Award-winning Ontario craft breweries and cideries you need to visit

Hamilton, Norfolk and Niagara area

There is a concentration of innovative craft breweries and beer-makers in and around the cities of Hamilton and Niagara, as well as communities in Norfolk and Haldimand counties.

Featured brewery: Clifford Brewing Company, Hamilton

Owner and namesake Brad Clifford had been crafting award-winning home brews for years before realizing his dream of opening a brick-and-mortar brewing facility and taproom in Hamilton’s east end.

A year later, Clifford took home the gold for the rich and complex Clifford Porter and was named Brewery of the Year at the Canadian Brewing Awards. More recently, Clifford Brewing has won awards for their Dark Streets of London English-style bitter and Chain Link Vienna Lager.

Location: 398 Nash Road North #1, Hamilton

While you're here:

• Experience the culmination of art, music and craft beer at Collective Arts Brewing.
• Adventurous beer drinkers should visit MERIT Brewing Company on James Street North, past winners in the experimental category.
• East of Hamilton, Cameron’s Brewing in Oakville snagged a bronze for Beste Bock, a traditional German style bock and a gold in the American-style India pale ale category for their well-balanced Jurassic IPA.
• In Caledonia, Oranje Son Brewery took gold for a traditional German-style Bock.
• Neighbouring counties, Norfolk and Haldimand are home to Meuse Brewing and Concession Road Brewing Co., both recent award winners.
• In the Niagara region, The Exchange Brewery is a beacon for savvy beer lovers in wine country. Try their award-winning Throwback: Belgian Table Beer Session Ale. Or opt for the gold-winning Lincoln Lager from Bench Brewing Company in Beamsville.
• For cider connoisseurs, West Avenue Cider House is 20 minutes north of Hamilton in rural Freelton. Taste their seasonal Legend of the Fall, pick up an award-winning Autumn from the bottle selection and stay at the onsite cottage overlooking the Somerset Orchards.

Muskoka and Haliburton Highlands

Muskoka and Haliburton Highlands evoke memories of enjoying great craft beer in nature.

Featured brewery: Muskoka Brewery, Bracebridge

Marking the seasons, Muskoka Brewery in Bracebridge brews fun specialty beers.

Most recently they were awarded golf for Tread Lightly, a calorie-reduced lager.

Location: 1964 Muskoka Beach Road, Bracebridge

While you're here:

• With a roster of fun events, a waterfront patio overlooking the Seguin River and the CPR Trestle Bridge, a delicious menu of sharable and pairable dishes and an exciting variety of craft beer, Trestle Brewing Company in Parry Sound will easily become one of your favourite Georgian Bay destinations.
• Boshkung Brewing Co. in Minden is a popular stop to stock up on your way to cottage country or backcounty. Pick up their gold-winning Angry Chipmunk specialty IPA.
• Haliburton Highlands Brewing Company is located at Abbey Gardens, a nature-based organic community garden and food hub. Craft beer made from local ingredients using sustainable practices make this award-winning brewery a must-visit for beer lovers.
• Sawdust City Brewing Co. is another award-winning craft brewery and fully-licensed saloon in Gravenhurst with seasonal releases and year-round beers.
• Fans of Lake of Bays Brewery will be pleased to know they’ve expanded from the Baysville taproom to a secondary Huntsville Brewhouse location and are making waves for their award-winning low-alcohol beers.
• Cider drinkers should beeline to Bala’s Muskoka Lakes Farm & Winery for the award-winning Cliff Jump Cranberry Cider.
• So, kick back and stay awhile in the Haliburton or Muskoka area; both are brimming with lakeside resorts, cottages and camping opportunities to suit every budget and style.

Greater Toronto Area

Torontonians love craft beer and this city’s neighbourhoods are fiercely loyal to their local brewery, alehouse or brewpub. 

Featured brewery: Indie Alehouse, Toronto

Junction neighbourhood’s Indie Alehouse has won awards for its Vine Song grape ale and recently won a gold medal for its Barnyard, an American Belgo-style ale.

Location: 2876 Dundas Street West, Toronto

While you’re here:

• Fans of Belgian-style brews are in for a treat at Shacklands Brewing Co., a west-end small craft brewery specializing in Belgian inspired ales and fusions.
• Amsterdam Brewing Co. received accolades for the Double Tempest barrel-aged stout, as well as for Fracture IPA and Bord du lac, a French-style Saison.
• For pilsner drinkers, check out the Burdock Brewery’s European style lager.
• Tapping into the history and culture of Canada’s biggest city for inspiration on their series of stock and specialty beers seems to be the secret of success for Henderson Brewing Co.
• Jupiter, the gold-winning European-style lager from Toronto’s first and only space-themed brewery, Paniza Brewing, is actually out-of-this-world good.
• If you’re craving a refreshing cider, head to Evergreen Brick Works, home to Brickworks Ciderhouse 1904, Toronto’s first cidery.
• The Drake Hotel on Queen West and The Broadview in the east end are both trendy digs with rooftop lounges where you can enjoy a craft brew and a stunning city view.

Durham Region

Immediately east of Toronto is a picturesque mix of rural and residential communities and some of Ontario’s finest breweries and cideries.

Featured brewery: Old Flame Brewing Company, Port Perry

Old Flame is housed in a historic building dating back to 1874, whose many functions have included a horse-drawn carriage manufacturer, a wood and blacksmith shop and a textile factory, before being converted to Port Perry’s favourite brewery in 2013.

Free tours tell the fascinating story of the place. Don’t leave without a couple of cans of Red Vienna Lager, a gold winner, or their Brunette Munich Dunkel Lager, which took home a silver.

Location: 135 Perry Street, Port Perry

While you're here:

• Little Beasts Brewing Company in Whitby was awarded with a silver medal for the innovative smoked Huldufólk, and bronze for Wild Things, a Belgian-Style Tripel.
• Try the award-winning Dunkel from Oshawa’s All or Nothing Brewhouse & Distillery, which received gold in the Canada Beer Cup.
• Savour the diverse and ever-changing beer line up at Town Brewery in Whitby and head to their nearby beer garden to enjoy brews in the warm months.
• Stop in at the relocated Brock Street Brewing in Whitby for small batch all-natural premium brews and a bite at 12welve Bistro.
• Half an hour north in Uxbridge, Second Wedge Brewing features a whimsical “beer garden of Eden” perfect for sipping away a warm afternoon.
• Pick up handcrafted heritage cider at Slabtown Cider Co. 
• Satisfy your cider cravings at Archibald’s Orchard & Winery in Bowmanville, and for boutique country accommodations, choose The Hive Bee & Bee in Leskard.

Sarnia and Huron County

Often referred to as Ontario’s West Coast, breweries and cideries along the shoreline of Lake Huron are making waves.

Featured brewery: Cowbell Brewing Co., Blyth

Located in a historic village just 20 minutes from Lake Huron, Cowbell makes craft appreciation an immersive experience.

With a state-of-the-art production centre, indoor restaurant with an outdoor patio, and certified accessible merch and entertainment space, they deliver on all fronts.

Choose from a variety of craft beer, cocktail-inspired seltzers and cider. If you’re a lager lover, try Shindig, a recently awarded North American style lager.

Location: 40035 Blyth Road, Blyth

While you're here:

• Beach and beer are always a winning combination. After a day at the beach, visit Torched Brewing, Grand Bend’s first and only craft brewery.
• Bad Apple Brewing Co. is another edgy little brewery well worth a visit. Just look for the barn with the apple skull as you drive along the lake from Bayfield to Zurich. 
• East Street Cider Co., just north of Bayfield in Goderich is Huron County’s first craft cidery.
• Sarnia’s Imperial City Brew House came out on top with a chocolate milk peanut butter porter and an herb and spice beer.
• The Ashwood Inn in Bayfield is an ideal home base, and the lobby bar serves a selection of local craft brews on tap.

Bruce, Grey and Simcoe

Explore Ontario’s largest apple-growing region along the scenic shores of Georgian Bay.

Featured brewery: Thornbury Craft Co., Thornbury

This popular cider and brew house was originally an apple storage building for the crates of apples destined for Toronto by steam train.

Fresh local ingredients and old-world techniques result in premium craft cider and beer, including their gold-winning Grodziskie.

Location: 90 King Street East, Thornbury

While you're here:

• Visit Coffin Ridge Boutique Winery & Cidery in Annan for some of the area’s finest wines and ciders. Pair a tasting flight with the Vintner’s Plate, a selection of artisan cheeses, bread and local meats.
• More local cideries creating a buzz include Windswept Orchard Cider in Meaford and Spy Cider House and Distillery in The Blue Mountains with their signature Golden Eye.
• A short drive south is another must-visit spot, Duntroon Cyderhouse.
• The Collingwood Brewery snagged gold for their India Pale Ale.
• Just east, don’t miss Barnstormer Brewing, a unique award-winning brewery, distillery and restaurant in Barrie.
• The free tours at funky Flying Monkeys Craft Brewery are always a good time.
• Downtown Orillia’s Couchiching Craft Brewing Co. won gold for the Black River dry stout.
• Blue Mountain Village is a perfect HQ with suites, chalets or rooms, there are plenty of accommodation options to choose from at Blue Mountain Resort. There’s also the Westin Trillium House for guaranteed comfort.

Ottawa area

Ottawa and its surrounding communities are no strangers to well-crafted beer and cider.

Featured brewery: Flora Hall Brewing, Ottawa

Flora Hall is a brewery, bar, and restaurant located close to Ottawa’s downtown core that is locally recommended. Ottawa’s residents know a thing or two about good beer. Proof is in their gold-winning American-style Foeder Aged Brett Dubbel.

Location: 37 Flora Street, Ottawa

While you're here:

• Head to Big Rig Brewery, Ottawa’s largest craft brewery, located in the Kanata neighbourhood for a winning cream ale. The taproom is open for lunch and samples throughout the week, with tours of the brewery available every Saturday.
• Another local favourite, Beau’s All-Natural Brewing Co. is an award-winning, employee-owned, certified organic, independent brewery open daily for tours and tastings. 
• Stray Dog Brewing Co. in Orléans was recognized for their Breakfast & Furious, a flavoured stout/porter.
• It’s worth the trek west of downtown to Calabogie Brewing Company for their gold medal Dry Stout.
• Head to Cold Beer Brewing Company nearby in Arnprior for Anniversary Ale, a gold-winning smoked beer.
• Just west of Ottawa in Carp, Ridge Rock Brewing Company is a cozy craft brewery and brewpub that received an honourable mention from the Canadian Brewing Awards from for their Electric Mayhem DDHIPA.
• The concierge team at Ottawa’s swanky Le Germain Hotel provides great suggestions on where to eat and drink locally.

Waterloo and Wellington

This region is home to some of Ontario’s pioneer craft breweries.

Featured brewery: Farm League Brewing, Cambridge

Although Farm League likens itself to the minor leagues as the place for up and comers, they are playing in the major league now after winning gold recently for Big Ticket, a German style Kölsch.

Location: 295 Ainslie Street South, Cambridge

While you’re here:

• Comedy, games, live music and small-batch craft beer make Fixed Gear Brewing in the heart of Guelph junction a fast favourite.
• If your brew of choice is an IPA, Four Fathers Brewing in Cambridge brought home a silver for The Starter in Session India Pale Ale category.
• The Waterloo Chocolate Hazelnut Porter from Waterloo Brewing is made for the adventurous palate. It has won in the past experimental beer category.
• Wellington Brewery in Guelph raked in the awards for Arkell Best Bitter the UVB-76 Maksim.

London, Elgin and Oxford County

From big city to small town, the craft beer here remains consistently top notch.

Featured brewery: Anderson Craft Ales, London

Not much in this life outshines a fine Cream Ale.

Nestled in London’s historic Old East Village neighbourhood, Anderson Craft Ales is a family-operated brewery that specializes in small-batch, carefully crafted beer, including an award-winning cream ale.

Location: 1030 Elias Street, London

While you're here:

• Enjoy the flagship or seasonal brews at Toboggan Brewing Company in London.
• Book a tour at the refreshingly authentic small-batch Railway City Brewing in St. Thomas.
• Caps Off Brewing is another great spot in St. Thomas, making this area well worth the pilgrimage. 
• Upper Thames Brewing Co. is the first craft brewery in Woodstock. It’s a bonus that this microbrewery is in the heart of Oxford County, Ontario’s dairy capital because a great ale loves a great cheese.

Chatham and Windsor area

Craft beer lovers will be delighted with what’s brewing in Ontario’s southernmost region.

Featured brewery: Sons of Kent Brewing Co., Chatham

About an hour east of Windsor, Sons of Kent Brewing Co. in Chatham is worth a visit. Previously, the German-style Banana Hammock took home an award, while more recently, Mammoth, a wood and barrel-aged strong beer, won gold.

Location: 27 Adelaide Street South, Chatham

While you're here:

• Located in the same historic Windsor quarters of Hiram Walker and Sons Ltd, the distillery that put Canadian whisky on the map, Walkerville Brewery is garnering fame for their finely IPAs and Stouts.
• Under an hour south of Windsor in Kingsville, Banded Goose Brewing delivers the best locally sourced craft brews to JACKS Gastropub, including their award-winning American stye sour ale.
• Distinctive Inns of Kingsville offers a selection of upscale guest suites or a house rental through a virtual concierge service. The Grove Hotel in Kingsville and Retro Suites Hotel in Chatham are unique and memorable places to stay.

Northeastern Ontario

Pristine wilderness, fresh air and an adventurous spirit inspire Northern Ontario’s brewers.

Featured brewery: Full Beard Brewing Co., Timmins

Established in 2016, Full Beard Brewing Co. brings finely crafted brews to the city of Timmins along with live music shows and a fun schedule of weekly events.

If you’re looking to sample something new, try The Bearded Prospector, a smooth cream ale which was awarded in the historic and regional beer category.

Location: 219 Wilson Avenue, Timmins

While you’re here (in the region):

• New Ontario Brewing Company in North Bay is another great brewery crafting beer that celebrates the Northern character.
• Located between North Bay and Timmins in Temiskaming Shores, Whiskeyjack Beer Company treats thirsty visitors and friends to refreshing, naturally brewed craft beer and a locally inspired menu.
• While in Timmins, opt for glamping with WildExodus or the luxury suites at Cedar Meadows Resort and Spa.