Beer Ahoy! The Victoria Tall Ships Challenge 2005 is now an international event that will see as many as 20 tall ships bobbing in Victoria's Inner Harbour from June 23-26, 2005. Victoria will be the first port of call for the participating tall ships followed by Vancouver, BC; Port Alberni, BC; Tacoma, WA; San Francisco, CA and Los Angeles, CA.

Star attractions include the Lady Washington from Gray's Harbour (famous for its use in the film Pirates of the Caribbean starring Johnny Depp); the Mexican navy's 270-ft. Cuauhtemoc with 23 sails; and the Russian Pallada, one of the largest tall ships in the world at more than 350-feet long.

During the Tall Ships Festival, the town will be afloat in sea faring men. And what are sailors looking for when they come ashore? Why, plenty of good grog! Two local Victoria dining establishments plan to slake their thirst with with brew created especially for the occasion.

As of June 16, 2005, visitors to Victoria’s Swans Suite Hotel will be able to experience Smooth Sailing Honey Ale; a special beer developed by Swan's Buckerfield's Brewery from local honey and available for a limited time.

Canoe Brewpub and Restaurant is also brewing a special ale in honour of the Tall Ships Festival. Canoe will serve Tall Ships Honey Wheat Ale; an easy drinking, summertime beer that can be enjoyed while sitting on Canoe's oceanfront patio watching the boats sail by. Canoe's tall ships ale is also made with all natural honey from local producer "Stan the Honeyman."

Housed in a 1913 heritage building, Swans Suite Hotel recently completed extensive renovations to its brewpub, hotel lobby and 30 guest rooms to become an up-scale boutique hotel. Canoe Brewpub and Restaurant is located in an 1894 heritage landmark building on Victoria's working inner harbour.