Where to Find Great Craft Beer in Toronto
Toronto is experiencing a serious craft beer boom with new breweries opening up on what feels like a monthly basis. This is great news for beer fans and anyone interested in beer beyond the basics – as in trying brews that offer serious variety and creativity where flavor is concerned. Whether you want to take some beer home to enjoy or grab a seat to taste a flight of beer, many of Toronto’s craft breweries have tap rooms or full brew pubs where you can sit back and relax with some food while enjoying a beer or two. There’s a place for every beer enthusiast in Toronto, from IPAs to stouts. Here are 10 craft breweries worth exploring in the city.
01. Bandit Brewery
If the adorable branding doesn’t grab your attention, the beer certainly will. Open since May, Bandit Brewery in Roncesvalles is currently brewing 15 beers, eight of which are on tap. The expansive space is filled with activity on a Saturday night as servers navigate busy tables. There’s also a spacious patio with picnic tables. Pair your beer with salty snacks, like the highly recommended beer-battered cheese curds. The offered beers include a Belgian Pale Ale, Wiezen Up (a German-style wheat ale), and the Farmed and Dangerous, infused with coriander and orange peel.
02. Halo Brewery
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Tiny Halo Brewery in the Junction Triangle maximizes its small tap room. Limited snacks like soft pretzels are offered, but the focus is on the beer. Founders Callum Hay and Eric Portelance started as homebrewers and now craft unique beers for local beer enthusiasts. In a unique twist, all the beer recipes are available online, giving you insight into what you’re drinking.
03. Burdock
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Burdock serves as a restaurant and music venue while brewing some of the city’s best beers. Whether you come for live music or a delicious meal made from local ingredients, save some time to enjoy their beer or pick up some to go from the bottle shop. Their popular West Coast Pilsner is consistently on the menu alongside rotating seasonal offerings.
04. Duggan’s Brewery
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Duggan’s Brewery in Parkdale, led by award-winning brewmaster Michael Duggan, offers small-batch seasonal beers alongside regular options such as an Irish stout and a German Pilsner. Here, enjoy your drink in a spacious restaurant environment with a regularly changing menu featuring pub favorites.
05. Henderson Brewing Co.
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Take a walk or bike ride along the West Toronto Railpath and stop by Henderson Brewing Co. Founded by three passionate partners, this award-winning brewery has a spacious tap room where you can sample their offerings, including the flagship Henderson’s Best, a unique take on classic ESB.
06. Indie Ale House
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The Junction’s Indie Ale House is a small, independent craft brewery dedicating itself to creativity in beer making. The bustling restaurant offers elevated pub fare and hearty mains that pair beautifully with their craft beers, including thin-crust pizzas.
07. Amsterdam
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The originator of Toronto’s craft beer scene, Amsterdam opened its doors in 1986. In addition to their Leaside Village brewery, you can also visit the Amsterdam BrewHouse by the waterfront, where you can enjoy a variety of craft beers in a stunning setting.
08. Bellwoods Brewery
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Since its opening in 2012 on Ossington Ave., Bellwoods Brewery quickly became a favorite among beer enthusiasts. With a variety of staple beers and innovative seasonal offerings, you’ll always find something new. Their creative menu features seasonal snacks, salads, and more, satisfying a range of tastes.
09. Rainhard Brewing Co.
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Located in the Stockyards neighborhood, Rainhard Brewing Co. operates in a repurposed 1940s manufacturing plant. Founded by Jason Rainhard, who transitioned from the corporate world to brewing, the tap room offers a variety of small-batch beers, including black IPA, West Coast IPA, and farmhouse ale.
10. Junction Craft Brewing
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Founded in 2011, Junction Craft Brewing is renowned for their signature Conductor’s Craft Ale, a unique blend of five types of malt and hops. They also brew a variety of other styles available in their tap room and retail store, including the award-winning Brakeman’s Session Ale.
