For many, October conjures pumpkin spice, falling leaves, and black cats. But for beer lovers, October is a time to celebrate the brew. Kelowna breweries have long marked the month with Oktoberfest events and specials; many are in full swing now. This year, the newly formed Central Okanagan Brewers Association (COBRA) is taking the festivities up a notch with Kelowna’s first ever beer week. Kelowna Beer Week runs from October 1-8 with events for everyone, from beer enthusiasts to casual sippers.

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Shoreline Brewing. Photo credit: BC Ale Trail

Kicking off Kelowna Beer Week, Shoreline Brewing will be host to Oktobeerfest! Friday night (Sept 30th) and through the weekend guests can expect live music and DJ’s, Marzen beer on tap, pretzels, and bratwurst. All the fixings for a Bavarian good time.

Additional kick-off weekend events are being held at Rustic Reel, Red Bird Brewing, and the Clement Ave breweries (The Office, Railside, Welton Arms, Unleashed).

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Barn Owl Brewing. Photo credit: BC Ale Trail

Throughout the week, make your way to one (or all) of the neighbeerhoods to get a taste of Kelowna’s beer scene.

October 4 – Uptown breweries KBC, Wild Ambition and Freddy’s Brewpub will be hosting a brewers meet and greet hosted by KBC. Taste and learn something new from these talented brewers.

October 5 – Cruise the South Kelowna breweries, Barn Owl, Copper Brewing, and Shoreline for one of their signature pours, or one of their buddies; all three will be featuring guest pours from their fellow South Kelowna spots.

October 6 – Smoked meat and beer, a pairing to drool over. The Hatching Post, Kind Brewing, and Lakesider Brewing in West Kelowna have it covered serving up perfect combos for beer lovers, meat lovers, or both.

October 7 – Tap takeovers takeover Kettle River (dark) and Vice & Virtue (IPA) for a dark and hoppy night, and guest collabs can be found at all the breweries of the North End and Downtown (BNA, Beer Institute, Jackknife, Red Bird, and Rustic Reel).

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BNA Brewing. Photo credit: BC Ale Trail

How do you top off a pint packed week of beer collabs, brewers’ tips, and smoked meat? With a mini beer fest playing host to all the breweries of the Central Okanagan Brewers Association. BNA will be buzzing with bocce, bowling, and beer, beer, beer! Be there to raise a sleeve to Kelowna’s best brews and call out a hearty ‘cheers’ to close out Kelowna Beer Week.

For more information on the Central Okanagan Brewers Association and a full schedule of events, check out www.cobrabc.com.