If you’re new to the Niagara craft beer scene, the beginning of a year is a great time to get acquainted with the offerings all over the region! We’re here to help, with a proper introduction to each brewery and the beers they’re most known for.
Starting in St. Catharines at the Merchant Ale House, where the Niagara Ale Trail first began, enjoy the famous Blueberry Wheat beer, a pint of Old Time Hockey Ale, or their Drunken Monkey Oatmeal Stout. Next in St. Catharines, a stop at Lock Street Brewery in picturesque Port Dalhousie is a must! Try their Carousel Ale, The Jealous Mistress, or Knotty Sailor Lager, and have a pint in the lovely biergarten on a nice day.
Over in Niagara-On-The-Lake, there are a few popular breweries that are sure to please! At Oast House Brewers, their Barnraiser County Ale and Pitchfork Porter are year-round staples, while Silversmith Brewing Company is known for their Black Lager, as well as their Bavarian Breakfast Wheat. The Exchange Brewery has their infamous numbered beers, with styles like Amber Ale, Porter, and White IPA. And at the Niagara College Teaching Brewery, you can sample craft beers from future brewmasters, such as the Bitter 101, Bock 101, and the Lager 101 (are you sensing a theme?).
Niagara Falls is home to Niagara Brewing Company, a city favourite that is known for the Beerdevil IPA, Niagara Premium Lager, and the Amber Eh! ale. Taps Brewery on Queen is a downtown brewery where music lovers stop to check out live acts and have a pint of Charleston Lager, Red Cream Ale, or a Belgian Wit. Nearby Syndicate Restaurant doubles as a brewery where you can enjoy a meal and a great craft beer made in-house.
Ridgeway is where you’ll find Brimstone Brewery, home to the Sinister Minister IPA, Punk Rock Pilsner, and Enlightenment Blonde Ale. Breakwall Brewing Company, one of the newest breweries on the Ale Trail, is located in Port Colborne -their Shrinking Mill APA and Breakwall Blonde have already become staples for beer lovers in the region.
Up in Beamsville, another newcomer to the Niagara Ale Trail is Bench Brewing. Quickly becoming a favourite, their Twenty Mile Farmhouse Ale, Ball’s Falls Session IPA, and Citra Grove are a hit among craft beer lovers all over. Last but not least, Kame & Kettle in Fonthill is the place to try great brews like the Gedit D’afukenya IPA and their Schwarz Bier.
Of course, many of the breweries offer a rotating list of new brews, limited releases and collaborations, so be sure to visit often! There’s always something new brewing on the Niagara Ale Trail.