The Ontario beer scene is undergoing a bit of a revolution. In 2024, a historic shift in retail laws brought beer to convenience and grocery stores, giving consumers greater access to their favorite brews. Pair this with a thriving craft beer culture that emphasizes quality and creativity, and it’s no wonder Ontario has become a hotbed for beer lovers. Let’s dive into the trends and flavors shaping the province’s pint-sized renaissance.
The Ontario Beer Market in Short
Ontario’s craft beer scene is the fourth biggest in Canada, with more than 320 licensed breweries and a rising number of craft enthusiasts embracing local, quality brews. This growth is evident in the selections available at the LCBO and other retailers, offering flavors that range from juicy IPAs to rich stouts and crisp lagers. In 2024, Ontario expanded alcohol sales to convenience stores, grocery stores, and big-box retailers, ending a near-century monopoly on beer sales previously controlled by The Beer Store and the LCBO.
Ontario : Key Beer Trends
Ontario may not top Canada’s beer consumption charts, but when it comes to craft beer, it’s all about quality over quantity. Here’s the buzz:
- Big Pour Numbers: In 2023, Ontarians guzzled 186.89 million liters of domestic beer and 93.41 million liters of imported brews. That’s a lot of suds!
- Not-So-Thirsty Province: Despite the impressive sales, Ontario ranks fourth from the bottom for beer consumption per capita in Canada. Nationally, the average Canadian downed 65.1 liters in 2022—a sharp 27% drop from 2008.
- Craft Reigns Supreme: At the LCBO, craft beer dominates, making up 52% of sales. Premium beer follows with 37%, leaving mainstream beer lagging at just 11%.
- Tourism Boost: Craft breweries are a tourism powerhouse, attracting over 5 million visitors annually who pour $210 million into Ontario’s economy. Breweries have a knack for luring tourists who spend more than their hops-averse counterparts.
- Industry Riches: The beer industry across Canada is brewing up $11 billion in revenue for 2024, with $6.3 billion from home sales and $4.7 billion from bars, restaurants, and other out-of-home experiences.
To curate the best Ontario craft beers, we explored community recommendations on Reddit, top-rated lists on RateBeer and BeerAdvocate, and LCBO’s popular picks.
Beers like Bellwoods Jelly King Sour, Muskoka’s Hazed and Confused IPA, Beau’s Lug Tread Lagered Ale, Collective Arts Ransack the Universe IPA, and Great Lakes Brewery’s Sunnyside Session IPA consistently appeared in the top 20 across platforms, demonstrating both quality and popularity.
Here is 2024’s list of top craft beers in Ontario
- Hazed and Confused IPA – Muskoka Brewery
- 2. Starry Night Milk Stout – Bobcaygeon Brewing Co.
- 3. Cool Beer Lager – Cool Beer Brewing Co.
- 4. Rain Maker Porter – The Second Wedge Brewing Co.
- 5. Ransack the Universe IPA – Collective Arts Brewing
- 6. Hockley Dark – Hockley Valley Brewing Co.
- 7. Sunnyside Session IPA – Great Lakes Brewery
- 8. Ambehr Red Ale – Cameron’s Brewing
- 9. Beau’s Lug Tread Lagered Ale – Beau’s All Natural Brewing Co.
- 10. Bellwoods Jelly King Sour – Bellwoods Brewery
Our selection considers flavor diversity, brewery reputation, and local support, ensuring a list that showcases the distinct creativity and innovation in Ontario’s craft brewing culture. It is by no means authoritative or comprehensive, but for new craft beer enthusiasts looking for safe choices, you have come to the right place!
1. Hazed and Confused IPA – Muskoka Brewery
Brewery: 1964 Muskoka Beach Rd, Bracebridge, ON
Description: A juicy, hazy IPA with citrus and tropical fruit flavors, perfect for a summer day. Known for its soft, easy-drinking character and intense fruity notes, Hazed and Confused is a go-to for IPA fans.
Website: muskokabrewery.com
Phone: 705-646-1266
2. Starry Night Milk Stout – Bobcaygeon Brewing Co.
Brewery: 17 Bolton St, Bobcaygeon, ON
Description: A velvety, rich milk stout that offers notes of chocolate and roasted malt, making it a dessert in a glass. Starry Night Milk Stout has a loyal following for its decadent, smooth finish.
Website: bobcaygeonbrewing.ca
Phone: 705-341-1001
3. Cool Beer Lager – Cool Beer Brewing Co.
Brewery: 164 Evans Ave, Etobicoke, ON
Description: This easy-going, award-winning lager is appreciated for its clean, crisp taste. It’s one of Ontario’s more accessible options for those looking for a lighter craft experience.
Website: coolbeer.com
Phone: 416-255-7100
4. Rain Maker Porter – The Second Wedge Brewing Co.
Brewery: 14 Victoria St, Uxbridge, ON
Description: This dark porter offers chocolate and espresso notes, with a smooth finish that fans of dark beers love. It’s crafted for those who appreciate a bold, flavorful brew.
Website: thesecondwedge.ca
Phone: 289-678-3619
5. Ransack the Universe IPA – Collective Arts Brewing
Brewery: 207 Burlington St E, Hamilton, ON
Description: This international-style IPA is known for blending hops from multiple continents to achieve a floral and tropical flavor profile, making it a unique choice in Ontario’s IPA scene.
Website: collectiveartsbrewing.com
Phone: 289-426-2374
6. Hockley Dark – Hockley Valley Brewing Co.
Brewery: 25 Centennial Rd, Orangeville, ON
Description: A smooth, mildly sweet dark ale with hints of caramel and roasted malt. This ale is a comfortable blend of body and flavor, great for fans of classic English dark ales.
Website: hockleybeer.ca
Phone: 519-941-8881
7. Sunnyside Session IPA – Great Lakes Breweryà
Brewery: 30 Queen Elizabeth Blvd, Etobicoke, ON
Description: A lower-alcohol IPA that doesn’t sacrifice flavor. With citrus and tropical notes, it’s refreshing yet complex, perfect for anyone looking for a lighter IPA option.
Website: greatlakesbeer.com
Phone: 416-255-4510
8. Ambehr Red Ale – Cameron’s Brewing
Brewery: 1165 Invicta Dr, Oakville, ON
Description: This well-balanced red ale features caramel malt sweetness with a slight hop bitterness. Ambehr is smooth and versatile, catering to a wide range of beer enthusiasts.
Website: cameronsbrewing.com
Phone: 905-849-8282
9. Beau’s Lug Tread Lagered Ale – Beau’s All Natural Brewing Co.
Brewery: 10 Terry Fox Dr, Vankleek Hill, ON
Description: This is a crisp, refreshing hybrid of ale and lager styles, boasting mild hops and a slight fruitiness. Lug Tread is widely celebrated and a great starting point for craft newcomers.
Website: beaus.ca
Phone: 866-585-2337
10. Bellwoods Jelly King Sour – Bellwoods Brewery
Brewery: 124 Ossington Ave, Toronto, ON
Description: Known for its juicy, sour punch and fruity additions like apricot or raspberry, Jelly King stands out in the world of sours, drawing in those who enjoy a tangy, refreshing twist.
Website: bellwoodsbrewery.com
Phone: 416-535-4586
Ontario’s craft beer scene offers something for everyone, from hoppy IPAs to velvety stouts and crisp lagers. Each brewery in this list brings a distinct approach and commitment to quality, showcasing Ontario’s innovation and creativity in craft brewing. For a more immersive experience, consider visiting these breweries or finding them at the LCBO to sample Ontario’s finest!
Related : Ontario Beer
Pierre-Olivier Bussières is Editor-in-Chief or Le Temps d’une Bière and producer of Hoppy History. Pierre has previously written for The Diplomat, Global Risk Insights and the NATO Association of Canada. Pierre writes about beer markets in North America.
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