10 Best Breweries and Beer Places in York

"There’s usually a lineup to get into Bellwoods’ white-picket-fenced patio, but it’s well worth the wait to knock back the beloved beers in a prime people-watching spot. It’s famous for its limited releases and collaborations with international breweries, but you’ll always be able to count on mainstays like the frothy sour ale Jelly King – and its fruity editions, like strawberry rhubarb and pink guava – and the potent American-style IPA Witchshark."

"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."

"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’."

"Bars and pubs Harbourfront. What is it: Another longtime brewer in Toronto’s craft scene is Amsterdam Brewery, which opened in 1986. The massive waterfront outpost overlooking Lake Ontario seats over 500 folks."

"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."

"Located very close to Ripley’s Aquarium, the CN Tower, and the Rogers Centre, Steamwhistle has been a tourist magnet and popular brand in Toronto and Canada for two decades. Founded back in 1998, Steamwhistle finds its home in the Roundhouse – an old red-brick railway repair depot used back in the day. These days, you can tour the brewery or just belly up to the bar for a pint of the classic pilsner that has made them one of the most well-known beers in Canada."

"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."

"Distance from downtown: 17 minutes Looking for something complex and award-winning to prove your beer connoisseurship to out-of-town friends?. Hit up Burdock for great food and balanced, elegant beer inspired by the sophistication of the world of wine. This brewpub regularly churns out beer inspired by foraged, local ingredients and Ontario wineries, and recently began releasing barrel-aged beer."

"A post shared by Burdock Brewery (@burdockbrewery) on Dec 5, 2015 at 11:23am PST. Chris from travelingmitch:. Burdock Brewery, in my humble opinion, is the shining light of the Toronto’s Bloordale Village neighbourhood which, for reference, isn’t terribly far from the much better known Junction Triangle."

"Burdock brings to the table various ales, lagers, and wine-beers. Some of its popular offerings include BBB, Burdock Pilsner, Rice Lager, Tuesday, and Vermont Blonde. New releases from its cellars are in the pipeline."

"You might not look at Junction’s stately new home and think “trash incinerator,” but that’s precisely what it was built to be in the early 30s, when it was known as “The Destructor” (dope). When brewmaster Doug Pengelly and Co. moved in, they kitted the place out with energy-saving brewing tanks, plus a taproom pouring everything from staples like Conductor’s APA to Earl Grey ale and mango lager."

"Junction Craft Brewing is a craft brewery in Toronto’s Junction neighbourhood. Their brewery is housed in a former City of Toronto incinerator from the 1930s, which was decommissioned in the 80s and became a spot for raves in the 90s. You can do a brewery tour or enjoy one of their fresh craft beers in the taproom!"

"If you didn’t have a good reason to stroll, run or cycle the West Toronto Railpath before, you do now. Henderson Brewing Co., just steps from the trail in the Junction Triangle, is the best excuse to do something active…so you can cool off with a beer. There are some solid mainstays—Food Truck blond and Henderson’s Best amber, to name a couple—but we especially like the Ides Of series, a new monthly brew that’s often an ode to Toronto (like the End of Honesty lager, a shout-out to Honest Ed’s)."

"Despite only being founded in 2014, Henderson’s Toronto roots run deep, from its name – an homage to Robert Henderson, the city’s first brewer – to its award-winning Henderson’s Best, a modern reimagining of a classic Toronto bitter. But that’s not all: they also release a new 6ix-inspired beer monthly as part of their limited-edition Ides lineup. Try: Henderson’s Best, a beer that lives up to its name, and then some."

"Located on Sterling Road in the Junction Triangle, Henderson Brewery is open 7 days a week until 10pm. On Friday & Saturday the bar and bottle shop are open until 11pm. Their flagship beer (and my fav!), Henderson’s Best, is a modern take on brews created in the 19th century."

"What is it: Jordan Rainhard paved the way for a former slaughterhouse district to become a new brewery hub, the Aleyards, when he opened his eponymous brewery in 2015. Why go: The industrial setting (a former refinery) and open-concept space make this a pretty neat way to peek into the brewing process. Bonus points: the venue recently purchased a set of foeders, which are giant wooden vats for pumping out tasty aged brews on a larger scale."

"Rounding out the trifecta of Stockyards breweries (together with Shacklands and Junction) is this sleek-yet-industrial space. The top export is the famed dry-hopped ale, a favourite of beer nerds GTA-wide, but take this opportunity to sample the gently chocolatey Sweetback’s Milk Stout or collab brews with producers like Muddy York and Mosaic City."

"The Lodge is one of the best bear bars in Toronto – ie if you wanna just hang out but don't fancy being tied up in a swing and/or peed/spat on etc(!) then this is the ideal alternative to the Black Eagle. The Lodge is the upstairs bar to the O'Grady's Restaurant – another gay gem on the Church Street gay scene. Friday is the best night to come here when they have one of the best Bear parties in the city."

"For People’s Pint, the name reflects the democratic process in which the brewery crafts its brews. People’s Pint started as a project in 2015 when they brought together 15 brewers from around the province to create a series of one-off beers. The concept was such a hit that People’s Pint developed from a one-time event into a full-scale project."

"From a project that involved 15 brewers coming together to craft a series of one-off beers, People’s Pint has evolved into a full-scale brewery. Some of its more popular beers are Alpine Dunkel, Alpine Hefe, Goldie Boat, Gose Cuervo, and Helles Island. All orders over $50 placed from within its delivery area get free delivery."

"This community cultural hub is part of the revitalization of Toronto’s Regent Park neighbourhood that began in the mid-2000s. A joint venture between Artscape, Toronto Community Housing, The Daniels Corporation and the Regent Park Community, the facility is home to a variety of art spaces, including Aki Studio – Native Earth Performing Arts and the Hallway Galleries, that feature art exhibitions throughout the year."

"Regent Park is arguably the largest revitalization the city has seen in decades. Its community cultural hub, Daniels Spectrum, is home to many art and community initiatives and organizations. Open to the public and free of charge, its Hallway Galleries showcase the work of artists from Regent Park and beyond."

"Canvas Gallery was founded by Megan Less and Mark Hunter in Toronto in 2003. Canvas is an inviting, vibrant, and friendly venue for you to develop a personal statement through the brilliance of local and national professional artists, influenced by their passion of art, artists, and a sincere pursuit of happiness. Megan and Mark founded Canvas after working in the film and television business for years and believing that the satisfaction of owning a great work should be available to everyone."

"Considered by many to be one of Toronto’s very first “Done By Community” spaces, Canvas Gallery will bring you north of the downtown core. It fosters professional, underground and grassroots art and cultural events in an effort to “bridge the gap between emerging and professional creatives and drive culture forward for marginalized groups.” The gallery has also hosted pop-ups and magazine launches. End your night at The Stockyards, a local favourite for some down-to-earth, delicious BBQ."

"Valens Restaurant is situated in the heart of Downtown Toronto in the beautiful village of Baldwin. The place has a perfect selection of fusion dishes from around the world. The restaurant boasts of providing exceptional food, excellent service, and a full bar/wine selection."

"village, Valens has the perfect selection of fusion foods from around the globe. We offer exceptional food, excellent... Italian Restaurants, Restaurants"

"Marcello’s Pizzeria near Aloft Vaughan Mills is an intimate restaurant where you need to give it a try if you live in the neighbourhood. In this place, pizzas are cooked in a stone oven, and they create dough, sauce and fresh topping masterpieces to impress their guests. Try a combination designed for you by the top chefs or create your variety."

"3175 Rutherford, Thornhill, Vaughan, Ontario L4K 5Y6 CanadaItalian, PizzaLunch, Dinner, Late NightTakeout, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Parking Available, Television, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service+1 905-532-0184http://www.marcellospizzeria.com"

"In Marcello’s Pizzeria Vaughan Mills, you can always order pizza and pasta and never get disappointed. The pizza here is an authentic Italian thin crust, and it comes fresh out of the brick oven. The pasta is incredible."