10 Best Breweries in Vaughan

"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."

"Bars and pubs Beaconsfield. What is it: The grandaddy of modern craft brewing in Toronto is Bellwoods Brewery. Smack-dab in the center of the hipster mecca that is Ossington Ave., this bottle shop and restaurant is constantly bustling with patrons seeking good eats and even better brews."

"Over the years I’ve caught myself talking about beer the same way snotty people talk about wine. I went from Homer Simpson’s “D-oh beeeeer” to cultured and sophisticated palette discussions involving water, barley, yeast and hops. Alright fine, I’m not an expert on beer by any stretch of the imagination but what I do know is that I love the stuff."

"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."

"Located in the heart of the city right by super popular attractions like the CN Tower, Rogers Centre and Ripley's Aquarium you can find the iconic Steam Whistle Brewery. The location is perfect for just popping in and grabbing some snacks (their pretzels are fantastic!) and drinks but if you have enough time you really should make an effort to join the tour!. Unlike a lot of breweries, you actually don't have to make any decisions on what beer to drink here since they only make the one beer!"

"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."

"If you are planning to have a blast, Steam Whistle Brewery is the choice to make. Located right at the base of CN Tower – one of the top tourist attractions of Toronto – this place is made better with friendly staff. The Steam Whistle Brewery has been around since two decades and has earned the title of being Canada’s largest and most beloved independent breweries."

"The hybrid brewery, bottle shop, restaurant and music hall has been a Bloordale fixture since 2015 thanks to its unpretentious ambience and tasty bar snacks. Choose from 10 beers on rotation including the tropically hoppy DIPA double IPA or crush a couple of Tuesday cans, bursting with clove and pineapple, while seated on the thoughtfully designed side patio. Sikil Pak, pakoras and burrata all appear on the seasonal menu, but if you’d rather go the junk food route, we suggest the Fries Supreme!"

"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)."

"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."

"The Junction has quickly become the epicenter of Toronto’s burgeoning craft beer scene, and Junction Craft Brewing has been leading the charge ever since it opened in 2011. You can catch its popular train-themed beers – a nod to the neighbourhood’s history as a West Toronto rail hub – at the LCBO or their dedicated tap room. Try: The award-winning Brakeman’s Session Ale."

"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!"

"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."

"As one of the GTA’s oldest craft brewers, this two-time Canadian Brewery of the Year has been putting out consistently excellent beers for going on three decades now. GLB refuses to simply rest on their laurels though, putting out innovative new limited releases as part of their ongoing Tank Ten project. Try: Any of the latest Tank Ten offerings, or their classic Canuck Pale Ale."

"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."

"Founded by a couple of canine-loving brew hounds and their black labrador mix, Snoopy, Black Lab Brewing keeps their brewery completely separate from the taproom so humans can enjoy a beer with their four-legged friends (while abiding Toronto's notoriously strict health and safety bylaws). Black Lab Brewing is a little brewery with big aspirations, striving to create a cozy community of beer lovers and bridge the gap between brewer and consumer. The brewery doesn't serve food at this time (those pesky bylaws again) but they do allow outside food to be brought in or delivered."

"What is it: Dog-crazed, beer-loving Torontonians finally have a place to indulge in both obsessions: Black Lab Brewing. While the production area is off limits for hounds, dogs are free to roam around the 3,600-square-foot taproom while their humans enjoy hazy APAs and imperial IPAs. Why go: With strict food safety laws prohibiting animals entry at most Toronto venues, we welcome Black Lab with open arms (and paws)."

"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."

"Only three years old, the Stockyards’ first brewery has already tripled its capacity to produce the good stuff. The folks at Rainhard are also the proud ­owners of two brand-new Italian-made foeders (pronounced “food-ers”), ginormous oak barrels used by brewers to ferment beer, especially sour, funky beer, over months and even years. While we wait for their first foeder beer to hit the menu, the Kapow!"

"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."

"21 Doughnut aficionados no longer have to make the pilgrimage to this Hamilton-based bakery for their yeast-risen rings, now that the brand has a booth at Stackt, Toronto’s new shipping container market. The selection changes daily, but their roster of rotating flavours has included lavender-lemon, blood-orange hibiscus, raspberry-habanero and the #Hamont Cream-Filled, Donut Monster’s take on the beloved Boston Cream. There is no wrong choice."

"Founded in 2002 by Bay St. lawyers Shawn Hewson and Ruth Promislow, Bustle Clothing is a leading Canadian sportswear label, known for its cheeky twist on menswear classics. Shop their new unisex collaboration – Playboy X Bustle. The collection includes: heritage classics, collegiate prep, streetwear, vintage-inspired T-shirts and accessories."

"At 7 Baker, European and Asian flavours come together to create totally unique and delectable baked goods. With traditional European bread and pastry recipes infused with Asian flavours, this bakery is unlike anything you’ve ever laid eyes on. The shiny space features gold finishings that make the bakery gleam from the outside."

"By far the cutest macarons in the city, this small patisserie in Kensington Market should not be missed for fans of the traditionally French dessert. In a variety of adorable shapes, these macarons delight the eyes as much as they delight the tongue. All of the shapes take inspiration from the animal kingdom (panda, corgi, etc…) or pop culture (the limited edition Toronto Raptors macaron) and anime (No-Face from Spirited Away, Tiger from Winnie the Pooh, and Doraemon, etc…)."

"DaanGo means “cake” in Cantonese and they’ve taken cuteness to the max with their selection of cartoon character macarons, pun-tastic pastries and visually stunning cakes. In addition to their adorable creations, come here for their unexpected flavours such as Vietnamese coffee, roasted milk tea, Ovaltine, pandan coconut and durian. Also, don’t forget their scrumptious cookies!"

"Daan Go is the brainchild of Christopher Siu, who was on season 2 of Masterchef Canada Season 2!. They’re famous for their adorable character macarons, but they also have beautiful cakes and other pastries. They have 1 downtown location in Kensington Market and 2 locations in Scarborough."

"Dating back to 1892, the iconic (and oft-photographed) red-brick Gooderham Building can be found at 49 Wellington Street East at the intersection of Church, Wellington and Front streets. The building's triangular shape means that it’s most commonly known as Toronto’s Flatiron Building. Situated on a triangular patch of land in Toronto's St. Lawrence Market District, the Gooderham Building was declared a historic site in 1975."

"The Gooderham Building—commonly referred to as the Flatiron building in another nod to NYC—is one of Toronto’s more historical landmarks. The red brick building sits on busy Wellington Street and Front Street, is surrounded by shops and has views of the CN Tower."

"AKA the Pink Park – it brings a splash of colour to the otherwise boring beige concrete lining the city – it’s not hard to miss and can be found at 636 Fleet Street. (credit: @katiechoi_ / Instagram)"

"On the former site of the Riverdale Zoo, where from 1888 to 1974 prairie wolves howled at night and spooked the Cabbagetown kids, Riverdale Farm is a rural oasis in the downtown. Now a working-farm museum, it has two barns, a summer wading pool and pens of feathered and furry friends. Kids follow the farmer around as they do their daily chores, including milking the cows at 10:30am. There's a farmers market on Tuesdays (3pm to 7pm May to October)."

"Riverdale Farm is another urban animal adventure, but here’s something for you, caregivers: visiting the farm is totally free, 365 days a year!. Tucked in behind Cabbagetown, it’s the perfect place to get a glimpse of life outside the city without venturing far. Watch cows swat flies with their tails, little pigs happily munch away, spot the tiniest baby goats and sheep in the spring, and learn about the animals, too!"

"A post shared by Tullio Leone (@tullioleone) on Mar 3, 2020 at 5:25pm PST. Just north of Bloor Street West sits Etiénne Brûle Park. This historic park was named after an early French explorer, Etiénne Brûle, the first explorer to venture beyond the St. Lawrence River into what we now know as Ontario."

"Why You Need To Go: With winding hiking trails and perfectly adorable picnic areas, this quiet Toronto park will have you feeling totally at peace."

"Start your Toronto visit in the downtown core at Nathan Phillips Square. This public space is a popular gathering place for Torontonians. It is easily recognized by the gigantic Freedom Arches over the reflecting pool and the 3D TORONTO sign. Together with City Hall, they make an iconic landmark in the city worth visiting."

"Pull on some skates and go ice skating at Nathan Phillips Square. If you’re not an ice skater, hang around the square to lap up the winter wonderland atmosphere while you watch the skaters glide across the ice."