Beer, Italian-style as Luppolo Brewing Company opens in East Vancouver

In April, we wrote about the Hop Circuit, a guided beer-tasting tour of East Vancouver craft breweries. At the time, three new establishments that were on the circuit were still in the planning stages. On Oct. 28, one of those breweries opened its doors.

An Italian-themed craft brewery, Luppolo (1123 Venables St.) is already attracting beer aficionados. On a recent Saturday, we arrived at 3 p.m. – at opening time – along with a few others. By 3:30, the tasting room – with a capacity of 50 or 60 (we’re guessing) – was full.

Conveniently located within walking distance of at least five other craft breweries (Off the Rail, Bomber, Strange Fellows, as well as Powell Street Craft Brewery and Callister), Luppolo has seven (as of this writing) beers on tap. They include their Fresh Hop Belgian IPA, Dunkleweizen, IPA, Saison, New World Sour, Mild, and West Coast Farmhouse. Of these, a clear favourite at our table was the sour, though this write also quite enjoyed the West Coast-style IPA.

The beer is available by the glass or taster. Flights come in holders that were originally designed for the triangular wooden tiling mosaic that is up on one wall. The holders are unique, but also a bit of a hazard – don’t try moving one of these babies unless you are going to lift them; more than one person at our table spilled some suds while trying to slide the flight a few inches.

Food options include taralli, an Italian-style pretzel, and olives. Besides the food and decor, one other element speaks to the brewery’s Italian-ness – on a recent Sunday night, the owners were playing Dean Martin (b. Dino Paul Crocetti).

Hours are 3-11 p.m. Sunday-Monday.