As the capital city of Canada, Ottawa has become a haven for developing culture and industry. Among its many offerings is the city’s burgeoning craft beer scene, with new breweries seemingly opening up every year.
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From established social hot spots to up-and-coming craft beer staples, these are the 15 best Ottawa breweries and craft beer companies for sampling a world of cool and refreshing flavours for a craft beer tour or a simple break along an extended exploration of the city’s historical and political landmarks.
A Quick Look At The 15 Best Breweries In Ottawa
- Flora Hall Brewing
- Beyond The Pale Brewing Company
- Tooth And Nail Brewing Company
- Kichesippi Beer Co.
- Stray Dog Brewing Company
- Bicycle Craft Brewery
- Dominion City Brewing Co.
- Waller St. Brewing
- Beaus All Natural Brewing Co.
- Overflow Brewing Company
- Local Lager
- Conspiracy Theory Brewing Company
- Vimy Brewing Company
- Evergreen Craft Ales
- Orlean’s Brewing Co.
The 15 Best Ottawa Breweries And Craft Beer Companies
1. Flora Hall Brewing
Set within the trendy “The Glebe” neighbourhood, Flora Hall Brewing was conceptualized by Dave Longbottom, who, during his decades of travel, collected unique beers and food recipes from around the world.
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Bringing the diverse flavours of the world to Canada’s capital city, Flora Hall Brewing is a great spot for sampling exotic flavours while meeting great people in a friendly and social atmosphere.
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Top beers offered on tap include an English Ordinary Bitter, a Bohemian-style Pilsner, a Foeder Aged Imperial Stout, and much more. And while you may come for the drinks, you are bound to stay for the food, with internationally inspired dishes including dill pickle hummus, a delicious pork belly, and a braised lamb shank.
2. Beyond The Pale Brewing Company
First Opened in 2012, Beyond the Pale Brewing Company has been a staple in Ottawa’s craft beer scene for over a decade and promises “real beer with real flavour.” While the company’s delicious craft beer can be bought at over 30 local restaurants and bars across the city, the perfect place to sample their diverse flavours is within the company’s own taproom.
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Specializing in small-batch productions, Beyond the Pale features a continuously revolving menu of craft beers, with local favorites being the Happy Goat Coffee Stout, the DarkERness Oatmeal Stout, and the Kilt in Battle Scotch Ale.
3. Tooth And Nail Brewing Company
Located in Ottawa’s arts Hintonburg neighbourhood, Tooth and Nail Brewing Company is a British-inspired craft brewery serving up a varied selection of craft beer, with its specialty being its classically brewed English Strong and Pilsner.
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Popular amongst tourists and locals alike, the brewery provides a social setting for enjoying a pint over a varied food menu of delicious bar foods and appetizers. With great beer, great food, and great people, Tooth and Nail is one of the best breweries located in the heart of Ottawa.
4. Kichesippi Beer Co.
Promising a laid-back setting for enjoying a variety of craft beers, Kichesippi Beer Co.’s taprooms and beer garden can be found on the outskirts of the Bells Corners West neighbourhood.Â
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Whether looking to sample several unique flavours or interact with the community, the Kichesippi Beer Co. offers a friendly and welcoming atmosphere in which to hang out with friends during the venue’s comedy nights or live music nights.
5. Stray Dog Brewing Company
Located just outside of Ottawa proper in the Orleans suburb, Stray Dog Brewing Company is a local favourite craft beer brewery that first opened in 2017. Started by two home brewers, this social hotspot features exceptional beer, entertaining live music, and a great food selection to accompany your favourite drink.
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What’s even better is that the brewery is dog friendly, so while you enjoy the onsite entertainment, so too can your furry companion.Â
6. Bicycle Craft Brewery
Opened by a husband and wife duo in 2014, the Bicycle Craft Brewery quickly became one of the top craft breweries in Ottawa and serves a deep catalogue of craft beers both in its spacious taproom and along its outdoor patio during the summer months.
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With a constant production of unique and exciting brews on tap, there is always a new flavour to be sampled at the bar. Still, common favourites include the Lam Vermont-style IPA, the Simcoe IPA, and the Patio Sunshine American Pale Ale.
7. Dominion City Brewing Co.
The first brewery in Canada to be funded through Kickstarter, Dominion City Brewing Co. is one of the top local breweries in Ottawa and promises a constantly rotating tap of delicious craft beers.
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Along with offering a laid-back setting for enjoying a brew, wine, or cider, the Dominion City Brewing Co. also offers cans-to-go and curbside pickup for enjoying your favourite craft beers in the comfort of your own home.
8. Waller St. Brewing
Inspired by the prohibition era, Waller St. Brewing provides a speakeasy-like setting from its location in a small basement accessible via a steep flight of stairs. Accompanying the traditional ambiance, the bar offers several bold-flavoured beverages, including its popular Black DIPA, Tiger Mile White Stout, and more.
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While the atmosphere at Waller St. Brewing is a must-experience, the brewery also offers pickup and home deliveries of its full beer catalogue.
9. Beaus All Natural Brewing Co.
While not technically in Ottawa, Beau’s Brewery deserves its spot on this list of the top brewing companies in Canada’s capital city and is well worth the hour’s drive to the nearby Vankleek Hill community.
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A pioneering brewery within Canada’s craft beer scene, Beaus All Natural Brewing Co. is known all across the country, and its popular Lug Tread beer can be found in numerous restaurants and shops both in Ontario and other provinces.
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Along with promising a delicious lineup of premium craft beers, Beaus All Natural Brewing Co. encourages community engagement through a series of charitable donations and marketing events that have made this quaint community brewery a destination within itself.
10. Overflow Brewing Company
Promoting the attributes of fulfillment and complete immersion in life, Overflow Brewing Company is dedicated to challenging itself within its brewing skills to produce a wide variety of delicious brews.
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Offering a relaxing and social atmosphere, the brewery welcomes visitors to try its diverse flavours within its taproom. And while the pints are always cold and delicious, they are best accompanied by the smoked BBQ-style food offered by the facility’s onsite kitchen.
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While the atmosphere is always warm and welcoming, the brewery does offer frequent concert-style events for additional entertainment throughout its calendar.
11. Local Lager
With only a single beverage on the menu, Local Lager may not boast the selection of other brewing companies in Ottawa, but it has mastered its recipe to produce one of the most perfect lagers in the city.
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Local Lager does not offer a tap room for onsite tastings. However, it can be purchased from 36 different restaurants in Ottawa, from a local LCBO or Beer Store, and for an online order home delivery from its official website.
12. Conspiracy Theory Brewing Company
Set within Bells Corners, Conspiracy Theory Brewing Company is a small-batch brewery in Ottawa promising a rotating lineup of quality single-bath brews. Focusing on producing refined, balanced, and quality products, popular beers on tap include Area 51 Crea, Ale, Chemtrails Pale Ale, and the brewery’s unique lineup of barrel-aged sours.
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The Conspiracy Theory Brewing Company offers a small snack menu, including complimentary popcorn. However, the taproom does allow food to be brought in, with several surrounding restaurants offering delicious takeout options.
13. Vimy Brewing Company
Named after one of Canada’s most monumental military achievements, the Vimy Brewing Company is all about Canadian pride. Founded by brother reservists in the Royal Canadian Navy, Vimy Brewing Company was created out of a need to celebrate local beers of the Great White North.
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Focusing on small-batch production using high-quality ingredients, Vimy Brewing Company features eight Canada-inspired beers, with some of its most popular being its flagship Vimy Cream Ale and its award-winning Vimy Red Ale and Vimy Pale Ale.
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Vimy Brewing’s Company invites guests to sample its beers in its tasting room seven days a week. However, the company also offers their various brews for curbside pickup.
14. Evergreen Craft Ales
Another brewery founded out of the owner’s love of local craft beer, Evergreen Craft Ales serves up a rotating tap of homemade craft brews from its newly opened tap room at its new location along Silver Seven Road.
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With 8-12 different beers featured on tap at any given time and a delicious food menu of smoked meats and paninis, Evergreen Craft Ales is a great place to hang out with good friends or family.
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However, this local brewery also offers a unique Be a Brewer Package in which they offer visitors the opportunity to learn and explore the full brewing process of craft beer production. The package includes a T-Shirt, lunch, a complete tutorial, and 24 cans of your choice of quality beer from the onsite retail shop.
15. Orleans Brewing Co.
Set within the nearby community of Orleans, just a short drive along the Ottawa River, the Orleans Brewing Co. blends the boundaries between innovation and experimentation with tried and true practices exploring Canada’s craft beer history.
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Along with its extensive craft beer menu, this established brewery caters to a variety of different palates with its wide list of wines, cocktails, and spirits. Be sure to check the brewery’s calendar before visiting for upcoming musical bingo, karaoke, and music trivia.
