They say this summer is going to be a hot one, so if you’re ready to beat the heat in the big city, Toronto’s breweries are ready to welcome you for a pint and a good time.
These days, breweries are more than just the beer they brew: they have grown to become community spaces bringing people together for curated events and game nights, burgers and plates to share, and yes, beer.
We’ve rounded up eight spots across the city where we’ll be stopping by all summer long for a taste of Toronto’s top-notch craft brewing scene.
Avling Brewery
Leslieville’s Avling Brewery lives up to its Norwegian name meaning “crop” or “harvest” thanks to its rooftop farm. This hyperlocal approach to circularity ensures a true taste of local and a menu that will have you coming back for brunch, dinner and happy hour. Proudly Feast On® certified, they meet a stringent set of standards and are committed to sourcing Ontario-grown and raised ingredients.
We’re of the opinion that most things in life are best enjoyed on a rooftop, and with seasonal beers on rotation, a visit to Avling will have you cooling down amongst the crops and flowers this summer.
Godspeed Brewery
Experimental by nature, Godspeed Brewing takes an approach that puts inspiration front and center. Based in Little India on Gerrard, expect to take a journey around the globe with brews built on skill and experimentation from techniques and ingredients gained the world over.
With a current leaning to brewing Czech-style lagers, a notable dry Irish stout on tap and everything from smoked beer to fruity saisons on rotation, we wish you godspeed, because you’re sure to embark on an adventure as soon as you step inside.
Blood Brothers Brewing
A century-old horse stable in the Geary Avenue arts district has become the perfect setting for a regular rotation of 26 beers on tap full of flavour and story. A southern comfort menu with an offering you’d expect at a brewery ensures you’ll be well-fed as you take a seat on the patio. Be sure to check out The Sound Garage for a series of concerts taking you through the entire summer season and stop by the bottle shop to stock up for picnics all summer long.
Red Tape Brewery
This Inuit and family-owned operation wants to make sure you feel at home with their small-batch offering and an approach to beer that was born along with a willingness to share the news of their son’s arrival in a meaningful way.
A special saison was bottled and sent to friends and family with instructions to open once they received news of his birth. This focus on celebration and storytelling has led to working directly with clients to offer custom options that range from low-gluten and low-alcohol to personalized flavour.
Stop by the brewery in the Danforth Village area for a taste of what’s on tap and to partake in many of their themed evenings, game nights and comedy open mic nights.
Left Field Brewery
With taprooms in both Liberty Village and Leslieville, Left Field Brewery has its roots in baseball culture with its offerings inspired by the sport that are full of flavour and fun.
Be on the lookout for events running at both locations all summer long and refreshing options that run the gamut from non-alcoholic lager to punchy fruit-filled sours. Try their Passionfruit IPA and Rainbow Sherbet Sour or opt for the aptly named Ice Cold Beer.
Bandit Brewery
You’ll feel like you’re tucked in a convivial corner of Germany at this micro-brewery in Roncesvalles inspired by the likes of the country’s ubiquitous beer gardens.
Producing only 10 barrels of beer per batch with a focus on making what they’d like to drink themselves, the barrel program continues to grow along with a selection of non-alcoholic options. Take a seat at one of the more atmospheric and relaxing patios out there and have a taste of the likes of Wizard of Gose (Pink Guava or Grapefruit and Tangerine) or Mr. Pink (Watermelon and Hibiscus Pale Ale).
Rorschach Brewing Co.
Situated in Toronto’s East End, this brewpub is experimental in all capacities, something that extends to their range of IPAs, stouts, lagers, sours, smoothie beers and non-alcoholic options.
They’ve got snacks and small plates on offer, but given their desire to innovate and play, it made sense to extend this creativity to pizza with a secret menu featuring naturally leavened thin crust New York style pies. Stop by for happy hour for $5 pints and see what the hype is all about.
Something in the Water Brewing
By now, it’s clear that there’s something in the water in Toronto, but one brewery is laying claim to the name. This Liberty Village spot also has a taproom in Kingston with a nautical theme woven throughout both.
Since launching their first sour in 2020, they have since expanded to a range of brews from core and seasonal beers to special collabs and limited releases. With food and cocktails on the menu and a host of events, this fun place to gather has claimed another title: Canada’s New Brewery of the Year in 2023 by the Brewers Choice Awards.
If you’ll be wandering the streets of Toronto this summer, we can guarantee you won’t leave thirsty. The wide range of classic and eclectic brews on offer throughout the city along with local and well-paired menus, reflect a diverse and curious array of inspired experiments brewed with skill and intention. Don’t blame us if you find yourself going back for more!
