Some great Pubs

Before I ever moved to Victoria my friend Calum pointed out that the city had a wealth of "not just good byt excellent pubs". I whole heartedly agree with his statement. Because I am open about my love for the pub atmosphere around Victoria my office mate Sam consulted me on advice where to take some visitors this weekend and asked me for some pubs around town. Sam's request served as motivation for me to write up a short list of my favourite pubs in Victoria and further up along Vancouver Island. As an encore I created a map locating these pubs. I would like to share this map with you and ask that if you to add any favourites that you feel are missing. For example, I did not include the various n-mile houses since I don't frequent them, but the few times I have visited 4mile pub the food and service there have been excellent.
:

Here are some of the pubs above as a list with some personal opinions and trivia. Please comment below with any details you'd like to share on these or other pubs.

Good brew pubs around town:

• Spinnackers - notable because it is Canada's oldest brewpub
• Swans - Pub & hotel owned by UVic
• Canoe Club - The pub has a sweet patio but the food is pricy
• Moon Under Water - excellent beers, in a industreal part of town though

I can confirm that the Moon Under Water and Canoe Club will fill your growlers.

Just good pubs:

These pubs serve a good selection of local and import beers. The food is good and most present a pleasent atmosphere.

• Bent Mast - neat atmosphere in a heritage building in James Bay
• 5th Street Bar & Grill - good pub to watch a game, wood over for good pizzas and burgers
• Smugglers Cove - cozy pub, good food, close to UVic
• Maude Hunters - Good Eggs Benny for a Sunday Brunch. Good all-round pub
• Grad House - The excellent pub and restaurant operated by the Graduate Student Society at UVic. The food is good and costs are low as the pub is run as a non-for-profit service to the students

A little outside of town

These fine establishments are well worth a visit should you find yourself in their neighbourhood. For example I like dropping by any of these after a day in the outdoors up island.

• Craig Street Brew Pub - Excellent beers and food in Duncan
• The Crow and Gate - Canada's interpretation of a British pub, near Yellowpoint by Nanaimo
• Black Goose Inn - Parksville, often booked up for events so worth checking before you go