The Great Canadian Beer Festival sweeps through Cranbrook on Sept. 14 and this year it'll have an Oktoberfest theme.
Guests are encouraged to don their lederhosen and dirndl, and come in spirited costume to sample some of Canada's best beverages. The event runs from 2 to 8 p.m. at Balment Park.
Over 20 Canadian breweries will be present at the event, including local Kootenay businesses Nelson Brewing Co., Mt. Begbie Brewing Co., Over Time Beer Works, Wild North Brewing Co., Whitetooth Brewing Co., and Taynton Bay Spirits, with the later serving gin and vodka in addition to beer.
Coming from further afield are Les Trois Mousquetaires from Quebec, Banished Brewing from Newfoundland, Bellwoods Brewery and Blood Brothers Brewing from Ontario, and Big Spruce Brewing and North Brewing from Nova Scotia.
The Dry Goods Beverage Co. and Powell Brewery will offer non-alcoholic beer and Edna's Non-alcoholic Cocktail Co. will be whipping up some delicious creations.
Drinks will be accompanied by live music and games, and food from Mama's Dumplings, Iggy's, Fenwick and Baker, and Hungry Eh?
Beer enthusiasts can also vote for their favourite beer in a separate province-wide competition, running Sept. 9 to Oct. 6.
People from across B.C can vote for breweries they think have the best beer, and for their community as having the most outstanding beer scene.
Winners will be announced on Oct. 18 at the B.C Craft Brewers Conference in New Westminster. Breweries with the most votes will have their business featured on blogs and social media, and will be the lucky recipient of a profile-boosting campaign.
Voters will be entered to win a grand prize sip and stay package.
The survey will open Sept. 9 on Survey Monkey.
