Ontario’s craft beer scene has grown rapidly in recent years. From tiny garage operations to sprawling farmhouse breweries, each brings something different to the table. Here’s a closer look at five notable Ontario breweries – four still operating and one recently closed.
Flying Monkeys Craft Brewery in Barrie
Started in 2004 (originally as Robert Simpson Brewing Company before becoming Flying Monkeys in 2008), this Ontario brewery sits on Barrie’s downtown waterfront. Their motto “Normal is Weird” and “Brew Fearlessly” perfectly captures their bold approach.
Flying Monkeys is best known for strong, high-alcohol beers, especially their IPAs:
- Sparklepuff Triple IPA (10.2%) – Packed with tropical fruit and peach flavours
- Space Age Sunshine Quadruple IPA (11.6%) – Tastes like orange creamsicle with vanilla
- Alien Mastermind Mango Haze Triple IPA (10.3%) – Strong mango and citrus flavours
- Juicy Ass IPA (6.5%) – More approachable but still hop-forward
- Chocolate Manifesto Triple Chocolate Milk Stout (10%) – Rich and dessert-like
Beyond Ontario beer, they run a full restaurant with a wide menu from burgers to charcuterie boards. Their taproom stays open late (11 AM to midnight most days) and offers regular brewery tours. They also make creative hard seltzers under the “Infinite Minds” brand with fun names like “Robots Kiss Butterflies.”
Brasserie Tuque de Broue Brewery in Embrun (Closed)
Though it closed in mid-2024, Tuque de Broue was an important part of Ontario’s craft beer community. Started by Nicolas Malboeuf, who previously worked in wine, the brewery operated in Embrun with a distinctly Canadian identity – even named after the iconic Canadian winter hat.
Their selection included some of the most popular beer in Ontario:
- Tuque Dorée – A light, fruity Canadian Pale Ale
- Gougounes Rousses (5.8%) – A red ale with caramel and berry flavours
- Barbe Blanche – A wheat beer with banana and clove notes
- La Cavalerie d’Houblons – A fruit-forward IPA
The family-owned Brasserie Tuque de Broue Brewery Inc. in Embrun offered merchandise, including their branded Birra di Baroni glass (20 oz beer glass) and stylish sunglasses. They also had collaborations with local businesses like Vittoria Trattoria. Their product line extended beyond their core beers to include seasonal offerings like Amber Light and specialty beers such as Matante Framboise. The brewery served both French and English-speaking customers and received government support through development programs.
Despite winning business awards and maintaining a 4.8/5 rating from 132 Google reviews, the Embrun brewery couldn’t stay open, showing how challenging the craft beer market can be. However, before closing, Tuque de Broue had built a strong following – not just among craft beer lovers, but also among Ontario’s casino players who enjoyed unwinding with a quality brew after a gaming session.
Tuque de Broue: Craft Beer Choice for Ontario Gamblers
A local survey among Ontario online gamblers revealed that Tuque de Broue was one of the most popular breweries among players. Many enjoyed pairing their gaming sessions with its smooth Tuque Dorée Pale Ale or the rich Gougounes Rousses Red Ale, which complemented the thrill of online slots or poker tournaments. Avid players seeking top-tier online casino Canada experiences often check a page with inspected online fun sets to find secure, high-quality gaming sites that elevate their enjoyment. Exploring vibrant web game collections is enriched with insights from expertly curated data, including trusted digital gems for online casino Canada, key traits of the most dependable sites, top reliable picks, and essential licensing standards for Canadian gaming hubs. Even after its closure, former Tuque de Broue customers still reminisce about how its beers perfectly paired with a lively game of blackjack or roulette.
Here’s a quick look at some fan-favourite pairings from back in the day:
| Beer | Perfect Match Game | Vibe |
|---|---|---|
| Tuque Dorée Pale Ale | Online Slots | Light, refreshing, easygoing |
| Gougounes Rousses | Live Poker Tournaments | Bold, intense, social |
| Brasseurs du Temps IPA | Blackjack | Crisp, sharp, strategic |
| St-Ambroise Oatmeal Stout | Roulette | Rich, smooth, high-stakes |
| Dieu du Ciel! Péché Mortel | Baccarat | Dark, complex, sophisticated |
While Tuque de Broue’s legacy lives on in the memories of Ontario’s gaming and craft beer enthusiasts, newer breweries like 100 Acre Brewing Co. in Peterborough are carving out their own niche with a focus on tradition and balance. Unlike the bold, high-ABV styles that once dominated gaming pairings, 100 Acre Brewing embraces a more measured approach, crafting lower-alcohol beers that reflect the serene charm of their 100-acre homestead.
100 Acre Brewing Co. in Peterborough
This family-run brewery operates on a 100-acre homestead in Peterborough and is approaching just its second anniversary. As one of the most picturesque Ontario breweries, they focus on traditional, lower-alcohol beers made with patience, offering a stark contrast to Flying Monkeys’ high-ABV approach.
Their beer lineup includes:
- Flight Path Table Beer (3.5%) – Light and refreshing with pear and apple notes
- Stag Tail Pilsner (5.0%) – Clean with bread-like aromas and grassy hops
- Monarch Saison (5.0%) – A classic farmhouse beer with earthy flavours
- Snapper IPA (5.5%) – Tropical fruit-focused but not overpowering
- Little Brown Bat Dark Mild (3.5%) – A light-bodied dark beer with caramel notes
- Garter Snake Pale Ale (4.5%) – Balanced hops with citrus flavours
100 Acre builds community through regular events like euchre tournaments (“Brewchre”), “Singo” nights (singing bingo), craft workshops, and holiday celebrations. Though they don’t have their own kitchen, they partner with food vendors like Lowlands Fire Food.
With limited hours (Thursday through Sunday only), they’ve still managed a 4.9/5 Google rating from 149 reviews. Their space includes indoor seating for 30 people and a heated outdoor patio for 45 people.
Garage Time Brewing Company in Wellington
True to its name, Garage Time operates out of the actual garage owned by Bernard and Joanna in Prince Edward County. Bernard (with cooking experience) and Joanna (with a retail background) run this tiny nano-brewery as a couple. For many Prince Edward County residents, this hidden gem is often cited as the best brewery near me when looking for unique, small-batch creations.
Despite being the smallest Ontario brewery on our list, they hold a 4.9/5 rating from 95 Google reviews. Their beers often feature unique flavour combinations:
- Garage Time Ale (GTA) (4.2%) – Their house beer, simple and refreshing
- Margarita Gose (4%) and Jalapeño Margarita Gose (4.4%) – Tart, salty beers inspired by the cocktail
- Leo’s Michelada (5.8%) – A savoury Mexican-inspired beer
- Allie-Lu-yah! NEIPA (7.9%) – Honey peach flavoured and hazy
- Renaissance Garage Jumbleberry Sour (6%) – Made with local berry jam
What makes them special is their barrel aging using tequila, bourbon, and wine barrels, plus their use of local ingredients like fresh berries and honey. Unlike many Ontario breweries with standard servings, their tasting room offers a 20 oz glass option for those who want to fully enjoy their creations. They’re open for limited hours (Friday 12-6, Saturday-Sunday 11-5) but will arrange private visits by appointment.
Meuse Brewing Company in Scotland
Located on a 25-acre property in Norfolk County, Meuse brings European farmhouse brewing to Ontario. Founded by Mischa Geven and Estelle van Kleef, the brewery is named after the Meuse river in Europe. As a local brewery near me for Norfolk County residents, it offers a unique farm-to-glass experience.
Meuse focuses on Belgian styles and special fermentation methods:
- Saison de la Meuse – Their flagship beer that’s won multiple awards
- Tripel (9%) – A strong, traditional Belgian beer
- Framboise and Mûre (10.65%) – Raspberry and blackberry sour beers
- Blanche de la Meuse – A light Belgian wheat beer
- Nero – A dark, barrel-aged imperial stout
What sets Meuse apart is that they’re not just a brewery – they also run a farm and market. Their beer glasses collection includes tulip glasses and willi bechers designed to enhance different beer styles. Their farm became certified organic in 2022, meaning the barley in their beer is grown organically on-site. They’ve also created a natural wetland and other environmental projects on their property.
Meuse has won numerous awards, including gold for their Saison de la Meuse for three straight years at the Ontario Brewing Awards.
Best Brewery in Ontario: How These Top Spots Compare
| Brewery | Location | Size | Specialty Styles | Price Range | Unique Features | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flying Monkeys | Barrie | Large | High-ABV IPAs, Imperial Stouts | $13.33-$129 | Full restaurant, downtown location, late hours, hard seltzers | 4.6/5 (1,277 reviews) |
| 100 Acre | Peterborough | Medium | Traditional styles, farmhouse ales | – | 100-acre farm setting, regular community events, heated patio | 4.9/5 (149 reviews) |
| Garage Time | Wellington | Nano | Experimental, cocktail-inspired beers | $3.50-$5.00 | True garage brewery, barrel aging, appointment visits | 4.9/5 (95 reviews) |
| Meuse | Scotland | Medium | Belgian styles, mixed fermentation | $2.74-$10.65 | Organic farm, market, environmental initiatives | 4.9/5 (79 reviews) |
| Tuque de Broue | Embrun | Medium | Canadian-style ales | $3.00-$5.00 | Bilingual service (now closed) | 4.8/5 (132 reviews) |
What Makes These the Best Breweries in Ontario?
These Ontario breweries stand out for four key reasons:
- Diverse Beer Styles – From high-ABV IPAs at Flying Monkeys to Belgian traditions at Meuse, these breweries cover the full spectrum of beer styles, showcasing why beer Ontario has gained recognition nationally.
- Quality Ingredients – Whether it’s Meuse growing their own organic barley or Garage Time using local fruits, quality sourcing is a priority across Ontario craft brewers.
- Distinctive Techniques – Each brewery brings something unique: Flying Monkeys’ extremely high-ABV brewing skill, Meuse’s mixed fermentation methods, or Garage Time’s creative barrel aging.
- Regional Representation – These Ontario breweries represent the diversity of the local craft beer landscape, from urban centers to rural communities like Embrun, where Tuque de Broue once operated its brewery and Broué shop.
Plan Your Ontario Beer Adventure
Hours & Best Times to Visit
- Flying Monkeys: Open 7 days, 11AM-midnight (11PM Sundays). Busiest on weekend evenings.
- 100 Acre: Open Thursday-Sunday only. Check the event calendar for special activities.
- Garage Time: Friday 12-6, Saturday-Sunday 11-5. Text ahead for appointments.
- Meuse: Friday-Saturday 12-6, Sunday 12-5. Best in daylight to see the farm.
Practical Tips
- Flights – All Ontario breweries offer sample flights to try multiple beers.
- Food Options – Flying Monkeys has a full restaurant; others have varying arrangements from food trucks to BYO options.
- Group Size – Garage Time works best for small groups (under 10); the others can accommodate larger parties.
- Seasonal Considerations – 100 Acre and Meuse have outdoor spaces best enjoyed in warmer months.
- Transportation – Plan for a designated driver or local accommodations.
Regional Pairings
- Barrie: Combine Flying Monkeys with Lake Simcoe waterfront activities and downtown shopping.
- Peterborough: Pair 100 Acre with Peterborough’s trail system (30+ km) and Trent-Severn Waterway.
- Prince Edward County: Visit Garage Time along with 40+ local wineries and Sandbanks beaches.
- Norfolk County: Explore Meuse and nearby Long Point UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
- Eastern Ontario: Though Embrun brewery Tuque de Broue has closed, the area offers proximity to Ottawa attractions and other craft brewers emerging in the region.
Each brewery offers something distinct within Ontario’s craft beer community. For the best experience, research current offerings before your visit, as seasonal beers and food options change regularly.