The best beer bars Ontario

We like the concept of the place: you can both shop for craft beers and ciders, while enjoying delicious nectars on the spot. The "bar" is really nice, giving the impression to be received at a friend's place. You can even bring your dog! And what about the terrace with its fake grass and its retro furniture... The place also organizes events, like tap takeovers (a microbrewery takes over the barrel pumps), quiz nights, etc.

Located in the Davenport district, off the beaten path, this microbrewery piqued our curiosity. We had heard a lot about it and we did not regret our visit. It occupies the premises of a century old barn that has been completely renovated. As for the beers, about twenty are proposed on cask, from sour beers to hoppy IPAs, including Lagers and Stouts. If the house vintages are delicious, wait until you taste the gourmet cuisine of Beast (the aromas are incredible). An address to discover!

Craft beer lovers, you won't be disappointed here! The place claims to have the largest selection in the province, with some 160 beers on tap. When the weather is nice, you can enjoy it all in the 250 seat beer garden! Otherwise the place is gigantic, spread over two floors, and attracts crowds at all hours, especially during Happy Hours. You can also have a good meal with an international menu (tacos, poke bowls, Korean fried chicken, burgers, etc.). Other branches in the country.

Opened in 2015 in the Bloordale Village neighborhood, Burdock Microbrewery draws its inspiration from refreshing beers, whether they're Pale Ale, Sour (sour), Saison or German Lager, for example. It also produces Grape Ales, one of its specialties, which is a fusion between beer and wine, like its Lees aged with the lees of Chardonnay. We also recommend trying the house cuisine, which includes snacks (oysters, cheeses, cold cuts, etc.), burgers and seasonal dishes. Brunch on weekends.

Open since the winter of 2018, this microbrewery is worth checking out. Located near the train station, straddling the Walkerville and Ford City neighborhoods, Chapter Two has set up a small tasting room adjacent to its brewing facilities. Among the house brews are its English ale with a malty flavor and a sweet caramel twist, and its West Coast IPA with citrus notes. Bonus: a gourmet menu and live entertainment.

When you set foot inside, you feel like you're in a beer garden, with large wooden tables and small white lights hanging from the ceiling. Actually, that's pretty much the concept. In this spirit, it is not surprising to see the long list of beers from Canada, the United States and Europe. And, of course, a nice selection of homemade sausages is on the slate for both small and large appetites (vegetarian options available). A nice place to go out, which we recommend

One of The Annex's best craft beer spots, Crafty Coyote offers a great selection of beers, mostly from Ontario microbreweries, on draft or in cans, as well as house beers, ciders and a slate of gourmet dishes. The latter is in the style of pub food, offering burgers, fish & chips, grilled meats, poutine and deli meats with sides. Without a doubt, a very popular place in the neighborhood. To be discovered!

Tallboy's claims it has one of the largest selections of Ontario beers. And we have to admit, that alone would be enough to convince us to pay a visit. But that's not all. The bar is located in the rapidly changing Koreatown neighbourhood, which the owners make a point of celebrating. Try their great Koreatown-style burger and follow the advice of these beer enthusiasts.

Fans and connoisseurs alike agree: Sawdust City's beers are a pure gem! From the West Coast IPA to the Baltic Porter, the Pilsner and the Best Bitter, they'll take you on a journey through a fabulous world of flavors. To discover them, take a tour of the tasting room, nicknamed the Saloon. There is a constant 18 cask lines (house and guest beers) as well as a pub-style gourmet menu and a food truck in season. Bonus: live entertainment is presented every Saturday night at 8pm.

Those who know Stone City Brew Co. won't be too disappointed. Three friends, who run Something in the Water microbrewery in Toronto, have taken over the small Kingston brewery to make it their^second location. It has the same employees as the Stone City brewery and many of the beers that made it famous. In addition to the house beers, the new team has also started distilling with its Canadian whisky.

Wondering where the locals can go in such a touristic place? Here is your answer. This microbrewery, located in an old church, offers a friendly, rather young and relaxed atmosphere. The kitchen is installed on the altar, the church benches have been requisitioned, the barrels are wedged under the large stained glass windows. But not everything is only in the decor: Silversmith also wins awards for its superb selection of homemade beers.

Clearly our new favorite place in town to enjoy a good craft beer, Counterpart Brewing is a refreshing new addition. Open since 2019, this microbrewery, set back from the hustle and bustle of Niagara Falls, concocts tasty nectars with a clear penchant for IPAs. You can accompany it all with a gourmet dish with generous portions such as a fried chicken sandwich, grilled fish tacos or one of the daily specials. Bonus: there's a store on site where you can take home hop souvenirs.

Located in the heart of James Street, where the city's best addresses are located, the Merit microbrewery is worth a visit. We like the tasting room with its large wooden tables that we share with the other guests. In the glass, house nectars that go from Imperial Stout brewed with Ethiopian coffee from the Detour Coffee roaster to the cold hopped Saison brewed with orange peels and Indian coriander. It is accompanied by a tasty dish such as mac & cheese or homemade sausages.

The ambition of Dave Longbottom, owner of this microbrewery open since 2017, is to share his experience as a great traveler and beer lover. In this former garage converted into a bar, he offers a nice variety of house beers such as his Northeast IPA, his dry-hopped sour beer or his Imperial Stout (a store corner allows you to fill up to take away). There is also a gourmet menu with perogies, duck confit, pan-fried cod, etc., all topped off with delicious desserts such as the white chocolate cheesecake.

Luc "Bim" Lafontaine, former brewmaster at Dieu du Ciel in Montreal, opened his own brewery in east Toronto after spending some time in Japan. The country of the Rising Sun is the inspiration for several of the brews (green tea IPA, yuzu Saison...), while the gourmet side of things is provided by the Italian restaurant Mattachioni. The microbrewery has also developed a nice range of Czech lagers. As for the decor, it is resolutely industrial with a few nods to Japan, of course.

Probably the best place in town to taste craft beers made in Ontario. More than 20 different beers from the province are on the menu, always including at least one cask beer. You'll find little gems from Bellwoods, Bench, Blood Brothers, Godspeed, The Exchange and Wellington, among others. For those who are a little peckish, a gastro-pub type menu is offered with a nice selection of regional or homemade products. A nice address to discover!

If you have to elbow your way through the small space, you'll soon be compensated by the excellent atmosphere and, above all, by the menu of craft beers (scotch and whisky lovers will also be pleased). More than twenty beers on tap are offered, most of them from Ontario. The menu also includes a nice selection of bottled beers, including several private imports. On the plate, there are snacks, dishes to share and flavours from around the world, not to mention the oysters at $1 CAN on Monday and Tuesday.

A family-owned and operated nanobrewery since 1985, Volo is one of the pioneers of Toronto's craft brewing scene (St. Nicholas Street). It is joined by Birreria Volo in the Little Italy neighborhood. Nearly 30 beers are on tap, mostly from Ontario. But its big asset is its beer cellar called Cantina where you can find many great beers from Europe (Belgium) and the United States in private importation. On the food side, the house serves a variety of small dishes inspired by Italy.

Get Well specializes in Ontario craft beers, with about 15 types on tap, not to mention a menu of bottled beers with North American and European vintages. We would like to say that the list of bottles is really long and well stocked, despite a few vintages from large industrial breweries that we could have done without. The atmosphere is relaxed, with a vintage decor and a section of old arcades that will please the nostalgic. Mention should also be made of the succulent homemade pizzas.

Founded in 1986, this craft brewery was a pioneer in Ontario and is definitely a must for your night out. In addition to the beers brewed on site, the long list of single malt scotches and whiskies will amaze you. They also offer simple, generous and oh so delicious dishes! Burgers, sandwiches, grilled meats, fish & chips and other specialties of the place will gladly be accompanied by a glass of house beer. To be enjoyed in their superb backyard or on the front terrace in season!