Hop Creek Farm Brewery | Squamish Beer Trailer Questions & Answers: Everything First-Timers Ask Us
If you've never had farm-brewed beer before, you probably have a few questions before your first visit. That's fair. Most breweries don't sit in the middle of a working farm, and quality craft beer doesn't usually come with a side of Highland cattle and mini woolly donkeys. As a farm brewery in Squamish, we welcome our fair share of curious first-timers and beer lovers from across British Columbia looking for something a little different. So we put together the questions we hear most often.
How far are you from downtown Squamish?
We're about a 10-minute drive north of downtown Squamish, in the Brackendale neighbourhood at 41060 Government Rd. It's an easy trip whether you're coming from town, staying nearby, or making a stop on your way up to Whistler.
Is your beer actually brewed here on the farm?
Yes. Our brewery sits on the same acres where our animals graze and our crops grow, right in the Brackendale neighbourhood of Squamish. We brew every batch on-site, in small batches, using water drawn from the same Sea to Sky environment that creates everything else we do here. Our focus has always been the same passion for the land that goes into our farming. If you want the full story on what farm-brewed actually means, and why it matters, we've got a whole post on that.
What's usually on tap?
Our lineup rotates, but our regular pours at the bar trailer include the Highland Lager, Alpine IPA, Barnyard Mist IPA, Black Angus Nitro Stout, Jackass Pilsner, and G.O.A.T. Hazy Pale Ale. ABVs (Alcohol by Volume) range from about 4.6% to 6.5%, so you can choose something light and crushable or something with more body. Since the selection changes over time, the best way to know exactly what's pouring is to come by and ask our team.
What should I try if I don't know much about craft beer?
Start light and work your way up. The Jackass Pilsner and Highland Lager are both clean, crisp, and easy to drink, which makes them a comfortable starting point if you're used to more mainstream beer. From there, the Berkshire Ale and Alpine IPA bring more hop character, and the Black Angus Nitro Stout closes things out with a smooth, roasted finish thanks to its nitrogen carbonation. We have a style for just about every palate. We go into a lot more detail on how to work through the full lineup in our guide to drinking our beers.
Do you have any seasonal or limited-release beers?
Sometimes, yes. The Barnyard Mist IPA started out as a limited release, and our tap lineup shifts from time to time as we experiment with new brews. If you find something you love that isn't part of our core lineup, our advice is simple: don't wait to come back for it. Consider it an opportunity to make trying something new part of your next farm adventure. Check our bar trailer page or follow along on social media to see what's currently pouring and what's worth waiting for.
Do you offer flights?
Yes, and a beer flight is one of the best ways to try more than one pour in a single sitting. Sampling a few small glasses lets you taste the lineup side by side, making it easier to figure out what you actually like instead of guessing from the tap list alone.
What food pairs well with your beer?
It depends on the beer, but a couple of easy rules of thumb are to either match intensity with intensity or use your beer to cut through something rich. Our lighter pours, like the Jackass Pilsner and Highland Lager, work well alongside lighter dishes, while something like the Black Angus Nitro Stout can stand up to richer, smokier food. Our house-made food trailer menu is built with these pairings in mind. For the full breakdown of what to order alongside each beer on tap, we've put together a beer-and-food pairing guide.
Can I buy your beer to take home?
Yes. Our beers are available at our Farm Market in singles and 4-packs, so you can pick a few favourites, grab a 4-pack, and fill a cooler to bring the farm home.
Why are your beers named after farm animals?
Because the animals are as much a part of this place as the beer is. The Jackass Pilsner is named for our mini woolly donkeys, Jonny Ringo and Misty. The Highland Lager takes its name from our Highland cattle, Willow, Lily, and Millie. The G.O.A.T. Hazy Pale Ale is a tribute to our goats, and the Black Angus Nitro Stout is named for our Black Angus cattle. We've written a full post introducing the animals behind each brew if you want to meet the whole crew.
Are you part of the local craft beer scene?
Yes. We're proud members of the BC Ale Trail, which connects visitors with independent breweries across the province. It's a nice way to see how a small farm brewery like ours fits into the bigger craft beer picture in BC.
Do you have non-alcoholic options?
Yes. Alongside our farm-brewed beer, we pour a selected assortment of non-alcoholic drinks, including sparkling waters and kombucha, plus fresh coffee, so there's something for everyone in your group.
Ready to try it for yourself?
Reading about our beer is one thing. Tasting it on the farm where we brew it is another. We're on a working farm in British Columbia; our beer trailer and patio (with tons of outdoor space for families to come with children and enjoy Squamish while sipping on beer!) are where our brewers pour their passion into every glass, one pint at a time. Whether you're gathering with friends, celebrating something special, or just looking for a reason to trade your usual spot for a farm adventure, there's always a great excuse to join us.
Come sample the variety, pick your favourite, meet the animals your pint is named after, and join a community of beer lovers who keep coming back. It's a small corner of the craft beer world, but we think it's worth the visit.
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