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The 5 Best Craft Breweries in Toronto

If you plan to brewery-hop this season (or any other season), take a look at the 5 best craft breweries Toronto has to offer.

By Kate Bialowas

By Kate BialowasView Author PostsApr 27th 2018

The weather is finally heating up in Toronto, and there’s nothing better to combat that warm summer heat than with a crisp, refreshing brew. Toronto is home to some of the best craft breweries that offer the tastiest beers, not to mention gorgeous patios to enjoy them on in the warmer weather. Each brewery offers something unique, whether it’s inspired by the city’s railroad history or the relaxing, airy beer gardens of Germany.

If you plan to brewery-hop this season (or any other season), take a look at the 5 best craft breweries Toronto has to offer.

1. Bellwoods Brewery

Bellwoods’ ever-evolving brew selection is a mix of bright, fresh and hoppy styles. They serve up everything from aromatic pale ales to fruity Double IPAs, and love to put their own spin on their brews. They’re passionate about Imperial Stouts and also focus part of their energy on farmhouse and/or wild ales. They opened with a brewpub on Ossington Avenue. You can hang out on the patio in the warmer weather or take a seat inside. Their second location opened December 2016 on Hafis Road and this is where you’ll find the big shiny tanks and more of their farmhouse/wild ale selection. Both have a bottle shop where you can pick up your faves on the go.

Image: Instagram/ @bellwoodsbeer

2. Kensington Brewing Company

Born in the back of a restaurant in Kensington Market, Kensington Brewing Company creates thoughtfully crafted beer, best enjoyed with food. They aim to represent the diverse flavours and eclectic culture of the Kensington Market neighbourhood and always insist on using local ingredients. With delicious beers ranging from tart and tropical (Tuckerbox), to smoky and fruity (Beach Fire), and spicy and zesty (Tap Root), there’s something for all beer lovers here!

Image: Instagram/@kensingtonbrewingcompany

3. Bandit Brewery

A charming space that opens up to a gorgeous outdoor patio when the weather warms up, Bandit Brewery is one of the best places to get your brew on. Located in the heart of Roncesvalles, the owners were inspired by the atmosphere of German beer gardens and wanted to create a space with the relaxing, airy, comfortable and inclusive beer garden feel. They offer up beers that go by names like the Farmed and Dangerous (a saison which you can also get fermented with fresh basil and lemon), and the Vic Secret and Azacca (a New England pale ale bursting with aromas of clementines and mangoes). What’s not to love?

Image: Instagram/@banditbrewery

4. Junction Craft Brewing

Located in Toronto’s west end Junction neighbourhood, Junction Craft Brewing nods to its industrial past (the area used to be one of Canada’s biggest rail hubs), with trained-themed beers. They’ve brewed over 120 recipes, with names such as “Conductor’s Craft Ale” to “Engineer’s IPA” to “Brakeman’s Session Ale”. They also have a self-serve retail brewery store so you can take your favourites home.

Image: Instagram/@junctioncraft

5. Blood Brothers Brewing

A sibling-owned microbrewery on Geary Avenue, Blood Brothers Brewing is small and always bustling. They offer innovative beers that step away from the uniformity of today’s beer market. Think: A golden sour ale refermented with heaps of Guava nectar, a white wine inspired ale, and a big boozy beer with layers of chocolate, coffee and bourbon. With a tap room and bottle shop, you can enjoy it by the glass, or take it to go.