Beer advent calendar season is almost here, but options fewer

Is it too early to talk about Christmas?

Not if you're talking Christmas beers, On The Coast beer columnist Rebecca Whyman says, and more specifically, beer advent calendars.

In case you haven't heard of a beer advent calendar, think of the usual advent calendar, which might give you a chocolate or toy every day for the 24 days leading up to Christmas.

Now, replace those chocolates with a selection of beers.

However, buyers of beer advent calendars might find themselves disappointed this year, says Whyman.

"Last year was a really good year with three advent calendars available. This year there will only be two in B.C., the Phillips Snowbox and the Central City/Parallel 49 Craft Crossing box," Whyman said.

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That means the original Craft BeerAdvent calendar won't be available in B.C. this year, she said. Even though it contains beers from British Columbia's Bridge, Townsite and Lighthouse Breweries, B.C. beer regulations mean it can't be sold in this province in 2015.

"The 2015 Craft BeerAdvent Calendar features some cans and some bottles that are on the refill program and due to regulations which prohibit the mixing of such containers within the same package in B.C., we will not be able to offer the Craft BeerAdvent Calendar in British Columbia in 2015," Craft said in a statement.

Craft says they plan to have the BeerAdvent Calendar back on the shelves for 2016.

But all is not lost, Whyman says.

There's still the Phillips Snowcase with 24 different beers brewed by Victoria's Phillips Brewing Company and the Craft Crossing Beer Advent Calendar, which, "rumour has it will contain more surprises this year than last," she said.

Both will be available soon, for around $60.

To hear the full story, click on the audio labelled: Why you won't see as many beer advent calendars this year