It’s the first beer column of 2026 and I’m going to kick things off with one of the most underrated breweries in the province!
If you’re just a more casual craft beer fan outside of Victoria, there’s a good chance you haven’t heard of Hoyne Brewing.
There’s also a chance you’re not overly familiar with Hoyne but recognize the name from Dark Matter, the brewery’s signature creation that is one of the more notable craft beers in BC.
Well, today I’m going to introduce you to a recently-rejigged mixed pack from Hoyne that contains Dark Matter and three other beers that are well worth your time.
It’s called Hello Darkness and it’s widely available at BC Liquor Stores across BC. For less than $30 you’ll get three each of four different beers.
I’ve already mentioned it so we might as well start here. According to Hoyne, Dark Matter is the only beer they make where they don’t say on the bottle what style it is, because “even (they) don’t know!” The award-winning beer has subtle hints of dark chocolate aroma and roasted malt, but it’s lighter than you think and creamy on the palate.
I’ve actually written about both Dark Matter and Finnegans Irish Stout in a previous St. Patrick’s Day column. Finnegans is also an award-winner from Hoyne and it’s everything you’d expect from an Irish Stout. Expect a deep, roasted body complimented by a creamy mouthfeel and a satisfying finish.
This Hoyne creation pays tribute to Frank Appleton, who built BC’s very first craft brewery in the Horseshoe Bay Brewing Co. He inspired the next generations of brewmasters in BC, which includes Sean Hoyne. Appleton’s namesake beer is pleasant and easy-drinking with a deep-malt body, soft punch of earthy hop bitterness and dry finish.
The strongest and hoppiest beer of the bunch is also the newest to join the Hello Darkness mixed pack, as it replaces the Svec Czech Half Dark Lager. Inspired by the majestic, ancient trees of Cathedral Grove on Vancouver Island, this west coast IPA is carried by flavours of citrus and pine intersecting with tropical juiciness and balanced bitterness.
Josh Duncan is the NowMedia news director and a craft beer lover. Reach him at [email protected]. His beer column appears every Saturday afternoon in this space.
