There’s no point pretending otherwise­—when it comes to alcohol, it’s taken a while for British Columbia to catch up to the rest of the world. As in, um, almost every other country on the planet.

Would someone kindly explain why you can walk into a corner store and buy alcohol in countries that include (but are hardly limited to) Turkey, Vietnam, England, Costa Rica, Mexico, the Bahamas, Barbados, Italy, Germany, Cambodia, Japan, China, Scotland, Ireland, Amsterdam, Greece, Malaysia, Singapore, Cuba, and... Well, we could go on all day. And yet in uptight old British Columbia, the war to keep the devil’s brew as inaccessible as possible rages on. You're either going to a government-run or state-sanctioned specialty liquor store or you aren't drinking.

Still, to give a small amount of credit where it's due, there have been baby steps, including things like the greenlighting of micro-breweries, craft distilleries, and wineries across the province. And it doesn't stop there.

Perhaps recognizing that bohemians have been drinking wine on the shores of the Seine in Paris for centuries without society collapsing, British Columbia has done something remarkable during this pandemic. It’s decided to okay people drinking in parks and other public spaces.

Selected parks and public spaces, that is. The last thing we need is drunken anarchy from Nanaimo to Nakusp—that’s something that should only take place on special occasions like Vancouver Canucks’ Stanley Cup Final losses.

So focusing on how far we’ve come, rather than on how far we have to go, the folks at the B.C. Ale Trail have come up with a handy guide for those looking to imbibe in the great outdoors, urban or otherwise. Specifically, the guide is for those who enjoy a good picnic.

Who enjoys a good picnic you might ask? That’s easy: folks who don’t mind being terrorized by wasps, bothered by ants, besieged by flies, crows, and random ospreys, and who’d rather lug mustard, mayo, pickles, olives, butter, kitchen knives, cutting boards, and other things around than just make a goddamn sandwich at home and throw it in a paper bag.

But we digress.

For the uninitiated, the B.C. Ale Trail bills itself as the “definitive online resource for those interested in exploring the extraordinary world of BC craft beer”. Craft beer is booming in the province from Yeast Vancouver to Vancouver Island to the Kootenays.

The B.C. Ale Trail’s list of how to make the most of your picnic experience is exclusively devoted to locations in British Coumbia, of course, because the reality is that it’s going to be a while before you’re allowed to go to places that are more civilized about alcohol consumption. Like countries that include (but are hardly limited to) Turkey, Vietnam, England, Costa Rica, Mexico, the Bahamas, Barbados, Italy, Germany, Cambodia, Japan, China, Scotland, Ireland, Amsterdam, Greece, Malaysia, Singapore, Cuba, and... Well, we could go on, but we won’t.

Instead, here are the B.C. Ale Trail's picnic spots, from the organization's web site and one-stop list found here. All of which guarantees that you can crack open a can or bottle without having to worry about making like a poor man's Usain Bolt the second the police arrive. 

Penticton Beach

Penticton city council voted to allow alcohol consumption at the beaches and waterfront parks along Okanagan Lake and Skaha Lake. The beach is within walking distance of Bad Tattoo Brewing, Cannery Brewing, and Slackwater Brewing. These breweries and others can be found on the Penticton Ale Trail.

North Vancouver

The City of North Vancouver passed a bylaw allowing alcohol consumption at specific public locations as part of their commitment to make life in the city during COVID-19 a little easier. The locations include several parks, the civic plaza, Cates Deck by Lonsdale Quay, home to Green Leaf Brewing, and Shipbuilders' Square in the Shipyards District, close to where several breweries have recently opened: Streetcar Brewing, North Point Brewing, House of Funk Brewing, and Beere Brewing. For more information, check out the North Shore Ale Trail.

Victoria’s Market Square

While public alcohol consumption is still not allowed in Victoria, a dual initiative by tenants of historic Market Square has turned much of the inner courtyard area there into an ideal urban-picnic-with-beer spot. Resident brewery Whistle Buoy Brewing has a COVID-approved, expanded patio, and the Drake Eatery & Craft Beer Parlour has a newly opened beer garden to augment its taproom and outdoor patio on the second floor above. You can’t bring in your own food because of licensing rules, but you can order food from the Drake’s kitchen to be delivered directly to your table. Whistle Buoy Brewing can be found on the Victoria Ale Trail.

Port Moody’s Brewers Row

The five breweries on Brewers Row in Port Moody all have patio spaces, and they invite patrons to bring food with them or order it from food trucks, which tend to park right in front of the breweries for obvious reasons. The breweries face Rocky Point Park along the shore of Burrard Inlet, so you can plan a hike or kayaking adventure while enjoying your picnic meal and sipping a beer. Brewers Row includes: the Bakery Brewing, Moody Ales, the Parkside Brewery, Twin Sails Brewing, and Yellow Dog Brewing. For more information, check out the Port Moody Ale Trail.

Fraser Valley

The Fraser Valley is agricultural heaven, and several of the breweries there have outdoor spaces that are perfect for picnicking. It’s hard to beat Field House Brewing’s Beer Lawn out front of their Abbotsford brewery, and Old Yale Brewing in Chilliwack also has a big new Front Porch space, along with its Campfire Kitchen in a converted Airstream trailer. Most of Langley’s breweries have outdoor spaces, including two of its newest operations, Five Roads Brewing and Camp Beer Co., which has the picnic vibe down perfectly on its patio. For more information, visit the Fraser Valley Ale Trail.

Gibsons

Farm-based Persephone Brewing has a fantastic space for picnicking, including wooden benches, tables, and grassy areas where you can spread a blanket. Bring your own food or enjoy something from the Farmhand Food Truck. Persephone Brewing can be found on the Sunshine Coast Ale Trail.

Vancouver parks

The Vancouver park board recently voted to allow alcohol consumption in 10 parks around the city, but it is waiting for approval from the Liquor Control and Licensing Branch to allow concessions to be located near the sites to sell beer, cider, and coolers. Learn more about Vancouver’s breweries on the Vancouver Ale Trail.

Other possibilities

Throughout British Columbia, many craft breweries have been allowed to expand their patio spaces or open new patios so that customers can stay outside. So check with your local brewery about their food options or to see if they are okay with you bringing your own food. Presto: a patio picnic!