery of the Year with five medals. A new addition to the festival experience was The Rec Room, a space for life-sized interactive games, music, food, and prizes.
2020
Awards Cancelled, Collaboration Continues
The COVID-19 pandemic cause the cancellation of the BC Beer Awards for two years. The BCBA Collaboration Brew, though, carried on with 2019’s Brewery of the Year and Rookie of the Year brewing Class Act at BREWHALL. Sales raised over $5,000 for The Pacific Association of First Nations Women Scholarship Fund, Hogan’s Alley Society, and Diversity in Brewing.
2021
Second Gap Year Inspires Eponymous Beer
Although the Awards were cancelled for a second year, the BCBA’s support for students continued. Gap Year Pale Ale was our 2021 BCBA Collaboration Brew with BREWHALL. The beer’s name signifies the year off in our school/classroom theme tradition. Released in late September, Gap Year raised over $5,000 in support of Diversity in Brewing and wildfire relief efforts by the Canadian Red Cross.
2022
The Awards Are Back with a New Format
The BC Beer Awards & Festival returned for its eleventh year to the Croatian Cultural Centre on November 5. A new full-service program saw 120+ beers from 70 breweries, served in tall cans within style-focused bars throughout the venue. The CBC Judge’s Choice Award debuted, given by a judges panel to highlight a standout beer during judging.
2023
BCBA Returns to Craft Beer Month
This year the Awards & Festival were hosted on October 21, resuming its signature BC Craft Beer Month slot. We also resumed our tradition, where the previous year’s Brewery of the Year and Rookie of the Year, make our official BCBA Collaboration Brew at BREWHALL in support of KPU’s Diversity in Brewing.
2024
A Fresh Stage for the Awards
The Anvil Centre in New Westminster became our new BCBA home, hosted a day after the BC Craft Brewers Conference in the same venue. In a bittersweet moment, the 2024 Legend Award posthumously honoured our dear friend, Tony Dewald.
november 25, 2024
BC Beer Awards Sold to Craft Brewers Guild
Chester Carey and Amanda Barry-Butchart, Directors and Owners of the BC Beer Awards, announce the sale of all intellectual property to the BC Craft Brewers Guild. The transition will occur gradually, with both Carey and Barry-Butchart remaining as consultants for the first year.