Kelowna may sit at the heart of Okanagan wine country, but wine is only one chapter of this particular story. Beyond vineyard rows and tasting rooms, the city has quietly built one of Western Canada’s most impressive craft beverage scenes. Kelowna actually boasts the highest number of breweries per capita in Western Canada! That density shows—especially in the North End, where multiple stops are clustered within easy walking distance.
Wine is wonderful for countless reasons, there's no question about that. But after a long hike, a paddle on Okanagan Lake, or a full day of exploring, sometimes what you really want is to toast with a crisp beer, a tart cider, or a well-made cocktail. From laid-back taprooms to experimental producers and award-winning distilleries, Kelowna offers plenty of fun things to do for travelers who like to sip locally.
Here’s a look at some of the standout spots worth building into your plans when deciding what to do in Kelowna.
Best Local Breweries (and Other Bevvies) in Kelowna
1. Jackknife Brewing
Known for its unapologetically "weird" beers (their description, not ours), Jackknife is a go-to for folks who like bold flavors and experimentation. The taproom also makes excellent pizza, making it an easy place to linger longer than planned.
2. Kettle River Brewing
Sharing a space with Jackknife, garage-esque Kettle River is beloved for its ever-changing, creative food menu; it's arguably one of the strongest brewery kitchens in town. The vibe is relaxed, the beer is solid, and dogs are welcome. If you pop in on a weekend, try the ever-popular Big Board special or Sunday brunch, with a menu crafted by Food Network celeb Chef Brock Bowes.
3. Vice & Virtue Brewing
Vice & Virtue’s Love Potion raspberry sour has a cult-like local following, often cited as one of the best sours in Kelowna. Pair your pint with bites like pork belly burnt ends or Koren BBQ pork sliders, and save room for the Love Potion Tiramisu.
4. Buffalo Rouge Brewing
This vegan brewery surprises first-time visitors with how bold and satisfying both the beers and food menu are. Even non-vegan drinkers often leave impressed by both the flavours and creativity. The icing on the cake? They offer several gluten-free options, as well.
5. Unleashed Brewing
Everything here is dog-themed, from the decor to the beer names—and dogs are even allowed inside, not just on the patio. The star of the show is the London Dog, a clever (and tasty) vanilla-and–Earl Grey-infused beer inspired by a traditional London Fog tea. If you order a flight, it comes in a dog bowl–style tray. Check their socials for a rotating lineup of local food trucks.
6. Rustic Reel Brewing Company
Rustic Reel offers a little of a lot of things: not just craft beer, but a coffee bar, weeknight happy hour, and even an event space. Locals come here for the best nachos in town, but a lesser-known highlight is the Basil, Broccoli & Zucchini Gnocchi.
7. Railside Brewing
Located right along the historic Kelowna Rail Trail, Railside keeps things casual with dependable beer (as well as cider and seltzer, plus some gluten-free varieties) and a beloved food truck serving everything from ramen to fried chicken. It's both dog- and bike-friendly, with plenty of bike parking.
8. The Office Brewery
For something a little different, The Office is perhaps best known for its cocktail flights (don't sleep on the dessert flight, either), which rotate seasonally. The brewery is also right downtown, close to several other breweries and distilleries—and a pleasant 15-minute walk from The Royal.
9. Copper Brewing Company
One of a handful of local breweries in Kelowna outside downtown, Copper Brewing is in the Landmark District. It stands out for sheer selection, with nearly 20 beers on tap, ideal for trying a couple of flights to find your next favourite.
10. Red Bird Brewing
This is a go-to for groups, with a huge space, an extensive beer list, and consistently good wood-fired, Neopolitan-style pizza. The large outdoor area often hosts live music in the warmer months.
11. BNA Brewing
BNA defies easy categorization in the best way. It’s part brewery, part bowling alley, and part nightlife hotspot. Think Skee-Ball, Pac-Man and other retro arcade games, plus smash burgers, rounding out the classic brewery experience.
12. Soma Craft Cidery
Set on a picturesque property with alpacas, acres of orchards, and a spacious picnic area, Soma is worth the trip for the setting alone. The cider is excellent, and the modern building and grounds make it a relaxing daytime stop.
13. Wild Ambition Brewing
For the adventurous folks, Wild Ambition focuses exclusively on barrel-aged, bottle-conditioned mixed-fermentation ales. It’s the only brewery in BC’s interior dedicated to this style, and the results are creative, complex, and often (pleasantly) surprising.
14. Okanagan Spirits Craft Distillery
One of the region’s most celebrated distilleries, Okanagan Spirits produces award-winning (the distillery took home a staggering 11 gold medals at the 2025 World Spirits Awards in Germany) whisky, gin, vodka, brandy, fruit liqueurs, aquavit, and even Canada’s first genuine absinthe. Drop-in tastings are always available, while reservation-only seated tours offer deeper dives into gin, whisky, cocktail making, or farm-to-flask production rooted in local terroir.
Toast Kelowna Beverage-Focused Getaway at The Royal Kelowna
For travelers interested in distilleries, local breweries in Kelowna, and everything in between (including wine, of course!), staying central makes all the difference. The Royal Kelowna puts you within easy reach of downtown and the North End, making it a convenient home base for sampling Kelowna’s other sips—one well-earned drink at a time.
And if you’re planning to visit multiple stops, don’t overlook the BC Ale Trail. The app lets you check in at participating breweries and distilleries—many included in this list—to earn points that can be redeemed for fun perks like merchandise or discounts.
