There are two kinds of “vacation tired”: the kind where you need a nap… and the kind where you need a beer. Fernie Brewing Company is firmly in the second category.
On our second day in Fernie—me (Nomadic Samuel), Audrey Bergner (That Backpacker), and baby Aurelia—we did the classic Fernie combo: bagels for fuel, a proper waterfall hike for the burn, and then a cold pint to celebrate the fact that we successfully carried a tiny human up a trail and nobody had a meltdown (including us).
Fernie Brewing Company is the sort of stop that feels made for that moment. It’s close to town, easy to pop into, and it’s built around one simple idea: fresh beer, served fresh-from-the-source, in a relaxed tasting room that matches Fernie’s outdoorsy, friendly vibe.
Fernie Brewing Company at a glance
| Detail | What to know |
|---|---|
| Location | Just off Highway 3, about 2 minutes north of Fernie; 26 Manitou Road |
| Hours | Sun–Wed 12pm–7pm; Thu–Sat 12pm–8pm (check before you go) |
| What it is | A tasting room + store (not a restaurant) |
| On tap | Up to ~12 beers on tap, rotating through core + seasonal + limited |
| Pour sizes | 12oz pours; max 48oz per person per day for in-house consumption |
| Flights | “Cheers to Charity” flight = four 5oz samples (profits support local causes) |
| Food | Limited bar snacks only |
| Kids | Welcome |
| Dogs | Not allowed inside or on patio; there’s a dog “parking” area beside the patio in warmer months |
| Accessibility | Tasting room, patio, and washrooms are wheelchair accessible |
| Non-alc | They keep non-alcoholic options available (including LOGO non-alc) |
Our Fernie routine: earn the beer
Fernie was the kickoff to our BC road trip, and I’m not going to pretend I’m neutral about it—I grew up in British Columbia, and being back in my home province just hits different. We’re living in southern Alberta right now, so hopping over the border into the Kootenays feels like returning to a familiar flavour of Canada: mountains stacked on mountains, crisp air, and small-town main streets that somehow make you slow down without even trying.
Day two was our “nature day.” We had breakfast at Big Bang Bagels (we got banged… as the locals would say), packed the baby hiking backpack, and aimed for Fairy Creek Falls. Baby Aurelia did what she does best: calmly exist while we do all the sweating.
After the hike, we rolled into Fernie Brewing Company with that specific post-trail mood: dusty shoes, happy legs, and the sudden urgent need for a cold drink. I ordered the Ridgewalk Red Ale—because if you’re in Fernie, you lean into Fernie. (Also: red ale after a hike? Criminally underrated.)
What to expect when you walk in
Fernie Brewing’s tasting room is simple in the best way: bright, open, and built for easy decisions.
- You’ll see the “what’s on tap” vibe immediately—rotating beers, a bar, and plenty of people doing the exact same thing you are: post-adventure decompression.
- There’s a store component too, so you can grab packaged beer and merch without needing to overthink it.
- In summer, the patio is a big deal—and yes, they even have “puppy parking” outside so the good dogs can hang out nearby while you grab your beer.
Tourism Fernie also notes the tap room was renovated in 2017 and emphasizes the airy tasting-room feel—so it’s not just you imagining that “newer, brighter” vibe when you step inside.
The big “gotcha” (that isn’t really a gotcha)
If you arrive hungry thinking “brewpub lunch”… reset expectations.
Fernie Brewing Company isn’t a full restaurant. They’ve got bar snacks—think chips, nuts, and small snacky things to tide you over—but it’s not a sit-down meal situation.
That’s exactly what happened to us. We assumed we might grab food, realized it was pints + snacks, and treated it as an appetizer stop before a proper meal later. Honestly? It worked. Fernie is the kind of place where you can easily build a perfect day out of a few short “hits” like this: breakfast → hike → brewery → lunch with a view.
Pours, limits, and why everything is 12oz
Quick heads up for first-timers (especially if you’re used to brewery taprooms elsewhere):
- Fernie Brewing serves 12oz pours (not the classic 16oz pint glass).
- There’s also a limit of 48oz per person per day for in-house consumption.
It’s not Fernie being stingy—it’s just the sample-room rules you’ll see in parts of BC. Once you know that going in, it’s easy: you try a couple of beers, soak up the vibe, and move on to the next Fernie moment.
What we drank: Ridgewalk Red Ale
Our post-hike pick was the Ridgewalk Red Ale, and it hit that sweet spot: flavourful enough to feel like a “reward beer,” but smooth enough that you don’t need to sit there analyzing it like a sommelier.
If you like malty, slightly caramel-leaning beers (the kind that feel right after you’ve been out in the woods), it’s a safe bet.
And if you’re the kind of person who likes knowing your beer has some bragging rights: BC Ale Trail highlights that Ridgewalk has picked up awards (including a Canadian Brewing Awards gold in 2025 in the Irish Red Ale category).
A practical “what should I order?” cheat sheet
Fernie Brewing’s tap list rotates, but the decision-making doesn’t have to be complicated. Here’s an easy way to order based on your mood (and the kind of day you just had).
| Your vibe | Order this kind of beer | On-tap examples you might see |
|---|---|---|
| “I just hiked. I want comfort.” | Malty / amber / red | Ridgewalk Red Ale; The Professor (amber lager) |
| “I want crisp + clean.” | Lager / pilsner | Project 9 Pilsner; seasonal lagers when available |
| “Give me hops.” | Pale ale / IPA | Project 9 Pale Ale; Slingshot (Session IPA) |
| “Something fruity or different.” | Sour / seasonal | Rotating seasonal/sour taps (varies) |
| “Designated driver / no-booze day.” | Non-alcoholic | LOGO non-alc beers (like Pilsner/IPA/Citrus options) |
Two things worth repeating:
- Their “What’s On Tap” changes.
- That’s the whole point.
Do the flight (and make it count)
If you’re a “try a bit of everything” person—or you’re sharing with someone—flights are the move.
Fernie Brewing’s “Cheers to Charity” program is one of the coolest parts of the visit: you get four 5oz samples, and the profits support local community causes.
The scale of it is impressive too: the brewery’s Cheers to Charity page lists $253,411 donated to date, and notes the program has been running since December 2013.
That’s the kind of thing that makes a tasting-room stop feel like more than just “beer tourism.” It’s Fernie supporting Fernie, with every flight.
Snacks: what’s actually available
Snack expectations should be set to “trail snack,” not “pub nachos.”
From Fernie Brewing’s online menu, you’ll typically see things like:
- chips
- salted nuts
- pretzels
- and other small packaged snacks
If you’re traveling with a baby (hi, it’s us), this setup is honestly kind of perfect. You can keep the stop short, keep it flexible, and nobody is committing to a full sit-down meal when the baby’s internal clock might decide it’s time for chaos.
Family-friendly? Yes… with a couple footnotes
Fernie Brewing is one of those rare brewery stops that works surprisingly well as a family travel moment.
- Kids are welcome.
- The space (including washrooms) is wheelchair accessible.
- They keep non-alcoholic and gluten-free offerings available, which is great if one person wants the “full brewery experience” and the other doesn’t feel like drinking.
The footnote: dogs aren’t allowed inside or on the patio—but they do have that doggo parking setup beside the patio in warm months.
A little backstory: how Fernie Brewing became Fernie Brewing
Fernie Brewing Company has been around long enough that it feels baked into the town’s identity now—but it started small.
Both Tourism Fernie and BC Ale Trail describe the origin story as a local-family operation beginning in 2003, with a move into a purpose-built brewery facility in 2007.
That matters because it explains the vibe you feel when you’re there. It doesn’t feel like a corporate “brewery experience.” It feels like Fernie: outdoors first, community woven through it, and beer as the celebratory punctuation mark at the end of a trail day.
If you want to really earn your beer: Trail to Ale
Fernie Brewing doesn’t just benefit from Fernie’s outdoor culture—they actively lean into it.
The Trail to Ale challenge is a very Fernie concept: bag three peaks (by bike, run, or hike) within 24 hours, prove it with timestamped photos, finish at the brewery, and get rewarded with a beer + sticker.
The official page even estimates the challenge at around ~40 km and ~1,200 m of ascent depending on route.
We didn’t do Trail to Ale on this visit (we were on the “family travel” version of a Fernie itinerary, which is basically “don’t be heroic, just be happy”), but I love that it exists. It’s the most Fernie way possible to combine the town’s greatest strengths: trails and beer.
How to plan your own “post-hike pint” stop
If you want to copy our exact energy (highly recommended), here’s the simplest version of the plan:
| Time | Do this | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Morning | Hit a local breakfast spot | Fuel first, always |
| Late morning | Do a short-to-moderate hike | Pick something you can finish smiling |
| Early afternoon | Fernie Brewing Company | Keep it simple: beer + snack + relax |
| After | Go eat a real meal | Fernie has lots of great options nearby |
And if you’re traveling with kids: make Fernie Brewing your “reset stop.” Short visit, easy drinks, flexible exit strategy.
Final thoughts: why Fernie Brewing belongs on your Fernie list
Fernie has no shortage of big-ticket outdoor moments—peaks, trails, waterfalls, ski days, bike days, the whole “wow, Canada is pretty” package.
Fernie Brewing Company is the perfect in-between anchor: it gives you a place to pause, celebrate the day, and feel like you’ve tapped into the local rhythm.
For us, that rhythm was:
- baby in the hiking backpack
- waterfall views
- Ridgewalk Red Ale as the reward
- and the quiet satisfaction of knowing Fernie had already exceeded our expectations… and we’d barely even started.
We’ll be back. And next time, I’m not ruling out Trail to Ale. (Okay, fine—maybe I am. But I like the idea of not ruling it out.)
Fernie Brewing Company FAQ for Travellers: Hours, Beer Picks, Flights, Food, Kids, Dogs, and Easy Planning Tips
Is Fernie Brewing Company a restaurant or a brewpub?
Nope. It’s a tasting room and store, not a full restaurant—so expect beer, flights, and bar snacks rather than a full menu.
What are Fernie Brewing Company’s tasting room hours?
Generally, it’s Sun–Wed 12pm–7pm and Thu–Sat 12pm–8pm, and they’re open 7 days a week. Hours can change seasonally, so it’s smart to confirm before you go.
Where is Fernie Brewing Company located?
It’s just off Highway 3, about two minutes north of Fernie, at 26 Manitou Road.
Do they serve full pints?
Sort of. They serve 12oz pours rather than the classic larger pint glass you might expect.
Is there a limit on how much you can drink on-site?
Yes. There’s a 48oz per person per day limit for in-house consumption (sample-room rules).
What is the “Cheers to Charity” flight?
It’s a flight of four 5oz samples, and the profits support local community causes through Fernie Brewing’s Cheers to Charity program.
How much has Cheers to Charity raised?
Their Cheers to Charity page lists $253,411 donated to date (and notes the program has been running since December 2013).
Are kids allowed in the tasting room?
Yes. Kids are welcome, which is great if you’re travelling as a family and want a relaxed, quick stop.
Is Fernie Brewing Company wheelchair accessible?
Yes. The tasting room, patio, and washrooms are described as wheelchair accessible.
Can I bring my dog?
Nope. Dogs aren’t allowed inside or on the patio, but there’s a dog “parking” area beside the patio during warmer months.
Do they have non-alcoholic options?
Yes. They note they keep non-alcoholic options available, and the online menu includes LOGO non-alc beers.
What snacks do they offer?
Think “bar snacks”: small packaged items like chips, nuts, and pretzels (varies).
Can you buy beer to go or pick up online orders?
Yes. They offer packaged beer/merch, and they mention in-store pickup if you order online.
What’s the easiest way to plan a post-hike stop here?
Yes. Do a hike first, then come here for one drink or a flight, grab a small snack if needed, and plan a proper meal afterward since this isn’t a restaurant.
Further Reading, Sources and Resources
This article is primarily based on our own visit to Fernie Brewing Company as part of a classic Fernie “earn the beer” day—hike first, pint second. To support planning details, beer listings, background context, and follow-up reading, we’ve linked to the official brewery pages, local tourism resources, and trusted beer platforms below. Details like tasting room hours, beer availability, flights, accessibility, and community programs can change seasonally. We used the sources below to verify practical information and local context, while keeping the experience and impressions firmly grounded in our own visit.
Official Fernie Brewing Company
These are the primary sources for anything directly related to the brewery itself, including current beers, tasting room details, and community initiatives.
- Fernie Brewing Company (Homepage): https://ferniebrewing.com/
- Tasting Room: https://ferniebrewing.com/tasting-room/
- Contact Us: https://ferniebrewing.com/contact-us/
- FAQs: https://ferniebrewing.com/tasting-room/faqs/
- What’s On Tap / Online Menu: https://ferniebrewing.com/tasting-room/whats-on-tap/
- Year-Round Beers: https://ferniebrewing.com/our-beers/year-round/
- Seasonal Beers: https://ferniebrewing.com/our-beers/seasonal/
- Cheers to Charity: https://ferniebrewing.com/our-culture/cheers-to-charity/
- Trail to Ale: https://ferniebrewing.com/our-culture/trail-to-ale/
Destination guides and local context
These sources place Fernie Brewing Company within the wider Fernie and Kootenays beer-and-outdoors scene.
- BC Ale Trail (Fernie Brewing Co profile): https://bcaletrail.ca/breweries/fernie-brewing-co/
- Tourism Fernie (Attraction listing): https://tourismfernie.com/activities/attractions/fernie-brewing-company
- Tourism Fernie (Blog): https://tourismfernie.com/blog/fernie-brewing-company
- Tourism Fernie (Quenching Thirst Since 2003): https://tourismfernie.com/blog/fernie-brewing-company–quenching-thirst-since-2003
Reviews and ratings
Helpful for spotting patterns in visitor experience and beer preferences—best read with context.
- Tripadvisor (Reviews): https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g182167-d7938482-Reviews-Fernie_Brewing_Co-Fernie_Kootenay_Rockies_British_Columbia.html
- Untappd (Beer list + ratings): https://untappd.com/FernieBrewingCompany/beer
Optional bonus reading
Long-form coverage for readers who want more background on the tasting room and its evolution.
- Scout Magazine (Tasting room feature): https://scoutmagazine.ca/10-reasons-to-visit-fernie-brewing-co-s-new-tasting-room/
