I WOULD MAKE LOVE TO THE CHEF! MAN OR WOMAN, I DON’T CARE!!!This was our first time in and to say we were pleasantly surprised would be doing a disservice to our tastebuds. We were greeted by friendly staff and a mouth watering small making sweet love to our face. After asking the staff what it could be they listed a few of their favorites. The two of us ended up ordering 5 dishes, 2 flights and 4 beers.The Beer: I enjoyed their variety and story within each beer. Tasting the different notes of citrus, barley and hops throughout each of the beers but at different parts made each one an experience. Everything you could want in a well rounded Hazy IPA. We even bought a few cans to enjoy later, and boy did we!The Food: don’t let the small atmosphere fool you. Within the walls of this quant eatery lives a mastermind chef determined to make miracles happen, plate by plate. He could probably make the blind see, the deaf hear and if you’ve had COVID where it altered your taste buds, this place is your vaccine. We ordered 5 dishes, The BBQ Burger, The Hot Honey Wings, Poutine, The Mac & Cheese and BBQ Chicken Flatbread Pizza. Yes, there were only 2 of us.The Wings: honey flavor was elevated and delicious but unfortunately, I was missing the any sense of “Hot”.The Mac & Cheese: great flavor but it’s was overpowered with the Sriracha Chicken.BBQ Burger: Amazing on all levels with each ingredient complementing the other. The locally sourced bread pulled everything together.Poutine: I don’t think anything more could be better than seasoned potatoes, cheese curds and gravy. More often than not the gravy can fall heavy. This was not the case. The gravy was like a gentle lover. Easy, not overpowering and everywhere all at once.BBQ Flatbread: perfect construct of a typical flatbread and flavor profile. Could have used a bit more sauce to equal out the density of the flatbread.The exterior of this place makes it a well kept secret that everyone should know about. We almost returned the next time but figured being tourists we should try other restaurants. We were disappointed with our choice and should have returned.We have told more people than we can count about this amazing place and can’t wait to return soon.
Mariam Star
Nice place located in the Keating Industrial Area. It's a brewery with a nice selection of beers.Food was from local sources according to the menu.
David Rothermund
I have been visiting Category 12 for 8 years. I am so impressed by the quality of of beer, amazing food and outstanding customer service.I would like to push a shout out to Chris, Kimmy, Sophie, Diana and Chefs Chris and Stew for their amazing customer service today on my 62 birthday This place rocks the Vancouver Island craft breweries scene
Miles Waghray
Good place. Good food, good beer, friendly staff. What more could you want. The space is fairly small, but it feels intimate/cozy.
Dave Bolink
Very good beers, very good wings...put this on your list of places to do on the island!
George H.
fantastic selection of beers and the charcuterie board for 28 bucks is a stea! Karen and the rest of the crew are awesome. Worth the drive from Oak Bay.
Gerry A
Enjoyed a couple glasses of IPA with friends. Also ordered the charcuterie which surpassed my expectations. On the menu it says charcuterie for two but we shared it among four and it was great to nibble
MacGyver Welsh
Road my bike from town to Keating. Stopped at Category 12 for food. Ordered assorted charcuterie bored. It only had one kind of meat on it that tasted gross. I humbly sent it back. I ordered the crispy potatoes. I got under cooked non crispy potato's. Zero out of ten! Don't waste your money or time there. very hangery
Patrick Niwa
Probably the best combination and beer and food I've experienced.
BJ N.
Fantastic Brewery and Eatery! A really fun atmosphere, with amazing staff who are well educated, relaxed and fun. Highly recommend stopping here
Extremely welcoming place, beer and food are both excellent. We had the burger and chicken flatbread and left satisfied.
Nick Lalonde
Would give 10 stars if I could… the Salted Lime Lager is my new favorite beer. Food far exceeds what you would expect from a brewery… the burger is super tasty, love chips/hummus and sliced pickles! Staff are great, very friendly and even though it’s always packed, take time to accommodate our family. Thank you!
Jackson Biehl
Nice spot with good variety of quality beers. Food is decent the bbq flatbread was nice, pork belly wasn’t cooked properly with heavy pork taste but overall enjoyed it and will come back again.
Sonja Efford (Efford)
Cold beer, plenty of water, tasty food hit the spot after a bike ride in the heat. Friendly service and attentive to requests and check ins. We enjoyed the samplers / slides of cold beers. I forgot to take pictures of the food, but it was excellent too. Small menu but tasty and good quality. Nice to see vegetarian options and pork belly:)I would definitely recommend going. I’m sure I’ll go again.
Palm Daddy
Great food, great service, very unique beers, location and ambience not the best outside so either sit inside where it’s much nicer or drink more beer!
I WOULD MAKE LOVE TO THE CHEF! MAN OR WOMAN, I DON’T CARE!!!This was our first time in and to say we were pleasantly surprised would be doing a disservice to our tastebuds. We were greeted by friendly staff and a mouth watering small making sweet love to our face. After asking the staff what it could be they listed a few of their favorites. The two of us ended up ordering 5 dishes, 2 flights and 4 beers.The Beer: I enjoyed their variety and story within each beer. Tasting the different notes of citrus, barley and hops throughout each of the beers but at different parts made each one an experience. Everything you could want in a well rounded Hazy IPA. We even bought a few cans to enjoy later, and boy did we!The Food: don’t let the small atmosphere fool you. Within the walls of this quant eatery lives a mastermind chef determined to make miracles happen, plate by plate. He could probably make the blind see, the deaf hear and if you’ve had COVID where it altered your taste buds, this place is your vaccine. We ordered 5 dishes, The BBQ Burger, The Hot Honey Wings, Poutine, The Mac & Cheese and BBQ Chicken Flatbread Pizza. Yes, there were only 2 of us.The Wings: honey flavor was elevated and delicious but unfortunately, I was missing the any sense of “Hot”.The Mac & Cheese: great flavor but it’s was overpowered with the Sriracha Chicken.BBQ Burger: Amazing on all levels with each ingredient complementing the other. The locally sourced bread pulled everything together.Poutine: I don’t think anything more could be better than seasoned potatoes, cheese curds and gravy. More often than not the gravy can fall heavy. This was not the case. The gravy was like a gentle lover. Easy, not overpowering and everywhere all at once.BBQ Flatbread: perfect construct of a typical flatbread and flavor profile. Could have used a bit more sauce to equal out the density of the flatbread.The exterior of this place makes it a well kept secret that everyone should know about. We almost returned the next time but figured being tourists we should try other restaurants. We were disappointed with our choice and should have returned.We have told more people than we can count about this amazing place and can’t wait to return soon.
Nice place located in the Keating Industrial Area. It's a brewery with a nice selection of beers.Food was from local sources according to the menu.
I have been visiting Category 12 for 8 years. I am so impressed by the quality of of beer, amazing food and outstanding customer service.I would like to push a shout out to Chris, Kimmy, Sophie, Diana and Chefs Chris and Stew for their amazing customer service today on my 62 birthday This place rocks the Vancouver Island craft breweries scene
Good place. Good food, good beer, friendly staff. What more could you want. The space is fairly small, but it feels intimate/cozy.
Very good beers, very good wings...put this on your list of places to do on the island!
fantastic selection of beers and the charcuterie board for 28 bucks is a stea! Karen and the rest of the crew are awesome. Worth the drive from Oak Bay.
Enjoyed a couple glasses of IPA with friends. Also ordered the charcuterie which surpassed my expectations. On the menu it says charcuterie for two but we shared it among four and it was great to nibble
Road my bike from town to Keating. Stopped at Category 12 for food. Ordered assorted charcuterie bored. It only had one kind of meat on it that tasted gross. I humbly sent it back. I ordered the crispy potatoes. I got under cooked non crispy potato's. Zero out of ten! Don't waste your money or time there. very hangery
Probably the best combination and beer and food I've experienced.
Fantastic Brewery and Eatery! A really fun atmosphere, with amazing staff who are well educated, relaxed and fun. Highly recommend stopping here
Restaurantji Recommends
Extremely welcoming place, beer and food are both excellent. We had the burger and chicken flatbread and left satisfied.
Would give 10 stars if I could… the Salted Lime Lager is my new favorite beer. Food far exceeds what you would expect from a brewery… the burger is super tasty, love chips/hummus and sliced pickles! Staff are great, very friendly and even though it’s always packed, take time to accommodate our family. Thank you!
Nice spot with good variety of quality beers. Food is decent the bbq flatbread was nice, pork belly wasn’t cooked properly with heavy pork taste but overall enjoyed it and will come back again.
Cold beer, plenty of water, tasty food hit the spot after a bike ride in the heat. Friendly service and attentive to requests and check ins. We enjoyed the samplers / slides of cold beers. I forgot to take pictures of the food, but it was excellent too. Small menu but tasty and good quality. Nice to see vegetarian options and pork belly:)I would definitely recommend going. I’m sure I’ll go again.
Great food, great service, very unique beers, location and ambience not the best outside so either sit inside where it’s much nicer or drink more beer!