Hi All, Will be up in Hamilton for a work week (Sep 9 - 15). Going to do Buffalo breweries on Saturday the 9th and then head to Hamilton on the Sunday (will probably stop at Brimstone on the way). It's my second time here (stayed in Burlington last time in April), and last time for foreseeable future, so wanted to know if there were some breweries/bars/pubs that I had to get to this time. On last trip, I got to: -Oasthouse -Silversmith -Niagara Brewing Company -Exchange -Steamwhistle -Amsterdam Brewing Company On my trip this time after some more research, I was hoping to hit: -The Ship -Winking Judge -The Brux -Rust City Brewery -Merit Brewery -Brimstone Brewery (on way from Buffalo) -Collective Arts/Nickel Brook (was a little confused on these websites and if these were taprooms or not). Not looking to hit the Toronto area again unless I missed something of dire importance haha (I am bummed I didn't get to Mill St last time; just didn't have time and even less with just a week this time). Any and all advice or avoid would be appreciated! Cheers
So heads up, Nickel brook is indeed a tap room, but an intimate one, no food, just a store front with taps. They are very much worth the trip as many of their offerings are seasonal and in house only. Out of all the breweries in the area, they are my favorite. Pick up MALEVOLENT Imperial black IPA CAFÉ DEL BASTARDO Imperial coffee stout CERES cucumber lime gose and Headstock, the year round IPA and their non alchoholic rootbeer is great too I just went to Buffalo myself recently, didnt hit any breweries but I did find that Premier Gourmet was the one stop store to buy beer. I hit up 4 other liquor stores but nothing was even close in terms of selection. And the staff was amazing at recommending beer I was unfamiliar with. I think you've covered most of the Niagara region hot spots. and their non alchoholic rootbeer is great too
Hi! You can drink at Nickle Brook, however it is more like a store than a taproom. Collective Arts, they have a small taproom that acts as a store as well but is bigger than Nickle Brook on the right side of the building where you can have tasters, full pint, etc. A few tables, up to 20 persons maybe. The real action is on the other side of the building where you will find a huge terrace, awesome view of graffiti all over the side of the building plus Nickle Brook is also (i believe) available as the terrace is a partnership between the two. Merit is an awesome place. The food is pretty decent too. Lots of locals told us about Fairweather close Merit and Collective Arts. Maybe it's worth checking out. In both cases, check opening hours and enjoy your visit!
I would still drive to Bellwoods on Ossington street to have some of the best beers in the country and have a bit while you are there.
Yeah Bellwoods is the must... and hit Great Lakes Brewery in Etobicoke on the way! You might also consider Barncat in Cambridge as well, though their hours are limited on Friday and Saturday.
Another vote for Bellwoods. If you're already 99% of the way there... Barncat as well, not too far from Hamilton and they make some awesome stuff. I've heard good things about Merit but haven't been yet.
Bellwoods is great, but it is still an hour and change further away, and that is in no traffic at all. Good beer, but I think you will have a way better time sticking to your original plan and staying outside Toronto. Way more beer for your time. A Toronto beer run is a solid full day experience, if not two.
You are on the right path and you are getting good intel. Hamilton specific I would hit: Brux House - nice staff, top quality food and good variety of beer Fairweather Brewing - best new brewer in the Hammer IMO The Brain - nice bottle fridge The Ship Rust City - good pricing and Bellwoods bottles typically Merit - great space, good food - https://www.beeradvocate.com/community/threads/merit-brewing.510365/ Nickelbrook - technically Burlington. On Drury St only since they parted ways with Collective Arts Collective Arts - almost macro My choices in roughly that order.... Slightly out of town the recommendation for Barncat In Cambridge is solid. Great beers and their IPAs are fantastic. Note their limited hours Friday and Saturdays only. If you make it to Cambridge the Arabella Park in Kitchener is definitely worth while. 18 taps of harder to fine brews. And if you make it to Toronto Bellwoods for sure and Birreria Volo. Both top notch. Most definitely some of the best in the country! Have fun!
Listen to da buddha. Though I might be inclined to bump up a stop at Merit for the reasons he highlighted.
Agree with all. Depending on your timing, you may find Bellwoods bottles (standard and occasional limited bottles) and draught (standard) at several of the Hamilton stops you've listed....Brain, Rust, Brux. An in person visit to Bellwoods is always a good time, but yeah, traffic and parking in Ossington is a pain in the ass at the best of times. If you like Cider, put West Ave on your list. Just a short drive out of town. The tap room vibes much more like a wine tasting room, but the cider is top notch. Don't count Collective Arts out. Sometimes they knock stuff out of the park. Timing will determine how pedestrian their offering are. I think they might have advertised their fall release schedule, but not 100% sure. Happy Hammering
Thanks everybody for the advice. I had a great time up in Hamilton. I didn't end up having the time to get up to Toronto, but was able to find some Bellwoods and Great Lakes bottles at bars. Collective Arts was a great call, nice chill taproom. Merit was my favorite brewery. Was able to get to literally every location dabeerbuddha recommended, and all were fantastic.
