Harrison Hot Springs is a naturally beautiful vacation destination nestled in the Coastal Mountains of Southwest British Columbia. The town has many opportunities for outdoor recreation and events offering something for everyone. One of those events, the Harrison Beer Festival, is back for its fifth year and serves as a showcase for a selection of the top craft breweries in British Columbia.
The weekend festivities begin on Friday night with a cask competition. Eight brewers put out a cask of beer and the brewer with the cask that’s consumed the fastest by the patrons is declared the winner. Saturday features the main beer festival, and on Saturday the ever-popular Oktoberfest Dance takes place. With so much to offer, it would be hard to imagine not having a blast. We interviewed Erin Goosen, Visitor Services and Events Coordinator for Tourism Harrison Hot Springs, to talk about this fun event.
RAL: How long has the event been running?
EG: We are celebrating our 5th year.
RAL: How many annual participants do you draw?
EG: Between 250 and 500 guests depending on the event. Friday night and Saturday evening we limit attendance to 250 people for intimacy. Saturday afternoon has the largest attendance with 500 craft beer enthusiasts.
RAL: What is the typical demographic makeup of the event? Children? Families? Couples?
EG: This festival is adults-only and includes couples and groups of friends.
RAL: What makes this event unique?
EG: We offer three events over two days. Cask Night features eight British Columbia craft breweries offering samples of their specially crafted casks. This year the evening will have an Irish/Celtic feel with live music and décor. Saturday afternoon we have 24 British Columbia breweries and one from the Yukon arriving to offer samples. This event is the largest with 500 attendees, and gives people the opportunity to chat with the breweries, hear the latest news, find new favorites, or enjoy old ones. We end the festival with a German Oktoberfest-themed dance with a live oompah band, and new this year is Bavarian folk dancers from Vancouver. We bring in Erdinger beer and like to showcase two British Columbia craft breweries producing an Oktoberfest-style beer. We have dancing, drinking, and lederhosen! It’s a great evening to finish the festival off. Each event is ticketed and must be 19+ to attend.
RAL: What can attendees expect for activities?
EG: Friday night is Irish Cask night. We have a four-piece live Celtic group performing, eight casks for sampling, and games to keep you entertained. Saturday afternoon, the focus is on the beer, offering the opportunity to sample, sip, and relish in the latest concoctions. Saturday evening features a live band performing oompa Oktoberfest music, dancing, beer, pretzels, costume contest, and folk dancing performance
RAL: Will there be any guest appearances?
EG: You never know when Hot Springs Harry our resident sasquatch may pop-in for a sample or two.
RAL: What dining options will patrons encounter?
EG: Food is prepared by the Harrison Hot Springs Resort & Spa and it's included in the ticket price.
RAL: What can an attendee expect to find for local lodging?
EG: Harrison Hot Springs offers accommodations for every budget. Many are locally owned and operated.
RAL: Are there any lodging specials that are set up specifically for the event?
EG: We work with the three top hotels to offer event packages that include your room and tickets to one of the events. They are Harrison Beach Hotel, Harrison Hot Springs Resort & Spa, and Harrison Lake Hotel.
RAL: What does this event mean to the community?
EG: The event has been very successful, selling out for the past three years. When we are busy, the town feels the trickle down effect. October is usually a quieter, slower month. The event provides a nice boost to the economy at this time of year.
RAL: Why should people come to your event?
EG: Our event is more of an intimate gathering than you will find in the major cities. We are an easy 1.5-hour drive from Vancouver, which makes it a perfect weekend getaway. This time of year is the perfect time to visit with the salmon starting to spawn, eagles arriving, and the leaves are beginning to change. You can combine the festival with a wildlife tour down the stunning banks of the Harrison River.
For more information about the Harrison Beer Festival, please visit their website.