Duggan's Brewery

Brewery, Bar, Eatery, Beer-to-go

75 Victoria St
Toronto, Ontario, M5C 2B1
Canada

// CLOSED //

Owned and operated by Michael Duggan of Cool Brewing.
BEER STATS
Average:
0
Beers:
0
Ratings:
0
PLACE STATS
Average:
3.89
Reviews:
11
Ratings:
11
pDev:
19.02%
View: Beers | Place Reviews
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Ratings by BrewSomerville:
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Reviewed by BrewSomerville from Canada (ON)

4.1/5  rDev +5.4%
vibe: 3 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 4.5
First time visit for me. Mid afternoon on a Monday.

Atmosphere: I like the set-up with the brewhouse and tanks behind glass where you can see it. Really nice looking equipment, really "showy". The rest of the place is modern looking, but otherwise uninteresting.

Quality: All of the beers I had were in top form. Food was great.

Service: As soon as I walked in, I was greeted and seated by a new server (on her 3rd shift) who was eager to tell me about what beers they had and bring me a menue. Friendly, helpful, etc.

Selection: There was a good line-up of beers in the back of the menue, unfortunately they were sold out of four of them. A good variety of beer styles.

Food: Great! I started off with some oysters. They had four different kinds. I was asking questions about the different kinds they had and they seemed happy to talk about them. I tried all of them. Nice presentation. Then I had the lamb shank, fall of the bone tender and delicious. Good sized portion for your money.

Prices were reasonable.
Feb 02, 2010
More User Ratings:
Photo of bendit
Reviewed by bendit from Canada (ON)

1.6/5  rDev -58.9%
vibe: 2 | quality: 1.5 | service: 1 | selection: 2 | food: 2
Restaurant: Loud, inefficient floor plan, staffed by some of the rudest people in Toronto.

Brewery: Below average beer that seems to be riding the coat tails of an undeserved reputation.

The general quality of this brewery and restaurant seems to have declined rapidly since its opening.

I was once excited about the #9, but I now find it nearly undrinkable.

On my last visit, only 4 beers were available, one of them being the #9. I don't recall exactly what the others were, but they appeared to be generic clones of mass produced lagers.
Feb 20, 2011
Photo of Popsinc
Reviewed by Popsinc from Canada (ON)

4.43/5  rDev +13.9%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4.5
Recently made my 2nd trip to Duggan's, both being very good experiences.

The beer at Duggan's is solid but nothing that will blow you away. I was impressed by the Double IPA and liked the fact that they attempted a Trappist as well. Obviously, #9 IPA is very solid as it is the brewpub's flagship beer. The German Pils, on the 2nd visit, seemed a bit off but that may have been something in the lines.

Bartenders were overly nice on both occasions and I have nothing but nice things to say about the service.

I think the food at Duggan's is absolutely great and fairly priced. First time around I had a very healthy portion of traditional Fish n Chips. Very filling. 2nd time around I tried the Duck Confit poutine which I thought was just fabulous. It hit the spot and was exactly what I needed at the time.

Great spot in Toronto and I really hope they stick around for a long time. Highly recommended.
Sep 05, 2010
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Reviewed by cratez from Canada (ON)

3.8/5  rDev -2.3%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 2.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4
Came here with my girlfriend for dinner and drinks on 08/20/10. Spacious, attractive interior is very clean and simple, bordering on spartan. There's two large bars on each side of the brewpub, a display of six packs by the front door, and probably 40 or so tables in the restaurant and pub areas. We had a nice view of Victoria Street at our comfortable, candle-lit two seater.

Our waitress was slow and uncaring, she seemed to have given up on us the moment she introduced herself. She also appeared to be getting cut behind the bar even though Mr. Duggan was sitting in the room. The night ended with me going to the bar to take care of our bill, which sums up the quality of the service.

Beer selection is 8 taps with a fairly diverse mix of European, Asian, and North American styles. I went with the #5 Rice Lager and #17 Czech Pils, both were exceptional. My girl really enjoyed her sauvignon blanc. They have about 10 wines (4 reds, 4 whites, 2 rosés), and mix drinks are also available, so non-beer drinkers can easily find something to pair with their meal.

The food is excellent. I had the grilled lemon chicken breast with arugula salad while the lady ordered some lager-battered fish and chips. The menu is mostly straightforward meat and pizza dishes but there's a few vegetarian and seafood options as well.

Overall we were pleased with the food and drinks and managed to have a fun, relaxing evening despite the substandard service. If we came here again I would specifically ask for a different waitress. Certainly worth a visit and those who are only interested in the beer will not be disappointed with Duggan's top-notch offerings.
Aug 21, 2010
Photo of Yetiman420
Reviewed by Yetiman420 from Ohio

4.38/5  rDev +12.6%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4.5
Visited for dinner around 8:00 on a Monday evening while in Toronto on a solo business trip.

In hindsight, I found out there were bars on either side of the main entrance on Victoria street and would have opted for the less crowded side with music playing. Threre were no TV's on the left side as you enter (not sure about the other side). I mention all of this because there was one bartender who was responsible for the handful of patrons at the bar as well as some tables. It was hard to relax and enjoy my beers and meal as this guy was moving around so fast.

I liked the fact that they served half beers which allowed me to sample the Czech Pils ands Weissbeer prior to the house IPA. The Pils and Weiss were both excellent representatons of the style. The IPA was too balanced for me, probably too much to the caramel malt as I prefer low malt high hop unbalance. I finished with a half beer of the Trappist (9.9%) which could have benefited from a bit more complexity but I give high marks for the attempt.

I had a beet salad and vegetarian curry dish. The form was excellent and the later was ok.

Overall the beers I sampled were all very good and above the standerd of the many, many brewpubs I've had the god fortune of visiting.
Aug 10, 2010
Photo of TheSevenDuffs
Reviewed by TheSevenDuffs from Canada (ON)

4.04/5  rDev +3.9%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 3.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4
This is a pretty cool brewpub. Didn't have the food but from what I saw it looked like the food selection was very good.

This is a very nice brewpub with a great atmosphere, a lot of seating and good mix of both bar and restaurant seating. There were about 6 or 7 Duggan's beers on tap and I tried the #7 Stout, which was very good.

Service was very good - friendly, knowledgeable and quick.

I will definitely be making a return to Duggan's some time soon and next time I will eat with my beer.
Jul 31, 2010
Photo of kwjd
Reviewed by kwjd from Canada (ON)

4.2/5  rDev +8%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 4.5
I've been between 5 and 10 times since it has opened in December 2009. Once I did have bad service, but it was so new that I can forgive this. Every other time the service has been exceptional. While some beers are better than others, I haven't had a bad one there yet. New beers seem to be added frequently enough. For beer, the Asian Lager is the real standout because there is nothing out there like it.

The place is pretty huge and most of the space upstairs is more of a restaurant, with more of a smaller bar area to the other side. I am a food lover and it meets my standards. The pork hock reminds me of Au Pied du Cochon in Montreal, both in terms of the sheer size of it and the taste. If you are visiting Canada and haven't had poutine before, try the duck confit poutine, as it is up there with the better poutines I've had in Toronto.
Feb 26, 2010
Photo of uno99
Reviewed by uno99 from Canada (ON)

3.88/5  rDev -0.3%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 3.5 | selection: 3 | food: 4
A: Situated on a quiet street if you go later at night, this beautiful new brew pub combines classy decor with a relaxed atmosphere. music is quiet, and the resteraunt area is spacious without being cold and cavernous.

Q: I sampled 2 beers. The Belgian tripple and the porter. both were excellent and worthy of purchase. the tripple was actually better than the La Fin Du Monde I had earlier in the evening, and the porter tasted much like a youngs chocolate stout, which I happen to like.

S: I wont go into lengthy details, but the service wasen't %100 yet. however, the front of house manager, Mike is eager to rectify a situation and hear feedback.

S: I recall there were about 8 beers on the menu. Many of the Beers weren't available. I have a feeling this will improve.

F: The concise menu is a work in progress according to the manager. The duck confit poutine was excellent, although I found the presentation lack luster and the serving size enourmous. perhaps a smaller serving and a side salad or somthing to lighten up this heavy dish would help. two of my friends at the table were not happy with their steak sandwich, which was eventually redone to better standards.

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Aside from a few bugs, this could be the best brew pub in Toronto and one I will be visiting again for sure.
Feb 08, 2010
Photo of bobsy
Reviewed by bobsy from Canada (ON)

4.15/5  rDev +6.7%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 4
Been three times now. I think the first time I went, myself and Eric were their 6th and 7th customers ever, but I don't expect we'll get a memorial plaque or anything. Also went with my wife, and then again with a few boozebags, and I've been impressed each time.

The place itself has a clean, modern appearance, that I feel needs a touch of warmth adding to it, but I expect that will come with time. Its actually quite cavernous inside, and they don't even have the downstairs up and running yet! The brewing equipment is highly visible and looking good, and the whole effect is of a sleek, modern bistro.

Service has been good and very attentive, though I was brought a weizen instead of a fest once (I didn't mind). I don't foresee any problems here.

Food is off to a good start. I've had both the poutines - duck confit and curry - and I'm immensely happy with both the size and flavour. This is real Canadian food that visitors to the country should try out. The other stuff looks and smells great, but I'm sure I'll find out soon enough.

The main reason to go is for the excellent beers that Mike is churning out. The Asian Lager is a gem, and the porter, pils and stout are all solid options. He seems to have about eight on at a time, and the intention is to have a fluid lineup. Two gravity casks will be added to the bar at some future point, and work on a retail store is in the process of being finalised, so all the beers should be available by growler.

Overall, this is an excellent addition to the scene, and I reckon I'll probably keep up my steady visits if he can keep up the steady beers.
Jan 08, 2010
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Reviewed by Viggo from Canada (ON)

4.16/5  rDev +6.9%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4
Stopped in on their soft opening night with Bobsy and a few of the regular Volo crowd who showed up. Very spacious restaurant, with a large bar area tucked away on the other side of the building. Still a work in progress but looks quite nice. Service was good, but I suppose it helps when you know the server. The manager came by to speak with us a couple times and seems very enthusiastic. Mike Duggan also sat with us for a bit and pulled out some beers. The selection of beers is pretty wide, and all the ones I tried were very well made. Good if not great for the style, especially the Asian lager. I didn't order food but stole a bit of Bobsy's duck confit poutine, it was excellent. Prices are pretty reasonable especially for the location. The bathroom is inconveniently placed in the basement. And you have to go down "litigation stairs" to get there. However I minor detail, this is a definite must stop now in Toronto.
Dec 31, 2009
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Reviewed by Sammy from Canada (ON)

4/5  rDev +2.8%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4
Large and pleasant place, cnveniently located central downtown TO. Some parking, and close to the subway. I attended in the first few days, and at least the heating issue was being sorted out. Nice sized bar. Most important: every beer on tap, there were eight, were worth having. There is also wine and hard drinks available. I have heard decent reports on the food. Staff was right there. Good sound system, and they waited until 11 pm to turn it up. This is going to be a landmark place, Mike Duggan is on top of business. The Asian lager was the surprise delicious beer.
Dec 20, 2009
Duggan's Brewery in Toronto, ON, Canada
Place rating: 0 out of 5 with 11 ratings