10 Best Breweries in Caledon

"What is it: Another member of the unofficial Aleyards brewing collective, the fine folks at Junction pump out creative brews at an impressive pace – up to 600 small batches per year, on their count. Why go: The brewery’s setting, a former trash incinerator built in the Art Deco era (c. 1934), will take your breath away. Luckily, there are plenty of tasty, creative beers (barrel-aged porters, German-style festbiers and Berlinerweisses) to revive you."

"Founded in 2011, Junction Craft Brewing is well known for their signature brew, Conductor’s Craft Ale, a popular sipper made with five types of malt and five types of hops using a hybrid of brewing techniques. In addition, they brew a variety of styles you can find in their tap room and retail store. Conductor’s Craft Ale is available in the LCBO along with their award winning Brakeman’s Session Ale and Tracklayer’s Kolsch."

"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."

"You’ll find Rainhard Brewing Co. in the Stockyards neighbourhood of Toronto, housed in an old 1940s-style manufacturing plant. Brewmaster and founder Jason Rainhard started off in the corporate world, but then shifted his attention to beer, starting as a homebrewer and who is now an award-winning pro. Stop by the tap room to try a few, which currently include a black IPA, West Coast IPA, Roggenbier (German rye larger), Czech style pilsner, farmhouse ale among other lovingly crafted small batch brews."

"Toronto's Stockyards neighborhood, a former meatpacking district, came to unofficially be known as the Ale Yards after a cluster of microbreweries took over the strip. Rainhard Brewing Company, named after founder Richard Rainhard, was the first to pop up in 2015, outfitting an old refinery into one of the city's best and biggest craft breweries. The brewery includes the tasting and tap room, event space and a small retail area for bottle shoppers."

"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."

"If you’re tired of drinking mass-produced beer-flavoured water, you’ll want to check out this popular Junction alehouse. In addition to the small indie brewery’s four flagship offerings, its rotating taps are always changing – keep an eye out for Fates & Furies, a series dedicated to reviving now hard-to-find brews. Try: The Barnyard Belgian IPA, a hybrid that combines the best of both iconic styles."

"The Junction’s Indie Ale House is a small, independent craft brewery putting their creativity and love of beer to good use in creating a selection of brews that veer off the traditional path – in a good way. The always-busy restaurant is where you’ll find elevated pub fare, hearty mains perfect for soaking up the beer and crispy, thin crust pizzas."

"They’re not located in a “trendy” neighbourhood, and you won’t find any reclaimed barnboard or ­taxidermy in the taproom, but Etobicoke’s Great Lakes Brewery has been making the good stuff since 1987—when some of today’s most dedicated craft beer drinkers were nursing a whole different kind of bottle. Owner Peter Bulut Jr. and brewer Mike Lackey are still at it today, and their Canuck pale ale is as good as it gets around here. Pay a visit to their sweet new patio and treat yourself to a pre- or post-Costco-trip pint."

"Bars and pubs The Queensway. What is it: While it’s slightly west of the city in Etobicoke, it’s worth the trek to pay homage to one of the first great craft brewers in Toronto, going on 30 years strong. They’ve been brewing the Canuck Pale Ale for over a decade and it’s still a homegrown favorite."

"Retail Store Hours: Mon-Thu 11:00 AM-6:00 PM , Fri & Sat 11:00 AM-8:00 PM , Sun 12:00 PM-5:00 PM"

"Magnotta offers an exceptional winery experience with over 180 VQA and International Series wines to enjoy, gourmet food items and. Wineries, Wine Making & Beer Brewing Equipment"

"Save for the giant tanks, drinking at Shacklands feels like hanging in your fave neighbourhood dive bar: the walls are slathered in action figures, the stereo’s playing Matthew Sweet and old cartoons are on a loop on the TV. But instead of Labatt 50, the bar’s pouring a delightful jumble of sours, bretts and fruity blends, courtesy brewer Jason Tremblay."

"Don’t come to Shacklands looking for a lager or an IPA—you won’t find any. They pour only Belgian-style brews: farmhouse ales, saisons, tripels and dubbels. Everything here is downright funky."

"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."

"The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Etobicoke, Toronto, Ontario, Canada is a traditional Hindu place of worship that was built by the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha."

"They’re not located in a “trendy” neighbourhood, and you won’t find any reclaimed barnboard or ­taxidermy in the taproom, but Etobicoke’s Great Lakes Brewery has been making the good stuff since 1987—when some of today’s most dedicated craft beer drinkers were nursing a whole different kind of bottle. Owner Peter Bulut Jr. and brewer Mike Lackey are still at it today, and their Canuck pale ale is as good as it gets around here. Pay a visit to their sweet new patio and treat yourself to a pre- or post-Costco-trip pint."

"Bars and pubs The Queensway. What is it: While it’s slightly west of the city in Etobicoke, it’s worth the trek to pay homage to one of the first great craft brewers in Toronto, going on 30 years strong. They’ve been brewing the Canuck Pale Ale for over a decade and it’s still a homegrown favorite."

"Retail Store Hours: Mon-Thu 11:00 AM-6:00 PM , Fri & Sat 11:00 AM-8:00 PM , Sun 12:00 PM-5:00 PM"