Best spots for Beer in Victoria

[jerkstore]

The fiance and I are going to be spending a few days in Victoria later this month - we've already found a lot of great info on restaurants from searching this board and have our top choices lined up.

However, I seem to be having less luck finding info about great bars to visit. We're looking for something along the lines of Vancouver's Alibi Room or St. Augustine's - i.e. lots of taps, lots of options. If they do taster rounds all the better.

We'll be staying at the Magnolia so something stumbling distance from there would be ideal.

(Aside: do either of the Phillips or Driftwood breweries have a tasting room?)

Thanks in advance for the intel.

[jerkstore]

Ah, yes, I forgot about Swans...I've had a few of their beers at Alibi Room before, good stuff.

Thanks for the info, guys. I've noted all of the places mentioned on my map - we'll hit what we can.

[cassie]

And Phillips' shop has taps - so you can taste some of their beers (and purchase a Growler, if you want a big take-home).
Although a newer pub (not a brew-pub), Irish Times serves (on tap) Driftwood, Lighthouse & Phillips (so one-stop shopping, although lacking the connection to the actual brewery...and not the cheapest place either). Website lists which beers from each.

[flowbee]

AFAIK Victoria doesn't really have the equivalent of Alibi Room or St. Augustine's...but Victoria is really strong in brewpubs: Swans, Spinnakers, Moon Under Water, etc. I haven't had a chance to try Spinnakers but I'd recommend Swans and Moon Under Water. Special recommendation for Moon Under Water because they specialize in session beers, something really under-represented in the rest of BC. Lower alcohol, lower carbonation so you can really have a couple pints without feeling too hammered or bloated and gassy. Both Swans and Moon Under Water offer taster sizes. Moon Under Water deserves to be busier because they do good work but are just outside of downtown and hence pretty empty on some nights.

[kinnickinnik]

One more Victoria brew pub very worth visiting: Canoe
http://www.canoebrewpub.com/beer.html

Moon Under Water makes the closest thing to a true English bitter (a Sussex bitter in particular) that I've had outside of the UK. Very recommended to show that full flavoured beer need not be high ABV.

Other pubs that have a few craft beers on tap but nowhere near that of Alibi or St. Augustines:
Christie's Carriage House (a rather long walk along Fort from downtown, but walkable
)Sticky Wicket (on Douglas St.)

ETA: No, neither Driftwood nor Phillips have a tasting room. Phillips does have a shop at the brewery.