The second you walk in the doors of the old building at the corner of Craig and Government streets and your eyes fall on the warm interior full of large, exposed timbers, a giant wood-burning fireplace, and the 100-year-old antique bar, your mouth begins to water.
Built in 1929 by Vancouver architect William Frederick Gardiner, the building at 25 Craig St. was once a gas station and garage for the Home Oil Company of Vancouver. To this day, it's where people come to fill up.
The Craig Street Brew Pub has been a fixture in downtown Duncan since 2006 when Lance and Liz Steward started the pub 15 years after first opening their restaurant, Just Jakes, next door. It was back then, and continues to be the place to be for exceptional food, drinks, and service.
"At the Craig Street Brew Pub, we're all about bringing the community together to enjoy good times, house-crafted beer, local wines and spirits, all paired with delicious, house-made, fresh food and top-notch service," said manager Shelley Field.
And that's not all. It's become a hub of the community as well.
"We are proud to highlight local artists, talented musicians, and support many local organizations and charities," Field added. "We are environmentally conscious; we compost, we donate spent grain to local farmers and our used cooking oil helps to create biodiesel alternatives."
What's more, there's something on the menu for everyone, drinker or not.
The menu features old time favourite, locally-sourced food with gluten-sensitive and vegetarian options, delicious appies and mouthwatering desserts in addition to fresh brews.
Moving up the Cowichan Valley Citizen's Best of the Cowichan Valley ranks from third in 2023 to first this year in the Best Pub category and taking first for Best Chicken Wings as well, the Craig Street Brew Pub is a spot not to be missed for both locals and visitors alike.