Flavors of the Peace and Little Delights

Grain Bin Brewing Company

Head to Grande Prairie to discover Grain Bin Brewing Company, a local craft brewery driven by curiosity, community spirit, and a passion for local ingredients! Located within The Blue Building Project, a collaborative shared space, it serves as a true community hub. The brewery keeps its small-batch production methods front and center, guaranteeing peak freshness for its core lineup and seasonal brews inspired by customer ideas. Thanks to its spacious new setup, it’s the perfect place to gather with friends, enjoy a fresh craft beer, take in a live concert, or shop at one of their pop-up markets!

After exploring this urban initiative in Grande Prairie, the route heads west toward Beaverlodge to discover an agricultural operation deeply rooted in regional history.

Broken Tine Orchard

Located west of Beaverlodge, Broken Tine Orchard showcases the haskap, a small berry perfectly adapted to the Canadian climate. This family farm, established on an original homestead dating back to 1926, is currently managed by the fourth generation of the Alde family. The site features nearly 20,000 haskap plants cultivated with great respect for the soil ecosystem, bordering the boreal forest. Visitors can experience U-pick for varieties such as Indigo Gem and Aurora during mid-summer. A rustic chalet welcomes the public for tastings of fresh juice, exclusive wines, and meads developed alongside a professional winemaker. Private tours are available upon reservation, and the site features a vintage 1941 truck.

Leaving the orchards of Beaverlodge to head northeast, a detour through the community of BayTree reveals Black Bear Creek Farms. This artisanal honey business specializes in raw and uniquely flavored honeys, with a dedicated focus on protecting pollinators. While the farm primarily concentrates on honey production, its goods can be found locally at the Baytree General Store and the HH Farmstore in Goodfare, making it a perfect sweet interlude before continuing the horticultural journey toward Fairview.

Grow North Gardens

Located at the northeastern edge of Fairview, Grow North Gardens is an eco-friendly garden center and flower farm. What began modestly with a few hundred tomatoes in a garage has grown into an impressive 6,000-square-foot interconnected greenhouse. The team prioritizes the use of beneficial insects rather than chemical pesticides to maintain their plants. Starting in June, the business transitions into the cut-flower season, growing over 90 unique varieties ranging from tulips to dahlias. The facilities feature wide aisles, benches for relaxation, and a water play table for children. During the summer, visitors can participate in a U-pick flower activity directly in the colorful fields, and the farm also offers floral arrangement services for weddings.

Following this horticultural immersion, the journey extends toward a gourmet stop dedicated to the pleasures of fresh baking and artisanal craftsmanship.

Northern Dough Bakery

Northern Dough is an artisanal bakery offering daily breads and house-made pastries baked in small batches. Its production highlights fresh items ranging from soft sandwich bread and sourdough loaves to cinnamon buns, cookies, and cupcakes. Beyond daily sweet treats, the establishment serves as a lunch counter, offering a daily menu of house-made soup and fresh sandwiches, accompanied by hot or cold drinks. The business expands its services by preparing charcuterie boards and taking custom orders for corporate events or celebration cakes. The bakery is open year-round, Wednesday through Saturday, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., or until sold out.

The route then heads east toward the community of Peace River to join the fertile lands bordering the river banks.

Bridgeview Gardens

Operated by the Marusiak family for two generations, Bridgeview Gardens spans 50 acres along the Shaftesbury Trail in Peace River. This agricultural destination is renowned for its U-pick strawberry activity, which typically begins during the first week of July. Thanks to a unique local microclimate combining warm temperatures and generous summer sunshine, the farm also grows a wide variety of vegetables, including highly sought-after cucumbers and sweet corn. Products are sold directly at the farm from Friday to Sunday, between 12 p.m. and 6 p.m., and are occasionally distributed at local public markets. Since crop availability depends entirely on the weather, calling ahead is highly recommended.

After this market-garden stop, simply leave the Shaftesbury Trail to reach downtown Peace River, where a refreshing treat awaits the entire family.

Billie’s Cones

Located on the main street of Peace River, Billie’s Cones is a seasonal ice cream parlor that caters to the whole family during the summer months. The menu features over 30 flavors of ice cream, raw cookie dough, cotton candy, and flavored shaved ice snow cones. Customers can choose from various containment options, including classic waffle cones, sugar cones, gluten-free options, or simple cups. The establishment stands out for its thoughtful formats adapted to all family members, offering the “Billie Cone” for babies and the “Puppy Cone”—a small portion of vanilla ice cream topped with a dog treat for four-legged companions.

Still in the heart of Peace River, the local craft brewing scene offers an ideal transition to the community’s popular gathering spaces.

Peace River Brewing

Founded by a local couple who initially practiced brewing as a hobby, Peace River Brewing is now a craft brewery equipped with a family-friendly taproom. The establishment serves craft beer, house-made kombucha, and fresh appetizers. Visitors can enjoy a pint on-site, fill up a growler, or purchase cans to go. A retail space is also set up on the wall to showcase exclusive PRB merchandise. The venue relies on a relaxed atmosphere to attract and bring together a diverse clientele of both local residents and passing travelers.

Leaving the brewery to head back south, a detour through Falher reveals the Honey Capital of Canada and its famous World’s Largest Bee statue. Erected downtown in 1990, this structure measuring over seven meters celebrates the economic importance of local beekeeping. This brief halt sets the stage perfectly for the next stop, which is entirely dedicated to the secrets of the hive.

Hive Hero

Hive Hero is a passionate beekeeping business focused on producing raw honey and raising public awareness about the importance of pollinators. As an apiculturist member of the ÉCONOMUSÉE® network, the site offers a diverse agritourism experience alongside its online store for pure honey, pollen, and beeswax-based skincare products. Visitors can stop at the Valley Bee Café, a unique bilingual space featuring a glass-walled observation hive and a viewing window looking directly into the honey extraction room. To enhance the educational aspect of the visit, the facility incorporates virtual reality experiences and organizes guided tours to showcase the inner workings of sustainable beekeeping.

To close this regional terroir tour, the journey concludes with a look into a farm dedicated to the practices of regenerative agriculture.

Out To Lunch Farmstead

Established in the spring of 2021, Out To Lunch Farmstead is a family farm dedicated to regenerative agriculture. The farm uses rotational grazing techniques for its grass-fed lambs and pasture-raised poultry, a method that promotes the quick regrowth of grass and revitalizes the local soil ecosystem. In addition to livestock, the site includes bee hives, market gardens, and offers a seasonal U-pick for berries. Meats are sold frozen and government-inspected, with custom whole lamb and poultry orders requiring a deposit and advanced booking. Looking ahead, the business plans to expand its hospitality offerings by opening cabins, campsites, and RV spaces, alongside hosting practical workshops centered on beekeeping, wild foraging, and artisanal crafting.