With summer now in full swing, it’s a great time to get out on the Niagara Ale Trail and sample the delicious craft beer the region has to offer. Not sure where to start? Here’s your official summer guide to all things ale trail! Whether you’re looking for patios, food, take-home options or live music, we’ve compiled the right lists for your summertime craft brewery needs.
Patios:
Great patios and cold pints go together like… well, like patios and pints! There’s no better way to spend your summer than sitting in the sunshine, sipping local craft beer. Here are a few must-visit breweries with equally must-visit patios:
Lock Street Brewing Company, Port Dalhousie
Niagara Oast House Brewers, Niagara-on-the-Lake
The Exchange Brewery, Niagara-on-the-Lake
Niagara Brewing Company, Niagara Falls
Taps Brewhouse, Niagara Falls
Bench Brewing Company, Beamsville
Brimstone Brewing Company, Ridgeway
Breakwall Brewing Company, Port Colborne
Kame & Kettle Beer Works, Fonthill
Great Food Pairings:
These days it’s not uncommon to find delicious dishes at craft breweries, and the Niagara Ale Trail does not disappoint! So bring your hunger, bring your thirst, and grab a beer a bite at these spots throughout the region:
The Merchant Ale House, St. Catharines
Lock Street Brewing Company, Port Dalhousie
Niagara Oast House Brewers, Niagara-on-the-Lake
Silversmith Brewing, Niagara-on-the-Lake
Counterpart Brewing, Niagara Falls
Taps Brewhouse, Niagara Falls
Bench Brewing Company, Beamsville
Brimstone Brewing Company, Ridgeway
Breakwall Brewing Company, Port Colborne
Kame & Kettle Beer Works, Fonthill
Take-home Brew for your own BBQ:
While grabbing a pint is great, sometimes you’d like to take a brew or two home with you. Many local breweries have their own bottle shops and offer bottles, cans and growlers for you to take home & enjoy at your BBQ, cottage weekend, or summer afternoon by the pool:
The Merchant Ale House, St. Catharines
Bench Brewing Company, Beamsville
The Exchange Brewery, Niagara-on-the-Lake
Niagara Oast House Brewers, Niagara-on-the-Lake
Niagara College Teaching Brewery, Niagara-on-the-Lake
Silversmith Brewing, Niagara-on-the-Lake
Niagara Brewing Company, Niagara Falls
Counterpart Brewing, Niagara Falls
Brimstone Brewing Company, Ridgeway
Breakwall Brewing Company, Port Colborne
Kame & Kettle Beer Works, Fonthill
Live Music:
Not only is the region home to great beer, but we’ve got great musicians as well. Enjoy your beer while listening to new and familiar tunes from local acts – catch them at these breweries (and visit their websites for dates & times):
Lock Street Brewing Company, Port Dalhousie
The Merchant Ale House, St. Catharines
Silversmith Brewing, Niagara-on-the-Lake
Niagara Oast House Brewers, Niagara-on-the-Lake
The Exchange Brewery, Niagara-on-the-Lake
Taps Brewhouse, Niagara Falls
Niagara Brewing Company, Niagara Falls
Bench Brewing Company, Beamsville
Breakwall Brewing Company, Port Colborne
Brimstone Brewery, Ridgeway
Kame & Kettle Beer Works, Fonthill
And of course we can’t forget all the seasonal beer infused with local fruits that are popping up all over the region. Keep an eye on the breweries and their social media posts for those – you won’t want to miss them!
Cheers to summer sipping on the Niagara Ale Trail!