Niagara Breweries to Visit This Summer
Who knew some of the best brews could be crafted in the heart of wine country?
Niagara’s brewing and agricultural roots stretch back to the late 1700s. Today, the Niagara region is home to dozens of craft breweries that are passionate about showcasing the best hops and fresh fruit grown here — through delicious beer.
Additionally, the Ontario craft beer boom – that’s resulted in over 250 microbreweries in the province – has been attributed to the Niagara region, given the presence of Niagara College’s brewing program. With plenty of breweries and brewpubs, year-round community beer events, and fun summer festivals showcasing new and innovative brews, Niagara is a must-visit destination for Canadian beer lovers.
Here are some of Niagara’s finest breweries to visit this summer!
Silversmith Brewing Company
1523 Niagara Stone Rd, Virgil, ON L0S 1T0
Silversmith Brewing Company is located a rustic Niagara-on-the-Lake church that dates back to the 1890’s. They’re best known for their multi-award winning Black Lager brewed right here in Ontario’s original destination brewery.
Must try: The Black Lager
The Exchange Brewery
7 Queen St, Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON L0S 1J0
The Exchange is a premium brewery and tasting room located in Niagara-on-the-Lake’s Old Town heritage district. The Exchange’s approach to brewing blends traditional and modern techniques and equipment. The result is exceptional craft beers made using only the highest quality ingredients, including local Niagara fruits. Their selection includes a range of American styles along with sour and funky Belgian-style beers and ales.
Must try: Barn Raiser Country Ale
Oast House Brewers
2017 Niagara Stone Rd, Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON L0S 1J0
Oast House is a small batch, farmhouse-focused brewery in Niagara-On-The-Lake. The big red barn is unmissable and serves not only as a facility to brew great beer, but also houses a number of spaces each with its own unique feel. These include their tasting room (aka. The Beer Shed), events space (aka. The Hayloft) and Niagara’s coolest outdoor Patio.
Must try: Barn Raiser Country Ale
Counterpart Brewing
3659 Stanley Ave, Niagara Falls, ON L2E 0A6
Counterpart is a craft brewery and kitchen located in an industrial plaza in the north end of Niagara Falls. They produce a wide variety of progressive and inspired beers that range from hazy IPAs, fruited and dry-hopped sours, stouts and adjunct stouts, lagers and everything in between. They also offer an eclectic array of house-made dishes that showcase both creativity and technical proficiency.
Must try: Coconut Roller Stout
Bench Brewing Company
3991 King St, Beamsville, ON L0R 1B1
Bench Brewing Company is a Belgian-inspired farmhouse brewery located on 8 acres of farmland in Niagara’s beautiful Twenty Valley, that provides the ideal location for making premium quality beer that reflects the local terroir. Bench Brewing produces premium quality beer that embraces old-world brewing techniques while embracing the local surroundings of the Twenty Valley.
Must try: Ball’s Falls Session IPA
Cold Break Brewing
193 St Paul St W, St. Catharines, ON L2S 2C9
Cold Break Brewing is housed in a 6000-square-foot industrial-like establishment with a 15 barrel brewhouse and a 125 seat taproom. The brewery and restaurant is focused on pairing “unique, high quality, consistent, sessional and great tasting beer” with a locally sourced food menu. This is the perfect spot to grab a local brew and bite in the Niagara region!
Must try: Galaxy White IPA
Lock Street Brewing Company
15 Lock St, St. Catharines, ON L2N 5B6
Lock Street is the first microbrewery located in the centuries-old Port Dalhousie heritage district. They make authentic beers, ales, and specialize in artisanal beer.
Must try: Portside Pilsner
Brimstone Brewing
209 Ridge Rd N, Ridgeway, ON L0S 1N0
Brimstone Brewing is located in a re-imagined 20th-century church called the Sanctuary Centre for the Arts. The location is a popular wedding venue that also hosts brewery events include concerts, fundraisers, and beer festicals.
Must try: Sinister Minister IPA
Taps Brewhouse
4680 Queen St, Niagara Falls, ON L2E 2L8
Founded in 2004, Taps Brewing Company is located in the heart of Niagara Falls. They brew custom-crafted beer in small batches, using only four ingredients: pure filtered water, select hops, choice malted barley and yeast. Taps beers have a unique, refreshing and truly satisfying taste that complements their award-winning chef’s menu.
Must try: Art Attack IPA
Niagara Brewing Company
4915-A Clifton Hill, Niagara Falls, ON L2G 3N5
Niagara Brewing Company aims to brew beers that proudly represent Canada’s brewing heritage and today’s innovative craft beer scene. The brewery sits on the former site of the Foxhead Inn, one of the first luxury hotels to be built in Niagara Falls. The brewery honours the spirit of the fox by employing daring processes, bold flavours, and a sharp and fiery desire to create the perfect beer.
Must try: Niagara Premium Lager
Blackburn Brewhouse
8001 Blackburn Pkwy, Niagara Falls, ON L2H 0A6
One of the newest Niagara breweries, Blackburn Brewhouse is redefining what authentic, local beer is. Their outdoor patio provides a warm and welcoming space for the community to gather with some delicious craft brews.
Must try: Whirlpool IPA
Merchant Ale House
98 St Paul St, St. Catharines, ON L2R 3M2
The Merchant Ale House is one of Niagara’s longest running craft beer breweries, located in the heart of downtown St. Catharines. ‘The Merch’ is home to one of the region’s most extensive craft beer menus, featuring over a dozen house brews alongside seasonal selections from other Ontario microbreweries.
Must try: Uncharted Pale Ale
Bugsy’s Pour House
33 Lakeshore Rd, St. Catharines, ON L2N 7B3
Bugsy’s isn’t a brewery, but I’ve included it on the list because this pub has one of the largest beer selections that I’ve ever seen. They’ve got over 20 draught taps and a menu of 99 different bottles and cans from around the world.
Trust Beer Bar
3 Garden Park, St. Catharines, ON L2R 5B4
Trust isn’t a brewery, but they’re a really cool downtown St. Catharine’s bar that carries the best craft beer selection in the Niagara region. This is one of my favourite spots in Niagara and a must-visit for any craft beer lover!
