10 Best Breweries and Beer Places in Mississauga

"As soon as Bellwoods Brewery opened its doors on Ossington Ave. in 2012 it was an instant hit. The small brewery has a roster of staple beers in constant production, but they’re also steadily experimenting with tons of other beers so there’s always something new to try or buy to take home from the bottle shop. The creative menu serves seasonal fare in the form of snacks, salads and a few larger entrees, depending on what you’re in the mood for."

"Bellwoods Brewery is regularly in the discussion for one of the best breweries in Toronto. Jerry from Four Columns of a Balanced Life:. “Mike Clark and Luke Pestl do not like to be called ‘Brewmaster’."

"The city’s oldest independent brewer, Amsterdam has been serving up craft beers to Torontonians since 1986, well before craft was a “thing.” Now, 30 years later, they’ve got a brewery in Leaside, a harbourfront restaurant on Queens Quay, and a loyal following that goes back decades. Here’s to another 30 years. Try: The Boneshaker IPA, an unfiltered strong beer that’s got taste to match."

"The Brewhouse is Toronto’s largest waterfront craft brewery and restaurant. With four large outdoor patios, rotating seasonal taps, and landscape views of the lake, there’s plenty to enjoy at this restaurant patio. Sip creative craft beer creations like the Space Invader IPA, while taking in the views under a patio umbrella."

"Amsterdam Brewhouse has a patio in Toronto that rivals the best. The brewhouse is an impressively large space with a waterfront view on all sides. The beer is what it is about for most patrons."

"Toronto’s stalwart brewery has grown by leaps and bounds since its founding in 2000, evolving from the passion project of three laid-off brewery workers to a Downtown destination that now includes its own biergärten and restaurant along with a working brewery. Sitting in the shadow of the CN Tower, the biergärten patio has become a landmark in its own right: a place to try the brewery’s iconic pilsner alongside a menu of European- and Canadian-inspired drinking foods, such as soft pretzels with mustard made from the brewery’s beer, and, of course, poutine, topped with the requisite chicken gravy and cheese curds as well as double-smoked bacon and caramelized onion mayo. Dining at the restaurant: While the biergärten is currently closed, Steam Whistle has announced plans to reopen patio seating when restrictions allow, as well as a fireside dining option where diners can book private dinners for up to six guests focused on a menu of items cooked over wood-fired grills."

"2 A litre stein of cold beer on a hot day will surely work up an appetite, and the culinary team at the newly opened Steam Whistle Biergarten has the answer. The star of the sausage-and-schnitzel-heavy menu is a whole roasted pork hock, its skin bronzed and crackly and ridiculously easy to pull apart on the way to unearthing gloriously juicy meat. It’s served bone-in on a bed of roasted German potatoes, and it’s enough to feed you and a couple of friends over another round or two on the patio in the shadow of the CN Tower."

"This Bloordale brewery’s genre-bending wine-beer hybrids taste like pure genius in a glass. Yes, the three-year-old establishment co-owned by Jason Stein and Matthew Park also makes inventive pilsners and saisons and Berliner weisses, which are always available, but it’s the inspired small-batch creations we’re talking about here—like the Ruby, a gorgeous, gem-coloured blend of saisons aged in barrels with sour cherries and cabernet franc skins, and blended with riesling from Ontario’s Pearl Morissette winery. It’s the perfect showcase for the brewery’s terroir-driven approach to beermaking."

"Burdock Brewery is far from your conventional brewery, which is why it lands on a list of the best bars in Toronto. The owners aren’t just interested in beer, but also in wine, cider and the whole works. In fact, if you’ve visited, you’ll know that they’re often blending their passions, quite literally (apparently beerwine and beercider are things)."

"Designed after the beer gardens of Germany, Bandit Brewery's spacious premises on Dundas Street has a casual, welcoming atmosphere and a large patio that fills up quickly in summer. The brewery's mascot, a raccoon, is also the inspiration for the brewery's name. One of their most popular brews is the double-hopped IPA Hive, made with wildflower honey, while their more adventurous beers, like The Wizard of Gose series (fruit and sea salt sour ale or sour cherry gose), are the perfect gateway brews for those new to the craft beer scene."

"What is it: Formed by a pair of unabashed beer nerds, Bandit Brewery combines experimental brews with a German bierhalle-style interior and tasty eats (deep-fried cheese curds, anyone?). Hop heads should catch the “Sit Down” series – an intimate, beer-paired dinner hosted by Bandit’s head brewer. Why go: With the revered racoon serving as Bandit’s mascot, this brewery’s trash panda-laden beers are a suitably Toronto-centric beverage."

"Inspired by German beer gardens, owners Stephane Dubois and Shehzad Hamza have decked out Bandit’s spacious Dundas West patio with picnic tables and twinkly lit trees, i.e., the coziest atmosphere for sampling the microbrewery’s range of offerings. Try the Mr. Pink, a pale ale with hints of watermelon, hibiscus and orange, or the Wizard of Gose, a quenching sour that smells like apricot."

"Tucked away behind a row of houses on a dead-end street just off Queen East, Saulter is the east end’s best-kept beer secret. The brewery’s cherry-red barn doors open to a taproom full of happy beer drinkers, some with babes-in-arms (there’s plenty of stroller parking) or pups on leashes (it doesn’t get more dog friendly than this). The thing to get here is the flagship Riverside Copper Pilsner, a crushable Czech-style brew that’s a little bit malty, a little bit spicy and entirely refreshing."

"It takes effort to find this brewery – head all the way down its namesake residential street, then turn left onto a shady lane covered by spreading trees. What awaits: a small red-doored building outfitted with a no-frills taproom that lets in plenty of sunshine from the laneway. The Czech-style Riverside Copper Pilsner is the flagship beer here, but they’ve also begun branching out with options like a lightly tangy lime witbier."

"Distance from downtown: 19 minutes The Jays 2018 season may be a complete throwaway, but this baseball-themed brewery certainly is not. Nestled in residential Leslieville, Left Field has something for every beer drinker -- from sours to IPAs to the classic Eephus Brown Ale, all of which emphasize simple, distinct, and clean taste. They regularly partner with local food trucks and host Blue Jays Trivia night for the superfans out there."

"Started by a homebrewing husband-and-wife team who turned pro in 2013, this baseball-themed Leslieville brewery quickly rose through the ranks of the local Toronto craft scene. Now, Mark and Mandie Murphy make an entire roster of beer worth cheering for (or with – Go Jays!), from hoppy IPAs to rotating seasonals. Try: The Eephus Oatmeal Brown Ale, one of the brewery’s all-time fan favourites."

"Baseball is the water of life for many Torontonians, so if you’re stopping in the city, why not go with the flow?. Left Field Brewery brews with intense Blue Jays fervor. It’s dubbed ‘Beer for Champions,’ and each iteration nods to the game."

"– Mascot Brewery moved last year to an even better location, right in downtown Toronto. Soon patio lovers will be able to find this rooftop party on King St. What is it known for?"

"13 The Liège-style Belgian sugar waffles from this market stand are addictive enough to eat on their own. Hot and fresh from the griddle press, the puffy squares are tender on the outside and irresistibly chewy on the inside. But you’d be a fool not to gild this lily with market-fresh fruit, whipped cream and a glug of Ontario maple syrup."

"For those that are looking for either hiking trails or a nice place to cycle, Dundas Valley Conservation Area is the perfect spot. This beautiful area will certainly put you in touch with nature, as you walk for miles along the hiking trails. Here you can bring your dog for a walk or take your family out for a nice picnic."

"Valens Conservation Area has camping (225 campsites) and cabins to rent. Spend the day fishing in the reservoir for native species like Northern pike and smallmouth bass, or take a refreshing swim in the lake. Explore 10 kilometres of trails, a 300-metre wetland boardwalk (an ideal setting for taking photos), or climb the observation tower."