Vancouver loves its craft beer, and Steel Toad Brewing Co. was a big part of that story until 2018. Today, we’ll look back at what made Steel Toad special and show you three great spots that remind us of its best features.
Vancouver’s craft beer scene has always been about bringing people together, whether over a pint or at a lively brewery event. In a similar way, online gambling has become a new social space, offering fun and connection in a digital world.
Why Online Gambling Is the New Social Hub for Brewery Lovers
Steel Toad Brewing Co. was more than just a place for great beer – it was a lively spot where people gathered to connect, unwind, and enjoy shared experiences. Today, online gambling platforms have become a new kind of social hub, offering interactive games, live dealer tables, and virtual communities that recreate a similar sense of connection. For beer enthusiasts missing Steel Toad’s communal vibe, online casinos provide a modern space to engage with others, whether through multiplayer poker or friendly slot tournaments.
In the next section, we’ll look at this brewery and three fantastic alternatives in Vancouver that keep this spirit alive while offering unique experiences.
Steel Toad Brewing Co. (2014-2018)
The story of Steel Toad starts with its home – the Opsal Steel building from 1918, one of the most iconic brew pubs in Vancouver. Before becoming a brewery, it was first the Columbia Block and Tool Company, then Opsal Steel made forging equipment there for over 50 years. Located in what’s now a bustling area full of Olympic Village restaurants, the building went through a huge five-year restoration project. The team saved and fixed up the old windows and wooden beams, then put them back together with modern supports. They even hung up old photos and blueprints from Opsal’s time on the walls. It turned out really nice – modern but still keeping that industrial feeling people loved.
Beers & Food
Steel Toad kept things fresh with 10 brewing tanks hooked straight to their taps. They made small batches of beer right there, and you could get it super fresh or take some home in a growler.
Popular menu items:
- House-brewed beers: Honey Garlic Ale, West Coast IPAs
- Award-winning thin-crust pizzas
- Short Rib Pappardelle ($20)
- Pan Seared Halibut ($28)
- Beef Ribeye ($30)
- Sunday Prime Rib special ($19.95)
Most main dishes ran between $10 and $30, with lots of gastropub options to choose from.
Entertainment
Steel Toad was always buzzing with something fun going on. They had free live music every Friday and Saturday, with local musicians like Alex Maher playing regularly. Sports fans could watch games on their massive 20-foot screen. The place was huge, too – it could fit over 300 people in the main room.
Happy Hour deals (2:30-5:30 PM, Mon-Fri):
- $5 pints
- $1/oz house wine
- $6 double highballs
- 50% off bar snacks
- Gremolata Fries ($8)
- House-Made BBQ Chips ($8)
- Miso Hummus Plate ($10)
- Chicken Wings ($14)
The open layout let you see the brewing tanks from your table, and the space was perfect for everything from casual drinks to weddings and company parties.
Three Great Vancouver Breweries to Visit
1. Brassneck Brewery
This craft brewery in Vancouver really gets what craft beer is about. Since 2013, they’ve been making over 120 different beers in their small 10-hectoliter system. As one of the standout spots on any Vancouver brewery map, the tasting room wraps right around the brewery, so you’re sitting next to the tanks your beer comes from. They change their taps all the time, which keeps things interesting.
Popular beers on tap:
- No Brainer (4.5%) – A crisp pre-prohibition corn lager
- Passive Aggressive (7.0%) – Their take on a dry-hopped pale ale
- Raspberry Changeling (6.5%) – Tart fruit beer with local raspberries
- Inertia II (11.5%) – Bourbon barrel-aged imperial stout
Quick Info:
📍 2148 Main Street, Vancouver
⏰ Wed-Fri: 2-11pm, Sat: 12-11pm, Sun-Tue: 2-10pm
🍺 12 rotating taps
💰 Prices: $7.50 (12oz) to $9.50 (20oz)
🍽️ Snacks from The Magnet available
2. 33 Acres Brewing Company
33 Acres looks different from your usual Vancouver brewpubs – it’s bright, minimal, and feels kind of like a cool café. This craft brew house in Vancouver has been around since 2013, too, but they’re always trying new things. Their latest is a line of non-alcoholic drinks with adaptogens, which is pretty unique for making Vancouver beer.
Standout beers:
- 33 Acres of Life (4.8%) – California Common with caramel notes
- 33 Acres of Ocean (5.3%) – Fresh West Coast Pale Ale
- 33 Acres of Darkness (5.0%) – Light-bodied black lager
- 33 Acres of Euphoria (9.2%) – Award-winning Belgian Tripel
Quick Info:
📍 15 W 8th Ave, Vancouver
⏰ Open daily 12-11pm
🍺 10+ beers on tap
💰 $8.50 (16oz) to $11 (24oz)
🍽️ Full food menu until 10pm
3. Faculty Brewing Co.
Faculty does things differently as a Vancouver microbrewery – they share all their beer recipes online and number their beers like college courses. Taking inspiration from steelhead beer traditions, it’s a smaller spot with a 7-barrel system, but that means everything’s super fresh. They work with Oddity Kombucha, too, so there’s something for everyone.
Top-rated beers:
- 445 Galaxy IPA (BC Beer Awards winner)
- 299 Turmeric Ale
- 710 Oaked Stout
- 778 West Coast IPA
Quick Info:
📍 1830 Ontario Street, Vancouver
⏰ Open daily 2-11pm
🍺 7 rotating taps
💰 All beers $8.50 (500mL)
🍽️ Basic snacks, outside food welcome
Good Things to Know Before You Go
1. Timing Your Visit
Brassneck opens at 2pm every day. 33 Acres starts serving at noon, and Faculty opens at 2pm on weekdays but noon on weekends. It’s smart to check their social media for current beers on tap.
2. Food Options
Each brewery handles food differently. Brassneck has some snacks and lets you bring in outside food. 33 Acres makes their own food, like sandwiches and cheese boards. Faculty keeps it simple with basic snacks but is happy to have you bring in takeout.
3. Going with Friends
If you’re bringing a group, try 33 Acres or Faculty – they take reservations for bigger groups. Brassneck doesn’t do bookings but has big tables everyone can share. All three places welcome families as long as kids come with their parents.
What’s cool about all three Vancouver breweries is that they each do something special. Brassneck is great for trying new beers all the time. 33 Acres nails the vibe and has really good food. Faculty makes learning about beer fun and easy. They’re all different from Steel Toad Brewery, but each one brings something unique to Vancouver’s beer scene.
Pro tip: Follow them on social media to catch new beer releases and events. Also, all three places let you bring your own growlers to fill – just make sure they’re clean.