May, 2020
The craft beer lifestyle exists and you can see its popularity as small breweries are popping up all over the place. I feel that craft beer is a conduit to bring people together, sitting and sharing a pint or two exchanging stories, memories and laughs. Craft brewery tours are now just as popular as winery tours – here are some of my absolute favourites in Southwestern Ontario. If you are visiting the area, put these on your list!
D likes to collect souvenirs from breweries we go to – some in the forms of beer glasses, hats or t-shirts. He is literally a walking advertisement for these local establishments and we love to support local.
London, Ontario – Since this is my hometown, there will be a few more breweries listed here and in no particular order – my top three are:
Storm Stayed – Located in the Coves near Old South, you will find this community-oriented craft brewery. They have a spacious tap room and patio with loads of board games, live entertainment, and a great beer pairing snack menu! Whether you prefer traditional beers, hop forward, sour and fruity or dark and malty – there will be something for everyone. Can’t decide? Opt for the flight and sample a few.
London Brewing – Located in the Old East Village area you will find this worker-owned community. A smaller tap room, but also houses a patio and live music. Aside from all things beer obviously, I love this spot because of the dedication to support local businesses and local farmers. They believe that great beers start with superior ingredients and they pick the finest local and organic malt and hops available. Definitely a more hipster vibe venue with beers that celebrate community, farmers, relationships and sustainable choices.
Forked River – Located in the far east side of the city, you will find this little gem in an industrial area of town. With an expanded tap room, there is plenty of space to share a brew or two over your favourite board game, get caught up with a friend or listen to the live entertainment. Three University of Western grads teamed up to deliver you flavourful brews with natural, quality ingredients. Not only did they think fellow Londoners deserved outstanding handcrafted beer, but their own micro-brewery, so raise a glass to London’s first micro-brewery!
Chatham, Ontario – Just a little over an hour from London you will find this city along with Sons of Kent – Chatham’s Premier Craft Beer Destination. Here, four friends with one vision came together to produce craft beer, incorporating traditional brewing methods with modern ingredients. With a large tap room with those roll-up garage doors, an event space, a bottle shop and live entertainment makes it a great place to just hang out. I recommend grabbing a seat at the bar, chatting with the bartender while viewing the vats from the windows behind the bar. There is a great menu to pair with your favourite pint – mine is the 8 Track and D’s, the Juice Box. Don’t forget to ask about the train beer – it’s a thing!
Bayfield, Ontario – Welcome to the village of Bayfield, located on Lake Huron, you will find the Bayfield Brewing Company & Public House. An easy one hour leisurely drive from London, this relatively new brewery, opened in 2019, has the brewery and public house side by side – the public house serves the craft brews. Grab a table on the patio, a pint and pair it with your favourite pizza! Great specials on beer and pizza here – I think I may have a thing for beer and pizza!
Goderich, Ontario – A little further north of Bayfield you will arrive in the picturesque town of Goderich. Currently the only craft brewery in town, Square Brew, hosts a large tap room with a rustic industrial feel. Awesome beer, some live music and dog friendly – perfect trifecta for me!
Stratford, Ontario – In just under an hour from London you will find yourself in the charming little town of Stratford. Jobsite Brewing is what you get when two carpenters partner up to build a brewery in a lumber yard! Here you will find some unique beers and names, 2×4, Impact IPA, Wrong Nail, and Big Pour – do you see the theme? A decent sized tap room, but a large workshop space for bigger groups and families. Now let’s talk pizza. Known for their wood-fired oven pizzas, you must grab one – it’s the perfect pairing to their list of beers.
St. Jacobs, Ontario – Again a little over an hour from London, you will arrive in the village of St. Jacobs where you will find Block Three Brewing. Take a break from touring St. Jacobs to grab a pint or flight. A unique little venue, great beer, a rustic industrial vibe and beer to go!
Elora, Ontario – Located approximately 1.5 hours from London, perched on the edge of a spectacular gorge and nestled along the banks of the Grand & Irvine Rivers, you will find the enchanting village of Elora, Ontario. Elora Brewing Company offers a brewery, gastropub and a bottle shop. With what started as home-based garage brew, five partners eventually launched their dream of a brewery with a century-old heritage vibe. With an exceptional farm-to-table menu supporting local farmers and producers, they really step up the game with the food and beer pairing experience. Definitely worth a visit.
Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario – I spent a bit of time in the KW area as I am a University of Waterloo grad – go Warriors! I feel like KW was doing craft brews before they became popular. Waterloo Brewing is the largest Canadian-owned brewer in the province and also the first modern craft brewery in Ontario! Now a much larger operation and still going strong long before the craft beer hysteria we know today. Still offering tours, brews and a well-rounded menu!
Secondly, Abe Erb Brewing was birthed out of a vision of enjoyment with friends, food and drinks. Now offering four locations in Kitchener, Waterloo, Ayr and Guelph! Grab a flight to taste their array of offerings, pair them with some small plates (sliders, sheetpan nachos, or the charcuterie & cheese board), sit by the rolled-up garage door and just chill, listening to some live music. An optimal way to spend an afternoon or evening, if you ask me. They also have daily specials – so see what is up for grabs on the day you are there!
Niagara on the Lake, Ontario – The Exchange Brewery is located in the heart of NOTL’s old town heritage district. Typically, people venture to NOTL for wine, but this is the perfect place for a beer break from shopping and wine! On one of our many NOTL trips, we have stopped in for a pint for D and a flight for me, sharing some bites, while grabbing a seat at the front window to people watch. Using the fruit local to the area, you will have selections from traditional American styles, sours and Belgian-style beers and ales to choose from.