Local food, craft beer, cider and fresh country air fit together brew-tastically.
To that end, Ontario’s Greenbelt, Ontario’s Craft Brewers, Ontario Craft Cider Association and Feast On (among others) have come together to develop the Brewery Discovery Routes. Not since pizza and pineapple or fries and gravy has there been a more perfect partnership.
WHAT YOU’LL FIND
Follow one of nine self-guided beer, cider and culinary tours in and around the Greenbelt, a swath of land stretching from Niagara Peninsula to Tobermory that protects parks, farms, wetlands and conservation areas, as well as a host of wildlife species.
Hike up an appetite and then savour carefully crafted beer or cider paired with farm fresh food. Look for the Feast On designation that recognizes shops, cafes, markets and restaurants committed to using locally grown ingredients.
Side note: if mention of food triggered a craving, the wood oven pizza creations at Spirit Tree Estates Cidery are a work of art. Try the Bacon Me Crazy with a Voyageur Scrumpy Cider, a seasonal blend in honour of Canada 150. Yum.
Tour breweries, chat with brew masters and gain insight into the craft brewing philosophy. It’s a delicate balance between adhering to time-honoured, traditional brewing practices and striving for new, innovative flavours. If that doesn’t impress you, the creativity that goes into each label will.
Sample seasonal features like Second Wedge’s Sweater Weather and pick up tried-and-true favourites, such as the Thornbury’s Premium Cider, Ontario’s #1 selling craft cider.
HERE’S ALL NINE DISCOVERY ROUTES
Windsor Essex Barrels Bottles & Brews
Learn about Canadian prohibition history and bootlegging past as you sample totally above-board craft beer.
HOP thru Ontario’s Southwest
This tour in Southwest Ontario includes a stop at Ontario’s only brewery farm.
Saints and Sinners
The Georgian Bay is another destination rich in prohibition tales and lore.
Taps, Tastes & Trails
Check out Canada’s oldest independently-owned microbrewery in the Guelph area.
True Brew Path
Taste and tour along the Bruce Trail, a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve.
Rural Roots & Dirty Boots
Durham region experiments with beer-infused treats like beer butter tarts, beer brittle and cider doughnuts.
Brews, Bites & Barns
Kick back with a brew in Peterborough and the Kawarthas.
Artisan Food & Beverage Region
Eastern Ontario’s lakeside ciders and farm breweries go hand-in-hand with artisanal cheese.
Backroom Deals & Muddy Wheels Trail
Meet Ottawa’s craft brew pioneers plus new to the trade crafters.
Not only are these routes packed with flavour and fun, you’ll feel good about going green and local. Win-win!
Tip: check out the merch; labelled t-shirts, hats, mugs and other beer and cider-related products make great gifts for your beer enthusiast friends not lucky enough to join you.
Thirsty to go? We already have a 3-day trip along the True Brew Path fully planned out for you. Get out there and become a Brew Boss.
IT’S THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME FOR A BEER!