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Great Lakes Brewery
30 Queen Elizabeth Blvd
Etobicoke, Ontario, M8Z 1L8
Canada
(416) 255-4510 | map
greatlakesbeer.com
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Reviewed by cratez from Canada (ON)
4.4/5 rDev +8.9%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.25 | selection: 4.5
4.4/5 rDev +8.9%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.25 | selection: 4.5
Quite literally my "local" brewery, as I live down the street from here. And I'm really glad I do, because Great Lakes is one of the best breweries in Canada.
These guys excel at a wide range of styles, from hoppy pales/IPAs/DIPAs, to porters and stouts, to English-style ales (milds, bitters, old ales, barleywines), to German, Czech, and North American-style lagers. Plus, every now and then they crank out a surprise, like a killer Kentucky Common or barrel-aged saison. That means there's always something interesting available on tap or to go, which is why I come here about twice a week.
The tap room is a warm, inviting, and unpretentious space with ample seating at the bar, a few tables throughout, and a very large patio that's open from spring to fall. On weekends they have live music, and there's also an upstairs bar that they use for game nights and group events.
Food is now available courtesy of the Wavy Wall Kitchen, and the couple times I've ordered something it's been good. The menu varies, but they typically focus on a theme, like Southern BBQ, Mexican, or Chicago-style hot dogs, for example.
Service is usually solid, and more often than not the servers and patrons are up for a chat.
Overall, Great Lakes is a must-visit destination for any beer geek living in or visiting Toronto, and I feel pretty fortunate to have such an awesome brewery close by.
Feb 11, 2020These guys excel at a wide range of styles, from hoppy pales/IPAs/DIPAs, to porters and stouts, to English-style ales (milds, bitters, old ales, barleywines), to German, Czech, and North American-style lagers. Plus, every now and then they crank out a surprise, like a killer Kentucky Common or barrel-aged saison. That means there's always something interesting available on tap or to go, which is why I come here about twice a week.
The tap room is a warm, inviting, and unpretentious space with ample seating at the bar, a few tables throughout, and a very large patio that's open from spring to fall. On weekends they have live music, and there's also an upstairs bar that they use for game nights and group events.
Food is now available courtesy of the Wavy Wall Kitchen, and the couple times I've ordered something it's been good. The menu varies, but they typically focus on a theme, like Southern BBQ, Mexican, or Chicago-style hot dogs, for example.
Service is usually solid, and more often than not the servers and patrons are up for a chat.
Overall, Great Lakes is a must-visit destination for any beer geek living in or visiting Toronto, and I feel pretty fortunate to have such an awesome brewery close by.
Reviewed by West_Chester_Ale_Tester from Ohio
4/5 rDev -1%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4.25 | selection: 3.75
4/5 rDev -1%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4.25 | selection: 3.75
My second favorite Great Lakes Brewery. I might not like this one as much the one in Cleveland, but this place is very cool. An easy stop on the way to the airport from Toronto. They do several styles well and a few very well. Friendly staff. A great spot.
Aug 14, 2018Reviewed by patre_tim from Thailand
4.07/5 rDev +0.7%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 3.75
4.07/5 rDev +0.7%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 3.75
I went on Brewery tour here with my brother a few years back. The girl hosting us, the sister of the brewer, was very friendly, and even gave us each a bottle of a rare vintage brew for free. Overall a great experience, but I rate the vibe more on the hospitality than building atmosphere.
Mar 31, 2018Reviewed by bixby1971 from Canada (ON)
3.16/5 rDev -21.8%
vibe: 2.25 | quality: 4 | service: 3 | selection: 2.75
3.16/5 rDev -21.8%
vibe: 2.25 | quality: 4 | service: 3 | selection: 2.75
Very similar to a previous review, I came expecting a location and service befitting the fine beer they brew, and was a little disappointed. Questions met with answers but didn't go the extra mile to explain, offer to try a sample or recommendations. Selection was lacking as well. Most of what they had could be purchased at the LCBO down the street.
Jan 27, 2018Reviewed by SSS from Canada (QC)
3.26/5 rDev -19.3%
vibe: 2 | quality: 3.75 | service: 4 | selection: 2.5
3.26/5 rDev -19.3%
vibe: 2 | quality: 3.75 | service: 4 | selection: 2.5
The place is a hole in the wall next to a very busy high way in an arm pit of a neighbourhood.
Once inside there is a decent amount of customer service and good people to help ease the transition.
The section was not what I was expecting as they had just run out of Lake Effect on tap and in the fridge...too bad. The beers that were available were fine, but not much that the LCBO or Loblaws didn't stock...maybe one or two, but nothing mind blowing.
To be honest I really enjoy certain GLB brews, so this trek was quite disappointing as the lacklustre environment and selection made me want to reverse time and hit a nicely stocked LCBO...
Mar 15, 2017Once inside there is a decent amount of customer service and good people to help ease the transition.
The section was not what I was expecting as they had just run out of Lake Effect on tap and in the fridge...too bad. The beers that were available were fine, but not much that the LCBO or Loblaws didn't stock...maybe one or two, but nothing mind blowing.
To be honest I really enjoy certain GLB brews, so this trek was quite disappointing as the lacklustre environment and selection made me want to reverse time and hit a nicely stocked LCBO...
Reviewed by Coronaeus from Canada (ON)
4.44/5 rDev +9.9%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 5 | selection: 4.25
4.44/5 rDev +9.9%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 5 | selection: 4.25
One of the better Toronto breweries. They tend to usually have a selection of either limited or one off beers in hand, and their production levels mean that things do not often sell out too fast.
Great service. Knowledgeable staff.
Apr 16, 2016Great service. Knowledgeable staff.
Reviewed by DaveBar from Canada (ON)
4.42/5 rDev +9.4%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.25 | service: 5 | selection: 4
4.42/5 rDev +9.4%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.25 | service: 5 | selection: 4
Stopped by many times. Very good brew. Top shelf service. Just wonderful place to stop into and buy beer
Many of the brews are rotating so you need to go often. When it question samples are available.
Enjoy their Tank X series for creative brews
Enjoy
Jan 10, 2016Many of the brews are rotating so you need to go often. When it question samples are available.
Enjoy their Tank X series for creative brews
Enjoy
Reviewed by EMH73 from New York
3.71/5 rDev -8.2%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 3.5 | service: 4.75 | selection: 3
3.71/5 rDev -8.2%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 3.5 | service: 4.75 | selection: 3
Was up in Toronto a couple of weeks ago and stopped in for a tasting. The tasting room was quite nondescript. The woman who was working that day was fantastic and quite knowledgeable on the beers she was serving. The beers on tap were good but nothing was great. There were virtually no beers available for purchase at the time of my visit.
Jan 04, 2016Reviewed by papat444 from Canada (QC)
4.11/5 rDev +1.7%
vibe: 3.75 | quality: 4 | service: 4.25 | selection: 4.25
4.11/5 rDev +1.7%
vibe: 3.75 | quality: 4 | service: 4.25 | selection: 4.25
A retail store right at the brewery that also has about 5 beers to sample (about 2 oz pours). Nice place to grab some GL beers not available at the LCBO.
Dec 31, 2015
Great Lakes Brewery in Etobicoke, ON, Canada
Brewery rating:
3.84 out of
5 with
3086 ratings
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