Can you walk between breweries in Kelowna?

Yes, the North End Brewery District, around Richter and Ellis streets, is very walkable. You can easily walk between several popular breweries like BNA Brewing, Red Bird Brewing, and Kettle River Brewing Co. in one afternoon.

Are Kelowna breweries kid-friendly?

Many Kelowna breweries welcome children, especially those with restaurant licenses or large outdoor patios. However, policies can vary, so it's always best to check with the individual brewery before you visit with minors. Vice & Virtue and Red Bird Brewing are known to be accommodating.

Do Kelowna breweries serve food?

Yes, many Kelowna breweries have excellent food programs. BNA Brewing has a full eatery, Red Bird Brewing is famous for its wood-fired pizza, and Vice & Virtue offers a chef-driven menu. Others host a rotating selection of local food trucks, especially on weekends.

A growler is a reusable glass or stainless steel jug used to transport draft beer purchased at a brewery. They typically come in 32oz or 64oz sizes. It's a great way to take home fresh beer that might not be available in cans or bottles.

How can I get to the breweries without a car?

You have several options. The downtown breweries are walkable, and you can use ride-sharing services like Uber or local taxis. BC Transit buses also service many areas near the breweries, and booking a spot on a guided brewery tour shuttle is a popular, all-inclusive choice.

Are there non-beer options available at breweries?

Absolutely. Most breweries in Kelowna offer a selection of local ciders and wines. Many also have non-alcoholic craft sodas, kombucha, or sparkling water available, ensuring there's something for everyone in your group.

Do I need to book brewery tours in advance?

It is highly recommended to book guided brewery tours with shuttle services in advance, especially for weekends and during the summer tourist season. For individual brewery visits, reservations are generally not required for small groups, but can be a good idea for larger parties.

Kelowna Brewery & Cidery Tours: The 2026 Local Guide

THINGS TO DO · KELOWNA & WEST KELOWNA

Your definitive local guide to Kelowna's best brewery and cidery tours for 2026. Explore the Ale Trail, downtown breweries, and scenic cideries.

20 breweries & tours · Updated September 2026Things To Do guide · Go Kelowna

Photo: Meta World Reviewer · Britannia Brewing Co via Google

01AT A GLANCE

The details that matter.

Explore Kelowna's craft beverage scene with our 2026 guide. Discover the downtown Brewery District, follow the Kelowna Ale Trail, and visit charming local cideries. Find guided tours, learn about tasting flights and growler fills, and get tips on getting around safely without a vehicle. Your adventure into Okanagan craft beer and cider starts here.

Best Season: Summer and Fall
Book Ahead: Tours and weekends
Best Area: North End Brewery District
Good to know: Many patios are dog-friendly

01THINGS TO DO GUIDE

Breweries & cideries to tour

Taprooms, flights and patio pints across the Ale Trail.

Breweries & Cideries

BNA Brewing Kelowna

Kelowna

Breweries & Cideries

Red Bird Brewing

Kelowna

Breweries & Cideries

Upside Cidery

Kelowna

Breweries & Cideries

Kelowna Beer Institute

Kelowna

Breweries & Cideries

Truck 59 Ciderhouse

West Kelowna

Breweries & Cideries

Copper Brewing Company

Kelowna

Breweries & Cideries

Kettle River Brewing Co.

Kelowna

Breweries & Cideries

Barn Owl Brewing

Kelowna

Breweries & Cideries

Scenic Road Cider Co.

Kelowna

Breweries & Cideries

Britannia Brewing Co

Kelowna

Breweries & Cideries

Soma Craft Cidery

Kelowna

Breweries & Cideries

Folktale Cider

Lake Country

Hover for a closer look.Tap a card for a closer look. A conversation takes you further.

•LOCAL KNOWLEDGE

Your 2026 Kelowna Brewery Tour Guide

Welcome to the ultimate local's guide to exploring the amazing craft breweries and cideries of Kelowna and the Central Okanagan.

The short answer

Kelowna's best brewery experience is concentrated in the North End Brewery District, where you can easily walk between popular spots like Red Bird Brewing and Kettle River Brewing Co. For a guided experience, companies like Canadian Craft Tours and Vivid Tours offer curated trips to multiple breweries and cideries.

01North End Hotspots

The Kelowna Brewery District

Kelowna's North End has transformed into a vibrant hub for craft beer lovers, often called the Brewery District. Centred around Richter and Ellis streets, this neighbourhood is packed with a fantastic, walkable collection of breweries. You can easily spend an afternoon or evening hopping from one tasting room to another, experiencing the unique vibe of each.

Start your journey at BNA Brewing Co. & Eatery, a massive, lively space in a historic tobacco building with its own bowling alley. Just a short walk away, you'll find Red Bird Brewing, known for its huge outdoor patio, live music, and fantastic wood-fired pizza. It's a community hub where you can relax by a fire table and soak in the Okanagan atmosphere.

Venture on to find Kettle River Brewing Co., one of the original micro-breweries in the area, offering an ever-changing tap list in a cozy, eclectic setting. Nearby, Vice & Virtue Brewing offers a more refined experience, pairing their inventive beers with a seasonally driven food menu. And don't miss Barn Owl Brewing in the Lower Mission, a unique brewery housed in a beautifully restored 1920s dairy barn, pouring over 20 small-batch beers.

Local tips

Wear comfortable shoes; this area is best explored on foot.
Check brewery websites for live music schedules, especially on weekends.
Many breweries in this district have dog-friendly patios.
Pace yourself and stay hydrated with water between tastings.

BNA Brewing Kelowna Red Bird Brewing Kettle River Brewing Co.Barn Owl Brewing

02A Craft Beer Journey

The Kelowna Ale Trail

The BC Ale Trail is a province-wide initiative, and the Kelowna and West Kelowna trail is a fantastic way to discover the region's diverse craft beer scene. It's not a physical trail you follow in one go, but a curated collection of the best breweries that showcase the local flavour of the Okanagan. Following the trail is a great way to ensure you're hitting the must-visit spots.

The trail highlights the concentration of breweries in the North End, making it easy to visit several in one day. But it also encourages exploration beyond the downtown core. You'll find gems like Barn Owl Brewing in the Mission and Copper Brewing Company, which are worth the short trip. The trail is your guide to the heart of Kelowna's craft culture.

Using the BC Ale Trail website or app can help you plan your route, learn about the story behind each brewery, and even collect passport stamps. It’s an excellent resource for both seasoned beer lovers and those new to the craft scene, providing a structured way to explore the city's offerings.

Local tips

Download the BC Ale Trail app before you start to plan your route.
Check the map to see which breweries are clustered together for easy walking tours.
Look for special events or seasonal releases featured on the Ale Trail.

BNA Brewing Kelowna Red Bird Brewing Kettle River Brewing Co.Barn Owl Brewing Copper Brewing Company

03Orchard to Glass

Okanagan Cideries

Kelowna's identity is deeply rooted in its orchards, so it's no surprise that we have an incredible craft cider scene. These cideries press 100% BC fruit, often from their own family-run farms, offering a true taste of the Okanagan in every glass. A visit to a local cidery is a refreshing alternative or addition to a brewery tour.

In East Kelowna, Wards Cider operates out of a fifth-generation family orchard, crafting traditional ciders in a vintage packinghouse. Not far away, Scenic Road Cider Co. welcomes you to their family-run cidery set in a 1930s packinghouse, where you can enjoy a picnic among the apple trees. These spots offer an authentic farm-to-glass experience.

BC Tree Fruits Cider Co. is another major local player, handcrafting premium ciders from fruit picked in their own orchards and crushed in their own mill. For a stunning view with your cider, head to Truck 59 Ciderhouse in West Kelowna, where you can look out over Okanagan Lake while sampling their range of modern ciders.

Local tips

Check tasting room hours, as they can be more seasonal than city breweries.
Ask about unique, seasonal ciders that aren't available year-round.
Many cideries offer non-alcoholic options made from their fresh-pressed juice.

Scenic Road Cider Co.Truck 59 Ciderhouse Upside Cidery Soma Craft Cidery

04Leave the Driving to Them

Guided Tours & Shuttles

For a completely stress-free day of tasting, booking a guided tour is the way to go. Several local companies offer curated brewery and cidery tours that include transportation, tasting fees, and often a knowledgeable guide to enhance the experience. This is an ideal option for groups, special occasions, or anyone who wants to fully relax and indulge.

Companies like Vivid Tours and Canadian Craft Tours offer popular public and private tours. Their craft beer tours typically visit three or four locations, providing tasting flights at each stop. Beach Bum Tours also offers a "Craft Crawl" that lets you choose from a list of breweries and cideries to visit. These tours handle all the logistics, from pickup and drop-off to reservations.

Booking a tour is especially smart during the busy summer season or on weekends, when tasting rooms can be crowded. It guarantees your spot and lets you skip any potential lines. Plus, the guides often share local stories and insights you wouldn't get on your own.

Local tips

Book your tour well in advance, especially for weekend dates in the summer.
Clarify what's included in the tour price, such as tasting fees and guide gratuity.
Ask about custom or private tours if you have a specific list of places you want to visit.

05Taste and Take Home

Flights & Growler Fills

One of the best ways to explore the variety of craft beer and cider is by ordering a tasting flight. Almost every brewery and cidery in Kelowna offers them. A flight typically includes four to five small glasses of different beverages, allowing you to sample a range of styles before committing to a full pint.

Flights are perfect for discovering new favourites. You can try a crisp lager, a hoppy IPA, a tart sour, and a rich stout all in one sitting. Staff are always happy to help you choose or recommend a pre-selected flight that showcases their most popular or seasonal offerings.

Found a beer you love? Take it home with you! Most breweries offer growler fills, allowing you to purchase a 32oz or 64oz glass jug of fresh-from-the-tap beer. Many also sell their products in cans or bottles. It's the perfect way to bring a taste of your Kelowna brewery adventure home.

Local tips

Share a flight with a friend to sample even more varieties.
Rinse your growler with hot water as soon as it's empty.
Keep filled growlers cold and drink them within a few days for the best flavour.

06Don't Drink and Drive

Getting Around Safely

With so many amazing breweries and cideries to visit, it's important to have a plan for getting around safely. Never drink and drive. Thankfully, Kelowna has plenty of convenient options for exploring the craft beverage scene without getting behind the wheel.

The North End Brewery District is very walkable, allowing you to safely visit multiple spots on foot. For breweries further afield, ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft are readily available throughout the city. Local taxi companies are another reliable option.

Kelowna's public transit system, operated by BC Transit, is an affordable way to get around. Several bus routes can get you close to the main brewery areas. For a more active approach, consider renting bikes. The city is becoming more bike-friendly, and it's a great way to enjoy the Okanagan weather as you travel between tastings.

Local tips

Download a ride-sharing app on your phone before you head out.
Use the BC Transit website or app to plan your bus route in advance.
If you're biking, make sure you have a lock for secure parking.

BNA Brewing Kelowna Red Bird Brewing Upside Cidery Kelowna Beer Institute Truck 59 Ciderhouse Copper Brewing Company Kettle River Brewing Co.Barn Owl Brewing Scenic Road Cider Co.Britannia Brewing Co Soma Craft Cidery Folktale Cider Okanagan Spirits Craft Distillery Kelowna Unleashed Brewing Company Railside Brewing Ltd Luckhurst Farm & Distillery Cutwater Brewing and Lounge Urban Distilleries Three Lakes Brewing Ltd Peachland Wine Shoppe

Open brewery tours on the map

•ON THE MAP

Every one of them, pinned.

All 20 breweries & tours in this guide on one live map. Filter, zoom in, tap a pin for photos and directions, then open the full profile.

20: Breweries & tours
4: Communities
18: Rated 4.5★+

Open brewery tours on the map Browse the full list

•THE FULL LIST

All 20 breweries & tours.

Search by name, narrow by type or community, and sort by the most-reviewed or highest-rated. Every card opens a full profile.

See them on the map

20 places

Breweries & CideriesBNA Brewing KelownaBNA Brewing Kelowna offers craft beer, eclectic comfort food, and unique entertainment like five-pin bowling, all within a historic downtown building.★ 4.5 (2,776) · Kelowna

Breweries & CideriesRed Bird BrewingA vibrant brewery in Kelowna's North End, famous for its craft beer, wood-fired pizza, lively live music scene, and dog-friendly patio.★ 4.6 (802) · Kelowna

Breweries & CideriesUpside CideryBar in Kelowna.★ 4.4 (753) · Kelowna

Breweries & CideriesKelowna Beer InstituteBrewery in Kelowna.★ 4.4 (532) · Kelowna

Breweries & CideriesTruck 59 CiderhouseBar in West Kelowna.★ 4.7 (518) · West Kelowna

Breweries & CideriesCopper Brewing CompanyBrewpub in Kelowna.★ 4.6 (469) · Kelowna

Breweries & CideriesKettle River Brewing Co.Brewery in Kelowna.★ 4.7 (449) · Kelowna

Breweries & CideriesBarn Owl BrewingExperience craft beer and community in a beautifully restored 1920s dairy barn, featuring live music, local food trucks, and a pet-friendly patio.★ 4.8 (389) · Kelowna

Breweries & CideriesScenic Road Cider Co.Bar in Kelowna.★ 4.9 (288) · Kelowna

Breweries & CideriesBritannia Brewing CoEnjoy quality craft ales and delicious food in a relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere with a spacious, dog-friendly patio in Lake Country.★ 4.7 (275) · Kelowna

Breweries & CideriesSoma Craft CideryBar in Kelowna.★ 4.6 (269) · Kelowna

Breweries & CideriesFolktale CiderFarm in Lake Country.★ 4.7 (210) · Lake Country

•STORIES

•FAQ

Good to know

The Kelowna Ale Trail is a curated list of local breweries that are part of the province-wide BC Ale Trail initiative. It's not a physical path, but a guide to help you explore the best craft breweries in Kelowna and West Kelowna, from the downtown core to surrounding neighbourhoods.