Ferry travelers between the Lower Mainland and southern Vancouver Island will now have a chance to enjoy a beer or glass of wine on select sailings this year.

A pilot program that starts today (October 24) will make beer and wine from B.C. breweries and VQA wineries available in the Pacific Buffet on three B.C. Ferries that travel between Tsawwassen and Swartz Bay.

The participating vessels are the Spirit of British Columbia, the Spirit of Vancouver Island, and the Coastal Celebration.

On sailings from 11 a.m. onward, passengers over the age of 19 will be able to purchase only one alcoholic beverage and must be purchased with a buffet meal. Two pieces of ID are required, with one issued by a government agency.  

Prices range from $6.99 (plus tax) for a 35 millilitre (12 ounce) glass of beer to $9.99 (plus tax) for a 184 millilitre (five ounce) glass of wine.

Alcohol consumption is restricted to the Pacific Buffet and customers aren’t permitted to bring their beer or wine into the buffet. Service cut-off time is 30 minutes prior to docking.

The program will run for one year and will be monitored to evaluate how successful it is.

Alcoholic beverages have previously been available for sale on northern route sailings, including to and from Port Hardy, Prince Rupert, Haida Gwaii, and Central Coast ports.