Kitchener/Waterloo (+Guelph/Cambridge) BAs

Block 3 are making some good beers for sure. Quite a few that I like in this area.
Elora Brewing's Lady Friend IPA is a tasty pint. None of their beers are available in the LCBO at the moment so going to the brewery or finding it on tap are the only way to try their product. They always have 3 or 4 of their own brews on tap at their stylishly renovated stone wall brew pub as well as 3-4 local Ontario guest taps (one is typically a cider) all in all it's a good spot. Had the Abe Erb spritzhaus there recently. It was tasty citrusy, slightly cloudy in appearance with nice effervescence and refreshing finish although probably better as a summer beer. They usually rotate innocente, royal city, block3 and only regional beers there. They have a small but well thought out menu and the food is excellent.
Royal City is worth visiting. They are constantly have inviting new beers there. Cameron, there brewmaster, has a serious passion for brewing and loves to share it. I love their Chardonnay finished beers the best. Lock Stock in a Sour Barrel for one. Again Block 3 occasional does this as well. Just damn tasty!
Wellington Brewery deserves an honorable mention as the longest operating micro brewery in Ontario. Not only that, they constantly put out some really good beers. Train Hopping was a recent favourite of mine and their Milk Chocolate Stout is due out soon if it's not already out. It will be an exciting year for them with big changes with the expansion of the brewing facilities as well as the now working with a Ontario craft brewing legend, George Eagleson.
As for pubs...
In Guelph there is the iconic Woolwich Arrow, known locally as the 'Wooley'. Their mantra is local tastes better and have an excellent selection of local and quality craft draft and 3 casks in order to walk the talk. Couple times a year they have a full tap take over. Those can be packed events but they are a good time.
Next door is Baker Station. They have a bountiful selection of Ontario pints. I'm guessing the selection consists of 40-50 taps as well as a well stocked bottle fridge with limited edition and ultimately delicious libations. The food is also a draw. Ever changing board menu and a few classic staples that could easily make the menu at the Cambridge Mill or Langdon Hall.
Out your way, Beertown has a great selection which one would expect. I've only been to the one in Cambridge but I've heard from a few that the Waterloo location is much larger (and hopefully has more beers!!). These locations are not as locally focused so you are able to get a greater variety and a bit more main stream selection.
Other places to try would be Abe Erb and the Bent Elbow.
Cheers!

 

Lol. Well it's not a big box store look that's for sure! It's a place where people that appreciate beer go!
To get away from the repeated regular stuff you have to move around they are rotation taps so you never know what you'll get. That's what I love about these pubs. Here today, gone tomorrow in some cases. Was at Baker Station in January and they had 4-5 different Ontario Craft IPAs on tap! I was in heaven. Week later only 2!

 

Block 3 is definitely worth the visit. I'm super curious to see what they'll do with their barrel-aged program.

 

Bent elbow is by far the best beer bar in the region...nowhere near a dive bar, decent food...thirsty + mizerable in TO is a dive bar, and a great one!

Worth the drive is Black Swan brewing in Stratford. an amazing unheralded little Brewery. Their summer berlinner weisse "wild child" puts most others to shame.

There's a new brewery just opened this week on mill street in KW, TBC is the name I think. The brewers collective

 

http://barncatales.com Is finally getting stuff together... Should be brewing soon.

 

Hey Jones. Looks like it opened February 10. http://www.canadianbeernews.com/2016/01/26/twb-co-operative-brewing-opening-next-month-in-kitchener/
Thanks for the heads up. Will definitely be checking that out next week. Might hit the Black Swan as well.
We have Brothers Brewing opening up here this Summer if all goes well. Love their Tropic Thunder. It's going in the Petri building downtown (gorgeous building) which is a historical building so permits might hold it up some but let's hope not!
Also chatted with the founder of Four Fathers Brewing last week. Looks like they are up and coming in the Rockwood area. In the near future.
This region is turning into the craft brewing Mecca of Ontario. I'm one lotto win away from starting up my own brewery in the area!

 

Checked out Black Swan this week. Nice beer and friendly people. Enjoyed the Wild Child Berliner Weisse and thought it was a nice refreshing beverage. Definitely on the summer drinking list. Nice effervescence and a good dose of tartness. A treat. Also liked the Galaxy Awakens single hop. Beautiful colour and cloudy. Nice mouth feel. A solid APA for sure!
Got a couple squealers so I'll be back for refills.

 

Another K-W local here. Most of my favourite watering holes have already been mentioned, but I thought I'd make a plug for the Kick Off Sports Bar and Grill - a little hole in the wall in the University Plaza that is in my regular rotation when I'm looking for something new to drink. They keep their tap list updated on Facebook. It's no Bent Elbow, but if you are looking for a pint before BE is open, I've always found something drinkable there!

A bit more hit or miss but I've had some good luck at the Lancaster Smokehouse. They don't seem to change their taps very often, but I've come across some pleasant surprises there. I've also found some interesting selections at the new(ish) Churchill Arms pub in Waterloo - they had Brewdog's Punk IPA for awhile which I am a fan of.

When it comes to breweries, Royal City gets my vote for one of the best new breweries in the area (I haven't been to check out TWB yet). I appreciate the balance they strike between the true to style and the wild and wacky and I love the 1L growlers they have. I echo those who gave Innocente a shout out too!

 

Paid a little visit to TWB recently, definitely a work in progress as far as finding their way with recipes and equipment. A lot of local love involved in some of the beer reviews so far. The pale ale, brown ale and porter were decent enough (for what I would consider home brewers taking the next step)...the IPA was definitely in need of some tweaking.

Very excite for Barncat Artesian ales, I've only had a couple home brews from Jeremy, but from what some of the people who know him and Matt have to say, I think we are in for a very pleasant addition to the craft scene.

 

Barncat is in Cambridge. I think they are hoping to open later this year.

https://twitter.com/Barncatales?ref_src=twsrc^tfw

 

Hey, I just signed up for CANBIF and was wondering if anyone in the KW area has found a local spot for wine shippers? OR who has also signed up and is in need of a couple. Free shipping at U haul with purchases over $50, but I would have to buy 5 shippers to equal that and I only wanted to get a couple. Any feedback would be appreciated.

 

I would cross post this in The canbif forum aswell, someone in southern Ontario might have an extra to let go.

 

Looks like they are set to open this week coming. Starting off with an APA available in growler fills.
http://www.canadianbeernews.com/201...es-opening-this-weekend-in-cambridge-ontario/

 

Looks like the brewery hours will fluctuate. Looking forward to trying their beer!

 

sharing a Barncat tomorrow, look out for my review