10 Best Breweries in Toronto

"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 started out as a small brewpub in the west end of the city, and now they’re known as one of the best craft breweries in Toronto. They’ve got a pretty large selection of all kinds of different brews, and their Jelly King sour ales are pretty great!. You can find their bottle shops both on Ossington and in North York."

"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."

"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."

"Steam Whistle Brewery makes a Canadian pilsner that they are rightfully proud of. This local beer maker is located right near the Roger's Centre and the CN Tower and it is a perfect stop on the Toronto tourism train. Their beer recipe has been exacted using European brewing standards, yet there is a lightheartedness to the company that is all Canadian."

"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."

"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."

"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."

"From stouts to lagers, to sours, to ales, Junction Craft gives you various options from which to choose. Residents of Toronto get free delivery when they order at least 12 cans. If you live elsewhere in Ontario, you need to spend at least $75 to qualify for free shipping."

"Located in the Junction (Dundas West), this independent Toronto brewery serving hard to find Ales, has been a consistent favourite of ours despite not living in the neighbourhood. With a wide range of in-house beers and great service, this Toronto brewery sees us making the 40 minute trek from downtown Toronto on a regular basis. The ambiance is fun and welcoming for those of all ages (beer for the adults and crayons for the little ones) making this a spot you can add to your list of things to do in Toronto with kids as well."

"Years before seemingly every neighbourhood in Toronto had its own brew pub, craft forbearers Indie Alehouse was concocting a slew of bold and experimental beers in its roomy Junction digs. Opened in 2012, the 4,000-square-foot space boasts a 110-seat restaurant (known for its legendary fried chicken sandwich), bottle shop and revolving rotation of taps, featuring classics like Broken Hipster, the gulpable Belgian wit and easy drinking Instigator IPA. SE. 2876 Dundas West, at Keele, 416-760-9691, indiealehouse.com"

"Kensington Market has always been a hub for beer lovers – the market is full of excellent haunts and dives – and Kensington Brewery is the jewel in the crown. It opened in 2011 in the back of a restaurant, but has since moved to an underground spot on the main strip, where visitors can sip on flights in the tasting room while watching the hops ferment. Beers are approachable, ranging from an easy-drinking Pilsner to the more creative barrel-aged imperial stout."

"There are plenty of bars and restaurants to grab a pint in Kensington Market, but this is the only spot where that beer comes straight from the tanks. Open since 2017, the KBC’s taproom is uniquely brightly lit, with 40 seats divided between stools at the bar and communal benches. Grab a pint of the Baldwin FishEYE PA, an American IPA with bold citrus and pine notes, or sink your teeth into the juicy Watermelon Wheat."

"Kensington Brewing Company is a microbrewery located in the Kensington Market neighbourhood of Toronto. They have a patio out front for you to enjoy their craft beers and seltzers, and you can also get free local delivery in Toronto!. If you love fruity drinks, you’ll adore their Watermelon Ale with Hibiscus Flowers."

"Monday: CLOSED Tuesday: 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM Wednesday: 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM Thursday: 12:00 PM - 8:00 PM Friday: 12:00 PM - 8:00 PM Saturday: 11:00 AM - 8:00 PM Sunday: 12:00 PM - 6:0"

"Distance from downtown: 53 minutes While not technically in Toronto, if you do find yourself chasing waterfalls in Hamilton, Collective Arts Brewing should be top of your list for refreshments. Founded on the principle that creativity brews great beer, this grassroots brewery fuses craft brewing with the aspiring talents of emerging artists and musicians. Each label is a unique work of art at Collective Arts, as is each beer."

"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."

"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."

"In the summer of 2019, Arthur Pezzelli, one of the co-creators of Bang Bang on Ossington opened his own concept near the booming Geary Avenue foodie strip. Skip inside Knockout Ice Cream on Westmoreland Avenue North (located a short stroll from Toronto brunch favourite Parallel) and you’ll find a massive glowing board featuring hand scrawled flavour descriptions. Sample your way through creative flavours pairings such as Matcha Oreo, London Fog, Mango Sticky Rice, Caramelized Banana and Cinnamon Toast Crunch."

"Nanashake has 100% vegan ice cream and frozen desserts that are made out of bananas. I tried one of their popsicles at Vegfest and it was a yummy treat. They’ve got ice cream sundaes, the Nana latte, Nana bowls, Nana cakes, and more."

"Cosmic Treats has out-of-this-world vegan eats and sweets|© Cosmic Treats. Residents have been flocking to this Kensington Market mainstay since it opened its doors in 2015. The offbeat vegan restaurant has something for everyone, with dishes ranging from greasy pub grub to ice cream."

"Last on this list, but certainly not least – we have Cosmic Treats!. If you’re exploring Kensington Market and want a sweet treat, you should check it out. This shop is actually a completely vegan eatery and dessert bar."