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Former Canoe pub set to open with new name and lots of beer

Calgary-based CRAFT Beer Market has completed months of renovation work at the historic City Lights Building on Swift Street on the Inner Harbour
Darron Kloster
Darron Kloster

The former Canoe Brewpub, shuttered for nearly a year for a massive renovation, will open this month under new owners with a new brand and plenty of beer.

Calgary-based CRAFT Beer Market has completed months of renovation at the historic City Lights Building on Swift Street on the Inner Harbour, and added several perks and quirks to the location.

The CRAFT Victoria ­Harbour location will feature an all-season covered patio, indoor and outdoor bars, outdoor bocce courts, a dog-friendly patio, indoor and outdoor fireplaces and boat access.

A Surf Lounge area with private bar, patio and washrooms will be available for private events, and next summer, a ­vintage Airstream trailer will serve as a patio bar.

“We are excited to be the next chapter in the ­former Canoe space and to be a ­landmark ­destination within the ­community,” said PJ L’Heureux, founder and president of CRAFT Beer Market.

The pub will open Sept. 26.

It will be the ninth location in Canada for CRAFT Beer Market, which currently operates four pubs in B.C., including a ­flagship location in the historic Salt Building in Vancouver’s ­Olympic Village, as well as a location in Vancouver’s English Bay ­neighbourhood on Beach Drive.

In a first for the ­restaurant, CRAFT Victoria Harbour will feature its own brewery. “We have long been serving ­Victoria-born beers at many of our ­locations,” said L’Heureaux. “We are excited to be a part of the Victoria craft beer ­community as a ­producer.”

With 110 taps, CRAFT Victoria Harbour will be championing local beers as well as serving cocktails and a selection of wines and shots. Customers can order a six pack sampler, which features six four-ounce local beers, to find their favourite brew, or do the world tour sampler to check out international beers.

L’Heureux said about 75% of its tap lineup includes B.C. beers, ciders and wines.

CRAFT Beer Market acquired the waterfront operation from Victoria’s ­Truffles Group in ­January 2021. Truffles Group, which operated Canoe for 19 years, continues to own and operate businesses including Cascadia Liquor stores and ­Butterfly Gardens.

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