B.C. Craft Beer Month celebrates tasty, cold brews across the province

Here's another excuse to crack open a cold one after work today. October is officially B.C. Craft Beer Month—huzzah!

This first-annual month-long recognition honors more than 50 B.C. breweries and brew pubs that are dedicated to making craft beer, including Victoria's Spinnakers Brewhouse, which was Canada's first in-house brewpub when it opened in 1985; and a dozen Vancouver-based companies, including Storm Brewing, Whistler Brewing, Howe Sound Brewing, Dead Frog Brewery, and Red Truck.

To coincide with B.C. Craft Beer Month, events are taking place across the province from October 1 to 31, including beer tastings at Firefly Fine Wines and Ales (2857 Cambie Street), Oktoberfest and Harvestfest at Malone's Urban Drinkery (608 West Pender Street), and a B.C. brewmaster dinner at Central Bistro (1072 Denman Street).

One event that may appeal to beer-heads with a sweet-tooth is a chocolate and beer-tasting event at Cocoa Nymph Chocolates & Confections (3739 West 10th Avenue) on October 12. Beer expert Lundy Dale and Cocoa Nymph chocolatier Rachel Sawatzky will pair six B.C. craft beers with sweet confections. The cost of this event is $35 per person, and you'll need to RSVP at 604-222-4477 or rachel@cocoanymph.com to reserve a spot.

Visit the B.C. Craft Beer Month website for more details.

You can follow Michelle da Silva on Twitter at twitter.com/michdas.