10 Best Breweries and Beer Places in Whitby

"Distance from downtown: 12 minutes Let’s get Bellwoods over and done with because we all know they are the reigning MVP of Toronto craft breweries, enticing Ossington hipsters with killer beer, chic pub food, and fairy lights since 2012. The Bellwoods crew have created a Torontonian craft brew empire with two breweries, retail stores, bottle shops, and lovingly handcrafted beers ranging from imperial stouts to hoppy, fruity pale ales. In recent years they’ve also started to focus on farmhouse ale using wild yeast and bacteria.Best Brew: Jutsu, an American pale ale made with a blend of two different yeasts."

"Bellwoods Brewery has an adorable sidewalk patio that will make you feel nostalgic. Enclosed by a white picket fence, there are picnic tables, a grill, string lights, and heaters, so no matter the time of day, you’ll feel at home. The sidewalk view of the city streets make it great for people watching, while the beer selection gives you a reason to stay well in to the night."

"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."

"A photo posted by amsterdambeer (@amsterdambeer) on Nov 22, 2016 at 7:37pm PST. Right on the waterfront, Amsterdam Brewery serves up scenery alongside its fine beers. This two-storey brewhouse is massive and is the perfect place to chill or watch a game after your 30-minute tour."

"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."

"In case you are looking for great night’s fun, Steam Whistle Brewery would be your right choice. It is situated at the base of the CN Tower – which is one of Toronto’s number one tourist destinations and this place gets improved thanks to its kind and friendly employees. Steam Whistle Brewery exists for two decades as well as has managed to earn the title of Canada’s biggest and most popular standalone brewery."

"For so long, Roundhouse Park’s resident brewery made its name on simplicity: it made exactly one product, a refreshing and universally chuggable pilsner, and presented it in a historic – if pared-back – setting. But times have changed, and with them comes a second beer (Steam Whistle Pale Ale) and a gorgeous beer garden complete with the Food Dudes’ German-style eats."

"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)."

"Burdock combines wine and beer to make beautiful, fruity hybrids. They source local Ontario fruit, and they age their beers using leftover grape skins!. Their space includes a brewery, restaurant, and a music hall, and they’ve even got a chic patio to enjoy your freshly-brewed beer."

"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."

"Pre-dating the brewery boom in Toronto by a few years, this spot on a low-key Leslieville side street has become one of the top names in Toronto beer. The tiny, suitably baseball-themed taproom is a tad spare – but who cares when you can get fresh pints of classics like the Eephus (still one of my favourite browns in town) and new creations like thirst-crushing fruit-flavoured sours?. Bonus: It’s dog-friendly!"

"Bars and pubs Greenwood-Coxwell. What is it: One of the first breweries to set up shop in the now hop-happy East End, this baseball-themed establishment knocks it out of the park (pun intended) with thoughtful, flavor-filled beers. The Sunlight Park, a grapefruit saison, is a light and refreshing summer quencher that anyone would enjoy."

"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."

"Located in the Annex area, Pauper's Pub is a classic neighboorhood pub, going strong since 1986. Spanning over three floors with ground floor main bar and a second floor lounge, the real cherry on the cake is up top: the seasonal Paupers Pub rooftop patio. A very relaxed and casual Toronto rooftop bar, simple in decor but with lovely views over the Toronto skyline."

"The Paupers Pub is a three-storeyed pub with a seasonal rooftop patio at the top. It is one of the most casual and relaxing rooftop patios in Toronto. The patio’s decor is quite simple, just ideal for spending time alone or with a couple of friends for refreshment."

"The Annex has this bar that's innovated with personalized winter cubbies, each with their own wind-resistant barrier and heater. Cuddle up at a picnic table and stuff yourself with some stick-to-your-ribs pub food."

"Java House is a Queen West staple for many hungry patrons and for good reason. The menu is incredibly affordable and extensive. Grab one of their salads or sandwiches for under $4.95 with choices like Avocado and Brie, Sautéed Beef, Classic Tuna, Caesar Salad, or Greek Salad."

"When Yorkdale opened in a north Toronto suburban area 1964, it was the world's largest mall. Although it no longer holds that title, Yorkdale is no less impressive a paradise for shopaholics. More than 400,000 customers visit each week, but Yorkdale's spacious hallways and 27-foot high ceilings give shoppers the feeling of space even on the busiest days."

"It’s home to several high-end hotels, such as the exquisite Four Seasons Toronto. Around this area are also many luxury stores, including the Yorkdale Shopping Centre. It has been around for more than 50 years."

"Upscale shopping at its best; this Bloor-Yorkville destination has been at the top of the list for visiting celebs and well-to-do Torontonians since it opened back in the 1970s. Look for shoes, handbags and couture from designers such as Badgley Mischka, Christian Louboutin, Monique Lhuillier, Michael Kors, Carolina Herrera, Stella McCartney, Vivienne Westwood and Zac Posen. Shop for organic groceries at Whole Foods (or Whole Paycheque) with the cloth bag-touting elite."

"Spend a leisurely Saturday strolling through the shops of charming Yorkville village during a visit to thriving Toronto. Browse through the stacked shelves of Valency in search of the best in quality housewares and entertaining accessories. Wander over to get fitted for a high quality, custom-designed suit at Empire Customs before visiting Jean-Paul Fortin for some shiny leather dress shoes to complement your new smart-looking attire."

"Another shopping mall in the area, Yorkville Village is located north of Bloor Street along Avenue Road. It was previously opened in 1976 as Hazelton Lanes, and fell into disrepair in the 1990s. It was redeveloped in 2011 and rebranded as Yorkville Village."

"Stop by East York Town Centre to experience the unique collection of discount retailers, electronics stores, and beauty salons. Stop in at Ichiban Living to stock up on serving ware, beauty products, and miscellaneous items at bargain-basement prices. Pick up some glittery fashion accessories at Ardene before heading over to browse through the racks at Royal Fashion."