Ontario microbreweries just beyond the city limits
Whether you’re heading north, east, south or west from Toronto, chances are you’ll pass by one of the province’s top-grade microbreweries with two-litre growlers, 500 ml bottles and kegs to-go on offer. You may have tried a tasty selection from an Ontario brewery at a Toronto craft beer bar, but the on-site bottle shops are well known to be the spots for trying rare and intriguing flavours that won’t make it to Toronto proper.
Wellington County Brewery
950 Woodlawn Rd W, Guelph, ON N1K 1G2You’ve likely noticed Wellington’s rubber boot moniker attached to a tap at one of your favourite Toronto brew pubs, spouting the microbrewery’s delicious pale ale or witbier. But if you find yourself in Guelph, jump on the guided samplings that run every Saturday. The veteran brewmasters at Wellington have been developing their frothy fermentations since 1985, which in craft history time is practically BC era. Discover the story over a pint in the taproom (complete with huge oak bar and fireplace), or pick up a few bottles at the attached retail shop, open seven days a week.
Cameron's Brewing Company
1165 Invicta Dr, Oakville, ON L6H 4M1Make the short drive out to Oakville for a tour and tasting, plus a trip through the retail bottle shop of this craft microbrewery. $10 will get you an informative walk-through and a chance to sample some of the seasonal offerings, though you may want to take home a mixer pack of four craft beers via the $20 tour. After the tasting, check out the bottle shop where you can pick up specialty options like the California Sunshine APA or the Obsidian Imperial Porter, aged in Caribbean rum barrels.
Flying Monkeys Craft Brewery
105 Dunlop St E, Barrie, ON L4M 1A6Three words: Chocolate. Milk. Stout. With a tagline, “Normal is weird,” this Barrie microbrewery will make you understand just how far the boundaries of great beer can go. Only a quick turnoff on the drive to virtually any cottage up the 400, the brewery offers free tours and samplings daily, plus an easy-to-browse bottle shop. Learn the histories of the colourful cans that have become ubiquitous across Ontario LCBOs (the Hoptical Illusion is probably most well known), or take a risk on a seasonal or one-off like the Super Collidero 2.0 Double IPA or the Hibiscus Pale Lager.
Side Launch Brewing Company
200 Mountain Rd, Collingwood, ON L9Y 4V5Named for a bizarre Collingwood tradition of a sideways-launching ship in the region’s historical shipyards, this microbrewery’s decorated brews are well known across Toronto: the authentic Bavarian-style wheat beer (yellow can), the balanced pale ale (blue can) and the Munich-style dark lager (grey can). If you’re passing through on your way to a cottage or ski trip, stop in and pick up a flat of 'em, or a few growlers for an awesome host’s gift or treat for yourself.
Sawdust City Brewing Co
397 Muskoka Rd N, Gravenhurst, ON P1P 1G3This Muskoka microbrewery calls its taproom The Saloon for its rustic Canadian feel (it was constructed from a 100-year-old naturally felled pine tree), live music and, of course, its beer-centric menu. The spot keeps locals coming back with specialty food pairing nights and cask tappings where beer-lovers can try the seasonal specials and one-off brews that won’t ever find their way to bars or liquor stores. Like what you taste? Stop in to the retail shop and pick up some of your fave saison or stout to go.
Block Three
If you’re heading toward Sarnia, London or Kitchener-Waterloo, pop off the 401 for a quick stop in St. Jacobs, because this rustic Mennonite-inspired microbrewery is worth the turnoff. Hardwood communal tables and hanging lights made from old mason jars create the vibes at this romantic brew pub, while the bottle shop hosts such intriguingly named libations as the Kamikaze Monk, a Belgian saison made with Japanese Sorachi Ace hop. Those with something darker in mind might be more inclined to try a few bottles of the hints-of-chocolate Frankenstout. Tours and tastings are, conveniently, free of charge.
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