Going to Winnipeg - Looking for recommendations.

My advice... drive elsewhere.

 

Winnipeg is not much of a destination itself, certainly not a beer destination. The liquor stores are government run and the most craft forward beer bars will have maybe a half dozen decent Canadian craft beers and the rest macro.

 

Winnipeg has a very weak beer scene. Like many Canadian provinces the selection is dictated by the government controlled liquor stores and slants to the BMC crowd, even in their import & craft section (which is as large as 1 shelf at Zipps, maybe, with less selection). That said, you can get some belgians at better prices than in the US.

We have no Cantillon! (let's stop that there)

We have two brewers in the province Fort Garry & Half Pints, and one that claims to be local but contract brews a mediocre amber lager in Ontario (Farmery). Fort Garry is from the first craft beer wave of the 90s and until recently released nothing of note. They have in the past few years put out seasonals in Bombers that are better and now are canning some one-offs and more regular releases (an IPA for example). Half Pints is about a decade old now and is the craft beer producer in the city. They tend to have 4 regulars (British Amber, IPA, Kölsch & coffee stout) and normally 1 seasonal, which right now is a hefeweizen. They have a personable brewmaster who will trade stuff if you bring some locals, even as a drop in (they have a tour every Saturday)

Personally, I would pick up a taster of their stuff, a bottle of the Hef and a can of Evil Goat Dopplebock by Fort Garry for locals and try a few other Canadian beers on the shelf (we get beers from Phillips, which is a good BC beer maker).

As for bars? They are few. The Brogue has a few nice Unibroue, the King's Head has a nice Irish vibe, The Yellow Dog has good for and a couple decent beers and maybe a nice band, the Grove may have a cask on tap (the only one in the city), but the pièce be résistance would be Barley Brothers near Polo Park. 72 taps, all craft though many are from the US. You will though get more beer selection here you cannot find at home than at liquor stores.

Lastly if driving up I94/I29 via Fargo & Grand Forks, do yourself a favour and stop at JL Beers for a greasy burger and their 40 taps, which will IMHO blow away Barley Brothers.

 

Lies! We have one that has more than a half dozen decent beers! (Barley Brothers - soon to be 2!)

 

You know it's a bad sign when they're able to advertise themselves as "Winnipeg's only craft beer pub".

 

I should also mention that @tbadiuk is a great trader and has Cantillion & a Bruery reserve membership so if you have some beers of note to trade, he might be able to. I also have some Cantillon to trade, but it all depends on your dates.

 

Winnipeg doesn't even have a brewpub. That should tell you all you need to know about the beer scene. I was just in Minneapolis. Makes me laugh why you would go to Wpg spur of the moment lol (I'm actually from Wpg...)

 

This was true at one time but they have gone downhill in a big way IMHO - I find almost all of their beers come with metallic background notes and I have stopped buying anything.

 

It's a pale comparison to many other major US locations for a beer scene but it's gotten much better than it used to be.

Just be thankful you aren't visiting in February.... take the advice mentioned, what's been said is spot on.